Grades

Incomplete

For reasons such as illness or other extenuating circumstances, a student may receive an Incomplete “I” upon the approval of the course instructor and the dean of the appropriate school. Assignment of an Incomplete grade is appropriate only when a substantial amount of work (at least one-half) in the course has been completed. A request for Incomplete grade is not appropriate until after the official date for withdrawal without academic penalty has passed. Application forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office. Failure to remove the “I” by the end of the next semester (if the student continues to be enrolled) at Piedmont College will result in an “F.” For students who do not return to Piedmont College, the “I” must be removed within one calendar year or the “I” will be changed to an “F.”

In Progress

Assigning an In-Progress grade “IP” is at the discretion of an instructor with approval from the dean of the appropriate school. Eligible courses are available from the individual school. Failure to remove the “IP” by the end of the next semester enrolled at Piedmont College will result in an “F.” For students who do not return to Piedmont, the “IP” must be removed within a calendar year or it changes to an “F.”

Grade Changes

Grades reported to the Registrar and recorded shall not be changed except under the following specified circumstances:

1. A written statement by the instructor that the grade recorded was a factual error;
2. Change of grade of “I” or “IP,” as previously outlined;
3. Recommendation by the dean of the school in which the student is enrolled.

Grade Appeals

Students who wish to dispute a final grade and are prepared to present evidence to support a grade appeal must initiate the procedure by speaking first with the instructor who assigned the grade in question. If there are no errors in the computation of the grade or other substantial evidence to support an appeal, the student is encouraged to accept the grade assigned. However, in cases where there are substantial grounds for a review of the grade and a resolution cannot be reached between the student and the instructor, the student has the following recourse:

1. Within two weeks of the beginning of the term following the one for which the grade was posted, the student must submit to the appropriate department chair or program director a letter of appeal with evidence supporting the need for an external review of the grade in question. A form, which describes the supporting material required, is available on the registrar’s website. The department chair or program director will review the student’s material and consult with the instructor before deciding if the assigned grade should stand. The department chair or program director must provide a written response to the student with a copy to the school dean.
2. If a student does not accept the decision of the department chair or program director, there is one additional level of appeal. The student may submit documentation to the appropriate academic dean (in the school where the course was taught) who will determine if new information or insufficient consideration of the student’s case merits further review. The dean’s decision to proceed or not to proceed will be final in all cases.
3. If the dean determines that further review is warranted, the dean will review the material and consult with the student and the instructor. The dean may exercise discretion to consult other faculty or students who can provide relevant information. The dean’s decision will be final.
4. The entire appeal process must be completed within four weeks of the date the grade was appealed.
5. When the dean, department chair or program director is the teacher of record, the dean will substitute for the department chair and the vice president for academic affairs will replace the dean.

Academic Standing

A student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing in the program (Note: The degree requirements permit no more than one grade of C.). Academic Honors are not awarded in the Graduate Program.

Academic Probation

All graduate programs require a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to graduate. A minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained while at Piedmont College to be considered in good standing. Students falling below a cumulative 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. A student who is on academic probation whose subsequent cumulative GPA is still below 3.0 and has remained the same or is lower than the previous cumulative GPA will be placed on Academic Exclusion. A student whose subsequent semester cumulative GPA is still below 3.0 but has improved may, after review, continue on Academic Probation. A student who is on Academic Probation whose cumulative GPA reaches a 3.0 or higher will be removed from Academic Probation.

Academic Exclusion

A graduate student will be excluded from the college when the student earns a cumulative GPA of below 3.0 with the cumulative GPA remaining the same or lower than that earned the previous term. Academic exclusion is for a period of one year. A student who is placed on exclusion may submit an appeal for reinstatement to the Dean of the appropriate school. Factors for reinstatement include progression in the program and recommendations from the advisor. A student who is reinstated following an Academic Exclusion will continue on Academic Probation and is subject to that policy.

Academic Dismissal

Academic Dismissal results in involuntary separation of the student from the College for an extended time period for academic reasons based upon the recommendation of the appropriate dean. Students may appeal the decision to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and, in turn, to the President if warranted. A student so dismissed may petition for readmission after a reasonable period of time, usually a year. The second academic dismissal is permanent. Specific schools may have different requirements—consult the specific school for requirements.

Administrative Withdrawal

Piedmont College expects students to take an active role in their academic success. Examples of active engagement in learning include attending every class meeting and diligently completing all learning activities (daily assignments, quizzes, papers, problem-sets, etc.).

The administrative withdrawal policy was created to assist students in establishing good academic engagement and attendance habits. Failure to routinely complete daily and major assignments or attend class places students in jeopardy of being administratively withdrawn from any or all courses at any time during a semester or term. Undergraduate students may be administratively withdrawn regardless of class level.

Administrative withdrawals may affect a student’s financial aid awards, campus residential status, athletic eligibility and/or student visa status as the withdrawal from courses impacts enrolled credit hours.

