Academic Rights and Responsibilities

Therefore, the following regulations incorporate a definition of student academic rights and responsibilities and both informal and formal means of due process and conflict resolution.

Student Academic Rights

Students shall have the right to:

Access scheduled class meetings and appropriate instructional and support service. A syllabus describing course objectives; units of subject matter to be provided; evaluation procedures; major course requirements such as term papers, book reviews, field trips and weekly reports; and rules of attendance, grading and conduct.

Instruction that begins promptly; is presented in a clear and concise manner; and provides relevant structured activities consistent with the contact hour requirements of the course. Classroom instruction, assignments and evaluations that are consistent with the general course description and the specifications of the syllabus.

Be treated in a humane, ethical and professional manner both in the classroom and in all communication and contact with the faculty member, other staff and other students.

Academic Appeals Procedure

General Information

1. Please review the St. Louis Community College Student Code of Conduct to ensure that you are following all relevant processes.
2. If your concern is about a social, emotional, or non-academic issue that is interfering with your ability to succeed in the classroom, please check the STLCC Cares webpage for assistance.
3. Please review the course syllabus to ensure you are following the faculty member’s guidelines and meeting all expectations.
4. If you are meeting the requirements of #1 and #2 above and you have concerns about your course, please contact the faculty member. Most concerns can be addressed by the faculty member very quickly.
   1. Students should use this strategy first for all concerns, but especially for any concerns regarding individual test or assignment grading, course policies, or classroom management concerns.
   2. Some programs at STLCC have special handbooks with instructions for students in those programs. Please review your handbook for additional information.
   3. If you are a student in an online course or program and you have concerns and/or complaints,
      1. You may contact the department chair or the academic dean if you are unsuccessful or uncomfortable meeting with the faculty member.
      2. Please contact the Manager of Online Student Services regarding any technical concerns related to your course.
      3. Online students may also review the Complaint Resolution Process.

Filing an Appeal

A student may appeal an alleged violation of his/her academic rights in accordance with the following procedures:

1. If the communication with your faculty member does not resolve your concern, you may begin Step 1 of the academic appeal process.
   1. Within 10 working days of an alleged violation(s) of academic rights, the student must make a verbal or written request for an individual conference with the faculty member to clarify the alleged violation(s) and request a remedy.
   2. You may contact the department chair or the academic dean if you are unsuccessful or uncomfortable meeting with the faculty member.
   3. You will need to specifically describe the event or concern in writing. Use the academic appeal form for this purpose.
   4. No student will knowingly give false or perjured testimony in any college investigation or proceeding. Also, no student will knowingly give false information to a college official or show reckless disregard for the truth (AP G.10).
   5. In the case of a final grade, the request for a conference must be made in writing no later than ten (10) working days after the last day of the course (typically the day of the final exam/culminating experience). Within 10 working days of receipt of the student's request, the faculty member must hold the conference with the student (in person or via synchronous distance communication technology).
   6. Please use the academic appeal form when meeting with the faculty member, department chair, or dean.
2. To pursue Step 2 if the matter is not resolved at Step 1, within 10 working days of the conference with the faculty member, the student must file a written notice of the academic appeal and request a conference with the appropriate department chair/program coordinator.
   1. The student will present to the department chair/program coordinator in writing the allegations, the student's position on the facts of the situation and the student's suggested remedy.
   2. The student must present the academic appeal form signed by the faculty member.
   3. The department chair/program coordinator will provide a copy to the faculty member within three working days, confer with the student within 10 working days of receipt of the request, investigate the situation, and respond in writing to the student and faculty member within 10 working days of the conference.
3. To pursue Step 3 if the matter is not resolved at Step 2, within 10 working days of the response from the department chair, the student or the faculty member must file a written appeal with the appropriate dean and provide copies of the original allegation and responses.
   1. This step can be completed via the online complaint portal
   2. The student must attach the academic appeal form signed by the faculty member and the department chair (or emails that verify Steps #1 and #2 have been completed).
   3. In circumstances where the meetings were held virtually, email confirmations from the department chair and faculty member will be accepted as signatures.
   4. The dean will investigate the situation, confer with the student and faculty member, within five working days, and respond in writing to the student and faculty member within 10 working days of the conference.
4. To pursue Step 4 if the matter is not resolved at Step 3, one of the two options below must be followed:
   1. In appeal cases not involving a final grade, within 10 working days of receipt of the written response from the dean, the student or faculty member must appeal in writing to the campus president/campus chief academic officer and provide copies of the original allegations and written responses.
   2. The campus president/campus chief academic officer will investigate the situation, confer with the student or faculty member within 10 working days, and respond in writing to the student and faculty member within 10 working days of the conference. The campus president /campus chief academic officer’s decision will be final.
   3. When the appeal involves a final grade, within 10 working days of receipt of the written response from the dean, the student or the faculty member must file a written request providing copies of the original allegations and written responses, with the campus president/chief academic officer for a hearing of the campus Academic Appeals Hearing Committee.
   4. Within 10 working days of receipt of the student's or faculty member's request, the campus president/campus chief academic officer shall designate the hearing committee and provide the committee with the original allegations and written responses. The committee will have 15 working days to conduct the hearing. The committee's decision will be final.

