Nov 21, 2024

Reynolds Community College Catalog 2023-2024

Reynolds Community College Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Handbook 2023 - 2024

2023 - 2024 Reynolds Student Handbook

Your Grades
Know Where You Stand
Finish What You Started
Student Policies and Resources

Your Grades

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To be eligible to receive federal/state financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is a combination of qualitative and quantitative components and is measured by:

Cumulative grade point average

Students must meet minimum cumulative grade point average requirements based on a progressive scale. Only non-remedial courses with grades of A, B, C, D, and F are included in this calculation. Transfer credits are not included in this calculation.

Total number of credits attempted GPA requirement
1 - 15 credits: 1.5 GPA
16 - 30 credits: 1.75 GPA
31+ credits: 2.0 GPA

Completion Rate (67% rule)

Students must be evaluated for the 67% Rule before aid is awarded and after grades are posted for every term, starting with their first term of enrollment. Their completion rate must be 67% or higher. Credits with satisfactory grades are those for which a grade of A, B, C, D, S, or P is earned. Developmental and ESL coursework are included in this calculation. Accepted transfer credits will be counted as both attempted and completed.

Maximum Timeframe (150% rule)

Number of credit hours attempted in relation to number of credit hours necessary to complete the degree or certification program, including transfer credits. Developmental and ESL course work are excluded from this calculation. Attempted credits from all enrollment periods at the College are counted. All terms of enrollment at Reynolds are included whether or not the student received financial aid and regardless of the age of the coursework.

For more information, visit Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Academic progress is assessed at the end of each fall, spring, and summer semester. Failure to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) may result in the loss of financial aid eligibility.

Academic Performance

The quality of a student’s performance in any academic course is reported as a letter grade by the instructor. These grades denote the character of work. Grade points are assigned as follows:

A - Excellent: 4 grade points per credit

B - Good: 3 grade points per credit

C - Average: 2 grade points per credit

D - Poor: 1 grade point per credit

F - Failure: 0 grade point per credit

P - Pass: No grade points.

S - Satisfactory: No grade points. The “S” grade is used only for satisfactory completion of developmental studies and ESL courses

R - Re-enroll: No grade points and no credit awarded. A grade of “R” implies that the student was making satisfactory progress but did not complete all course objectives.

U - Unsatisfactory: No grade points and no credit awarded. The “U” grade may be used for developmental and ESL courses and for courses for which the Pass/Unsatisfactory option has been approved.

W - Withdrawal: No credit awarded.

I - Incomplete: No credit awarded.

X - Audit: No credit awarded. Permission of the instructor and the school dean is required to audit a class.

Incomplete Grade

The instructor may award an incomplete for documented, unavoidable reasons, only when the student has completed more than 60% of the course requirements. Since the “incomplete” extends enrollment in the course, requirements for satisfactory completion will be established through student/faculty consultation. The instructor has the discretion to award or deny an “I” grade request based on the circumstances and the documentation submitted.

Courses for which the grade of “I” (incomplete) has been awarded must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester or the “I” will convert automatically to a grade of “F.”

Repeat Grade

When students repeat a course taken Fall 1996 or later that was repeated Summer 1988 to Spring 2021, only the most recent attempt is used to calculate the cumulative GPA. Courses completed and repeated during the initial period of the repeat policy (Summer 1994-Summer 1996) for which GPA adjustments have already been made, were not affected. For courses taken and repeated Summer 2021 or later, only the highest grade is used to calculate the cumulative GPA. Additionally, adjustments made as part of “academic renewal” are not affected. The highest grade of the attempt is used in determining if graduation requirements are met.

Certain courses are exempt from consideration as repeats and-an adjustment to the GPA is not made, including but not limited to courses with course numbers 090, 190, 290, 095, 195, 295, 096, 196, 296, 097, 197, 297, 098, 198, 298, 099, 199, and 299.

Periodically the VCCS will rename or renumber courses but they remain equivalent to the previous named and numbered courses. In such cases, completion of a renumbered/renamed course maybe determined to be a repeat of a course completed previously under a different department and/or course number. These determinations are made on a college-wide basis, and exceptions cannot be made for an individual student.

Implementation of this policy does not revise any GPA calculations for prior terms or any academic, financial, or administrative events that have occurred in the past. Any questions should be directed to the Registrar.

Final Grades

Final grades for each semester can be viewed and printed in the SIS Student Center. Students must have their Reynolds EMPL ID and password to obtain their grades. The grades of A, B, C, D, P, and S are passing grades. Grades of F and U are failing grades. R and I are interim grades. Grades of W and X are final grades carrying no credit.

