Nondiscrimination statement

Georgia Perimeter College supports the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order
# 11246, Title IX of the Educational Ammendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. No person shall, on the basis of age,
race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability, be excluded from,
participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity of the college.

Any individual with a grievance related to the enforcement of any of the above provisions
should contact the Assistant Director of Human Resources, Ombudsperson.

Revision Approved by College Advisory Board 10/17/02 - Moved from Section 400 to Section 200 of the CPC Policy Manual

Statement of Academic Freedom
Georgia Perimeter College endorses the Statement of Academic Freedom adopted by the
American Association of University Professors in 1940, as it has been amended from time
to time. Specifically,

 a. Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results,
subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties; but research for
pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.

 b. Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject and related material.

 c. College and university teachers are citizens and members of a learned profession.
When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or
discipline. They should at all times be accurate, should show respect for the opinions of
others, and should indicate that they are not speaking for the institution when appropriate.

In adopting the AAUP statement, the College does not necessarily adopt interpretations
of the statement that are inconsistent with Georgia Perimeter College’s primary mission
as a two-year teaching college within the University System of Georgia; however, the
College acknowledges its respect for the experience of other academics and institutions
in the interpretation of the statement.

In addition, Georgia Perimeter College recognizes that students are free to take reasonable
exception to the data or views offered in any course of study, while meeting the responsibility
to learn the content of the course and maintaining the standards of academic performance
established for the course. Specifically, the College recognizes the right of the student to
free thought and orderly free expression in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning
and free of ceercion and unreasonable interference.

Reference: www.aaup.org - Approved by Faculty Senate, Academic Affairs Policy Council,
College Advisory Board 4/2000

Academic Honesty

Academic Misconduct is defined as cheating and/or plagiarism.  Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment.  Plagiarism is a form of cheating that involves presenting as one's own, the ideas or work of another.  Any student found by the instructor to have engaged in academic misconduct on a graded test, assignment, or examination may be assigned a zero for that assignment, assigned an F in the course, and/or be charged with cheating in the Georgia Perimeter College student judiciary process.  Students found guilty of cheating may be dismissed from the class or from the college.  The GPC student handbook describes the regulations governing these procedures.

Americans with Disabilities Act Statement

If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and require assistance or support services, please seek assistance through the Center for Disability Services (CDS).  A CDS counselor will coordinate these services.

Equal Opportunity Statement

No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age or disability be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits or, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by GPC.

Affirmative Action Statement

Georgia Perimeter College adheres to affirmative action policies to promote diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty and students.

Academic Respect

The college exists to foster educational excellence.  To this end, a classroom atmosphere that supports learning must be maintained.  Students are expected to be active, attentive participants in the class.  Students are also expected to abide by class policies and procedures and to treat faculty and other students in a professional, respectful manner.  Students are expected to be familiar with the student conduct code published in the Student Handbook.

Regent's Test Statement

Students are required to take the Regent's test.  Each student has two attempts to pass this test before he or she accumulates 45 hours of collegiate credit.  After two attempts, or after reaching 45 hours, a student will be required to take classes to prepare for the test.  These classes are three credit hours each.  (The test is free; the courses require tuition payment.)  After accumulating 54 or more credit hours, a student may not take any collegiate level courses until he or she completes the preparation classes and passes the Regent's test.  Students should sign up for the test when enrolled in or immediately following the completion of ENGL 1102 and prior to accumulating 45 credit hours.

Instructional Support Services

The math and Writing Center (ISS) offers free individual tutoring on a drop-in basis.  Tutoring is available in a wide variety of collegiate courses as well as in learning Support courses. Professional, degreed personnel conduct tutoring.  Hours are posted on the web at www.gpc.edu/~lawiss/index.htm.

Lab Waiver Policy

Students with special medical conditions (pregnancy, nursing, immune deficiencies, etc.) who have documentation from their (licensed) physician may request a waiver of lab until a later date.  Students must present this documentation to the department chair at the time of the request.

Georgia Perimeter College recognizes that students are free to take reasonable exception to the data or views offered in any course of study, while meeting the responsibility to learn the content of the course and maintaining the standards of academic performance established for the course. Specifically, the College recognizes the right of the student to free thought and orderly free expression in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and free of coercion and unreasonable interference.

Multiple Campuses Statement

Students taking lecture and lab at different campuses should be aware that, while the content is the same, the order of topics may be different. Students are responsible for covering the material as required by each instructor. 

Drop for Non-Attendance

Students who do not  “log-in” for a distance learning class by the end of the "no show" period of the term will be reported for non-attendance. Students who do not drop a class during the schedule adjustment period and are reported for non-attendance will be automatically dropped from that course. Neither the course(s) nor any grade(s) will appear on the student's permanent record. Students reported for non-attendance in a required Learning Support, English as a Second Language, or Regents' Test Preparation course will be withdrawn from all collegiate level (1000 or 2000-level) courses in which that student is concurrently enrolled. 

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Georgia Perimeter College supports the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive  Order #11246, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the college.

Any individual with a grievance related to the enforcement of any of theabove provisions should contact the Assistant Director of Human Resources, Ombudsperson.

