Academic Standards and Regulations

Attendance

Procedures governing class attendance at LCCC allow each faculty member to establish attendance regulations which she or he deems necessary for her/his particular course. If attendance becomes impossible, students must officially withdraw from the course. Withdrawal procedures are described in the registration section of this catalog.

When severe weather strikes the area, students are advised to consider the conditions in their immediate area concerning the safety of travel. Conditions can vary significantly within the service area of the College and decisions regarding College operations are made on the general status of the overall service area. Students are responsible for their own safety and travel decisions. All coursework is also the continuing responsibility of students. A choice to be absent from a course for any reason does not exonerate students from the full responsibility to complete all prescribed coursework.

Students receiving Veterans benefits are required to attend classes. Please refer to Veterans Standards of Progress (below) or contact the Veterans Affairs Officer in the Connections Center for further information.

Students receiving Title IV Financial Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Federal Family Education Loan Program, Federal Work Study) are required to attend classes and will have their attendance verified by their class instructor. Please refer to the Financial Aid section or contact the Connections Center for further information.

Faculty Absence
In the event that a faculty member is not present at the usually scheduled class session, students must remain in the classroom for 15 minutes. At the end of that time, if the faculty member has not arrived and no special instructions have been received, students are permitted to leave class without penalty and should report to the division office for information.

Grading System

The quality of coursework at LCCC is indicated by letter grades. Each letter grade carries “credit points” which are used in computing the student's cumulative grade point average.

Students must declare S/U grade option by the end of the eighth scheduled week of the semester. Students must declare Audit grade option by the end of the second scheduled week of the semester. Written declarations must be completed in the Connections Center. Incompletes must be arranged prior to the final examination by written contract with the course instructor.

Deadlines for credit courses offered differently than the traditional semester calendar will be calculated proportionately to and consistent with institutional policy.

Grade Point Average Cumulative
A student's cumulative grade point average is computed at the conclusion of each semester by dividing the total number of credit points earned by the number of credit hours the student has attempted up to that time. The following example will illustrate:

30 divided by 13 = 2.31

Students considered in good standing must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average.

Grade Reports
Grade reports are available to students at the end of each semester and are recorded on the student's permanent academic record. Suspected errors must be reported to the Records Office within three weeks of the last official day of the semester. Transcripts will be withheld from students with outstanding obligations to the College.

Grade and Course Expectation Appeals
It is the responsibility of faculty to exercise professional judgment in the conduct of courses to which they are assigned, to evaluate the student's performance, to assure fair and equitable treatment of all students and to strive to communicate requirements and expectations to students in a clear and timely manner. It is the responsibility of students to carry out the requirements and assignments of the course, to recognize that variation in teaching techniques and styles are an integral part of the learning process and to understand that they have an equal share of responsibility for their individual success in the course.

Students who are concerned about unfair treatment have the responsibility to raise the question with the faculty member to obtain clarification of the situation. If the student feels that further review is necessary, she/he may appeal to the academic division director responsible for the course, who will review all the facts and viewpoints surrounding the matter in an attempt to reach a satisfactory agreement. The director's decision may be appealed to the Vice President for Learner Services and Chief Academic Officer who will review the matter and render a decision. The review by the Vice President will include communications with other areas of the College (see Student Grievance Procedure) and/or the President's Office.

At all levels of review, the rights of a student will be given consideration; however, equal recognition will be given to the need for faculty to contribute to a student's learning and development using a variety of techniques and approaches.

Incomplete
A faculty member and a student may agree to enter into a contract whereby a grade of Incomplete (“I”) is reported for a specific course. A contract between the faculty member and student must be negotiated and signed prior to the final exam and the reporting of a grade of “I”.

Conditions under which an Incomplete contract can be formed: The student was unable to complete the course due to circumstances and conditions beyond her/his control and there is a reasonable possibility that the student will be able to complete the course requirements within the contracted time.

Conditions of the contract: The student must meet the conditions of the agreed upon and signed contract.

