GENERAL ACADEMIC POLICIES

Audit Policy

MCC permits students to register for college credit courses on a non-credit (audit) basis. Those who wish to do so should consult with a member of the counseling staff regarding College policies and procedures for audit status enrollment.

These policies include the following:

1. Students may audit courses so long as they (a) register specifically for audit status; (b) pay regular tuition and fees as listed in the official publications of the College; and (c) comply with all assignments, projects, tests, and learning experiences required of credit-status (regular status) students unless they explicitly make another arrangement that is mutually agreeable to both instructor and student.

2. Audit status students should realize that unless they complete all regular course requirements it will probably not be possible to convert from audit status to credit status at a later date. Audit status students who have completed all regular course requirements to date and wish to change from audit status to credit status may request the change at the Records Office. Such petitions must include a note from the instructor stating the student has completed all regular course requirements to date. This request must be processed prior to the final examination.

3. Students who register for a credit class cannot change to audit status.

4. For students who complete all requirements, instructors will record the progress of audit students in the same manner as credit students. A grade of "AU" will be recorded on the audit status student’s transcript at the end of the semester, and will not be used to compute grade point averages.

Academic Withdrawal Policy

1. You are strongly encouraged to consult with your instructor and a counselor prior to processing a withdraw form, as the situation prompting withdrawal can often be resolved in some other way to your advantage.

2. You are entitled to withdraw from a course and receive a "W" grade through the eighth week of the semester, through the fourth week of a session, or through the eighth day of classes for 3.5 week modular courses.

3. After the eighth week of a semester, and through the last regular day of all classes and before final examination week, you may withdraw from a course and receive either a "WP" grade (Withdrawal —Passing) or a "WF" grade (Withdrawal—Failing). NO WITHDRAWALS WILL BE ACCEPTED DURING FINAL EXAMINATION DAYS. The same policy applies, on a prorated time schedule, for sessions and modular courses.

4. Exceptions to the policy regarding WP and WF grades can be made only by the instructor.

5. Grades of W, WP, and WF are not used in computing grade point averages.

6. Instructors may take the initiative to withdraw a student for just cause at any time.

7. Any student unable to complete the withdrawal process because of injury, illness, or other reason should contact the Records Office immediately. (For regulations and procedures governing refunds, please refer to the Refund Policy.)

Attendance – You are expected to attend all sessions of the classes in which you enrolled. Students with excessive absences may be withdrawn from the class at the discretion of the instructor. Instructors who do not take attendance into account when determining a student’s status in the course must maintain other consistent means of showing participation on the part of the student.

Repeated Courses – The Muskegon Community College Course Repeat Rule was developed to provide fair access to classes. It allows you to repeat the course once. Instructor permission is required to take a course more than twice.
To repeat a course, you must reregister and pay all necessary fees. Each grade received will appear on your record, but only the last grade awarded is used in computing a GPA. Keep in mind that if you retake a class and receive a lower grade, the last grade is still the one that counts.  When transferring to another college or university, you may be held accountable for all attempts and grades associated with a course taken at Muskegon Community College.

Re-evaluation of Grades For An Entire Semester (Performance Agreement) – The College permits students within specific and defined guidelines to petition for removal of grades for an entire semester by submitting a "Performance Agreement" form. The student must see a counselor to discuss and initiate the agreement.

Withdrawal-Illness – The Petitions Committee may allow a "WI" if a qualified professional (doctor, psychologist, etc.) provides written evidence of physical or mental illness. The initiative for such action rests with the student, and should be initiated in the semester in which it occurs, except under extenuating circumstances.

Academic Probation – Any student who receives a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 ("C") for 12 or more semester hours of credit will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Dismissal – Students placed on academic probation for two consecutive semesters may be dismissed from the College for one semester. Normally, such dismissal occurs during the Spring Session, and the student is prohibited from enrolling for the Fall Semester. However, students who have been dismissed may enroll in classes for the Spring and/or Summer Session in order to correct their academic deficiencies. Those who earn a 2.0 grade point average or better for a minimum of 3 credit hours during the Spring and/or Summer Sessions will be permitted to enroll on a probationary status for the Fall Semester.

If the dismissed student enrolls for the Fall Semester and then fails to achieve a grade point average of 2.0 ("C") during the Spring and/or Summer Sessions, he/she will be dropped from all classes. Refunds will be handled through the Business Office.

Any student who is dismissed from the College may appeal to the Petitions Committee for reinstatement. The Petitions Committee will review the student’s progress and permit re-entry if they think the student has a reasonable chance for success in a subsequent semester. Students who do not appeal will not be allowed to enroll for the dismissal semester.

Student Computer Use Guidelines – MCC has established guidelines for student use of college computers and programs, which includes access to the Internet. The guidelines are posted in computer labs and are also listed in the Student Handbook. Everyone who uses computers on campus is expected to adhere to these guidelines.