Academic and Instructional Standards

Academic Standards

Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates

Catawba Valley Community College awards the Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) upon the successful completion of a two-year program of study in the School of General Education; the School of Career and Technical Education; the School of Community Development and Publc Services; and the School of Health.

The Associate in Arts, Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation, Associate in Engineering, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in General Education-Nursing, Associate in Science, and Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation Degrees are awarded tograduates of college transfer curricula.

The College also awards the Associate in General Education and Associate in Applied Science General Occupational Technology degrees.

Upon completion of a career and technical education program of study one or more years in length, CVCC awards a Diploma in the major area of training.

Program Certificates are awarded in curricula where the curriculum provides for skill-training subjects only. Certificates of course completion are also awarded for non-credit short courses and special programs.

High School Equivalency Diplomas are awarded by the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges to individuals who make satisfactory scores on the General Educational Development (GED), HiSet, Tasc, or the Adult High School Diploma.

Classification/Enrollment Status

CVCC considers 12 credit hours to be a full-time load for a curriculum student in the fall and spring semesters. CVCC considers 9 credit hours to be a full-time load for a curriculum student in the summer semester. See below for policy regarding classification for financial aid.

CVCC follows guidelines/regulations established by the appropriate federal and state agencies for purposes of determining classification of students as full-time or part-time for federal financial aid (determined by the US Department of Education, state financial aid (determined by the State of North Carolina and found at » College Foundation of N.C), and veteran’s benefits (determined by the US Department of Veterans Affairs found at » U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).

A freshman is any student who has earned fewer than 32 semester credit hours. A sophomore is any student who has earned 32 or more semester credit hours.

Advising and Registration

Career Advising 

Individual career advising is available to all students and prospective students who are interested in discussing their career interests, choice of program/training, and career goals. Career assessments and career information are used to assist students in examining their interests, values, and skills to explore career options. Available career assessments include The Focus 2 Career Planning System, Career Coach, The Self-Directed Search, Strong Interest Inventory, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. 

Placement Testing Services

CVCC places students into co-requisite and/or gateway courses based upon their high school unweighted cumulative GPA.  Upon special request, CVCC will assess certain academic competencies in reading, writing, and mathematics for placement directly into gateway courses. Placement test scores are not a requirement for general admission to CVCC, but may be a factor in the admission decision for certain programs and/or the determination of course requisite competencies.

CVCC places students who do not have an unweighted high school cumulative GPA directly into gateway and co-requisite supplemental courses

Academic Advising Services

All new students are required to contact an Enrollment Manager 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 by appointment, virtually, or walk-in with Enrollment Management staff during the periods of registration. Other services provided include class schedule adjustments, academic probation advising, and program completion and graduation progress.

» Enrollment Management
 

Registration

The Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee is responsible for establishing and communicating the dates, times, locations, and processes for registration in curriculum courses.

Registration activities occur for each fall, spring, and summer semester. Students must have been admitted to CVCC, be enrolled in an active curriculum program of study, must have met all financial obligations to CVCC, and have no holds on their accounts to participate in registration.

Current students (those who have been enrolled in curriculum courses during the previous semester) will have priority registration dates.  Students are able to register throughout the registration period either online or with assistance from Enrollment Management staff. Registration in certain courses may be restricted to students meeting certain criteria established by the North Carolina Community College System or by the CVCC Chief Academic Officer.

Registration is generally not permitted in a class on or after the census date of the class. 

Registration activities for curriculum classes can be found at » Enrollment Management
 

Course Information

Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites

CVCC and each student are responsible for ensuring that prerequisite and co-requisite requirements have been satisfied.

If requisite competencies are not documented in the student’s CVCC transcript but are evidenced by completion of academic experiences at other regionally-accredited institutions or completion of certain testing administered by other institutions, then satisfaction of the requisite shall be documented in the student’s record on the student database following processes specified by the Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee.

If requisite competencies are not documented in the student’s CVCC transcript and are not evidenced by academic experiences completed elsewhere as outlined above, the Dean of the School that houses the course may authorize enrollment in the course if the requisite competencies are evidenced by other life experiences such as work experience or industry recognized certifications. Such authorization shall be documented in the student’s record on the student database following processes specified by the Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee.

1. For requisite competencies evidenced by completion of academic experiences at other regionally accredited institutions:

Students must submit all official transcripts from other regionally accredited institutions to complete the Admissions process. It is the student’s responsibility to request all official transcripts and it is preferred that transcripts be mailed directly to the Student Records Office from the institution(s) attended or submitted electronically through a third-party vendor directly to the Student Records Office. Official sealed transcripts may also be submitted at the Student Records Office. Official transcripts will be evaluated and credit appropriate to the student’s program of study will be documented in the student’s academic record. Students are sent an email regarding credits awarded (or not awarded) from other post-secondary transcripts to their secure CVCC student email account.  This information can also be found as a Transfer Summary in their My CVCC Portal.

Student access to transcripts received from other educational institutions is limited to visual access. CVCC does not provide students with file copies or photocopies of transcripts received from other educational institutions.

2. For requisite competencies evidenced by completion of certain testing administered by other institutions:

Copies of test scores that originate from another institution must be obtained from the originating institution and mailed or submitted electronically directly to the Student Records Office. It is the student’s responsibility to request test scores.

Student access to test scores received from other educational institutions is limited to visual access. CVCC does not provide students with file copies or photocopies of test scores received from other educational institutions.

3. For requisite competencies not evidenced by completions of academic experiences at other regionally accredited institutions or by completion of certain testing administered by other institutions:

Experiences such as work experience, an earned industry-recognized credential, etc. may allow consideration for documentation of requisite competencies. The student should contact the Dean of the School that offers the course to determine any requisite competencies that these experiences may satisfy. Students may request the name of the appropriate Dean at the Student Records Office.

