College Catalog 2015-16

EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2. Unofficial absences occur when students who are not representing the College miss class. Total unofficial absences per class may not exceed two for a class that meets once per week, four for a class that meets twice per week, six for a class that meets three times per week, eight for a class that meets four times per week or ten for a class meeting five times per week. Exceptions to this policy include classes that meet less than a full semester; Mississippi Virtual Community College classes, associate degree nursing classes, and some of the Career and technical classes. The instructor will notify students in these classes of the absentee policy in those particular classes in writing at the beginning of the semester. Tardies which equal the number of times the class meets per week will constitute an unofficial absence. (Exception: For classes which meet once per week, three tardies will constitute an unofficial absence.) If a student exceeds these numbers of absences he/she will be cut out of class and will be administratively withdrawn. 3. The student who misses announced tests or class assignments due to unofficial absences must have approval of the instructor to take make-up tests or to complete assignments. Approval will not be granted unless the student presents a valid reason for having been absent. 4. The student has the right to appeal if he or she feels that there were extenuating circumstances for exceeding the allowable number of absences or for being cut out of class. The student should meet with the instructor at the next class meeting after missing over the limit allowed. The instructor will explain the appeal process. The instructor will counsel with the student and discuss the reasons and excuses. If the student is readmitted, he/ she will sign a form stating that they will not be tardy or absent from the class for the remainder of the semester and if they are, they will be dropped and will not have the opportunity to appeal again. If the student is denied reentry by the instructor the student will have the opportunity to appeal to the Absentee Appeals Committee. This committee will include the Vice President for Student Services, the student’s instructor, the academic or career-technical counselor (depending on classification of student), an administrator-at-large, an instructor-at- large, and an officer of the Student Body Association. A majority vote will be necessary for the student to be reinstated in class. Should the matter not be resolved to the student’s satisfaction through the Absentee Appeals Committee, the student has the right to appeal to the President of the College within 24 hours. Such appeals must be made in writing with all reasons for the appeal given. The last step in the appeals process will be the hearing before the President. The Student must continue to attend the class through the entire process. 5. If the student does not return to class within one calendar week after exceeding the maximum number of absences, the student will be removed from the class with a grade of “W” and will not have the option to appeal to be reinstated. If the student has extenuating circumstances that prevent him/her from returning to class, he/ she MUST contact either the instructor or the Vice President for Student Services within the calendar week after exceeding the number of absences allowed. DROPPING A COURSE If a student desires to drop a course, the student may do so at any time before the withdrawal deadline with proper approval from their advisor or teacher and a counselor. There is no charge for dropping a course. No student can drop a course after 75% of the course is complete. REPEATING A COURSE A student may repeat any course taken at East Central Community College that is recorded on his/her transcript. The highest grade earned in any repeated course will be the grade used for determining credit and the GPA applicable to graduation. The prior East Central course grade on the student’s transcript will be marked through and will not count for or against the student in ascertaining graduation requirements or GPA. (NOTE: This policy only pertains to credits earned at East Central Community College.)

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