Academic Regulations

Index

Grading System
Audit Policy
Repeating a Course
Financial Aid
Academic Standards Policy
Graduation Requirements
Transfer Students
Academic Honors
Academic and Service Awards

Grading System

Students' grades are earned in letters that are given a numerical equivalent called points. A grade point average (GPA) is computed at the end of each semester and it is recorded on students' permanent transcript. Students may view their final semester grades online at www.online.commnet.edu.

GPA is computed by multiplying the grade point number of each grade earned by the number of credit hours in that course. These products are added together, then divided by the total number of credit hours. Any student whose GPA falls below 2.0 should see a counselor.

GPA Table Effective Fall 1998

39.0 divided by 13 = 3.0 GPA

* Incomplete Grades (I)
Granting of an Incomplete:

• An Incomplete is a temporary grade assigned by the faculty member when course work is missing and the student agrees to complete the requirements. Although a student may request an Incomplete, the faculty member is not required to honor the request. The faculty member should assign an Incomplete when there are extenuating circumstances such as illness that prevent a student from completing the assigned work on time and the student has completed most of the course requirements and, in the judgment of the faculty member, the student can complete the remaining work within the time limit established by system policy.
• A faculty member who assigns an Incomplete shall file a system report form that includes:
• a brief description of the requirements to be completed;
• the date by which the course work must be submitted to the faculty member, which is the end of the tenth week of the next standard semester;
• a statement that the Incomplete will change to a specified letter grade if the work is not completed by the end of the tenth week of the next standard semester.

The faculty member shall keep the original signed form, with copies to the student, the faculty member, the registrar, and the division director.
• All Incompletes must convert to a letter grade by the end of the following semester. If a student submits the required work on time, the faculty member shall calculate a grade to replace the Incomplete and submit it to the registrar by the end of the semester. If a student fails to complete or submit the required work by the specified time, or if the faculty member fails to submit a replacement grade, the registrar shall convert the Incomplete to the letter grade specified in the report form, and that letter grade shall be entered on the student transcript.
• Students with an Incomplete are temporarily ineligible for semester or graduation honors. Upon conversion of the Incomplete to a letter grade, students may retroactively receive semester or graduation honors, and such recognition shall appear on the transcript, provided that the student has earned the required grade point average.

** Withdrawal (W) from Courses
Students who wish to withdraw from a course may do so by completing a Withdrawal Form available at the Registrar's Office during the first two-thirds of the semester. Courses from which a student withdraws during the first two-thirds of the semester will be recorded as 'W' (Withdrawn) at the end of the semester. After two-thirds of the semester final decisions for such withdrawals are at the discretion of the Instructor. This will be noted by the Instructor at the time of final grade entry.

Withdrawal from the College

A student who withdraws from all courses must complete a withdrawal form at the Registrar's Office or send a letter requesting a complete withdrawal to the Registrar's Office. Failure to officially withdraw from the College may result in receiving failing grades. (See Academic Calendar and Refunds.)

Audit Policy

This status allows students to participate in class activities without being required to meet the examination requirements of the course. A student who wishes to change from credit to audit status must complete an Audit Form available at the Registrar's office within the first four weeks of the start of the course. Full tuition and fees are charged for courses audited. FINANCIAL AID does NOT cover audited classes.

Repeating a Course

No course may be repeated more than twice. The highest grade received will be used in calculating the student's GPA. This does not apply to those courses that are designed to be repeated for additional credit. A request for waiver of these standards shall be made to the Dean of Academic Affairs.

College transcripts will record all attempts at classes and the grades earned in each attempt. Students should note that, while MCC will not use repeated grades in calculating GPA, colleges to which they are applying for transfer may use a different method to make such a calculation.

Financial Aid

In order to be eligible to apply for any federal, state or institutional financial aid, including student loans, a student must be making satisfactory progress and be in good academic standing according to the standards in the College catalog. The complete policy in regards to the above may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

Academic Standards Policy

Probation

Students may be placed on academic probation if their records reflect either of the following:

• Satisfactory completion of fifty percent of the attempted (this phrase means actual continued enrollment beyond the add/drop period) will be the minimum standard for good standing.
• Students who have completed 11 or fewer credits whose Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) falls below 1.5 will be given a written warning. Students who have completed between 12 and 30 credits inclusive whose CGPA falls below 1.7, and those who have completed 31 or more credits whose CGPA falls below 2.0, will be given a written notice that they are placed on academic probation.
• After 12 credit hours attempted, grades of "F", "W", and/or "I" in 50 percent or more of the credits for which they are registered. (Note: "Credits attempted", means actual enrollment beyond the College's course adjustment period.)
• After 12 credit hours attempted, a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50; or after 30 credit hours attempted, a cumulative GPA of less than 1.60; or after 45 credit hours attempted, a cumulative GPA of less than 1.80. A 2.0 is necessary for graduation in degree programs and for certificates. (Credit hours attempted will be interpreted as all courses for which a student receives a grade. "W"s and "I"s are not considered in the computation of the GPA.)

