To withdraw from the College the student obtains withdrawal forms from the Student Affairs Office and returns the completed form to that office.

A student withdrawing from the College will be given grades of W in all of his or her courses. No grade will appear on his or her transcript, provided the withdrawal is made before the end of the second instructional day of a summer term. (See Academic Calendar.) A student dismissed from class for disruptive behavior will receive a grade of F and may not subsequently withdraw from the class.

A student withdrawing from the College during any semester or summer term will be given grades of W in all of his or her courses provided that the student has completed withdrawal procedures prior to the beginning of the last week of classes for that semester or term. If withdrawal is completed after that deadline one of the following grades will be assigned in each course in which the student was enrolled: A, B, C, D, F, I, or P.

Instructors will indicate how they arrive at the particular letter grades, and they will be willing to inform students about the components of the final grade.

A—Superior

B—Good

C—Average

D—Below average; lowest passing grade

F—Failure

I—Incomplete

P—Pass

W—Withdrew: no penalty

*—Course not counted in hours earned

’ —Course not counted toward graduation credit or grade point average

H—Honors designation (to accompany grades of A or B where appropriate)

If a student fails to fulfill a few requirements of a course because of illness or an equally compelling reason, a final grade of I may be requested. If the reason is acceptable, and a make-up possible, the instructor will report the grade as incomplete. An instructor who gives an incomplete will furnish to the Registrar’s Office a statement of the reason for which the grade was assigned and of the requirements to be completed; a copy of this statement will be given to the student.

If the student does not enroll again for a five year period the I grade will automatically revert to an F unless otherwise specified by the instructor. If a student does enroll within that time (or immediately following a 5-year absence) the grade must be completed in the first 30 class days of the semester of return or it will revert to an F unless otherwise specified by the instructor.

In calculating grade averages, incomplete grades receive no quality points and the semester hours for the incomplete courses are not counted as hours attempted. When the incomplete grade is removed within the allowable time, quality points appropriate for the grade received are awarded and the new grade average is computed. A student’s record will not be clear until the Registrar’s Office receives notice from the instructor changing the I to another grade, so the student should take the initiative to see that the grade is reported. Courses may not be repeated in which a student has obtained a grade of B or better.

If a student earns a D or F on any course taken no later than the semester or summer term during which he or she attempts the sixtieth semester hour, and if he or she repeats this course prior to the receipt of a bachelor’s degree, the original grade shall be negated and the grade(s) earned when the course is repeated shall be used in determining his or her grade average. However, the original grade shall not be deleted from the student’s record.

In cases of grades of F involving plagiarism, academic dishonesty, and disruptive behavior, the Forgiveness Rule is not applicable.

Final grades are issued from the Registrar’s Office. Posting grades, where this is done by student name, constitutes a violation of the Federal Statutes concerning individual rights of privacy. Where some numbering system, protecting the individual student’s identity, has been devised, grade posting is allowed. A grade reported by an instructor to the Registrar’s Office will not be changed except to correct a demonstratable computational error. Approval of the Vice President and Academic Dean and the divisional chairperson is necessary before a grade can be changed.

All questions about a grade in any course should be taken to the instructor of that course. It is more useful to request such conferences during the course than after it is over. After full discussion with the instructor, if the question remains, the next step is to consult the chairperson of the department or division in which the course is offered.

Appeals concerning grades which students consider to be prejudiced or capricious may be made to the department or division chairperson with final appeal to the Vice President and Academic Dean.

A student has a right to complain if he or she thinks a grade was unfair because it was given on other than academic grounds; not legitimate and pertinent to an academic situation: for example, if the grade was given because of prejudice (sexual, racial, political, cultural, etc.). When such a complaint is made, the obligation of demonstrating the validity of the case falls upon the person making the complaint. The faculty member, as academic decision maker, is assumed innocent unless a case is made demonstrating the inappropriateness of the grade.

A student complaint should be made first to the faculty member involved. If the issue is not resolved in a satisfactory manner, a written complaint may be brought to the division chairperson with whatever argumentation and evidence is available. The complaint must be registered soon enough to allow completion of the appeal procedure, no later than one regular semester after the grade was given. The student should allow each level two weeks to study the situation. If the chairperson deems it merits consideration, he or she may look into the situation, consult with the faculty member and with any other appropriate sources. If the chairperson feels a persuasive case has been made he or she can make a recommendation to the faculty member concerning the grade. If the case is not persuasive, the chairperson should reject the student appeal.