Waiver of Developmental Courses

Developmental courses may be waived by meeting one of the following requirements:

• Achieving eligibility based on high school unweighted cumulative GPA;
• Achieving eligible scores by completing placement testing with NCCCS-approved testing instrument(s);
• Completing appropriate developmental coursework with a grade of P or C- or better at another regionally-accredited institution; or
• Completing a college-level course at another regionally-accredited institution with a grade of C- or better that is equivalent to a course listed in the NCCCS Combined Course Library that has the appropriate developmental requisite.

Students will be placed into curriculum courses by using their unweighted high school cumulative GPA according to the following categories:

• Students with a GPA of 2.800+ may register for any class without mandatory additional supports.
• Students may also use a combination of standardized tests (such as ACT or SAT) to show evidence of college readiness.

Placement test scores will be entered into the student’s record by CVCC staff when the student takes placement tests at CVCC.

Students must submit all official transcripts from other regionally accredited institutions to complete the Admissions process. It is the student’s responsibility to request all official transcripts and it is preferred that transcripts be mailed directly to the Student Records Office from the institution(s) attended or submitted electronically through a third-party vendor directly to the Student Records Office. Official sealed transcripts may also be submitted at the Student Records Office. Official transcripts will be evaluated and credit appropriate to the student’s program of study will be documented in the student’s academic record. This evaluation includes the appropriate awarding of credit or waiver(s) for developmental courses. Students are sent an email regarding credits awarded (or not awarded) from other post-secondary transcripts to their secure CVCC student email account.  This information can also be found as a Transfer Summary in their My CVCC Portal.

Student access to transcripts received from other educational institutions is limited to visual access. CVCC does not provide students with file copies or photocopies of transcripts received from other educational institutions.

Academic Credit

The Chief Academic Officer or their designee will ensure appropriate procedures and guidelines exist for the granting and recording of academic credit in accordance with State Board Code 1D SBCCC 400.1.

CVCC shall award credit for all curriculum courses completed at CVCC with a final grade of D or higher.

Additionally, credit may be awarded as a result of the following processes. Credits awarded through these processes shall not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the total credit hours required for graduation in a student’s program of study.

1. CVCC will review official transcripts for possible transfer credit for any course(s) completed at a regionally-accredited institution that is (1) relevant to the student’s program of study, (2) evidences competencies that are equivalent to those required for successful completion of the equivalent CVCC course, and (3) when the course was completed with a final grade of “C-minus” or higher.

CVCC will not accept or evaluate transfer credit that was earned on the quarter system unless the regionally-accredited institution is currently operating on the quarter system. CVCC will not allow transfer credit earned on the quarter system to be used as a sufficient pre-requisite to gain entrance into a higher-level course. Students may petition for credit of these courses to be granted through a credit by exam assessment with the appropriate Department Head or Director. (See section d). Any exceptions to this procedure must be approved by the Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee.

Students must submit all official transcripts from other regionally accredited institutions to complete the Admissions process. It is the student’s responsibility to request all official transcripts and it is preferred that transcripts be mailed directly to the Student Records Office from the institution(s) attended or submitted electronically through a third party vendor directly to the Student Records Office. Official sealed transcripts may also be submitted at the Student Records Office. Official transcripts will be evaluated and credit appropriate to the student’s program of study will be documented in the student’s academic record.

For any course(s) not in CVCC’s approved program of study, Student Records will review the NCCCS Combined Course Library (CCL), General Education Matrix, and CAA Approved Transfer Course List to determine if the course(s) are eligible for transfer. If eligible, Student Records will seek approval from the appropriate Dean to transfer the course(s). This transcript evaluation includes the appropriate awarding of waiver(s) for developmental courses.

Students are sent an email regarding credits awarded (or not awarded) from other post-secondary transcripts to their secure CVCC student email account.  This information can also be found as a Transfer Summary in their My CVCC Portal.

Student access to transcripts received from other educational institutions is limited to visual access. CVCC does not provide students with file copies or photocopies of transcripts received from other educational institutions.

2. CVCC will grant transfer credit for a course completed at a foreign (outside the United States) institution provided that the coursework is (1) relevant to the student’s program of study, (2) the competencies required for successful completion are at least equivalent to those required for successful completion of the equivalent CVCC course, and (3) the course was completed with a final grade of “C-minus” or higher. The Chief Academic Officer or their designee will determine relevance to the program of study and equivalence of competencies. 

Foreign secondary or post-secondary transcripts must be written in the English language or translated literally (word for word) into the English language and evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Foreign secondary level transcripts must indicate US high school equivalency. Foreign post-secondary transcripts must indicate potential transfer credit for courses at CVCC.

The student must request official documents be sent to the NACES evaluating agency from their educational institutions. Once the report has been completed, the NACES evaluating agency must send an official report directly to CVCC Student Records that includes a copy of the official document(s) submitted to the agency and the official evaluation and/or translation report performed by the agency. The report must include the student’s name as issued on the original document(s) and date of birth. The report must be signed by the evaluator and include the evaluator’s credentials.

Student copies of the report are not accepted.

If the student name is not consistent on all documents, students may be required to submit legal documentation with proof of their name change. Legal documents accepted for proof of name changes are legible certified copies that have a raised seal and certification by a US government official. These documents include Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Certificate of US Naturalization, or US Court Order approving the name change. 