For more information about the composition and procedure of the Academic Appeals Committee, see Administrative Procedures G.13.

Academic Standards

Academic Standards All students, after completing a minimum of six semester hours, are expected to meet certain Standards of Academic Progress.

These standards are:

1. Good standing & if the cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.
2. Academic probation & if the cumulative GPA falls below 2.0.

The definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress is not a substitute for, nor does it rule out any specific requirements that a particular program may have. (For example: types of financial aid or Veterans benefits.) Students placed on probation must see a counselor or academic advisor prior to enrolling for the next semester.

Selective admissions career and technical programs may develop and apply appropriate program specific standards and procedures for determining satisfactory student progress and may allow students to be dismissed from and reapply for readmission to the program.

Academic Honors

Full-time students who are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours and who earn current grade point averages of 3.5 or higher will be designated Dean's List for that semester. Part-time students will be designated Dean's List at the accumulation of each increment of 12 credit hours with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Transcripts and diplomas of graduates who have earned cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 or higher will be designated With Academic Honors. Transcripts and diplomas of graduates who have earned cumulative grade point averages of 4.0 will be designated With Highest Academic Honors.

Academic Integrity Statement

St. Louis Community College recognizes that the core value of academic integrity is essential to all activities of an academic community and provides the cornerstone for teaching and learning.

It is characterized by upholding the foundational principles of honesty, equity, mutual responsibility, respect, and personal integrity. Advancing the principles of academic integrity is essential because doing so enhances academic discourse, the quality of academic work, institutional operations and the assessment of educational goals.

Observing academic integrity involves:

• Maintaining the standards of the college's degrees, certificates, and awards to preserve the academic credibility and reputation of the college;
• Communicating expectations, best practices, and procedures in order to promote the principles of academic integrity and ensure compliance;
• Providing environments, instruction, and access to resources necessary for maintaining integrity in learning;
• Taking responsibility and personal accountability for the merit and authenticity of one's work;
• Giving proper acknowledgement and attribution to those who directly contribute to a project, or whose work is used in the completion of a project;
• Recognizing what compromises academic integrity, whether intentional or unintentional (plagiarism, cheating, uncivil behavior, etc.).

It is the shared duty of faculty, students and staff of the college to understand, abide by and endorse academic integrity.

Grade Reports

The Registrar's Office maintains records of academic performance for all currently enrolled students. Grades indicating performance following mid-semester may be obtained directly through the faculty member in accordance with the regulations contained in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

These grades are an assessment of academic progress, but are not recorded as part of the permanent record. Mid-semester grades are not reported for any session. Final grades become part of students' permanent records. Students may view their mid-term and final grade reports by visiting Banner Self-Service .

Grading System and Determining GPA

The following grading symbols and points are used:

*The grade of D may be considered unsatisfactory to progress in some programs.

Only grades earned at STLCC are included in the calculation of GPA for degrees and certificates. To determine GPA, add all grade points and divide by the number of credits attempted. STLCC has two GPA types:

• Semester GPA: the average of your grades from one semester
• Cumulative GPA: the average of all grades

(41 grade points/13 credits = 3.15 GPA)

Graduation

Students who expect to graduate at the end of a given term must file an application for their degree or certificate with the District-Wide Registrar’s office. The deadlines are March 1 for spring, June 20 for summer and Oct. 1 for fall.

Students may participate in a graduation ceremony held once a year in May. Students should meet with an advisor or counselor to review the graduation requirements for the desired degree or certificate. When the graduation application has been completed, the student must return the application to the Admissions & Enrollment Services office.