A. In such cases the student and faculty will sign a contract stating materials and activities the student must successfully complete and the date by which the student must complete those.

B. Faculty member will set the date to complete the course requirements considering the work to be done, her/his professional schedule and the schedule of the student.

C. If the student does not complete the course requirements within the contracted time, an “F” will be recorded for the course in the permanent record of the student.

Forgiveness Policy

The College recognizes that some students may not be able to overcome previously poor records in order to meet new career and educational goals and/or to meet graduation requirements. Academic forgiveness is applicable once, and only once, for currently enrolled students who have completed at least fifteen (15) credit hours of coursework with a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher for all coursework completed since earning the grade(s) for which forgiveness is sought. The student may petition in writing to the Committee on Scholastic Standing in care of the Registrar to have the grades of “D” or “F” for which the student is seeking forgiveness not computed in the grade point average and have the word “Forgiven” substituted for the former grade(s). The student may seek forgiveness for up to ten (10) semester or fifteen (15) quarter credit hours.

The course(s) for which the student is seeking forgiveness must not be needed for her/his new career or educational goals. These “forgiven” grades will be included when computing the cumulative point hour average for graduation with honors. Students with previously earned LCCC certificates of proficiency or associate degrees are not eligible to apply for forgiveness.

Repeating Courses

A student may repeat a course in which less than a “C” grade was earned. If the subsequent course was taken at LCCC, the grade received for the repeated course will thereafter be substituted for the former grade in calculating the student's cumulative GPA. If the original grade was an “F” and a subsequent equivalent course was taken at another institution, the original grade will be treated as a repeated course. The grade received for the repeated course will not be included in GPA calculation and will not appear on the transcript. The original grades will be included when computing cumulative grade point average for graduation with honors. Courses in which a grade of “C” or better was earned may only be repeated for audit. No credit will be awarded.

A course repeated will be considered as any other course in determining the credit hour load to be carried by the student in a semester.

Students using Veterans' benefits may repeat courses under certain circumstances. Refer to Veterans Standards of Progress or contact the Veterans Certifying Team in the Connections Center for further information.

Graduation Requirements

The College will award one diploma per student for an earned associate of arts or associate of science degree. Any student may pursue any number of areas of concentration in the associate of arts or associate of science degree area, but can receive no more than one associate of arts and one associate of science diploma from LCCC.

Universal Requirements for an Associate's Degree

A. Earn a minimum 62 semester hours of credit, exclusive of Developmental Education courses, with a total cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) or higher in both the degree area and on all graded coursework which includes SDEV 101, College 101 and ENGL 161, College Composition I (or earlier equivalents for students admitted before Fall Semester 1998).

B. Earn at least 20 credit hours, exclusive of Credit by Examination and transfer credit, with at least a 2.0 (“C”) cumulative point average at the College, and be officially registered in the College during the final semester.

C. Complete the requirements of one of the degree programs as outlined.

D. Complete all Incomplete (“I”) work.

E. Pay graduation fee.

F. Complete an application for Associate Degree (Graduation Candidacy Request) and submit it to the Enrollment Services Division no later than Friday of the eighth week of the semester in which graduation requirements will be completed or anytime during the preceding semester.

G. Attend the May commencement exercises when possible. Caps and gowns must be picked up at least one week prior to Commencement in the Bookstore on the first floor of College Center.

Universal Requirements for a Certificate of Proficiency

A. Earn a minimum 30 semester hours of credit with a total cumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C”) or higher in both the certificate area and on all graded coursework.

B. Earn at least 10 credit hours, exclusive of Credit by Examination and transfer credit, with at least a 2.0 (“C”) cumulative point average at the College, and be officially registered in the College during the final semester.

C. Complete the requirements of one of the certificate programs as outlined.

D. Complete all Incomplete (“I”) work.

E. Pay graduation fee.

F. Complete an application for a Certificate of Proficiency (Graduation Candidacy Request) and submit it to the Enrollment Services Division no later than Friday of the eighth week of the semester in which graduation requirements will be completed or anytime during the preceding semester.

