Academic Grievance Procedure
Students are encouraged to resolve academic grievances informally by discussing their concerns with the appropriate instructor and department head. Formal grievances may be filed in certain circumstances. For information about the grievance process, please see the “Student Grievance Procedure” section of the Student Code, which appears in this handbook.
The Student Grievance Procedure may also be used whenever concern exists about a faculty member’s ability to write and speak fluently in the English language (if English is the faculty member’s second language).
Academic Forgiveness Policy
The Academic Forgiveness Policy is designed to allow students, under specific conditions, to have grades earned in previous academic terms excluded from the overall calculation of their cumulative grade point average (GPA). This gives students some input over how their previous academic records impact meeting graduation requirements for certificates, diplomas or associate degrees. Interested students should contact the Student Records Office for more information and an application.
While Academic Forgiveness is open to all students, certain guidelines/qualifiers apply:
The semester(s)/quarter(s) requested for forgiveness must be at least five years prior to the date of the written petition (application).
There is a limit of two consecutive semesters/quarters that a student can petition for exclusion. The consecutive semesters/quarters may or may not include the summer term.
A student can only petition for exclusion one time during their academic career at Greenville Tech.
All courses completed during the requested semester(s)/quarter(s) will be excluded from the cumulative grade point average calculation. There is no option to include some courses and exclude others during the specific semester(s)/quarter(s). Exclusion of the semester(s)/quarter(s) courses means that the courses cannot be counted toward completion of a certificate, diploma or associate degree.
Students may not petition to exclude a semester(s)’/quarter(s)’ grades if any of those courses were already utilized in the completion of a certificate, diploma or associate degree.
Courses, once excluded, cannot be transferred to another institution for credit.
Exclusion of the semester(s)/quarter(s) courses cannot be reversed.
A copy of the student’s petition will be maintained in the student’s permanent records.
Excluded courses and grades will still appear on the student’s transcript, but they will appear with a strike through (X) on the course information and grades.
This local policy does not supersede any state or federal policies related to determination of scholarships, student financial aid, or other matters related to student cumulative grade point average.
Academic Honesty
Students should know what activities constitute cheating, plagiarism and collusion as defined in the Student Code for South Carolina Technical Colleges. A student involved in any of these activities will, at a minimum, receive a grade of “0” for that portion of the course. This grade will be computed in the final course grade.
Any student who is suspended or expelled due to an act of academic dishonesty will have the right to due process as explained in the Student Code for South Carolina Technical Colleges.
Academic Progress
Effective August 2010, the academic standard for curriculum programs is a minimum semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
Note: Some programs may require a higher semester GPA.
Academic Warning
A student whose semester grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.0 will be placed on academic warning and will be restricted to 12 semester credit hours at the next registration. A warning flag will be noted on the student’s record and the student will have to meet with an academic advisor at the Advising and Registration Center to register.
Academic Probation
If a student on academic warning fails to earn a 2.0 GPA for the credit hours earned at the end of the next semester of enrollment, she/he will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation may only register for their next semester with a counselor who will assist the student in identifying and implementing appropriate interventions, which include attendance in required workshops. The student will be allowed to register for only nine semester hours while on academic probation. Students should note that their status as a full-time student is jeopardized while on academic probation; therefore, their financial aid and insurance eligibility will be affected.
Academic Suspension
If a student on academic probation fails to earn a 2.0 GPA for the credit hours earned at the next semester enrollment, she/he will be suspended from the college and will not be allowed to enroll for one full Fall or Spring semester. (Note: Summer does not count as a semester.) During this period of suspension, the student will be encouraged to remedy the causes of her/his lack of progress. After sitting out a full semester, the student will only be allowed to register for six semester credit hours. To help improve the academic success of the student, she/he will be required to take COL 103.
Administrative Class Withdrawals
Instructors may administratively withdraw students with a grade of “WA” when the student has missed more than 10 percent of the contact hours in a given course. If an instructor chooses to administratively withdraw a student, the withdrawal must be processed by the Student Records Office on or before the last day to withdraw for that class.