Academic Renewal

Students who re-enroll at Reynolds after a separation of at least 60 consecutive months may submit the Petition for Academic Renewal form. If the student is found eligible, an Academic Renewal notation will be placed on the student’s permanent record and transcript. All “D” and “F” grades earned prior to the re-enrollment will appear on the record, but they will be deleted from the cumulative grade point average, subject to the following conditions:

Prior to petitioning, the student must earn at least a 2.500 grade point average (using grades of “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” and “F”) in the first twelve hours after re-enrollment.

Any course credit with a grade of “D” earned prior to the re-enrollment will not count toward graduation requirements. Previous diplomas, certificates, or degrees will not be rescinded in order to qualify the student.

Academic Renewal adjustment will be granted only once and cannot be revoked. The granting of Academic Renewal does not affect any previous academic, financial, or administrative decisions made by Reynolds.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) offers students certain rights with respect of their education records. They are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day Reynolds receives a request for access. Students should submit written requests to the Office of the Registrar, Parham Road Campus, Room 207. The request must identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Records office staff will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes to be inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask Reynolds to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the Reynolds official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If Reynolds decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, Reynolds will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Reynolds or the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff). Other typical exceptions include:

Other schools to which a student is transferring
High schools of dual or concurrent enrollment students
Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school
Accrediting organizations
To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, and pursuant to specific State law; collection agent)
A person or company with whom Reynolds or VCCS has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent)
A person serving on the Reynolds Community College or Foundation Board
A student serving on an official college committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks, excluding Student Government (SGA) tasks
A school official with a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Reynolds to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Notice Regarding Directory Information

FERPA designates certain information as “directory information,” which may be released upon request without the student’s expressed written consent. It is the policy of Reynolds not to publish a student directory. However, name, address, telephone number, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and term course load can be released upon request unless a student notifies the Registrar’s Office either in writing or through the Student Information System.

Know Where You Stand

President’s Honor Roll

The President’s Honor Roll is awarded to curricular and non-curricular students who demonstrate the highest level of academic achievement at Reynolds. To receive this recognition, students must have:

Earned a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher
Earned a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher
Carried at least 6 non-developmental credit hours for the semester
Earned 20 or more credit hours at Reynolds
Earned no grades of D, F, I, or U for the semester
Earned no more than one W for the semester

Students who earn this distinction will receive an email notification and instructions on how to access the certificate during the first month of the subsequent semester.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is awarded to curricular and non-curricular students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement at Reynolds. To receive this recognition, students must have:

Earned a semester GPA of 3.2 or higher
Carried at least 6 non-developmental credit hours for the semester
Earned no grades of D, F, I or U for the semester
Earned no more than one W for the semester

Students who earn this distinction will receive an email notification and instructions on how to access the certificate during the first month of the subsequent semester.

Good Standing

Students are considered to be “in good academic standing” if they maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 each semester and are not on academic suspension or dismissal. They are eligible to re-enroll at Reynolds.

Academic Warning

Students who fail to attain a minimum GPA of 2.000 for any semester shall be placed on academic warning.

Academic Probation

Students who fail to maintain a cumulative GPA of 1.500 will be on academic probation until such time as their cumulative average is 1.75 or better. The statement “Academic Probation” will be placed on the permanent record. Students on academic probation are ineligible for appointed or elected office in student organizations unless the vice president of student affairs or another appropriate administrator grants them special permission. Students usually will be required to carry less than a normal course load the following semester. Students on academic probation are required to consult with their academic advisor prior to enrollment. Students shall be placed on probation only after they have attempted 12 semester credits.

Academic Suspension

Students on academic probation who fail to attain a semester GPA of 1.500 will be placed on suspension only after they have attempted 24 semester credits. Academic suspension shall be for one semester. The statement “Academic Suspension” will be placed on the student’s permanent record. Students who are placed on academic suspension and wish to appeal should submit an appeal form to Advising Services or Registrar’s Office. Suspended students may be readmitted after termination of the suspension period without appealing for reinstatement. Upon reinstatement the student will be required to meet with an academic advisor and develop an educational plan. Students who have been reinstated from academic suspension must achieve a 2.00 GPA for the semester of their reinstatement and must earn at least a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester of attendance. The statement “Subject to Dismissal” shall be placed on the students’ permanent record. Students who have been reinstated from academic suspension will remain subject to dismissal until their cumulative GPA is raised to a minimum of 1.75.