G. Attend the May commencement exercises when possible. Caps and gowns must be picked up at least one week prior to Commencement in the Bookstore on the first floor of College Center.

Graduation with Honors
To qualify for graduation with honors, a student must have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 for all courses taken at LCCC exclusive of developmental education courses. This GPA will then be recalculated to include the original grades for all forgiven and repeated courses and all grades from all institutions where the student was previously enrolled, exclusive of developmental education courses, to determine eligibility for graduation with honors. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 for all courses included in this recalculation is required for graduation with honors. A student deemed ineligible for honors designation has the right to appeal to the Committee on Scholastic Standing. Appeals must be received no later than six (6) weeks after the student's date of graduation.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

A student is placed on academic probation when her/his cumulative grade point average falls below the established minimum which follows:

A student attending or who has attended another college or university and who is placed on probation by that college or university will be placed on probation if admitted to LCCC. She/he will remain on probation until meeting the minimum cumulative GPA required for the number of credit hours attempted at LCCC.

Academic probation will require a student to reduce her/his course load and to register at the next regular semester registration for not more than twelve (12) credit hours of coursework; and not more than six (6) credit hours of work in a regular eight (8) week Summer Semester or one (1) class in a five (5) week summer term.

Dismissals and Reinstatement
The Committee on Scholastic Standing has set a standard of scholastic achievement that every LCCC student must reach. Each semester, the Registrar addresses the problem of marginal academic achievement and recommends students to be dismissed who have attempted at least 10 semester credit hours. A student who fails to earn a 1.0 GPA, after attempting 10 semester hours, is subject to dismissal, as are those who have been on academic probation two or more semesters (at least 20 credit hours cumulatively attempted) and whose GPA is considerably below the minimum GPA required to be removed from probation. Established minimum GPAs for dismissal are:

 10-29 credit hours attempted      1.50
 30-44 credit hours attempted      1.65
 45-up credit hours attempted      1.80

In addition, the Registrar reviews each student's course withdrawal history and will recommend for dismissal those with excessive withdrawals.

A student, notified of academic dismissal by the Division Director of Enrollment Services the first time, may be readmitted after an absence of two semesters subject to the recommendation of a college counselor, which may include portions of the placement assessment process; i.e., testing or retesting.

Any student who has been readmitted to the College after the first academic dismissal will be expected to demonstrate solid evidence of academic advancement. Failure to do so will result in a second academic dismissal. A student who has been academically dismissed the second time may be readmitted only after consultation with, and approval from, the Enrollment Services Division Director, and only after an absence of one calendar year.

Any student who has been readmitted to the College after the second dismissal will be expected to demonstrate solid evidence of academic advancement. Failure to do so will result in a third academic dismissal. A student who has been academically dismissed for the third time can request readmission only by writing to the Vice President for Learner Services and Chief Academic Officer. This can only be done after an absence of two calendar years. The Vice President for Learner Services and Chief Academic Officer may or may not approve the request. Restrictions will apply if the request is granted. There are no additional provisions for reinstatement after the fourth dismissal.

Students academically dismissed have the right to appeal in writing to the Committee on Scholastic Standing. Failure to meet the appeal deadline for the dismissal semester will negate the right to appeal and obligate the students to the required interruption of their education. Letters of appeal must be received in the Records Office before the close of business the eighth Friday of the semester following the dismissal semester.

Transfer students who are on probation or dismissed from other colleges/universities will be subject to the same reduced course load limitation policy that applies to LCCC students on probation.

A student is subject to dismissal from LCCC for social misconduct and academic dishonesty at any time, regardless of her or his academic standing. The procedures for dismissal due to social misconduct and academic dishonesty are outlined in the policy section under Code of Student Conduct.