Advanced Standing
Greenville Technical College has established policies and procedures, which may allow students to enter certain curriculum programs with advanced standing. Traditional and non-traditional learning is recognized by the college, and credit may be awarded to currently enrolled students when learning can be documented to be substantially equivalent to a Greenville Tech course needed for completion of a particular degree.
The following means of awarding credit are approved by the college but are not used in GPA calculations and will generate no grade points. Courses with exemption credit may not be accepted as transfer credit at other institutions.
Transfer of Credits — College credit with a grade of “C” or better from other accredited postsecondary institutions will possibly qualify for transfer credit (TR*). Credit will be awarded by the Transcript Evaluation Office after an official transcript has been received and evaluated.
Exemption Examination — Department head determines eligibility of a student to take a written departmental examination (written or practical), administers the exam and sets minimum passing scores. A fee of $50 per credit hour is required before taking the exam (EE). Exemptions will not be granted for a course in which a student is currently enrolled, for a course in which a student was previously enrolled or for a course which has been audited.
Exemption Examination Exceptions — Nursing program students who have completed work at an institution accredited by the NLNAC and have successfully completed course competency exams will pay a fee of $125 for one semester of credit, or $75 for each five-week period. Health Science program students who have successfully completed course competencies equivalent to those required in the professional courses will pay $50 per credit hour not to exceed $125 per semester in order to receive exemption credit by examination for professional courses.
Advanced Placement (AP) Examination — College credit will be given for a score of 3, 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement examinations. Note: Credits awarded may vary according to subject area. Consult department head or Advising Center for specific details. Students who plan to transfer to another college or university may have their advanced placement exam scores re-evaluated after transfer (EO).
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) — Students may obtain credit by making satisfactory scores on CLEP subject exams (EO).
Military Experience — course completed at military schools as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE*) may qualify for exemption credit (EM).
Articulation Agreement with Area Vocational Schools — Written agreements have been established with area vocational schools/career centers to grant credit for specified course (EA).
Articulation Agreement with Business & Industry — An agreement which has been established with specific businesses or industries to grant credit for specific course (EI).
Exemption Due to a Substitution — The exemption of a required course based on the student’s having taken another course, which would meet the requirements. The course being used as a substitution must carry a grade of “C” or higher (ES).
*See below for explanation of these grade designations.
Advanced Credits from Postsecondary Institutions and Nontraditional
Greenville Technical College has established policies and procedures that may allow students to enter certain curriculum programs with advanced standing. In many cases, credit may be awarded through transfer coursework from other regionally accredited postsecondary institutions. Students entering into one of these programs will work with the secondary institution and with Greenville Technical College to meet the requirement to earn the advanced credits. Requests for transcripts should be made in advance of the time they are needed.
Advanced credits may also be awarded from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) for subject exams only. Advanced Placement may be awarded through Advanced Placement Program (AP), and, though limited, military training. Reports should be mailed to the Transcript/Advanced Placement Services Offices as early as possible. Upon admission into the college, appropriate letter grades and hours earned will be awarded to the student.
Transcripts and non-traditional learning documents are provided for college use only, become part of an official record, and cannot be returned.
Attendance Policy
Class attendance is necessary in order to receive maximum benefits from the educational process and to achieve academically. It is the student’s responsibility to attend class and to be punctual. A student MAY BE administratively withdrawn when failing a course and when more than 10 percent of the class contact hours in a given course have been missed without providing the instructor official documentation of excusable reasons for the absences prior to reaching the 10 percent limit. Students will be notified by the instructor in writing, including electronic forms of communications, if the limit has been exceeded and if they are being administratively withdrawn (WA). VA benefits and other financial aid may be affected by a student’s excessive absences.
Student Reinstatement Policy
- A student can only be reinstated in any ONE (1) course ONE (1) time unless there are extremely unusual circumstances (see number 2 below)
- Any request (s) for subsequent reinstatement due to unusual circumstances or a reinstatement after the term or course withdrawal date MUST be approved in writing by the academic dean.
- Any student requesting reinstatement MUST be performing at a level of at least 70% in that course to qualify for reinstatement.
- A reinstatement fee of $50 will be assessed to the course for reinstatement.