Students will be placed on academic probation after a review of their academic record by the Dean of Students, who will notify them of his decision in writing. Students on academic probation have the option to submit a written request, within 20 days of the notification letter, for a review by the dean of their probation if they believe that there are extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are defined as bona fide and validated obligations of employment, reporting for military duty and documented medical problems.

Students placed on probation will be allowed to register for no more than 11.99 credits for the next semester.

Suspension

If a student does not meet the minimum standards for academic progress after an additional ten credits, he or she shall be suspended from taking additional credit courses for one full semester. Students wishing to re-enroll must seek reinstatement, in writing, through the Office of the Dean of Students. If reinstated, the student will be permitted to register for no more than ten credit hours and must eliminate the reason(s) for his/her probationary status by the time that the number of credits has been completed. Failure to do so will result in permanent expulsion from the College.

Fresh Start Option

Students who are re-admitted to MCC after an absence of two or more years and who have been suspended or are on probation and who have a cumulative grade point average of less than are eligible to elect the Fresh Start Option. Application must be made within one year of being re-admitted to the college. A student re-admitting under this option will be given the equivalent of transfer credits for all courses taken at MCC with a grade of “C-” or higher. The student re-admitting under this option may obtain forms from the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, Lowe Building, room L287. The earlier grades and grade point average will remain on the transcript, but all future calculations of GPA will only include courses taken after re-admission under the option. The Fresh Start Option may be used only once by the student and is subject to the existing residency requirement of 15 credits.

Graduation Requirements

GRADUATION IS NOT AUTOMATIC

Chair: Florence Sheils 860-512-3342

We strongly encourage you to apply early. It is the student's responsibility to meet all Requirements listed below, If you have any questions, meet with your program coordinator or a counselor.

• Follow and save the MCC Catalog in effect when you enrolled in your program of study.
• Matriculate in an approved program of study leading to a degree or certificate.
• Satisfactorily complete the total credits required in the degree or certificate (degree-a minimum of 60
credits; certificate-a minimum of 15 credits).
• Complete course requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0*
• Complete residency requirement of 25% of course work.
• Satisfy all financial obligations (i.e. library fines, parking fines, etc.).
• Ensure that official GED, high school diploma or transcript is on file.
• Provide proof of immunizations. Students who graduated from an accredited CT high school after 1999 or who were born prior to January 1, 1957 are exempt.
• Submit graduation application and a $42.00 non-refundable fee to the Cashier's Office by October 1, for
December completion of all academic work; or March 1, for May completion.
• Ensure that grades for all incompletes and approved course variances are on file in the Registrar's office. The student's program of study must be checked and verified by the graduation auditor.
• Notify the Registrar if you are completing requirements at another college.
• Submit official transcripts from other Colleges to the Admissions Office for evaluation. All work except courses in progress must be completed by the dates listed in #9 to ensure participation. Exceptions for participation in graduation ceremonies will be subject to the approval of the Dean of Student Affairs.

The College reserves the right not to Recommend for transfer students with a GPA lower than 2.5.

Application for Graduation Degree and Certificate Students

Regardless of graduation completion dates, all graduates are invited to attend Spring Commencement. Invitations, caps and gowns will be issued by the Bookstore in April. Only four invitation per graduate will be issued. If you have applied by March 1 for graduation and are short four (or fewer) credits to graduate, you may request special permission to participate in the ceremony by completing a Graduation Appeal Form. Forms are available in the Registrar's Office and the Office of the Dean of Students. Your name may not be printed in the program and your certificate/degree will not be ordered until the following semester after all requirements have been met.

Students who fail to meet the graduation requirements are required to reapply and to pay a $37.00 non-refundable graduation reapplication fee.