If the student is unsatisfied by the disposition of the appeal on this level, a written appeal may be made to the Vice President and Academic Dean. On receipt, the Vice President and Academic Dean will send the appeal to a Faculty Committee consisting of one faculty member elected from each division and the Chief Justice of the Student Hearing Board. It should be clearly understood that the purpose of this committee is to evaluate the validity of the student’s claim that the grade was not given on academic grounds. It is not the purpose of this committee to evaluate academic standards, or in any way intrude on the autonomy of the instructor in defining the academic content or procedures of his or her course. This committee will receive the complaint and hold an initial meeting to determine if there appears to be sufficient merit in the accusation to warrant holding full hearings. If the decision is negative the appeal is rejected. If the decision is affirmative the student is then invited to present the case to the Committee, using argumentation, evidence, witnesses, etc. in a reasonable procedure, such as used by the Faculty Grievance and Hearing Committees. The burden of making the case falls upon the student. The Committee will, as a matter of course, consult with and question the faculty member who has a right to attend the proceedings and respond to the accusations. Colleagues in the discipline should be consulted concerning academic questions, should they arise.

After suitable hearings, during which the Committee does its best to evaluate the case presented to it, pursuing any additional evidence or information it regards as necessary and pertinent, the Committee shall come to a finding by a majority vote. Should the Committee find that a majority has not been persuaded of the impropriety of the grade, the student appeal is rejected and the Vice President and Academic Dean is so notified. The Vice President and Academic Dean will then inform the student. Should a majority of the Committee be persuaded that the student has shown the grade to be improperly given (not on the basis of legitimate academic factors) then the Committee will, after consultation with the appropriate faculty members, make a recommendation to the Vice President and Academic Dean as to the appropriate grade. If the Vice President and Academic Dean concurs with the Committee’s recommendations for a grade change, he or she will transmit the new grade to the Office of the Registrar and will notify all parties concerned.

A student has a right to complain if he or she thinks an academic matter or faculty action is unfair or inappropriate to the generally recognized standards of academic freedom and license. When such a complaint is made, the obligation of demonstrating the validity of the case falls upon the person making the complaint. Note that complaints regarding grades received on other than academic grounds must follow the Grade Change Procedure explained above.

Initially the student should discuss the complaint with his or her academic advisor for purposes of guidance and counseling. Whenever possible and appropriate, the student complaining should then work with the faculty member involved. If the issue is not resolved in a satisfactory manner at this level, a written complaint may be brought to the department and/or division chairperson with whatever argumentation and evidence is available. If the student is dissatisfied with the disposition of the problem on this level, the written complaint, with whatever argumentation and evidence is available, may be taken to the Vice President and Academic Dean. Following appropriate investigation of the complaint, the Vice President and Academic Dean will notify all directly involved parties of his decision for resolution of the matter.

Academic standing at Concord College is computed in terms of quality points accumulated. Each grade received carries a quality-point equivalent, as follows:

A B C D F I P W

4 3 2 1 0 0 0 0

I, P, and W grades do not affect the grade average. (See page 188.) The quality-point value must be multiplied by the number of semester hours of credit a course carries to compute the quality points earned in the course. For example, a three-hour course in which a grade of B is earned will yield nine quality points in that course; if a D is received, only three quality points will have been earned.

Each semester, a grade report is sent to the student showing the number of course hours attempted, the number of hours passed, and the number of quality points earned. The student should make a frequent assessment of his or her quality-point status using the following methods.

The grade of C, which is required for graduation, yields two quality points for each hour’s credit. Therefore, multiplying the total hours attempted by two (quality points) will yield the required number of quality points. By comparing this figure with the actual quality points earned, as shown on the grade report, a student can determine his or her status.

So long as a student maintains a C or better average at Concord (this means that there is no quality-point deficit), the student is in good academic standing.

A student may be permitted to remain in college for a limited period and under certain restrictions of program after having failed to meet minimum standards of satisfactory scholarship as set by the Faculty.