Auditing a course
A student who wants to attend classes regularly but who does not wish to earn academic credit may register as an auditor. Auditing status should be clearly noted on the Enrollment/Disclosure Form and entered into the computer at the time of registration. Audit students must meet the course prerequisites unless the assigned instructor has provided written consent granting the student special admission. No credit is awarded for such courses, and credit cannot be granted at a later date. Audited courses may not be used to fulfill prerequisite requirements for any class. A student may audit at most 12 credit hours per semester. Once registered as an auditor, a student can only change to credit during the Add/Drop period by using an Enrollment/Disclosure Form. Similarly, a student enrolled for credit can only change to audit by using an Enrollment/Disclosure Form during the Add/Drop period.
Audit students should attend classes regularly and must pay all tuition and fees for any courses in which they enroll. Federal regulations stipulate that students cannot receive financial aid for courses being audited. The participation of auditors in class (whether via homework or lab assignments, in-class discussions, tests, presentations or other means) is completely at the instructor’s discretion. A grade of “AU” will be given to auditors. Students receiving an “AU” may not subsequently earn credit for that course through credit by examination; however, students may subsequently register and take the course “for credit”. Students who plan to transfer to other institutions should be aware that many colleges and universities do not allow students to take courses for credit after receiving an “Audit” for the course. Student should check with transfer institutions prior to auditing a course. Developmental courses cannot be audited.
Change of Department/Program
Students who decide to change from one program of study to another must stop by the Admissions Office and complete a Status Change Form. Once this form is completed, the Admissions officer will determine each student’s eligibility for the new program. The change must be submitted prior to registration for the program.
Change of Name/Address/Social Security Number
Students who change their name, address or social security number must stop by the Admissions Office and complete a Status Change Form. Once this form is submitted, an Admissions officer will process the form. Changes in name or social security number will take approximately one week to process. Address changes will be processed immediately. Changes must be submitted to the Admissions Office prior to registration.
Course Load
During the Fall and Spring semesters and Summer Term, a student who is registered for at least 12 semester credit hours is considered a full-time student.
Note: Tuition charges during the Fall and Spring semesters and during the Summer Term are assessed on a per-credit-hour basis up to and including 12 credit hours. Exceptions are GED and Truck Driver Training programs.
The maximum load a student may carry in a given semester without specific approval of the academic dean shall be 18 semester credit hours. An exception is those programs, which require more than 18 semester hours in a given semester.
A student who is placed on academic probation cannot register for more than nine semester credit hours until the probationary status has been removed. (See section on Academic Probation.)
Course Substitutions
Course substitutions are permitted only upon recommendation of the curriculum department head. The Student Records Office must be notified in writing of the substitution. Course substitutions may be made for courses required in the major of the state model curriculum if the course being substituted contains the same course content as the required course. Related courses may be substituted only with the approval of the related department head. If a student is currently enrolled in a course that is planned for substitution for another course, the documentation of substitution can only be submitted upon completion of the course with a grade of “C” or higher.
All substitutions must be documented on the proper forms available through the Student Records Office.
Course Waiver
A student may be permitted to waive a course, which was originally required in the student’s curriculum only if the waiver is recommended by the curriculum department head. Written approval and an explanation must be submitted to the Student Records Office.
In the event of a course waiver, no credit hours shall be granted and no substitute course will be required unless the waiver places the student’s total credit hours below graduation requirements. Requirements in the state model may not be waived.
Dropping and Adding Classes
Students may drop or add classes during the add/drop period of each semester. Courses dropped during this period will not appear on the transcript. For information concerning refunds, please refer to the section on “Refunds” found in this handbook. After the add/drop period, but prior to the end of the day on the last day to withdraw, students may withdraw from one or more classes. The student will receive a grade of “W.” Students who register for class, pay fees, but never attend will be administratively withdrawn and assigned a grade of “WA.”
If a student stops attending class and fails to drop or withdraw from the class officially, he or she will receive a grade of “F” for that course regardless of the grade average at the time the student last attended.