3. CVCC participates in the awarding of community college articulated credit for high school Career and Technical Education courses.
4. Students enrolled in degree, diploma, or certificate programs and special credit students may petition for credit by exam. To be eligible for credit by exam, the student must provide evidence of prior education and/or experience which would likely have provided skills, knowledge, and/or abilities similar to those provided in the CVCC course. The Dean for the school in which the course is housed will determine the credit to be allowed, if any. Credit will be based upon the minimum attainment of a grade of “C” on oral, written, and/or manipulative tests and the credit hours indicated for the appropriate course in the current catalog.
5. Students may earn credit by successfully completing (score of 3 or better) Advanced Placement (AP) exams sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board and/or by successfully completing (scores per ACE guide) College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams.
6. CVCC awards credit based on the State Board of Community College Code 1D SBCCC 800 Credit for Prior Learning.

Transfer credits, credits granted based on advanced placement assessments, and credits earned by successful completion of AP/CLEP exams may be used to satisfy program of study requirements but will not be included in the calculation of semester or cumulative grade point averages (GPAs).

Transfer credits, credits granted based on advanced placement assessments, and credits earned by successful completion of AP/CLEP exams may not be used to obtain VA educational benefits or federal financial aid.

Tuition and/or charges may apply for certain non-credit course assessments.

Auditing a Course

Students may attempt a course as an audit student one time. Students may not audit a course for which they have received credit unless justified by a clear benefit connected to a current program of study at CVCC.

Students who audit a course must satisfy all requisite requirements for the course just as do students taking the course for credit. These requirements include complying with class attendance expectations, assignments, and participating in class activities.  Students who audit a course are not required to take examinations unless specified by the academic department.

Students who audit a course will not receive a grade (other than AU or SR) or credit for the course. Grades earned for audited courses (AU or SR) do not satisfy prerequisite requirements to enroll in additional courses that have prerequisite requirements. Credit will not be granted under advanced placement procedures after enrolling in a course as an audit student. 

Tuition and fees for auditing a course are the same as those for enrolling in a course for credit. According to Special Provisions for Senior Citizens cited in the State Board of Community College Code 1E SBCCC 1000.2, a senior citizen may audit a course without payment of any required tuition but shall pay the applicable self-support fee for registration into a self-supporting course section and shall pay any applicable local fees.

Students should be aware that audited credit hours do not qualify for federal financial aid, VA education benefits, and certain other grants and/or scholarships.

Students should make the request to audit a course by filling out the Request to Audit a Course form on their My CVCC Portal. Audit requests will be considered on a space-available basis and auditing students may not displace students who are taking a course for credit. Audit registrations will be completed on the last business day before the start date of the course. Any applicable tuition and/or fees are payable upon registration confirmation.

Grades earned for audited courses (AU or SR) do not satisfy prerequisite requirements to enroll in additional courses that have prerequisite requirements. 

The request to change course status from Credit to Audit or from Audit to Credit after the course begins must be approved by the faculty member of the course and the Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee. This request must be made prior to testing and/or project submission in the course.

Course Attendance Expectations

Policy 5.2.1 governs the attendance policy of CVCC. Best practices indicate that successful course completion is correlated to attendance. Therefore, each academic school may have an attendance expectation. Each faculty member is required to communicate attendance expectations to students. These attendance expectations should be included in the course document and faculty members’ syllabi for each course.

Faculty members are required to maintain and submit accurate attendance and/or membership reports for their classes in accordance with the State Board of Community College Code 1G SBCCC 200.93 and according to instructions provided by the Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee. Attendance and/or membership records shall comply with all federal and state guidelines related to the disbursement of financial aid and Veterans’ benefits. Procedures to ensure the recording and reporting of attendance and/or membership in accordance with the above policies shall be monitored by the Dean of Enrollment Management.

If an unplanned and/or unexpected event causes a faculty member to be late to class, every effort should be made to communicate the arrival time to the students in the class.

Religious Observance Absences

The College provides reasonable accommodations, including a minimum of two (2) excused absences each academic year, for religious observances required by a student’s religious practice or belief. Such reasonable accommodations must be requested in accordance with the procedures for this Policy 5.2.1 and include the opportunity for the student to make up any tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance. An accommodation request imposes responsibilities and obligations on both the College and the student requesting the accommodation. College faculty are required, as part of their responsibility to their students and the College, to adhere to this Policy and ensure its full and fair implementation by reasonably accommodating students’ religious practices or beliefs. Regardless of any accommodation that may be granted, College students are responsible for satisfying all academic objectives, requirements and prerequisites as determined by their instructor and the College. 

Withdrawals

Faculty do not have the responsibility to withdraw students from their classes. This is a student responsibility.

Students are encouraged to complete each class for which they register to advance toward program completion. CVCC provides various resources to assist students with successful class completion. These resources are listed in the Portal under Student Resources.

However, it may become necessary in some cases for students to withdraw from a class.

On or before the 60% point of a class:

• Students may initiate the withdrawal process with an Enrollment Manager on campus or by sending an email to admissions@cvcc.edu from their secure CVCC-issued email account. 
• The email must contain the following information for the withdrawal to be processed:
• Student First/Last Name
• CVCC Student ID number
• Course and Section number (Example: PSY 150 101)
• All information is required. Incomplete emails will not be processed.
• This process is time sensitive and must be completed on or before the 60% point of the class.
• A complete listing of the 60% point of all classes can be accessed at Course Schedules on the CVCC website.
• A grade of WP (Withdrew Passing) will be earned.
• A grade of WP will not affect the student’s GPA in a negative manner.
• A grade of WP will affect the student’s completion rate. Program completion will be delayed and financial aid may be impacted in a negative manner.

After the 60% point of a class:

• Students will not be allowed to withdraw from a class after the 60% point of the class.
• All student work will continue to be graded through the end of the semester, and students will earn the appropriate grade of A, B, C, D, F, or in some instances, the temporary grade of I.

