Academic and Instructional Procedures 2
Academic and Instructional Procedures 2 of Catawaba Valley Community College
2.19 Grades and Grade Changes
Faculty members or the Chief Academic Officer can initiate grade changes. The “Grade Change Form” is available in the Forms section of the CVCC Portal. Completed forms should be submitted to the Student Records area.
2.21 Grading Procedure:
This procedure provides further information and detail in support of CVCC Policy 2.21 Grading System (curriculum/credit courses).
Table 1 provides the numerical scale established by the Administrative Instructional Council (AIC) for the determination of the final letter grade in a course beginning with Fall 2014 semester. Beginning Fall 2014 semester, developmental reading and English courses are combined and revised with DRE prefixes.
All courses with a prefix lower than 100 are graded with a P(Passed) or R(Re-enroll). This includes all DRE, all DMA, CTS 080, and OST 080 courses.
| Final Letter Grade |
Numerical Average | Grade Points Earned Per Credit Hour |
Other Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90 - 100 | 4.0 | Excellent Not a valid grade for Developmental/Transition/Supplemental Courses |
| B | 80 - 89 | 3.0 |
Above Average |
| C | 70 - 79 | 2.0 | Average Not a valid grade for Developmental/Transition/Supplemental Courses |
| D | 60 - 69 | 1.0 |
Below Average |
| F | Below 60 | 0.0 | Failed Not a valid grade for Developmental/Transition/Supplemental Courses |
| WF | Below 60 | 0.0 | Withdrew Failing Not a valid grade for Developmental/Transition/Supplemental Courses |
| P | 80 -100 | Not applicable | Passed Valid grade for all Developmental Courses (All DMA, All DRE, CTS 080, OST 080) |
| R | Below 80 | Not applicable | Re-enroll Valid grade for all Developmental Courses (All DMA, All DRE, CTS 080, OST 080) |
| P1, P2, P3 | 85-100 | Not applicable | Passed Valid grade for Transition Courses (ENG 002, MAT 003) |
| R | Below 85 | Not applicable | Re-enroll Valid grade for Transition Courses (ENG 002, MAT 003) |
| P | 70-100 | Not applicable | Passed Valid grade for Supplemental Courses (ENG 011, MAT 010, MAT 021, MAT 043, MAT 052, MAT 071) |
| F | Below 70 | Not applicable | Failed Valid grade for Supplemental Courses (ENG 011, MAT 010, MAT 021, MAT 043, MAT 052, MAT 071) |
| WP | Not applicable | Not applicable | Withdrew Passing Valid grade for all Courses |
| AU | Not applicable | Not applicable | Audit Valid grade for all Courses |
| SR | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Senior Audit Valid grade for specific courses (*Effective 2017FA) |
| WE | Not applicable | Not applicable | Withdraw Emergency due to COVID-19 (Spring Semester 2020 Only) |
| IE | Not applicable | Not applicable | Incomplete Emergency due to COVID-19 (Spring Semester 2020 Only) |
How To Calculate GPA
The measure of a student’s overall academic performance at the college shall be a grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.0 scale. The computation of GPA includes only those courses completed at CVCC numbered 100 or higher and for which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, or WF is received. (See also Repeat Policy).
The GPA may be calculated in the following manner:
- Determine Total Hours Attempted. (Hours attempted are equal to the number of credit hours assigned to a course as shown on your CVCC transcript.)
- Determine Total Grade Points Earned. The grade point value for a course is multiplied by the number of attempted credit hours for the course.
For Example: A grade of “A” is earned in ENG 111. A grade of
“A” carries a value of 4 credit hours.
ENG 111 is a 3 credit hour course: 4 x 3 = 12.
In this example, 12 grade points were earned for ENG 111. - Divide the Total Grade Points Earned by the Total Hours attempted to determine Cumulative GPA.
Example:
| Course | Hours Attempted | Grade Earned | Grade Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 168 | 4 | A | 16 (4 x 4 = 16) |
| ART 111 | 3 | C | 6 (2 x 3 = 6) |
| ACA 111 | 1 | B | 3 (1 x 3 = 3) |
| Total | Total Hours Attempted = 8 | Total Grade Points Earned = 25 | |
| Total GPA | 25 divided by 8 = 3.125 |
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2.22 Academic Forgiveness
This policy and its related procedure is no longer active.