Non-Academic Dismissal
The faculty directly associated with any program offered at LCCC retains the prerogative to recommend dismissal of a student to the Committee on Scholastic Standing, regardless of the student's cumulative grade point average. Valid supporting evidence that the student lacks a particular personal or professional characteristic and/or ability required, must accompany the recommendation for dismissal.

A student dismissed from the program in which she/he was enrolled is encouraged to confer with a College counselor before entering another program offered at the College. Re-admission to the College is dependent upon policy and procedure as well as circumstances outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.

Academic and Employment Workload
Students who are employed more than twenty (20) hours per week might reduce their class load in accordance with their work load. College level study generally requires at least two hours of study for each hour of in-class time. A suggested schedule for balance is:

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, provides student access to information about themselves, permits students to challenge such information about themselves, and limits the release of such information about students without the student's explicit written consent.

LCCC is committed to this Act in its entirety. Procedural guidelines are available in appropriate College publications, and copies of procedures may be obtained from the Records Office.

Access to Student Records
A student's record, with certain exceptions including directory information (see page 62), will not be released without prior written consent of the student. A student has the right to review and question the content of her/his educational record within a reasonable time (45 days) after making a written request for such a review. If there are any questions as to the accuracy or appropriateness of the record that cannot be resolved informally, an opportunity for a hearing on the matter will be provided.

Disclosure of Education Records
LCCC will disclose information from a student's educational records only with the written consent of the student, except:

• To school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records.
• To certain officials of the U.S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General, and state and local educational authorities, in connection with certain state or federally supported education programs.
• In connection with a student's request for or receipt of financial aid, as necessary to determine the eligibility, amount or conditions of the financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
• If required by a state law requiring disclosure that was adopted before November 19, 1974.
• To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the College.
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.
• To comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena.
• To appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency.

Directory Information
LCCC designates certain personally identifiable information that is contained within the student's education record as “directory information” so that the College may, at its discretion, disclose this information without a student's prior written consent. This information is student name, home address and telephone number, e-mail address, date of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities, current enrollment status (including dates of attendance, full or part time, withdrawal status). A student may restrict the publication and release of this directory information by filing a written request with the Records Office.

In addition, the following information is always considered releasable: previous dates of attendance, degrees and awards received (to include honors), previous educational agencies or institutions attended. The complete policy regarding the collection, retention and dissemination of information about a student is available in the Records Office.

Record Retention Policy

LCCC retains the official academic record (transcript) of enrollment and credit earned at LCCC for one hundred (100) years after the student's last enrollment at LCCC.

Three years following any term of enrollment, the student's transcript is the final, indisputable record of academic achievement.

Course Load and Credit Hour Limitation

The course load of a full-time student is 12 or more credit hours and may exceed 18 credit hours of coursework in a regular semester under the following conditions:

1. Prescribed curriculum requires more than 18 credit hours per semester exclusive of physical education;
    
2. Newly admitted, recent high school graduates whose cumulative average for four years of high school work is of “B” quality (3.0) or higher;
    
3. Students with the immediately preceding 30 credit hours of coursework of “B” quality (3.0) or higher, completed at LCCC or another accredited college or university.
   These rules also apply to a student taking six or more credit hours during the term.
   The course load of a part-time student may not exceed 11 credit hours of coursework in a regular semester or five credit hours in an eight-week term or three credit hours in a five-week term.

Exceptions
Due to the unique demands of clinical laboratory courses, practica and co-ops, enrollment status will be determined by the number of contact hours required rather than the credit hours to be earned. Twelve (12) contact hours per week in a regular semester will constitute full-time enrollment. Eleven (11) contact hours or fewer will constitute part-time enrollment. These definitions do not apply to financial aid recipients.

Dean's List

Full-time
The full-time Dean's list recognizes students who successfully complete a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of credit courses and earn a GPA of 3.5 or above for a semester's work. The Vice President for Learner Services and Chief Academic Officer will recognize students annually at the completion of the Spring Semester.