Additionally, students should not assume that, because they stop attending classes, the instructor will administratively withdraw them from class based on the college’s attendance policy. This policy states that an instructor may, not will, withdraw a student for poor attendance.
Greenville Technical College operates multiple academic sessions within each semester. It is possible to attempt some classes more than once during a semester; however, tuition is charged for each attempt. No additional tuition charges are incurred for full-time students taking 12 or more semester hours of credit.
Any add, drop, or withdrawal action is tied to a particular session code and class section number. A student’s ability to add, drop, and withdraw from a class is directly tied to the start and end dates of the class. For example, a student cannot drop or withdraw from a first session class and add a second session, full session, or late start course without the possibility of incurring a monetary penalty and/or a grade of “W” on the attempted class. Since a class may be offered in multiple sessions during the semester, add, drop, and withdrawal deadlines vary. Students are responsible for meeting the withdrawal deadlines posted in each class syllabus.
Please consult the Student Records Office at (864) 250-8119 for specific questions concerning the add, drop, or withdrawal process.
Any student who finds it necessary to drop or add a class or classes after registration is completed should proceed as follows:
Obtain an Enrollment/Disclosure Form from the counselor, department head or Student Records Office, fill in the information requested, and sign the form.
Obtain the following signatures:
a. Instructor of each class which is added if the class is full, added after the second day of summer term, or is added after the add/drop period
b. Veterans Affairs — if applicable
c. Financial Aid — if applicable
Submit the Enrollment/Disclosure Form to the Student Records Office promptly. The Enrollment Disclosure Form and the intended action is not completed until it is processed by the Student Records Office.
Report to the Business Office to verify refunds or to pay additional fees and to receive an updated schedule. Beginning the sixth class day of each semester, students may enter class only with instructor’s permission and signature.
The same steps as above must be followed. For summer terms, the instructor’s signature is required beginning the third day of the term.
Readmittance to Curriculum Programs
Students suspended for failure to meet standards of academic progress may apply for readmission the following semester. Students dismissed for excessive absences or disciplinary reasons may apply to the dean of Student Services. They may be readmitted only after proper investigation of interim history and at the discretion of the dean of Student Services and the dean of their program.
A student who withdraws in good standing because of illness or personal hardship may re-enroll for the course at the next offering of the course. A student who has graduated from a curriculum at Greenville Tech and wishes to enter another curriculum must show proficiency as determined by grades already achieved or demonstrated by retaking the ASSET or COMPASS tests.
Grade Point Average
A student’s grade point average is the equivalent of his or her average for curriculum course work.
Each letter grade has an equivalent point value: A — 4 points, B — 3 points, C — 2, D — 1 and F — 0. A student may determine the grade points for each course by multiplying the number of points a grade is worth times the number of credits the course carries. Thus, a “B” grade, worth three points, in a three-credit course is worth nine grade points; an “A” grade in the same three-credit course is worth 12 grade points.
The grade point average is found by adding the total grade point values for all courses and dividing by the total number of credits attempted during the same period of time.
Grading Scale
The following grades are used in calculating Grade Point Averages:
A — Excellent; earns credit hours; carries a value of four grade points for each credit hour.
B — Above average; earns credit hours; carries a value of three grade points for each credit hour.
C — Average; earns credit hours; carries a value of two grade points for each credit hour.
D — Below average; earns credit hours; carries a value of one grade point for each credit hour.
F — Failure; earns no credit hours; carries zero grade points for each credit hour.
Other Grades Used
CF — Carry Forward; used only for self-paced or individualized courses with open entry enrollment, indicating that the student will continue in the course. “CF” grade must be changed to letter grade on the same time frame as an “I.” “CF” is not used for GPA calculations; earns no credit hours; generates no grade points.
E — Exempt; earns credits. No grade points. Awarded for course exemption based on testing, equivalent work or educational experience. A college may choose to grant exemption credit (“E” grade) for work experience, experiential learning and/or training. Effective July 1, 2004, the grade of “E” will be used for all types of exemptions.