Extenuating Circumstances beyond the Student’s Control:

• Occasionally extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control may occur that prevent the student from successfully completing the class and the 60% point of the class has already occurred. Should one of these extenuating circumstances occur, the student should consult the appropriate faculty member(s) and submit the “Request for Withdrawal After the 60% Point of the Class.”
• Appropriate documentation must be submitted.
• The “Request for Withdrawal After the 60% Point of the Class” form can be found in the Portal under Forms.
• If the “Request for Withdrawal After the 60% Point of the Class” is approved, the grade will be WP.  

Curriculum Course Repeat Policy

Policy 5.2.8 states that curriculum courses with earned grades of “D” or “F” may be repeated twice. Courses with earned grades of “C” or higher may be repeated only by special permission from the appropriate Dean or their designee. When courses are repeated, the highest earned grade and hours will be computed in the cumulative grade point average. The first course (grade and hours) will be shown on the transcript and will not be included in the cumulative grade point calculations. If a student receives two “F” grades for the same course, the student must wait at least two academic terms before repeating the course. Exception to the 2-attempt maximum may be granted if the student has not completed the course with a grade of A, B, C, P, P1, P2 or P3, and if the student provides documented evidence of extenuating circumstances, academic intervention which increases the likelihood of success in the course, or three year break in enrollment. Petition for exceptions should be directed to the Dean of Enrollment Management or designee.

Academic Sanctions and Due Process

When a student’s cumulative grade point average is based upon 12 or more credit hours at the 100 level or above (for Career and College Promise students who have completed two (2) or more courses-see the procedure below) and is less than a 2.000, the student shall be placed on academic probation. The Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee shall be responsible for notifying the student and for establishing procedures to ensure the student receives academic counseling. Certain programs may establish additional academic progress requirements and impose sanctions for failure to meet those requirements. The Chief Academic Officer shall ensure any additional academic requirements and potential sanctions for failure to meet those requirements are communicated to students in those programs.

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 with an Enrollment Manager 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 Enrollment Manager. 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 2.000 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 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 office.  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 CCP office 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 their designee and communicated to the CCP office through the CCP Verification Form. The high school also provides a current high school transcript for each student for each semester the student is enrolled in CCP. 

Graduation Information

Requirements for Graduation

The student is responsible for applying online through their MY CVCC Portal Account for the degree, diploma or certificate according to guidelines established by the Dean of Enrollment Management. A student can apply for and graduate from a program at the conclusion of the semester in which all requirements have been met.

The student is responsible for determining and fulfilling all requirements for the program of study from which the student expects to graduate. Minimum credit hours and the required courses for each program have been established and are listed in the Program Listings section of the CVCC General Catalog. A minimum graduation requirement of all curriculum programs is a cumulative grade point average of 2.000. Certain programs may have additional requirements. Students should consult Enrollment Management for information on program and graduation requirements.

The catalog of record is the catalog that is current at the time a student enrolls at CVCC in the program of study. If a student changes the program of study, then the catalog of record becomes the catalog that is current at the time of that program change. To graduate under a program of study, a student must meet the requirements of the catalog of record or any catalog in effect within the next five years as long as the student has been continuously enrolled. A break in enrollment occurs when a student is not enrolled for two consecutive semesters (i.e. fall and spring or spring and fall). Students are not required to be enrolled during the summer semesters to maintain continuous enrollment. If a student breaks enrollment, the catalog of record will be become the catalog that is current at the time of reentry. From that point of reentry, the rule of continuous enrollment will apply. The Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee has the authority to choose a catalog within a five-year period of continuous enrollment that best suits the student’s needs for the particular program of study at the time of graduation.

To be eligible for graduation, the student must fulfill all financial obligations to the College.

Residence Requirement

Beginning fall 2019, students graduating from CVCC must enroll in and complete at CVCC a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the semester hours required for their program of study (credits granted through transfer credit and advanced placement credit processes may not be used to satisfy this requirement). 

Effective March 29, 2019, the Department of Defense retired the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) network. CVCC has signed the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DoD MOU). 

Commencement Ceremony

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 online through their MyCVCC Portal account. Specific priority deadlines have been established and are published through the CVCC website and social media.

Graduating with Honors or High Honors

Honors/High Honors Designation for Graduation

Students graduating from a degree or diploma program of study with a final cumulative grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.500 and less than 3.800 will receive recognition in their permanent student record as graduating with “Honors.” This calculation is performed when all program requirements are complete and grades are verified. The “Honors” distinction will be denoted on the official transcript and on the diploma.

Students graduating from a degree or diploma program of study with a final cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.800 will receive recognition in their permanent student record as graduating with “High Honors.” This calculation is performed when all program requirements are complete and grades are verified. The “High Honors” distinction will be denoted on the official transcript and on the diploma.

Honors/High Honors Designation for Commencement Program

Cumulative grade point averages (GPAs) 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.

Graduate Guarantee

Catawba Valley Community College offers a graduate guarantee that covers all students who have earned associate degrees at CVCC. Catawba Valley Community College guarantees that associate degree graduates will function productively in the areas of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, and also makes the degree-specific guarantees as outlined below.

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, the North Carolina Independent Colleges Articulation Agreement, and and other uniform articulation agreements between the NCCCS and the UNC System.

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:

1. The graduate must be employed full-time in an area directly related to the graduate’s area of study within 12 months of graduation.
2. Should the employer deem that a CVCC graduate is lacking in an entry-level skill, the employer must certify the deficiency in writing to the Chief Academic Officer 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.   
3. A written educational plan for retraining will be developed and approved by the employer, graduate, department head, and dean.  
4. The educational plan will limit retraining to 12 tuition-free semester hours directly related to the identified skill deficiency.
5. All retraining must be regularly-scheduled courses on CVCC’s normal class schedule.  
6. 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. 
7. All retraining must be completed within 12 months from the time the educational plan is approved.   
8. Courses may be repeated only once under the terms of this graduate guarantee.   
9. 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.   
10. Employers who wish to make claims under the terms of this guarantee should contact the Chief Academic Officer.  
11. This graduate guarantee is effective for students who begin their course work in Fall of 2012 and does not apply retroactively to prior graduates. 
12. 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.