The policy will be applied in a student-friendly manner holding students accountable for appropriate attitudes and actions demonstrating a seriousness of purpose about academic engagement and learning. The College administration has the authority to withdraw a student from a single course, multiple courses, or the College, and to revoke that student’s registration at any time during a semester or term for failure to comply with academic requirements including, but not limited, to:

• being absent from any course for the first two days of the class in a term or semester without prior written approval. Written approval, generally via email, may be granted by individual faculty members or the academic dean for the school in which the student resides.
• demonstrating unsatisfactory academic and course engagement at any point in the semester/ term defined by one or more of the following as:
  • having missed an excessive amount of scheduled class time as defined by individual faculty members’ syllabi, excluding absences for college-related activities for which the student has communicated appropriately with each faculty member involved prior to the absence, arranged for the missed class time/assignments, etc. Students involved in college-related activities (i.e. athletics competitions, field-trips, etc.) are advised to carefully monitor the number of missed classes in a given semester.
  • failing to maintain routine log-in and academic engagement activity during each week for online courses.
  • violating learning or behavioral contracts if applicable

Students who do not fulfill their obligations through appropriate academic engagement risk being administratively withdrawn from any, or all, courses in which this failure to engage occurs. Withdrawals will not occur without sufficient warning and due notice to students. Students who are administratively withdrawn from a single course or all courses in a semester/term:

• are responsible for all debts and other charges related with the course(s)
• are not eligible for a tuition refund for the course(s)
• receive a “W” grade notation if the withdrawal occurs prior to the final date for withdrawal in a term/semester without academic penalty. The “W” grade does not affect a student’s grade point average. Administrative withdrawals after the final date for withdrawal in a term/semester without academic penalty will be recorded as “WF.” No other grades, such as NR, I or IP, may be assigned.
• may lose their eligibility for campus residential status and will not be eligible for a proration of housing or meal plan expenses. Athletic competition eligibility may also be impacted if the withdrawal drops them below full-time status.
• may experience changes in financial aid eligibility as a result of the withdrawal. Because financial aid eligibility is based on many factors, financial aid changes related to a withdrawal will vary. Students are responsible to know the effects poor choices related to their academic engagement may have on their financial aid eligibility and status.

If faculty members have reason to inquire about specific cases of administrative withdrawal, they may inquire with the registrar or academic dean for the school in which the student resides. In certain cases, the student’s right to confidentiality may not permit full disclosure of the circumstances.

Because the College affords students the right to appeal academic decisions, it is essential that instructors maintain accurate and consistent records of academic engagement from students throughout the semester/term.

Extenuating circumstances such as family emergencies and serious illness must be documented and may be taken into account. Students participating in intercollegiate athletics and academic field trips are advised to complete all assignments in an appropriate manner for each class, monitoring any absences in addition to these events carefully.

Non-academic Dismissal or Exclusion

Students who are found to be in violation of College regulations, in violation of local and/ or state laws, or for circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the College, may be dismissed from the College. Students may appeal the decision to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and, in turn, the president, if warranted. Grades of “W” or “WF” may be assigned. Grades of “W” after midterm require the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and will be approved only in cases of acceptable extenuating circumstances. The Title IV Federal Aid Policy may apply. Please see the Tuition & Expenses/Financial Aid section of the catalog.

Graduate Readmission After Exclusion or Dismissal

Students who have been dismissed for any reason by Piedmont College may reapply after 12 months have elapsed by submitting an Application for Readmission form to the Dean of the appropriate school. This form must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester the student plans to attend. The applicant must attach a letter of explanation, as well as relevant supporting documents, to the application. The appeal will then be directed to the Student Accounts, Financial Aid Office, and then to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President will make the determination to deny or approve readmission on a conditional basis. The dean of the appropriate school will notify the student of the decision in writing.

Transient Permission

Candidates who wish to take courses (maximum of six semester hours) at another institution, may do so only with prior written permission of the academic advisor and the dean. A Transient Permission Form must be properly executed (available from Registrar’s Office). Requirements of the College for graduation apply. The last 6 hours of course work must be completed at Piedmont College. In no case can the transient permission hours or the transfer hours exceed six semester hours.

Transient Status

Graduate students in good standing from other SACS accredited institutions may apply as a transient student to take graduate courses on the Demorest or Athens campuses.

Course Withdrawal

The drop/add period is the first five days of Fall and Spring semesters and the first three days of Summer semester. During this time, students may drop and add courses with the permission of their advisor. Students may not add an 8-week class after the first class meeting has been held.

After the initial drop/add period, a student may withdraw from a class by completing a drop/ add form which must be signed by the advisor and the professor. The professor must fill in the last date of attendance on the drop/add form.

Students who withdraw from a course on or prior to the date noted in the College’s official calendar as the “last day to withdraw without receiving academic penalty” shall receive a “W” for the course and the hours will not be counted in the calculation of GPA. Students will still have to pay for the course. Classes dropped after this date will result in a grade of “W” or “WF” based on the grade at time of withdrawal, and the hours will be counted in the calculation of GPA if a grade of “WF” is earned. Students who stop attending, but do not submit appropriate forms to withdraw will receive a grade of “F.”

NOTE: Before dropping or adding a class, online cohort students must have the approval of the Regional Program Coordinator.

Withdrawal From College

Students who withdraw from the College must complete the necessary withdrawal form provided by the Registrar. Under extenuating circumstances, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may approve a withdrawal for medical reasons.

Students who withdraw from all courses at Piedmont College after the last day to drop a course without receiving academic penalty shall receive a “W” or a “WF” based on the work done in each course at the time of withdrawal.

NOTE: Cohort students must have the approval of and process the withdrawal through the Regional Program Coordinator.

Medical Withdrawals

Students with Disabilities

Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 (ADA) assure persons with disabilities equal opportunities for access in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Piedmont College is committed to providing an accessible learning environment and willingly makes reasonable accommodation for individuals with documented disabilities.

Upon acceptance to Piedmont, students seeking accommodations are responsible for notifying the Disabilities Coordinator at 1-800-277-7020, ext. 1504 or by email at disabilityservices@piedmont.edu. Appropriate written documentation of disability is required and any accommodation provided is based upon individual need and existing academic requirements. All accommodation must be consistent with established academic requirements and standards of Piedmont College, and a student with accommodations continues to be responsible for his/her education and personal needs.

Piedmont College supports the efforts of each student to become a self-sufficient learner and encourages any student needing accommodations to seek support as early as possible. For further guidelines on accommodations, please contact the Disabilities Coordinator.