GHC Student Handbook

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Grading Policy

The quality of a student's work in a course is measured by an "A" - "F.", four point maximum, grading system. Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are used to indicate achievement above or below the grades listed in the following description. "A+" and "D-" grades are not used. For the purpose of assigning grade points, a plus (+) increases the grade value by 0.3 and a minus (-) decreases the value by 0.3. For example, a "C" grade has a value of 2.0, a "C"+ has avalue of 2.3 and a "C-" a value of 1.7. Grades are normally assigned according to the following criteria.

    A = 4.0 grade points per credit hour. The highest grade, "A", is reserved for students who have excelled in every phase of the course.
    A- = 3.7 grade points per credit hour.
    B+ = 3.3 grade points per credit hour.
    B = 3.0 grade points per credit hour. The "B" grade is for students whose work is excellent but does not warrant the special distinction of the "A."
    B- = 2.7 grade points per credit hour.
    C+ = 2.3 grade points per credit hour.
    C = 2.0 grade points per credit hour. The "C" grade indicates that a student has made substantial progress toward meeting the objectives of the course and has fulfilled the requirements of the course.
    C-= 1.7 grade points per credit hour.
    D+= 1.3 grade points per credit hour.
    D = 1.0 grade point per credit hour. The "D" grade is the minimal passing grade for those students who have made progress toward meeting the objectives of the course but who have fulfilled the requirements in a substandard manner.
    F = No credit 0 grade points (credits attempted are calculated in grade-point average). The "F" grade indicates that the student has failed to meet or has accomplished so few of the requirements of the course that he or she is not entitled to credit.

    W = No credit. A course withdrawal made officially through the Office of Admissions and Records any time through the end of the seventh week of the quarter will be recorded with a "W" designation.

    I = Incomplete. Special circumstances may warrant the use of the temporary grade "I" to indicate that the student is doing passing work in the class but has been unable to complete an essential requirement of the course because of factors beyond his or her consul. An incomplete grade must be made up within the time period specified by the instructor, otherwise, the "I" will be converted to an "F". Students do not re-enroll in an incomplete course.

    V = Unofficial Withdrawal. A "V" grade indicates that the student has not completed the essential work of the class and has discontinued participation without officially withdrawing. This grade will be computed into the student's grade-point average as an "F."

    P = Passing. No grade points. The "P" grade is given only in courses adopting the passing or unsatisfactory system. With the exception of CIS 100, all courses must have a number less than 100 for use of a "P" grade.

    U = Unsatisfactory. No grade points. The "U" grade may be given only in courses adopting the passing or unsatisfactory system. The course must have a number less than 100 for use of the "U" grade.

    N = Audit. No credit or grade points.

    R = Repeated. This designation is placed next to the grade earned in a course for which a student had previously received a grade, but has since repeated. Grade points and credit will be determined by the last grade earned.

The circumstances involved in determining whether the student receives a grade of "F", "W", or "V" are explained under the sections entitled Dropping a Course and Withdrawal from College. No grade points or credits are allowed for the grades of "I" or "W"; those grades are not computed in the grade-point average.

Grade Reports:
If a student finds omissions or errors in the grade report, application must be made to the Office of Admission and Records for a review of the grade record not later than the last day of the next quarter in residence. In no case may the student make application for a change after two years have elapsed. If the student has not fulfilled all obligations to the college the grade report will be withheld.


Scholastic Standards Policy:

Through its scholastic standards policies, Grays Harbor College encourages students to assume responsibility for their own academic progress. As such, these policies reflect the belief that, by functioning as self-directed learners, students can gain the greatest possible satisfaction and benefit from their college experience.

These standards also serve as minimum levels of progress for veterans enrolled at Grays Harbor College.


A. High Scholarship Status
Quarterly honor roll: Students whose names appear on the quarterly President's List are recognized for high academic achievement. A student who completes fifteen or more credit hours of courses, which must be numbered 100 or above, and earns a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in any one quarter will be placed on the President's List. The student's transcript will be endorsed HONOR ROLL for that quarter.
Graduation honors: A student who receives an associate degree with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.S or higher will be honored as a President's Scholar. The student's transcript will be endorsed PRESIDENT'S SCHOLAR. On a one-time only basis, transcripts are also endorsed GRADUATED WITH HONORS to recognize students who graduate in the top ten of their graduation year.

B. Low Scholarship
Low scholarship status is a warning to the student to improve his or her educational performance. It also emphasizes that the student should, where appropriate, undertake basic skills course work or seek help from instructors anchor counselors.
Low scholarship regulations pertain to those students who enroll in ten or more credit hours in any college courses. A student is considered to be on low scholarship status for one or more of the following reasons:
  1. Transfer from another college with a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0.
  2. Transfer from another college while on academic probation, suspension, or dismissal status.
  3. Failure to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0.
  4. Accumulation of ten or more credits attempted as a part-time student (over a period of two or more successive quarters) with a cumulative grade-point average of less than 2.0.
C. Academic Warning
The first time a student is on low scholarship status, the student' s transcript will be endorsed ACADEMIC WARNING. The student will receive written notification of this status and will be required to arrange a conference with a Grays Harbor College counselor during the following quarter. The student will remain on warning status in subsequent quarters until the cumulative grade-point average is raised above 2.0, even though the quarterly grade-point average may be above 2.0.