Part-time
The part-time Dean's list recognizes students who: enroll part-time (11 hours or fewer per semester); are continuously enrolled (summer is optional); successfully complete a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours; and earn a GPA of 3.5 or above.

At this time the student will be considered for the Dean's list. Then, at the end of each semester in which a student accumulates an additional fifteen (15) semester hours or more of continuous enrollment, she/he will again be considered for the Dean's list. If an interruption in continuous enrollment occurs, the accumulation of hours begins again when the student returns. The Vice President for Learner Services and Chief Academic Officer will recognize students periodically.

Veterans Standards of Progress

LCCC, through the Connections Center Veterans Certifying Team and under the direction of the Vice President for Learner Services and Chief Academic Officer, will monitor/enforce standard practices for determining satisfactory progress and conduct of eligible persons receiving Veterans Administration benefits.

The Connections Center Veterans Certifying Team (VCT) will develop, publicize and administer the institutional policies regarding continued pursuit and progress being made by Veterans Administration students.

College policy and academic records maintained to reflect the progress of enrolled Veterans Administration students, shall be the same as those prescribed for all LCCC students and shall contain grades for all classes attempted, together with the number of accumulated credit hours and the cumulative GPA.

In addition, the Connections Center will maintain all school records pertaining to enrollment certification and change of status of each enrolled Veterans Administration student. The College policy relative to Standards of Progress for Veterans will be as follows:

1. The Veterans Administration (VA) requires that all veterans receiving Veterans benefits make satisfactory progress in pursuit of a degree objective. Class attendance is required to maintain satisfactory progress. The Veterans Administration student unable to attend class is required to initiate a formal withdrawal in accordance with the College withdrawal policy, and to notify the VCT of the last date of attendance. If formal withdrawal is not initiated by the student, faculty will notify the VCT of the last date of attendance.
    
2. In accordance with the guidelines set forth for school Standards of Progress, students receiving Veterans benefits will be held to the same standards as all other LCCC students. However, for the purpose of Veterans Administration payments, applicants for Veterans Administration certification with 45 credit hours attempted or greater must earn and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to be certified for veterans' payments. Certification for purposes of Veterans Administration payment require students who have attempted 10-29 credit hours to maintain a GPA no less than 1.6 or greater. A student who has attempted 30-44 credit hours must earn and maintain a GPA of 1.75 or greater.
       A veteran who fails to earn the minimum GPA (as previously noted), will not be certified to receive veterans' benefits. The only exception to this policy is for previous LCCC students who were on academic probation but were not using Veterans Administration benefits who return to LCCC with the intent to use VA benefits. These students must show progress toward the minimum GPA and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
        Veterans Certifying Team members at LCCC are in constant communication with the Ohio State Approving Agency for Veterans' Training in Columbus, Ohio, which monitors the academic progress of veterans applying for certification for the purpose of veterans' benefit payments.
    
3. All Veterans Administration students notified of failure to meet standards of progress will be notified by the Connections Center Veterans Certifying Team and encouraged to pursue personal and academic counseling and possible enrollment in a tutorial program or other study skill activity as deemed advisable.
    
4. The Veterans Administration student is responsible to notify the VCT of any changes in credit load status or educational goals.
    
5. The Veterans Administration student is to pursue only those courses required for attainment of her/his particular educational goal.
    
6. The Veterans Administration student is not permitted to receive the Veterans Administration payment for audited coursework.
    
7. The Veterans Administration student is not permitted to repeat a course in which a passing grade has been received or for which credit has been granted. A letter grade of “D” is considered a passing grade by Veterans Administration regulations.

The college academic records maintained by LCCC shall reflect the following data concerning Veterans Administration student progress:

1. There shall be recorded a final grade for each course attempted except those dropped within the first 12 weeks of any semester.
   
2. The dates of partial withdrawal and complete withdrawal shall be maintained on the formal withdrawal slip and also on the registration form for the semester.