Applications can be found on the MCC website at www.mcc.commnet.edu or are available in the Registrar's Office, Library, Counseling Center, Office of Transitional Programs, and the Office of the Dean of Students.

Second Degree

Students who wish to earn a second degree from MCC will be required to: complete a Declaration of Major Form for each degree at the Registrar's Office, complete a separate application for each degree, complete a minimum of 15 credits beyond the number required for the initial degree, fulfill all requirements of the second degree, and pay a second graduation fee of $37.00 if degrees are not received simultaneously.

Transfer Students

Incoming Transfer Students

Students who wish to transfer credits to MCC for courses taken at other colleges must submit official transcripts to the Admissions Office for evaluation.

Transcripts

Requests for copies of official MCC College transcripts must be made either in person or in writing to the Registrar; requests by telephone will not be accepted. There is a $3.00 charge for every transcript issued. Allow ten working days for processing and mailing, except at the end of the semester when up to three weeks after grades are posted may be required.

MCC Graduates

Students who plan to transfer from MCC to baccalaureate institutions should meet with a member of the counseling staff to discuss their transfer plans. Counselors can advise which MCC courses are transferable depending on the student's anticipated major and the institution of transfer.

Transfer Opportunity: Connecticut State Universities Guaranteed Admissions Agreement
It is the policy of the Boards of Trustees for the CCTC's and the Connecticut State Universities that graduates of the regional community colleges in Connecticut shall be guaranteed admission to the state university of their choice (Eastern, Central, Southern, Western CSU's) and shall be treated without disadvantage, vis-a-vis native CSU students, with respect to admission to specific majors, registration for courses, applicability of grades of different levels, assignment to Junior status, and degree program requirements.

In the case of majors for which articulation agreements have been adopted, CCTC students preparing for transfer should follow the terms of the articulation agreement regarding course prerequisites, grade point averages, and other requirements stated in the agreement.

There is no guarantee that all college course credit earned at a CCTC will be accepted for transfer to a university within the CSU system. However, where there is no articulation agreement, students are guaranteed junior status and a minimum of 60 transfer credits applied toward a baccalaureate degree at the CSU, provided that they meet the following conditions:

• Graduate from a CCTC with an associate degree.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Enroll in a comparable university degree program, with no subsequent change of major.
• Meet course or grade requirements, as specified for some majors.
• Apply by date prescribed by each university within the CSU system, including the submission of all the required  transcripts, documents, and fees.

Students are encouraged to follow the General Education Transfer Pattern specified by the CSU to maximize credit transfer (see the CCTC system web page: www.commnet. edu/co/academic/transfer/csu.htm). For more information contact the Director of the Center for Student Development.

Transfer Compact with Eastern Connecticut State University

The Transfer Compact between Manchester Community College and Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) is designed to provide special opportunities for students who transfer from MCC to ECSU. Specifically, the Compact is for students who will complete an associate degree in a program designed for transfer to ECSU. Participation in the Transfer Compact allows for:

• Early identification of students interested in pursuing bachelor degrees;
• Joint admission with Eastern upon successful completion of Eastern's admission requirements;
• Smooth transition between institutions;
• The acceptance of 60 credits minimum in transfer with an earned associate degree as stated in Connecticut State University/Connecticut Community College formal articulation agreement;
• Personalized academic advisement by both MCC and ECSU advisors to ensure maximum transfer of credit to satisfy bachelor degree requirements.

Whether or not students enroll in the Transfer Compact, they are encouraged to plan their studies with eventual transfer in mind. However, the Admissions and Academic Advisement staff at both institutions will work closely with the Transfer Compact students to assist in a smooth, immediate transition from the College to the University. Students involved in the Compact will have ongoing contact with academic advisors from both institutions to ensure that appropriate course work is completed and accepted upon transfer.

Joint Admission as a Benefit of Compact: As a part of the Transfer Compact between MCC and ECSU, students enrolled at MCC in a designated transfer program are eligible to participate in the Transfer Compact program. At the beginning of their academic careers, students formally register at the College by completing a Transfer Compact Participation Form expressing interest in participating in the Compact and authorizing MCC and ECSU to share admissions information. Students participating in the Compact must submit the completed Participation Form and two fees: a $20 application fee for admission payable to MCC, and a $40 admission fee payable to ECSU. Note that the admission fees are subject to change.