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2.23 Honors and High Honors (graduation)
GPA for Graduation:
The cumulative grade point average (GPA) is calculated by the Student Records Office to determine Honors or High Honors eligibility for each student who completes the Graduation Application process. This calculation is performed when all program requirements are complete and verified. Eligible students will have the Honors or High Honors designation printed on their transcripts.
» Graduation information is accessible through the MyCVCC Portal
GPA for Commencement Ceremony:
Cumulative grade point averages (GPA) will be determined at the conclusion of each fall semester for the purpose of recognition in the Commencement Program produced for the CVCC Commencement Ceremony that is held in the spring semester. The Student Records Office will calculate this GPA for students who submit the Graduation Application by the required priority deadline. This GPA may be different than the GPA calculated at the conclusion of the program of study.
Questions should be directed to the Student Records Office.
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2.24 President's List and Dean's List (fall and spring semesters)
The Student Records Office will determine the eligibility of each student to be included on the President’s List or the Dean’s List at the conclusion of each fall and spring semester. Eligibility will be determined when all requirements for the semester have been processed and verified.
Once the President’s List and Dean’s List students have been determined, the Student Records Office will make the lists available to the Chief Academic Officer. Each honored student will receive a congratulatory letter through his or her secure CVCC-issued email. The lists will also be published through local media outlets.
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2.25 Academic Sanctions Procedures
Student academic progress is monitored each semester and the GPA will be calculated when all requirements have been completed and verified for the semester. Each student who has earned a GPA eligible for Academic Probation will be notified by the Student Records Office through the student’s secure CVCC-issued email account. This notification email will direct the student to visit the Advising Center by a specific date to receive academic counseling designed to improve academic performance. The Academic Probation notation will be recorded in the database and will prevent the student from future registration until the student has met with an Advisor in the Advising Center. Depending on the actual GPA and subsequent academic progress, it is possible for a student to be on Academic Probation for multiple semesters. The student will repeat this process until the earned GPA is 2.0 or higher and the student is no longer eligible for Academic Probation.
Academic Sanctions Procedure - Career and College Promise Students
College Academic Progress: When a Career and College Promise (CCP) student has taken two or more courses in the selected CCP pathway(s) and has less than a cumulative 2.000 cumulative GPA in college coursework, the student will not be able to continue in the CCP Program at CVCC.
Student academic progress in CVCC coursework is monitored each semester by the CCP Administrator or Facilitator. The cumulative GPA must be 2.000 or higher for the student to continue full participation in the CCP Program. If this required GPA is not maintained, the Administrator or Facilitator will communicate this information with (1) the student’s high school administrator/designee via email, and (2) to the student via the secure CVCC-issued email account.
The student, in collaboration with the parent/guardian and the high school, can then choose one of the following options: (1) the student does not continue in the CCP Program OR (2) the student, with the high school’s approval, may repeat one previously taken course with an earned “D” or “F,” pending seat availability, in an attempt to improve the college GPA.
High School Academic Progress: A CCP student who is not making adequate progress toward high school graduation (credit completion/promotion standards) will not be able to continue in the CCP Program at CVCC. This academic progress is directly related to the student’s high school graduation plan.
Student academic progress is monitored each semester and is recorded on the CCP Verification Form. This information is provided and verified by the student’s high school administrator or designee and communicated to the CCP Administrator and/or Facilitator through the CCP Verification Form. The high school also provides a current high school transcript for each student.
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2.26 Graduation/Curriculum Program of Study Completion
The student is responsible for officially applying for his/her degree, diploma, or certificate. A student can apply for and graduate from a program at the conclusion of the semester in which all requirements have been met.
- CVCC will attempt to graduate the student by our approved program of study first
- If the student does not meet CVCC’s approved program of study, Student Records will seek approval from the appropriate Dean to consider graduation by the approved state standard.