The maximum quality-point deficit permitted to avoid academic probation, or to be removed from academic probation, is based upon the number of hours passed according to the following scale:

Hours Passed Permitted Deficit

Transfer students will not be admitted if they are deficient twenty or more quality points in their work at previously attended institutions. Any student on academic probation at the college previously attended will be assigned a probationary status for the first period of attendance at Concord, regardless of quality point standing.

Once a student is enrolled at Concord, only grades earned at Concord may count toward removal from academic probation.

After being placed on academic probation, the student must maintain in the following semester or summer session (courses taken between the Spring and Fall semesters) a G.P.A. of at least 2.0, or reduce the quality point deficit equal to or below the maximum permitted on the above scale, or be suspended. Each session or semester on probation following the first, a full-time student must maintain a G.P.A. of better than a 2.0 and a part-time student must earn at least a C (2.0) average, or reduce the quality point deficit equal to or below the maximum permitted on the above scale, or be suspended.

For the purpose of calculation of academic standing, any student who attempts at least eight hours during the summer will be considered a full-time student.

A student on academic probation cannot enroll for more than thirteen hours in a semester nor for more than six hours in a summer term. A student on academic probation is advised to follow the normal pattern of courses in his or her curriculum. Avoiding required courses to take classes which have little relevance to the program, except the quality points to be earned, will be considered in any review of the student’s record.

A student on academic probation is not permitted to take work at another institution for transfer to Concord and excess quality points earned at other institutions may not be used to make up a quality point deficit incurred at Concord.

To be removed from academic probation, a student must reduce the quality-point deficit to the point indicated on the scale in this section for the hours he or she has passed. If this is not accomplished (except under conditions described above), the result is academic suspension with student appeal privileges to the committee on Academic Standards.

The first period of academic suspension is one fall or spring semester. A student suspended at the end of the spring semester may not attend the following summer session. A student suspended for academic reasons may reenter on academic probation at the end of his or her period of suspension. Following an academic suspension period, a readmitted student must maintain a G.P.A. of better than 2.0 for each semester or summer session while on probation if he or she is classified full-time or earn at least a 2.0 average if enrolled as a part-time student. If these standards are not met, the second period of academic suspension shall consist of one academic year. If a student is suspended for academic reasons a third time, the suspension shall continue until such time as the student is readmitted upon appeal to the Academic Standards Committee. Students will be obligated to present compelling evidence in writing to indicate that their chances of academic success have improved.

Concord honors academic suspension applied by other institutions; application for admission of a student so suspended will not be considered until the period of suspension at the previous institution has expired, and that suspension will be treated as a prior suspension at Concord if he or she is admitted. Most institutions follow a similar policy. All state-supported colleges and universities in West Virginia are required to honor each other’s academic suspensions.

All teacher candidates receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education must successfully complete Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test, prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students who have successfully completed EDUC 210, EDUC 251, EDUC 301 and EDUC 305, but who have not successfully passed the PPST, must meet with the Director of Teacher Education in order to continue taking education courses. Candidates must also successfully complete Praxis II: Subject Assessments (some specializations require more than one subject assessment) and Principles of Learning and Teaching Test prior to admission to student teaching. Candidates should consult their academic advisor in Education for information regarding specific tests and required passing scores.

In addition to the American College Test which all entering students must take for admission, proficiency tests may be given in mathematics. Students are placed in appropriate courses in mathematics on the basis of these tests. If there are other subjects in which students have had extensive preparation, however, they may discuss with that department the possibility of proficiency testing to determine eligibility to enter more advanced courses: or they may inquire about taking a College-Level Examination (CLEP) or an Institutional Examination for Credit.

Concord College awards credit based on scores earned on the College-Level Examination. The College considers scores for credit for both the General Examinations and the Subject Examinations.

The General Examinations are objective tests that measure achievement in five basic areas of the liberal arts: English composition, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences-history. The Subject Examinations measure achievement in specific college courses.

Students must receive satisfactory scores on the CLEP Examination in order to be awarded credit. Additional information on CLEP may be obtained by contacting the Registrar in the Administration Building.

A Concord College student in special circumstances may be permitted to obtain credit by examination for a course listed in the Catalog. The student shall make a written application to the appropriate departmental or divisional chairperson, explaining the reasons for his or her request. A committee will then be formed in the appropriate division or department, consisting of at least two persons, in order to screen the applicant’s request, and determine its merits. Should the application be granted, this same committee will then administer the examination, and evaluate the student’s performance. The final decision of whether or not such an examination is given remains the prerogative of the appropriate department or division.