D. Academic Probation
If a student is on warning status and does not attain a cumulative grade-point of 2.0 in a subsequent quarter, the student's transcript will be endorsed ACADEMIC PROBATION.
The student will receive written notification of this status and will be required to arrange a conference with a Grays, Harbor College counselor during the probationary quarter. The student will remain on probation status in subsequent quartets until the cumulative grade-point average is raised above 2.0, even though the quarterly grade-point average may be above 2.0.

E. Academic Suspension
If a student is on probationary status and does not attain a quarterly grade-point average of 2.0 in a subsequent quarter, the transcript will be endorsed ACADEMIC SUSPENSION. The student will receive written notification of ineligibility to take classes for credit at Grays Harbor College for the next (fall, winter, or spring) quarter.
A student who has been suspended, stays out the required quarter, and returns to school will automatically remain on probation status until the cumulative grade-point average is raised to 2.0, even though the quarterly grade-point average may be above 2.0. As long as the quarterly grade-point average is at least 2.0 the student may continue to re-enroll.
A student who has been suspended may petition the Academic Review Committee, in writing, for special reinstatement.

F. Academic Dismissal
A student is on academic dismissal if, following an academic suspension and/or subsequent reinstatement by the Academic Review Committee, the student:
  1. completes one quarter of ten or more enrolled credits with a grade-point average of less than 2.0; or,
  2. accumulates ten or more credits with a grade-point average of less than 2.0; or,
  3. fails to meet the requirements of reinstatement defined by the Academic Review Committee. Normally, a withdrawal from courses approved by the Academic Review Committee constitutes failure to meet the committee's requirements.
The student's transcript will be endorsed ACADEMIC DISMISSAL and the student will receive written notification of ineligibility to attend classes at Grays Harbor College for credit.
A student on dismissal status must appeal to the Academic Review Committee for readmission to Grays Harbor College. Students who have been dismissed will usually not be considered for readmission for at least one calendar year.

G. Appeals from Academic Suspension or Dismissal
A student subject to academic suspension or dismissal may petition the Academic Review Committee, in writing, for special reinstatement and may request in a petition that a hearing be granted before the committee. Petitions should be addressed to the vice president for instruction.
The above petitions should set forth the extenuating circumstances that would warrant the granting of a waiver of the student's suspension or dismissal status. Evidence should be presented which would indicate careful reassessment of educational objectives and that the student has eliminated those factors which led to the suspension or dismissal.
A student who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Academic Review Committee has the right to present a written appeal, within ten days following notification of the committee's decision, to the president of Grays Harbor College. Following review of the appeal, the president will make the final decision.

H. Academic Review Committee
The Academic Review Committee shall consist of the vice president for instruction, who shall serve as chairperson, the vice president for student services, the associate dean for instruction (occupational education); the director of counseling; the associate dean for student services (admissions and records); the director of financial aid and veterans' affairs; the program manager for student progression; one student representative, and faculty staff representatives to be appointed by the vice president for instruction.

I. Removal from Low Scholarship Status
A student is removed from low scholarship status the quarter a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is obtained. The student's transcript is endorsed with REMOVED FROM LOW SCHOLARSHIP and the student receives written notification of academic good standing.
A student who has been removed from low scholarship status and subsequently received a cumulative grade-point average below 2.0 is placed on warning status. Example: A student had a cumulative grade-point average of 1.92 for the fall quarter, is placed on warning status, received a grade-point average of 2.0 for the winter quarter, but still has a cumulative grade-point average lower than 2.0; the student remains on warning status. In the spring quarter, the student receives a quarterly grade-point average of 2.5 and a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0, the student is removed from low scholarship status. The next fall quarter the student receives a quarterly grade-point average 1.82 and a cumulative grade-point average less than 2.0; the student is placed on warning status.
A student who is placed on probationary status and is removed from low scholarship status and then receives a cumulative grade-point average below 2.0 is placed on warning status and not probationary status.

 

Academic Program Publications

Published every two years, the college catalog describes instructional programs, student services, general regulations, requirements, and procedures. All courses offered by the college are described in this publication.
A schedule of classes is published prior to each academic quarter (fall winter, spring, and summer). It contains a listing of the courses offered that particular quarter, the times and days they are offered, location of each class, and the instructor's name.

 

Final Examinations: Final examinations are held regularly at the end of each quarter. Students are required to take the tests at the college at the time and the place designated. Exceptions to this regulation require the approval of the instructor of the class and the vice president for instruction. A schedule of final examinations is printed in the quarterly schedule.


Attendance:

A student is expected to attend all class sessions of each course for which he or she is registered


 


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