Student Records and Transcripts

Privacy of Students (FERPA)

CVCC protects the privacy of students in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (the “Act”), as amended, enacted as section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act. A copy of the Federal Regulations setting out the requirements for the protection of the privacy of students under the act is available at Federal FERPA Regulations (see Title 34 - Education, Subtitle A, Part 99), or in Student Services.

Under this Act, students have the right to:

• Inspect and review their education records;
• Seek amendment of their education records that they believe to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights;
• Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their record, except to the extent that the Act (and in particular section 99.31) authorizes disclosure without consent; or
• File with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint under Sections 99.63 and 99.64 concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of the Act.

A student may exercise the right to inspect and review the student’s own education record by making written request to the Registrar.

A student may request amendment(s) to the student’s own education record under section 99.20 of the Act by contacting the Registrar. The Registrar will attempt to resolve the issue. If the student is not satisfied with the resolution offered by the Registrar, then the student may commence the formal student grievance process as outlined in Policy 5.3.6.

Education Records

Education records are records that are directly related to a student and that are maintained by an educational institution. These records contain both directory information and personally identifiable information about the student. The information may be recorded in any way, including, but not limited to, handwriting, print, computer media, videotape, audiotape, film, microfilm, microfiche, and email. Some examples of education records are grades, transcripts, class rosters, student course schedules, student financial information, student discipline files, health records, and disabilities education act records. 

In accordance with 34 CFR 99.31 of FERPA, CVCC does disclose education records to CVCC officials, including faculty and/or staff, who are determined to have a legitimate educational interest. Faculty/staff are considered to have a legitimate educational interest if they might reasonably need to access information to academically advise a student or assist the student in a transaction with CVCC. All full-time faculty/staff have access to the student database through their secure user name and login.

Directory Information

Directory Information is information contained in a student’s education record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. In accordance with 34 CFR 99.3 (a) of FERPA, each institution is required to define its directory items.

At CVCC, the following information is defined to be directory information:

• Student’s name; 
• Address; 
• Telephone number; 
• Email address; 
• Major field of study; 
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
• Dates of attendance, grade level and enrollment status; and
• Degrees, honors and awards received. 

Post-secondary institutions are required by the Solomon Amendment to comply with requests for directory information about students enrolled in programs of study at the college. CVCC provides the following directory information to comply with the Solomon Amendment.

• Student’s name;
• Address;
• Institutionally assigned email address;
• Telephone numbers;
• Degree(s) awarded;
• Major field of study;
• Class level (Freshman or Sophomore); and
• Date of birth.

In accordance with 34 CFR 99.37(d) of FERPA, the institution is NOT required to release directory information-it is at the discretion of the institution. It is not CVCC’s practice to release directory information to third parties except for those that CVCC deems to have a legitimate educational interest in the information or who provide a service on behalf of CVCC.

Process to Opt Out

Notice is made each semester to inform students that they may opt out of having their directory information made available. Requests will be processed in a timely manner as they are received and shall be effective at the date/time of processing. A request to withhold directory information is in effect permanently, even if the student is no longer enrolled at CVCC, and can only be removed by the student in writing by submitting a completed “Request to Release Directory Information Form” found on the CVCC Portal under Forms.

Students should be aware that a request to withhold directory information results in the following:

• Student name/address is excluded from printed/electronic material such as media releases for honors/high honors announcements or awards/scholarships received, commencement programs, awards programs, etc.
• Enrollment and degree-awarded inquiries from third parties, such as potential employers, insurance companies, and others will neither receive a confirmation of enrollment nor graduation.
• No information will be released to any person(s) on the telephone or via email.
• No information will be included in sports information programs.
• Personal information changes must be made only by the student in person at Student Records with a valid, government-issued photo ID.
• It is important to note that a student’s request for confidentiality does not permit the student to be anonymous in class (including an online class) nor to impede or be excluded from class communication.

Personally Identifiable Information

Personally identifiable information is information that directly identifies the student or information that a reasonable person in the school community would use to identify the student with reasonable certainty. This information could be requested by a person who CVCC reasonably believes knows the identity of the student to whom the education record relates. Under the Act, disclosure of personally identifiable information can be disclosed if CVCC obtains the signature of the student on a document specifically identifying the information to be disclosed, the reason for the disclosure, and the parties to whom the disclosure will be made. Oral consent for disclosure does not meet FERPA requirements. 

In accordance with 34 CFR 99.31(8) of FERPA, CVCC may not disclose personally identifiable information to the parents of an “eligible student” without the written consent of the student unless the disclosure is to parents of a dependent student as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. An “eligible student” means a student who is 18 years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education. Parents must provide appropriate tax return information documenting the dependent status of the student before disclosure will be made without his/her written consent. 

In accordance with 34 CFR 99.31 of FERPA, CVCC is also allowed to disclose personally identifiable information from the education record of a student without consent when the disclosure is made to one of the following:

• School officials with legitimate educational interest
• Other post-secondary institutions to which the student seeks to or intends to enroll or is already enrolled for purposes related to the enrollment or transfer
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
• State and/or local officials or authorities to whom this information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of CVCC
• Accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
• The parent of a student who is not an eligible student or to the student
• Disclosure in connection with a disciplinary proceeding
• The final results of the disciplinary proceeding conducted to the victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense
• Disclosure to a parent of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law or any rule or policy of CVCC governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance
• Disclosure concerning sex offenders and other individuals required to register under section 170101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994

FERPA protection of personally identifiable information in a student’s education record ends at the time of death.