After applying to participate in the Compact at MCC, students will receive conditional acceptance to ECSU. The conditional acceptance stipulates that participants will complete an associate degree at MCC and will matriculate to ECSU within one semester of completion of the associate degree. Students participating in the Compact who wish to be considered for admission to ECSU prior to earning an associate degree at MCC must meet ECSU's requirements for admission to enroll at the University.

Awarding Transfer Credit: Students enrolling at ECSU as part of the Transfer Compact with an earned associate degree from MCC will receive no less than 60 credits in transfer. Students enrolling at ECSU prior to completing the associate degree will have their transcripts evaluated by ECSU personnel on a course-by-course basis in accordance with existing transfer credit guidelines.

Transfer Opportunity: UConn, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Guaranteed Admissions Program is a transfer agreement between Manchester Community College and the University of Connecticut that guarantees admission to the University provided certain requirements are met. Incoming MCC students or students with up to 15 credits at MCC may enroll in this transfer program. A 3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average and an associate degree in a Liberal Arts transfer program are required in order to qualify under the terms of this agreement.

Upon completion of an associate degree, students may then go on to the University and major in one of the 40 majors offered by UConn's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. To complete the application process, contact the MCC Admissions Office. Former UConn degree-seeking students are not eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admissions Program.

College of Technology: Pathway Transfer Programs

Associate of science degree programs in engineering science, manufacturing engineering technology, and industrial technology provide the pathways within the Connecticut College of Technology transfer programs into the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State University System Schools of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Students may enter university engineering and technology programs through the MCC associate of science degree programs in engineering and technology, and upon successful completion of the programs, continue on at the University of Connecticut or the Connecticut State University System as third-year students with a full two years of credit towards a baccalaureate degree in engineering, engineering technology or industrial technology. MCC also provides the opportunity for students who complete the engineering and technology programs to transfer full credit to baccalaureate degree programs at other colleges and universities with which the College has transfer agreements. For more information, call Robert Fortier at 512-2623 or go to www.commnet.edu/co/academic/cot/index.html.

Academic Honors

To encourage academic excellence, MCC has established a President's List and a Dean's List.

Full-Time President's List

The President's List recognizes the exceptional scholarship of students who earn a 4.0 or "A" Grade Point Average in their courses. Full-time students who have completed at least 12 credits for the semester with no "W" or "I" grades are eligible for this honor.  

Part-Time President's List

Once a part-time student has accumulated 12 credits in residence, that student may be considered for the Part-Time President's List. Part-time students who have earned a 4.0 GPA with no "W" or "I" grades in a given semester are eligible for the Part-Time President's List.

Dean's List

Students enrolled in three credits or more and who have earned a GPA of 3.4 are eligible for the Dean's List. An official withdrawal or incomplete grade for any class during the semester will make the student ineligible for semester honors. However, once a grade is assigned upon completion of the course work in accord with specific guidelines, and a new grade point average calculated, any honors for which the student is eligible may be entered on the student's academic record retroactively.

Academic and Service Awards

Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Graduating students who have completed at least 30 credits at MCC are eligible for consideration as valedictorian or salutatorian. Among the eligible students, the student with the highest cumulative GPA will be designated the valedictorian, and the student with the second highest cumulative GPA will be named the salutatorian. In the case of identical averages, the student with the larger number of credits will be the valedictorian. If the GPAs and the number of credits taken at MCC are the same for two students, the pair will be named co-valedictorians.

Trustees Medallion for Academic Excellence

Graduating students who have completed at least half of their requirements at MCC and earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 are recognized and presented with a bronze medallion at commencement.

Gold Cord

Only students who are Summa Cum Laude graduates may wear a Gold Cord.

Community Service Award

The MCC Regional Advisory Council presents an award to a member of the graduation class for outstanding service to the College community.

Graduation Honors

3.9 to 4.0 grade point average – Summa Cum Laude
3.7 to 3.89 grade point average – Magna Cum Laude
3.4 to 3.69 grade point average – Cum Laude
An incomplete grade for any class during the semester will make the student ineligible for honors at graduation. However, upon completion of the course work, if the student has earned the required grade point average, the appropriate level of recognition will be noted on the student’s official transcript.

Phi Theta Kappa

Students who have established a grade point average of 3.75 or above and have completed 12 hours of study are extended an invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa is the only internationally acclaimed honor society serving two-year colleges offering associate degree programs. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa offers students opportunities for leadership, fellowship and service, as well as providing an intellectual climate for continued academic excellence.