Academic Regulations
Tests/Examinations:
All instructors are required to follow the assessment procedures listed in the course syllabus and the grading procedures and make-up examination procedures listed in the course outline. Students must take final examinations during dates listed in the official VC calendar. A final examination given prior to the regularly scheduled final examination time may be given only after approval by the Vice-President of Instructional Services.
Administrative Withdrawal:
The college reserves the right to withdraw a student from one or more classes if, in the judgment of college officials, such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the student and/or the college. Examples of some reasons for administrative withdrawal are failure to pay registration tuition and fees, failure to provide admission credentials, failure to remove “holds” in a timely manner, failure to comply with Title IV financial aid requirements, failure to have the prerequisite course(s), excessive absenteeism, classroom behavior detrimental to the success of other students, failure to follow VC TSI policy, and academic dishonesty.
Attendance:
Students are expected to regularly attend all classes in which they are enrolled. Students are responsible for the subsequent completion of all work missed during an absence. Any instruction missed and not subsequently completed will necessarily affect the grade of the student regardless of the reason for the absence. The manner in which make-up work is administered is left to the professional discretion of the individual faculty member. Except for absences due to college (or in the case of dual credit students, high school) sanctioned activities, it is at the instructor’s discretion to excuse or not excuse an absence.
An instructor may request the withdrawal of a student from a class when the total number of unexcused absences exceeds the equivalent of two weeks of class meetings in a course; specifically, this equates to the following allowable unexcused absences. Labs are counted as a class meeting.
| Eight-Week Semester |
Summer Five and One-half Week Semester |
| Five from a class that meets 5 times a week |
Three from a class that meets 4 times a week |
| Four from a class that meets 4 times a week |
Two from a class that meets 3 times a week |
| Three from a class that meets 3 times a week |
One from a class that meets 2 times a week |
| Two from a class that meets 2 times a week |
One from a class that meets 1 time a week |
| One from a class that meets 1 time a week |
|
| December and May Mini-Terms |
| Two from a class that meets four times a week |
| Two from a class that meets three times a week |
| One from a class that meets two times a week |
| Sixteen-Week Semester |
Summer Eleven-Week Semester |
| Eight from a class that meets four times a week |
Six from a class that meets four times a week |
| Four from a class that meets two times a week |
Three from a class that meets two times a week |
| Two from a class that meets one time per week |
One from a class that meets one time a week |
Attendance counting begins on the first day the student is enrolled. When an instructor requests the withdrawal (drop) of a student from a course, a grade of “W” will be considered if the student has, at the time of the request, a course grade equivalent to the numeric average of sixty (60) or higher; otherwise, a grade of “WF” will be given.
Attendance policies and the calculation of unexcused absences apply to students enrolled in Internet courses who fail to make scheduled contact with the instructor and/or complete assignments as listed in the course outline. Students enrolled in programs whose status is monitored by outside accrediting agencies may be required to meet more stringent attendance regulations, as described in the program handbooks/policies.
Vernon College has elected to enforce mandatory enrollment in developmental course work required by the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) law. Developmental course work that is not required by the TSI policies (students who choose to enroll in developmental course work for their own benefit) is not subject to these rules.
Students who are absent from class for the observance of a religious holy day may take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence if, not later than the 15th day of the semester, the students notify the instructor(s) that they will be absent for a religious holy day (Sec. 51.911 Texas Education Code).