Academic Dismissal

Students who do not attain at least a 2.000 GPA for the semester of reinstatement following academic suspension will be academically dismissed. Students who achieve at least a 2.000 GPA for the semester of their reinstatement following academic suspension must earn at least a cumulative 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester of enrollment. Failure to earn a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester until the cumulative GPA reaches 1.75 will result in academic dismissal. The statement “Academic Dismissal” will be placed on the student’s permanent record. Academic dismissal is normally permanent. In exceptional circumstances, students submit an appeal form to Advising Services or to the Registrar’s Office. (See Reinstatement from Suspension or Dismissal). Students who have been reinstated after academic dismissal will remain subject to dismissal until their cumulative GPA is raised to a minimum of 1.75.

Reinstatement from Suspension or Dismissal

To be considered for immediate reinstatement, a suspended student must submit the Academic Reinstatement Appeal form along with any documentation that helps support the request for reinstatement prior to the late registration period for the semester they wish to attend.

Dismissed students who would like to be considered for reinstatement must submit the Academic Reinstatement Appeal form along with supporting documentation by the following deadlines:

July 1 for fall reinstatement
November 1 for spring reinstatement
April 1 for summer reinstatement

The Academic Reinstatement Form is forwarded to the Academic Standing Committee for consideration. Reynolds will ensure consideration of all appeals for reinstatement received by the deadline, including a review of the student’s academic history at Reynolds and documentation of mitigating circumstances. Once the appeal is received, students will be contacted regarding the appeal meeting. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the appeal meeting with the Academic Standing Committee.

Decisions to reinstate may be accompanied by conditions designed to ensure the student’s improved performance. Decisions to deny reinstatement will result in the continued enforcement of suspension or dismissal terms. Students who are not granted reinstatement will be dropped from any courses for which they may have pre-registered, and their tuition will be refunded automatically.

Finish What You Started

Navigate Student is a tool in MyReynolds that can guide your academic and career path by providing advising appointment scheduling, program/major guidance, career questionnaires, and more, all in one place! Need help? Visit reynolds.edu/tutorials for videos.

Plan Your Schedule

Start each semester off right by making a plan for your schedule by using Navigate and by contacting your assigned Advisor. Start off by scheduling an advising appointment in Navigate, then use the My Planner tool to browse and select classes. Plan the work and work your plan.

Track Your Progress

Track your degree progress with the Advisement Report tool in SIS; accessed through the MyReynolds portal. This report is an unofficial transcript that displays your grades, current schedule, placement test results, and your cumulative GPA. It also contains the course requirements for your current academic plan. Unsatisfied course requirements will be highlighted in red. Save or print this report periodically. In the Student Center section of SIS, click view my advisement report under my academics.

Request Your Transcripts

A transcript is a copy of your permanent academic record at Reynolds. An official transcript carries the Reynolds seal and is mailed to other educational institutions and agencies. For more information visit our Transcripts webpage. Official transcript requests are made through our transcript service known as Parchment. Access the Parchment Storefront and follow the prompts to receive your transcript electronically or via U. S. Postal Service. Fees for this faster and improved service are between $3.50 and $5.00. Delivery takes approximately five business days. If you have a financial obligation to Reynolds, this will prevent the release of your transcript; you may still view and print an unofficial transcript in SIS through the MyReynolds portal.

Graduate on Time

Curricular students (those in an academic program) eligible for graduation are required to complete the graduation application through the Student Information System for each degree and certificate they are completing by the deadline for that semester or term. Following are graduation application deadlines by semester.

Fall semester: September 30
Spring semester: February 15
Summer semester: June 30

*If you file for graduation but do not graduate, you must submit another graduation application for a subsequent term. Students may graduate after fall, spring, or summer terms.

Complete all program requirements as specified in the Reynolds College Catalog, including curricular admission requirements.
Earn a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the curriculum.
Fulfill all of the course and credit-hour requirements of the curriculum with at least 25 percent of credit semester hours acquired at Reynolds.
The student must submit all documentation of training, education, or tests from organizations outside of Reynolds to the Registrar’s Office by the last day of classes in their final semester. All Reynolds courses must also be completed by the last day of classes in their final semester. Incomplete “I” grades must be completed by this time in order to be used for graduation.
The school dean for the curriculum must recommend the student for graduation, and the registrar must certify completion of all graduation requirements.
Resolve all financial obligations with Reynolds and return all library and college materials

The college reserves the right to graduate students who have completed all requirements for a career studies certificate, certificate, and/or associate degree but have not applied for graduation.

Graduation

Reynolds has one formal ceremony each year, which occurs after the spring semester for students completing credentials throughout the academic year. Students are not permitted to participate in a commencement ceremony prior to the completion of the program of study. Students who graduate in the summer or fall will be invited to participate in the next spring commencement ceremony.

Graduation Honors

Students who have fulfilled the requirements for an AA, AS, AAA, AAS degree or a certificate program are eligible for graduation honors (excluding career studies certificates). The honors based upon scholastic achievement are as follows:

Graduating GPA cumulative*