Honors Program

Admission to the college honors program is based on any of the following criteria: a 3.5 or better GPA in either high school or college based on a 4.0 scale, a score of 1100 or better on the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) or a score of 25 or better on the American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT). Both transfer and career programs offer a variety of ways to earn honors credit, including honors courses and projects and honors contracts within regular courses.

Students who earn 15 hours of honors credit will receive the designation of Honors Program Scholar on their diplomas and transcripts. For more information contact the campus honors coordinator.

Study Abroad

St. Louis Community College offers short- and long-term study abroad programs in different regions of the world. Participating students earn college credit and gain knowledge and experience while exploring other cultures and countries. For more information, visit the Study Abroad program.

Transfer Information

To Transfer Courses to Another School

Students planning to transfer credits to another college or university should contact the college or university prior to enrollment. Course transferability is determined by the accepting institution. Missouri's Coordinating Board for Higher Education has approved a Credit Transfer Policy that stipulates guidelines for student transfer and articulation among Missouri colleges and universities. All public institutions have agreed to abide by the principles contained within the policy.

More information on transferring is available under admissions information on the website.

Any transfer student who believes there has been unfair treatment involving acceptance of college credits may contact the Registrar's Office.

To Transfer Courses to St. Louis Community College

Currently enrolled students must request transcripts of previously earned credit be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar. Hand-carried or faxed copies will not be accepted. If you would like to check that your transcripts have been received, please check your application checklist by logging into Self-Service and clicking Student Services & Financial Aid and then choosing View Application Checklist.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from STLCC may be requested online through the National Student Clearinghouse. In-person requests for a printed transcript can be made by completing the transcript request form and submitting it to the Registrar’s Office located at STLCC-Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Avenue, Room SC230. 

The fee for processing a transcript (electronic or printed) is $10.00. Additional delivery fees apply to transcripts sent overnight, express mail, or international mail.

Transfer Credit Appeal

Transcripts from other accredited post-secondary institutions and military service will be evaluated. Credits in which passing grades have been earned will be accepted and counted in transfer as they fulfill St. Louis Community College's program and degree requirements. Transfer credits will be evaluated for degree and prerequisite requirements in the same manner as credits earned at St. Louis Community College. A transfer student may invoke the college's transfer appeals process to challenge institutional decisions on the acceptance of credit(s) from regionally accredited Missouri public colleges and universities or those that have been advanced to candidacy status by the Higher Learning Commission.

The student must meet with and review the transcript evaluation with the evaluator in order to ensure that any points of concerns have been addressed. A student may appeal alleged unfair treatment in the evaluation of transfer credit by following this appeals procedure:

1. Within 10 working days of an alleged unfair treatment in the evaluation of transfer credit, the student must make a verbal or written request for an individual conference with the campus enrollment services manager to clarify the alleged unfair treatment and request a remedy. Within 10 working days of receipt of the request, the manager must hold a conference with the student.
2. To pursue Step 2 if the matter is not resolved at Step 1, within 10 working days of the receipt of the written response from the campus enrollment services manager, the student must file a written request with the responsible dean (or department chair at Wildwood) to clarify the alleged unfair treatment and request a remedy. Within 10 working days of the receipt of the student's request, the dean (or department chair at Wildwood) must hold a conference with the student.
3. To pursue Step 3 if the matter is not resolved at Step 2, within 10 working days of the receipt of the written response from the dean (or department chair at Wildwood), the student must file a written request with the campus campus president/campus chief academic officer. Within 10 working days of receipt of the student's request, the campus president/campus chief academic officer must hold a conference with the student. The campus president/campus chief academic officer will conduct a review and within 5 working days notify the appropriate parties of the decision. The campus president/campus chief academic officer’s decision will be final.

Withdrawal

To formally withdraw, students must submit official forms to the Admissions & Enrollment Services office. To receive a grade of W for the course, the withdrawal process must be completed prior to the end of the college's 12th week of classes. Late-start and short-term courses have different withdrawal deadlines. Contact the Admissions & Enrollment Services office for appropriate dates. At the end of the second week of classes (first week for summer sessions), students who have registered and paid for a class, but are reported by the faculty member as never attended will be withdrawn.

Classes less than a full semester in length may have different administrative withdrawal dates. The class will be shown on the transcript with a grade of W, and students are not eligible for a refund of fees. It is always the student's responsibility to initiate a withdrawal.

File a Complaint

STLCC employees, students and members of the public are welcome to file a formal complaint that merits action on part of the College administration. Please use the File Complaint form to begin this action.

File Complaint