SECTION 300 – ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

WITHDRAWALS

POLICY

It is the policy of Georgia Perimeter College to encourage students to complete all courses for which they enroll, in order to achieve their educational goals. Faculty, counselors, and academic administrators should strive to assist students in identifying alternative solutions to withdrawal. However, if all other options have been exhausted, withdrawal may be necessary. Three types of standard withdrawals exist: Automatic withdrawals, Course withdrawals and withdrawal from the College. The procedure for each is described in detail below. A fourth type of withdrawal exists for extraordinary circumstances, which allows a student to withdraw from one or more classes after the midpoint of the semester without academic penalty. This type of withdrawal, which requires the approval of the relevant campus Dean of Academic Services, is known as a Hardship withdrawal.

PROCEDURES

Automatic Withdrawals

Learning Support Courses

Regents’ Test Preparation Courses

English as a Second Language Courses

Students enrolled in both Learning Support (numbered below 1000), English as a Second Language (beginning with ENSL prefix), or Regents’ Test Preparation courses (beginning with RGTR or RGTE prefix) AND collegiate level (1000 or 2000-level) courses must adhere to published attendance policies for Learning Support, English as a Second Language, and Regents’ Test Preparation courses in order to remain enrolled in their collegiate level courses. Any student who violates the published attendance policy of a Learning Support, English as a Second Language course or Regents' Test Preparation course before midterm will be automatically withdrawn from that course by the instructor on a withdrawal form with a grade of “W”. The withdrawal will be submitted to Enrollment and Registration Services for processing; the process includes withdrawal from with all collegiate level (1000 or 2000-level) courses in which that student is concurrently enrolled.   

Drop for Non-Attendance

Students who never attend a class and never “log-in” for a distance learning class by the end of the first two weeks of the term will be reported for non-attendance. Students who do not drop a class during the schedule adjustment period and are reported for non-attendance will be automatically dropped from that course. Students reported for non-attendance in a Learning Support, English as a Second Language, or Regents' Test Preparation course will be dropped from all collegiate level (1000 or 2000-level) courses in which that student is concurrently enrolled. Neither the course(s) nor any grade(s) will appear on the student's permanent record.

Course Withdrawals

1.   The responsibility for withdrawal from courses rests with the student. Instructors will not withdraw students except as outlined under the automatic withdrawal section of the policy. Students who stop attending an on-campus course (or participating as directed in a distance-learning course) without formally withdrawing are subject to their instructors’ published attendance/participation policies, which may result in a failing grade. All instructors are responsible for making a course syllabus available to students at the beginning of the semester. Students are responsible for reading the syllabus and adhering to course policies.

2.   Specific procedures for completing and submitting an official Withdrawal Form are published in the College catalog and Student Handbook.

3.  Policies are designed to strongly encourage students to consult with a faculty member or counselor prior to withdrawing. However, within the constraints described below, and prior to the midpoint of the course, students have the right to withdraw without anyone’s permission, with no academic penalty.

4.  Prior to the midpoint of the course, (a) Students who officially withdraw from collegiate level (1000 or 2000-level) courses receive a grade of "W;” (b) Students taking only Learning Support, English as a Second Language, and Regents’ Test Preparation courses who officially withdraw receive a grade of "W;" or (c) Students taking a mixture of both Learning Support, ESL, Regents’ Test Preparation courses and collegiate-level courses will not be allowed to withdraw from any Learning Support course unless they also withdraw from all collegiate level courses.

5. Students who withdraw after the mid-point of the total grading period (including final exams) will receive a grade of "WF" unless a hardship withdrawal is approved, as described below.

Withdrawal from the College

Students withdrawing from all courses for which they are registered are considered to be withdrawn from the College.

Specific procedures for completing and submitting an official Withdrawal Form are published in the College catalog and Student Handbook.

Policies are designed to strongly encourage students to consult with a faculty member or counselor prior to withdrawing. However, within the constraints described above, students have the right to withdraw without anyone’s permission, with no academic penalty.

All course withdrawal policies (described above) are also applicable to College withdrawals.

Students who officially withdraw from the College are entitled to partial refunds if the Withdrawal Form is filed within the refund period.

Hardship Withdrawals

Hardship Withdrawals are rare and granted only in extraordinary circumstances.

A hardship withdrawal may be requested for all courses in which the student is enrolled (i.e., withdrawal from the College) or only for a specific course (i.e. Course withdrawal). For example, a serious medical emergency might require a student to withdraw from all classes for the semester, but a minor medical condition might necessitate withdrawal only from a physical education course or science laboratory section.

A request for hardship consideration must be made to the campus Dean of Academic Services as soon as practicable after the hardship occurs, but no later than the seventh week of the following semester. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances.

All requests for hardship consideration must be in writing, and include appropriate documentation of the hardship circumstance from a verifiable source (e.g. hospital or court records).

All hardship withdrawals must be approved by the Dean of Academic Services in consultation with the department chair(s) and/or faculty member(s) teaching the course(s) for which the hardship withdrawal is being requested. Hardship withdrawals also require review by Financial Aid to determine if any repayment of funds may be required.

If the hardship withdrawal is approved, the student will receive a grade of "W" in the relevant course(s) for the term requested.

The decision on a hardship withdrawal by the campus Dean of Academic Services will be communicated to the student, faculty member(s), department chair, and the Office of Enrollment and Registration Services.

The official date of withdrawal will be the last date the student attended class. 

If the campus Dean of Academic Services does not approve the hardship withdrawal, the student may appeal to the campus Provost, whose decision is final.
 _______________________________________________________________________

Approved by AAPC – October 23, 2003

Sent to CAB

Returned to AAPC for review

Reviewed April 15, 2004

Revised June 22, 2004

Sent to CAB – July 28, 2004

Approved  8-05-04

 

john.aliff @ gpc.edu