EE — Exempt by examination (written only)
EO — Exempt other
ES — Exempt due to substitution
EC — Exempt due to challenge exam (written/practical)
EA — Exempt due to articulation with vocational center
EB — Exempt due to prerequisite waiver
EI — Exempt due to articulation with business or industry
EM — Exempt due to military training
EP — Exemption due to portfolio submission
EV — Exempt by validation
I — Incomplete; indicates some work is incomplete in a course taught in the traditional manner. The student is responsible for making up all unfinished course work within the next semester. The student cannot re-enroll in the class until the “I” has been replaced with a letter grade. The “I” will be changed to an “F” if all work is not completed satisfactorily by one week before the beginning of exams in the next semester. “I” does not affect grade calculations; earns no credit hours.
NC — No credit. Earns no credit hours; earns no grade points; is not used in calculation of the GPA.
S1 — Satisfactory completion through Competency 1 in Related Studies course; earns credit, not used in GPA.
S2 — Satisfactory completion through Competency 2 in Related Studies course; earns credit, not used in GPA.
S3 — Satisfactory completion through Competency 3 in Related Studies course; earns credit, not used in GPA.
S4 — Satisfactory completion through Competency 4 in Related Studies course; earns credit, not used in GPA.
U — Unsatisfactory progress in Developmental Studies course; earns no credits, not used in GPA.
TR — Transfer; given for allowable equivalent Greenville Tech credits earned at other colleges, universities or technical colleges with a grade of “C” or higher. All “TR” grades must be supported by an official transcript of record from a postsecondary institution.
AU — Audit; is not used in GPA calculations; earns no credit hours; generates no grade points.
W — Withdrawn; used if a student withdraws after the official drop date. “W” is not used in GPA calculations and generates no grade points.
WA — Administrative Withdrawal; used if student is withdrawn by instructor due to student missing more than 10 percent of contact hours for the course. “WA” is not used in GPA calculations and generates no grade points.
WF — Withdrawn Failing; used if a student is withdrawn by the instructor after the withdrawal deadline.
“WF” is used in GPA calculations and generates no grade points.
Note: Grades, which appear on a transcript, cannot be changed after one calendar year.
Prerequisites — Any course listed as a prerequisite must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher before the subsequent course may be taken.
NR – No Report is a grade that is reported when a faculty member fails to report grades on time, fails to report a valid grade, or a grade assigned when the class does not begin or end within the same semester. NR grades are updated by submission of a Grade Change Form.
Repeating a course
Students may register for a course a maximum of three times. Grades of “W,” “F,” “WA,” “WF,” and “D” count toward the maximum of three registrations. Thereafter, a student may only register for the same class after completion and approval of an appeal based upon extenuating circumstances, such as prolonged illness. The appeal is a contract written by the student prior to the term in which he or she seeks re-enrollment. The appeal must detail the extenuating circumstances as well as an action plan to deal with the same or similar situations in the forthcoming term, including, but not limited to, campus based counseling, outside c counseling, Student Disability Services, and tutoring. The appeal must be written by the student and signed by both the student and the appropriate department head and divisional dean (or an appointee of the department head or divisional dean). In addition an appeal must be accompanied by a $50 processing fee. No appeal will be considered until the fee has been paid in full.
If the appeal is granted, the $50 processing fee will be applied toward tuition. If the appeal is denied, the $50 processing fee will not be refunded. Only after the $50 fee has been paid and the appeal has been granted and signed by all parties may a student re-enroll in the class. If a student does not successfully complete a course after an approved appeal, the student may only subsequently appeal one additional time for readmittance to the class. Thereafter, the student will be barred from reenrolling in the course for five (5) calendar years.
This policy does not supersede any stricter standards set forth by individual departments, divisions or the college as a whole.
Withdrawal From the College
Any student who finds it necessary to withdraw from all courses for which he/she is registered must complete the following steps to withdraw officially:
- Obtain an Enrollment/Disclosure Form and fill in the information, which is to be supplied by the student.
- Acquire all the signatures required on the form.
- Turn in all forms to the Student Records Office before the deadline. The deadlines for official withdrawals are announced each semester.
- A student may be registered for different session classes within the same semester. Students are responsible for meeting the Add/Drop and Withdrawal deadlines listed in each class syllabus.