Copies of Academic Records

CVCC will provide students with official copies of their CVCC transcript. Proof of identity is required to obtain an official transcript. There is a fee for an official copy of the CVCC transcript.

For an official copy of the CVCC transcript, the process is detailed on the Student Records page at » Transcript Request

Student access to transcripts received from other educational institutions is limited to visual access. CVCC does not provide students with file copies or photocopies of transcripts and/or test reports received from other institutions.

Students have access to unofficial copies of their CVCC transcript at their secure Student Self Service account on the CVCC Portal.

Student Record Retention

CVCC maintains student records in accordance with North Carolina General Statues G.S. §121-5 and G.S. §132-8. The CVCC Records Retention and Disposition Schedule was developed by CVCC Administration and has been approved by the State Archives of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College System.

Any officially submitted document that supports information posted on the student’s transcript will be scanned into the secure CVCC database and retained in support of the transcript.

Grading System

The measure of a student’s overall academic performance for curriculum courses attempted at CVCC and with a course number greater than or equal to 100 shall be a per credit hour grade point average (GPA) based on a 4.000 scale. A student shall receive 4 grade points per credit hour for excellent performance (letter grade A), 3 grade points per credit hour for above average performance (letter grade B), 2 grade points per hour for average performance (letter grade C), 1 grade point per hour for below average performance (letter grade D), and 0 grade points per hour for failing performance (letter grade F or WF).

Valid grades for developmental courses (All DMA, All DRE, CTS 080, OST 080) are P (indicates satisfactory completion), R (unsatisfactory completion-student must retake the course), and WP (indicates withdrew passing). Developmental courses shall be included in the computation of attempted credits and earned credits but shall be excluded from all GPA computations.

Valid grades for transition courses (ENG 002 and MAT 003) are P1, P2, and P3 (indicates satisfactory completion), R (unsatisfactory completion-student must retake the course), and WP (indicates withdrew passing). Transition courses shall be included in the computation of attempted credits and earned credits but shall be excluded from all GPA computations.

Valid grades for supplemental courses (ENG 011, MAT 010, MAT 021, MAT 043, MAT 052, and MAT 071) are P (indicates satisfactory completion), F (unsatisfactory completion-student must retake the course), and WP (indicates withdrew passing). Supplemental courses shall be included in the computation of attempted credits and earned credits but shall be excluded from all GPA computations.

The Administrative Instructional Council (AIC) shall establish the numerical averages (numerical scale) to be used to assign the letter grades specified above. Such numerical averages shall be used by all curriculum instructors when assigning letter grades. 

Students are encouraged to complete each class for which they register to advance toward program completion. CVCC provides various resources to assist students with successful course completion. These resources are listed in the Portal under Student Resources. However, it may become necessary in some cases for students to withdraw from a course.

On or before the 60% point of a class:

Students may initiate the withdrawal process with an Enrollment Manager on campus or by sending an email to advising@cvcc.edu from their secure CVCC-issued email account. An Enrollment Manager will assist the student with the process.

This process is time sensitive and must be completed on or before the 60% point of the class.

A complete listing of the 60% point of all classes can be accessed at Course Schedules on the CVCC website.

A grade of WP (Withdrew Passing) will be earned.

A grade of WP will not affect the student’s GPA in a negative manner.

A grade of WP will affect the student’s completion rate. Program completion will be delayed and financial aid may be impacted in a negative manner.

After the 60% point of a class:

Students will not be allowed to withdraw from a class after the 60% point of the class.

All student work will continue to be graded through the end of the semester, and students will earn the appropriate grade of A, B, C, D, F, or in some instances, the temporary grade of I.

Extenuating Circumstances beyond the Student’s Control:

Occasionally extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control may occur that prevent the student from successfully completing the class, and the 60% point of the class has already occurred. Should one of these extenuating circumstances occur, the student should consult the appropriate faculty member(s) and submit the “Request for Withdrawal After the 60% Point of the Class.”

Appropriate documentation must be submitted.

The “Request for Withdrawal After the 60% Point of the Class” form can be found in the Portal under Forms.

If the “Request for Withdrawal After the 60% Point of the Class” is approved, the grade will be WP.

A temporary grade of I (Incomplete) may be recorded if, in the judgment of the faculty member of the class, extenuating circumstances exist. A temporary grade of I indicates that the course has not been completed satisfactorily, and any course with this grade will not satisfy prerequisite requirements for additional coursework. The course must be completed, and the temporary grade of I replaced with the final course grade before the begin date of the next semester. If a passing grade is not earned, the temporary grade of I will be replace with an F. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Chief Academic Officer. 
 
The Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee shall ensure that the grade system and the processes used for record-keeping purposes comply with the above policy.

Valid grades other than those discussed above may appear on transcripts due to enrollment activity recorded under previous grading systems at the College. As a matter of academic continuity, CVCC reserves the right to impose special provisions during unforeseen crisis or periods of operational interruption. For example, during the Spring 2020 COVID-19 crisis and the Fall 2024 Hurricane Helene crises, special consideration was afforded to students who may have been impacted by those events. In the former instance, students could request the grade of WE (Withdraw Emergency) through the last day of the Spring 2020 semester, and in the latter instance, students could request a grade of EW (Emergency Withdrawal) through the last day of the Fall 2024 semester. As with a normal withdrawal, students would repeat the course following normal enrollment policies and procedures. For classes that could not be completed during the normal length of those semesters, temporary grades of IE (Incomplete Emergency) and EI (Emergency Incomplete) could be issued for the Spring 2020 and Fall 2024 semesters, respectively.