Application for such an examination, if approved, will be accompanied by a $50.00 registration fee. A student must be enrolled at Concord to apply for an examination for credit. The examination must be scheduled before the end of the semester in which registration takes place.

Having administered and evaluated the examination, the committee will assign a grade of A, B, C, D, or F, and that grade will be recorded with the Registrar.

The application packets for each of these testing situations are kept in the Admissions Office and should answer most students’ questions. All students planning to take either of these tests may contact the Admissions Office for additional information.

ASSET testing is administered in group settings when possible and is used mainly as a placement tool for eligible students. Students must have been out of high school for more than five years in order to be eligible to utilize this test for admission purposes; otherwise, the test may only be used for placement purposes. For additional information regarding this testing procedure, contact the Admissions Office.

In their academic work, students are expected to use standard English in written and oral communication. An instructor from any division who finds the work of a student seriously deficient in English skills should refer the student to the Chairperson of the Division of Languages and Literature. The Chairperson, in turn, may require additional work of that student without credit.

Any exception to the academic regulations which apply to students at Concord College, including the requirements of the course of study for a particular degree, must be requested in writing. Such requests, initiated by the student with the academic advisor, are reviewed by the Vice President and Academic Dean, and are not granted unless substantially justified. Any other policy weakens the force of the regulations, is unfair to the students who are held to that particular requirement, and detracts from the academic reputation of the College and its degrees. In developing and reviewing academic exceptions, the President of the College or a committee of the faculty occasionally may grant a hearing in appeal of a decision made by the Vice President and Academic Dean, if requested by the student.

Students will not be allowed to withdraw from a class with an exception after the deadline to avoid a poor grade.

The Concord College Affirmative Action Officer actively monitors affirmative action in compliance with Title IX of the Education Act and 75-50 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Affirmative Action Office is in Marsh Hall, Room 204. Concord is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. All prospective and current members of the student body, faculty, and staff are afforded equal opportunity on the basis of individual qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability as identified and defined by regulations and law. The College neither affiliates knowingly with nor grants recognition to any individual, group, or organization having policies that discriminate on these bases. The College is in compliance with Federal Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the West Virginia Human Rights Act, Title IX (Educational Amendments of 1972), Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable laws and regulations. For Title IX procedures for complaints or concerns, pleae see the Concord College Student Handbook for policies and protocols, or ask for copies from the Office of Student Affairs, Marsh Hall, Room 204.

Concord adheres to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For more information about student rights under this statute, please contact the Registrar’s Office, Room 202, Marsh Hall (extension 5237).

The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability as identified and defined by regulations and law, in the administration of admissions, educational policies, curriculum, the selection of textbooks, scholarship and loan programs, athletic opportunities, and employment.

It is the policy of Concord College that sexual harassment in any form will not be tolerated. The College herein affirms that employees have a right to work and students have a right to study in a positive atmosphere free from sexual harassment and abuse.

To that end, Concord College has adopted a Sexual Harassment Policy which gives the definition of harassment and outlines the procedures to follow in the event a student or employee believes harassment is occurring or has occurred. Copies of the entire policy are available from faculty advisors, administrative offices, residence hall directors, the Office of Housing and Student Residential Life, the Office of Public Safety, the Office of the Vice President and Academic Dean, the President’s Office, and the Office of Human Resources.

For students with disabilities who need assistance with academic or facilities issues, please contact the Office of Disability Services at Ext. 5177, in Marsh Library, or the Office of Student Affairs, at 304-384-5276 in Marsh Hall, Room 204. For complaints or concerns about disability services, please see the disability protocols and grievance procedures as listed in the Concord College Student Handbook, or ask for these from the Office of Student Affairs

The one exception to residency status for in-state fee purposes is that of individuals approved for enrollment through the Academic Common Market. Currently, the only Academic Common Market program on the Concord campus involves Travel Industry Management majors from the state of Arkansas.

West Virginia residents seeking designated majors not available within West Virginia may be able to attend participating colleges or universities outside the state and pay in-state student fees through the Academic Common Market or other contract programs. Further information is obtainable through the Registrar’s Office or the West Virginia State College System Central Office.