- The Associate in General Education and General Occupational Technology degrees are reserved for students who have completed appropriate coursework and credit hours, but who do not meet all the requirements and/or have enough hours for any of the AA, AS, AE, AFA, AGE-Nursing or AAS programs at CVCC.
The college celebrates the achievement of graduation once an academic year at a Commencement Ceremony in the spring semester. Students who have completed requirements within the academic year cycle (Fall, Spring, Summer) are encouraged to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Students begin the graduation application process with Admissions Staff in Student Services. Specific priority deadlines have been established and are published on the Student Records web page under Graduation.
CVCC requires that students complete the last 15 hours of coursework at CVCC unless a waiver is requested and approved. Students should work with the Advising Center for assistance with this requirement, including obtaining a copy of the Waiver Form. This requirement will be checked by Admissions Staff when the student begins the graduation application process.
» Graduation information is accessible through the MyCVCC Portal
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2.27 Graduation (residency requirement)
The student is responsible for officially applying for his/her degree, diploma, or certificate. A student can apply for and graduate from a program at the conclusion of the semester in which all requirements have been met. Beginning with the Fall 2019 semester, a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the semester hours required for the program of study must be completed at CVCC for the student to graduate from CVCC. This requirement will be verified when the student begins the graduation application process with an Admissions Staff.
» Graduation information is accessible through the MyCVCC Portal
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2.28 Graduate Guarantee Procedure
Graduate Guarantee - College Transfer Degrees
CVCC guarantees that its Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Engineering and Associate in Fine Arts graduates will be able to transfer courses taken to fulfill the requirements for a bachelor’s degree to four-year universities as provided in the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement and the North Carolina Independent Colleges Articulation Agreement.
Graduate Guarantee - Career Degrees
CVCC guarantees that its Associate in Applied Sciences graduates are proficient in the areas of knowledge and basic skills covered by their educational programs. If a graduate is found deficient by an employer, the student will be retrained with no tuition charged to the employer or student. The Graduate Guarantee consists of the following
- The graduate must be employed full-time in an area directly related to the graduate’s area of study within 12 months of graduation.
- Should the employer deem that a CVCC graduate is lacking in an entry-level skill, the employer must certify the deficiency in writing to Dr. Keith Mackie, Executive Vice President within 90 days of the graduate’s initial employment. The employer’s entry-level expectations must be consistent with those skills and competencies routinely taught in the CVCC program from which the student graduated.
- A written educational plan for retraining will be developed and approved by the employer, graduate, department head, and dean.
- The educational plan will limit retraining to 12 tuition-free semester hours directly related to the identified skill deficiency.
- All retraining must be regularly-scheduled courses on CVCC’s normal class schedule.
- Retraining specified by the educational plan will be provided with no tuition charged to the employer or student. Books, fees, uniforms, insurance, supplies, and other items are the responsibility of the student or employer.
- All retraining must be completed within 12 months from the time the educational plan is approved.
- Courses may be repeated only once under the terms of this graduate guarantee.
- This guarantee does not imply that a graduate will pass any third-party or governmental licensing, certification, or qualifying exam, and failure to pass such an exam does not qualify a graduate to retrain under the terms of this guarantee.
- Employers who wish to make claims under the terms of this guarantee should contact Dr. Keith Mackie, Executive Vice President (located CVCC Main Campus).
- This graduate guarantee is effective for students who begin their course work in Fall of 2012 and does not apply retroactively to prior graduates.
- The exclusive remedy under this guarantee is as provided above and is intended solely as a statement of educational commitment to graduates and employers. It is not intended to create any specific legal rights or causes of action.
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2.29 Academic Advising Services
Academic Advising is provided on a regular daily schedule by trained professional staff in the Advising Center in the Student Services Building. All new students are required to meet with Advising Center staff for academic advising and planning for their first registration. At this first meeting staff will assist students with program requirements, course planning, long range goals, explain various college processes, and answer any questions. Students can also complete the registration process with Advising Staff during the periods of registration. Other services provided include class schedule adjustments, academic probation advising, and program completion and graduation progress.
Students can make appointments for advising during registration periods, but drop-in service is also available.
» Advising Services
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