Table 1 Grades listed below are calculated into all grade point average (GPA) computations. Grades in courses below 100 level are not calculated in computing the grade point average (GPA). For additional information on the College’s grading system, visit the Student Records web page at www.cvcc.edu. 

Table 2 Grades listed below are not calculated into grade point average (GPA) computations. For additional information on the College’s grading system, visit the Student Records web page at www.cvcc.edu. 

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: 

1. 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.
 

1. 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 credit hours and student earned an A:     4 x 4 = 16
ART 111:         3 credit hours and student earned a C:       3 x 2 = 6
ACA 111:         1 credit hour and student earned a B:         1 x 3 = 3

Total Grade Points Earned = 25
Total Hours Attempted = 8
GPA = 25 divided by 8 = 3.125

Grades and Grade Changes

A student’s final grade for a course is determined by the faculty member for the course and submitted to Student Records. Student Records is responsible for making the grade available to the student through a web/internet portal or some other means. Subsequent changes to a grade submitted by a faculty member generally must be authorized by the same faculty member, by the Chief Academic Officer in extenuating circumstances, or by the Chief Academic Officer upon recommendation by a Student Grievance Committee.

A student who has a grievance regarding a final course grade may have his/her grievance reviewed in accordance with Policy 5.2.5 Grade Appeal.

President’s List and Dean’s List

At the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters, the Chief Academic Officer shall recognize those students who meet the following requirements for inclusion on the President’s List or the Dean’s List.

• Dean’s List: students who complete 6 or more credit hours (included in the computation of GPA) during the completed semester while earning a semester GPA greater than or equal to 3.500 and less than 3.800 on a 4.000 scale.
• President’s List: students who complete 6 or more credit hours (included in the computation of GPA) during the completed semester while earning a semester GPA greater than or equal to 3.800 on a 4.00 scale.

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 list 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.

Instructional Standards

Academic Freedom

Catawba Valley Community College is committed to the provision of and protection of academic freedom. The college seeks to foster an academic learning environment that allows for the advancement of knowledge and critical thinking on the part of faculty, staff, and students through ethical teaching and research practices. Faculty, staff, and students are expected to use reasonable judgment as they exercise their academic freedom.

As an employer, the college reserves specific employer rights, as established by state and federal law and the North Carolina Community College System.  College employees are expected to follow the college’s Academic Freedom Policy 3.4.6.

Internal Audits

The Chief Academic Officer shall ensure that internal audits are conducted in accordance with North Carolina Community College System guidelines and that the results of those audits reported to the Board of Trustees.

Course Documents and Faculty Syllabi

At the beginning of each course, faculty members will provide students with two sources of information concerning each curriculum course – a course document and a faculty syllabus.  These documents are defined below.

Course documents provide general course information that changes little from semester to semester.  For instance, the course document will give the course title, course description, and number of hours specified for the lecture, for laboratory, for clinical, and for total semester credit hours – all information mandated by the State Board of Community Colleges (1D SBCCC 400.1).  In addition, prerequisites and co-requisites are given as well as the student learning outcomes. Other information that varies little from semester to semester includes the course grading policy, attendance expectations, disability statement, religious observance statement, the academic honest policy, and the CVCC emergency procedures.

The course document provides essential information about each course and communicates basic course information with consistency and accuracy.  Course documents are housed on a server and maintained by the Educational Technology Department.

A link to the appropriate course document is automatically loaded into the Blackboard account for each individual course.  Thus, students constantly have access to critical information about the course.

» Course Documents

The Faculty Syllabus for a course may contain some or all the information listed in the Course Document.  However, the faculty syllabus differs from the course document in that it lists those components of the course that change frequently such as the course calendar with assignment due dates and the required textbook(s).  

The faculty syllabus outlines course requirements and assignments in greater detail than does the Course Document.  While individual faculty members will approach their teaching responsibilities with differing techniques, all faculty must guide student learning to reach the same student learning outcomes published in both the course document and the faculty syllabus.   

Course documents and faculty syllabi shall be maintained in accordance with the procedures established by the Chief Academic Officer.

Off-Campus Instructional Activities

Field trips and other off-campus instructional activities must be planned well in advance and approved in accordance with procedures established by the Chief Academic Officer.

Extra-curricular activities engage students and enrich their lives.  The entire community takes pride when our athletic teams win championships, when our students travel and learn in distant places, and when our students excel in state, regional, and national competitions.  To maintain academic progress and to provide extensive extra-curricular opportunities for students, the following guidelines have been established.

Guidelines for Club Advisers, Coaches, Faculty, and Other Extra-Curricular Leaders

1. To the degree possible, extra-curricular events such as ballgames, field trips, and concerts should be scheduled when the least possible amount of instructional time will be missed.
2. When scheduling athletic competitions, coaches should be aware that requiring student athletes to miss class may cause the student to encounter greater difficulty in passing the class. Effort should be exercised to honor attendance expectations.
3. Coaches should publish the schedule of athletic competitions to the entire college community as well as the team membership roster. These may be found on the CVCC Athletics web site.
   » Athletics
4. When scheduling extra-curricular events such as a field trip or an academic competition that conflict with attendance expectations, the extra-curricular faculty/staff person should email to faculty a description of the upcoming off-campus activity along with a list of student names involved one week in advance of the planned activity.  The communication about the activity should clearly indicate the date(s) and times that students involved will be away from campus.
5. At least one week in advance of the date of the off-campus event, the CVCC faculty/staff person responsible for the event will send the “Waiver of Liability and Hold harmless Agreement” form for each student to the CVCC Business Office. This form can be found on the Portal under Forms. 
6. Faculty who plan a field trip need to have an alternative assignment for students whose personal circumstances (job, child care, etc.) make it impossible for the student to participate in the field trip experience.
7. Club advisers, coaches, and other extra-curricular leaders will give a copy of the “Guidelines for Students Involved in Extra Curricular Activities” to all students involved in the activity well in advance of the event.

Guidelines for Faculty of Students Involved in Extra-Curricular Activities

1. Faculty members should maintain the same academic rigor for students involved in extra-curricular activities as with students who are not involved.
2. Faculty members should maintain the same attendance expectations for students involved in extra-curricular activities as with students who are not involved in such events.  At CVCC, there are no “excused” absences.  A student is present for class instruction or a student is not present.
3. Faculty members should support the excellent learning opportunities that occur outside the formal classroom setting.  Therefore, faculty members are encouraged to avoid classroom policies that discourage extra-curricular activities such as “No make-up work is allowed” or “Missed tests may not be made up.” Instead, faculty members are asked to work in partnership with students to support learning outside the classroom.  As an institution, we can never discuss the art of teaching and learning too excessively. As professionals, we have the power to rethink classroom management policies – balancing student needs with curriculum and faculty needs.
4. To the degree possible, any student officially representing the school in an academic, cultural, or athletic event should be allowed to make up work missed while officially representing the college.  For instance, in some cases, assignments or tests may be turned in early, prior to the event or turned in late, after the event.  A student should not be penalized for representing the college in an official capacity; however, it is the student’s responsibility to be proactive to inform the faculty member of extra-curricular events that conflict with attendance expectations  and to make arrangements with the faculty member for making up missed work.
5. Suggested methods for faculty to allow students to make-up missed work include:
   • Allow students to turn in assignments early, prior to the absence.   
   • Allow students to turn in assignments late.   
   • Allow students to complete alternative assignments if the original assignment would be compromised by early or late submission.   
   • Encourage students to establish a study partner – a classmate who will share class notes and other information when an absence occurs   
   • Encourage students to form study groups and to secure a tutor

Guidelines for Students Involved in Extra-Curricular Activities

1. Students involved in officially-sanctioned extra-curricular activities such as field trips, athletic competitions, educational travel, and academic competitions should understand that these extra-curricular activities are secondary to the major goal of completing a course of study and graduating with a degree.
2. Students should clearly understand that at Catawba Valley Community College, there are no excused absences.  College students are either present in class to receive instruction, or they are not present.  Therefore, absences related to extra-curricular activities should be considered as part of the attendance expectations for each course.
3. Students who must miss classes to participate in school-sanctioned activities are responsible for discussing the absences and work that will be missed in advance of the absence with each faculty member involved. The burden for getting permission to make-up missed work and then for making up that work falls entirely upon the student.
4. Students involved in extra-curricular activities should respectfully approach faculty members during their office hours to inquire about educationally sound ways to cope with missed classes well in advance of the absence. The solution reached will vary from faculty member to faculty member and from discipline to discipline. 
5. Students who have to miss classes to participate in extra-curricular activities should understand that important material will be missed with every absence. Many class activities such as lectures, demonstrations, and class discussions are impossible to “make up.” Therefore, class attendance is of highest priority. 

Food and Drink in the Classroom

The allowance of food and/or drink in classrooms, the Library, the Learning Assistance Center, and SOAR Commons is a decision to be made by class instructors or appropriate supervisors. If allowed, drinks must be in closed containers. If the instructor allows food or drink in the classroom, the room must be left clean for the next instructor. Food and/or drink shall not be permitted in laboratories or classrooms if such permission presents a safety concern or might result in damage to college equipment.

Classroom Safety

Faculty shall promote a safe class environment and shall establish appropriate safety guidelines and procedures for their classes.

» Emergency Guidebook

Cancellation of Classes

Class cancellations must be approved in accordance with guidelines established by the Chief Academic Officer.

Adverse Weather (campus closings)

The College President or their designee will make a decision concerning changes in schedules during all adverse weather conditions. Every effort will be made to make decisions prior to 6:00 AM for daytime operations and by 4:00 PM for evening operations. When the decision is made to “Close”, no students, faculty, or staff will be required to report except for essential personnel as determined by the college President.

When a late opening is announced due to weather, all classes and activities scheduled prior to the announced opening time are canceled. Faculty, staff and students are not expected to arrive on campus until the published opening time. The class schedule resumes at the published opening time. If a class or activity for that day includes time before and after the published opening time, then that class or activity should begin at the published opening time. For example (applies to all Virtual and Seated/Hybrid courses), in a situation where a late opening is announced at 10:00 AM on a Thursday:

• A seated/hybrid or virtual class scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM and end at 9:50 AM on Thursday would not meet.
• A seated/hybrid or virtual class scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM and end at 10:20 AM on Thursday would meet for 20 minutes (10:00 AM to 10:20 AM)
• A seated/hybrid or virtual class scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM and end at 10:50 AM on Thursday would meet for the regularly scheduled 50 minutes.

In situations where the campus is “Closed” or operates under a late opening, Virtual courses are courses that meet online at a designated, synchronous time and will follow the same procedures as those listed above for seated classes.  For Virtual and Seated/Hybrid courses that are affected by a closing or a delayed opening for that day, make-up assignments will be posted on Blackboard to be completed.

In some situations, Continuing Education classes may be canceled completely when the college operates under a late opening.  Contact the Continuing Education office for information regarding class cancellations due to adverse weather.

Work-based Learning

The work-based learning studies shall be integrated with the credit/curriculum programs of studies under the supervision of the Chief Academic Officer or their designee. Operation of the program shall be in accordance with the policies and procedures stipulated by the North Carolina Community College System.

Recipients of VA Education Benefits may participate in the work-based learning program if otherwise eligible. Educational benefits will be paid by the Veterans Administration for work-based learning courses if all requirements are met.