Gogebic Community College Student Handbook

Academic Policies

ACADEMIC PROBATION AND SUSPENSION POLICY

Students in college are expected to assume responsibility for their own work and maintain a satisfactory level of academic progress. The following policy is in effect:

A first semester freshman will be placed on probation if he/she achieves a grade point average less than 1.6 at the end of the semester; he/she may be suspended if his/her grade point average is less than 1.0 at the end of the semester.
A second semester freshman will be placed on academic probation if his/her cumulative grade point average at the end of the second semester is less than 1.75; he/she may be suspended if his/her grade point average is less than 1.25 for the semester.
A third semester student will be placed on academic probation if his/her cumulative grade point average at the end of the semester is less than 1.8; he/she may be suspended if his/her grade average is less than 1.5 for the semester.
A fourth semester student will be placed on academic probation if his/her cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0; he/she may be suspended if his/her grade point average is less than 1.75 for the semester.
A student in his/her fifth semester (or more) may be suspended if his/her grade point average is less than 2.0.

Students who are on probation should:

Consider reducing study loads
Avoid extensive participation in extracurricular activities and outside employment responsibilities.
Reappraise study schedules and habits.
Confer regularly with their advisors, counselor, instructors, and deans.
Consider repeating work in which grades are unsatisfactory.
Consider seeking tutorial assistance (through the ACES Center).

Note: All students receiving financial assistance, including VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS, are subject to an additional set of standards for continued assistance. These "Standards of Academic Progress" are found in the Financial Aid section of the college catalog.

ACADEMIC YEAR

The regular academic year is divided into two 16-week semesters--the fall semester and the spring semester--plus a shorter summer session.

ACCESS TO RECORDS

General Access: Any student enrolled at Gogebic Community College has the right to inspect and review educational records, files, and data directly related to him/herself, including all material incorporated into the cumulative record folder and intended for school use, after a request for access to such record has been made on the approved form and in accordance with the approved college procedure for such access. Such access will be granted within a reasonable time, but in no case more than 45 days after the request has been made. Further release of personally identifiable records and files without written consent of the student will not be made, with the exception of those approved under the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act of 1974. The policy on student records is on file in the Office of Student Services. (See Directory Information below.)

Transcripts: Official transcripts of a student's academic record will be send to properly authorized individuals or organizations (including the student) with valid written request from the student. Students may obtain a transcript request form in the Dean of Student's Office. A fee of $5.00 is charged for each transcript issued after the first. Current students are exempt from transcript charges.

Transcripts received by the college are part of the student's official record and cannot be returned or released.

Transcripts of all previous work, both high school and college, must be on file in the Dean's office for all degree-seeking students who apply for admission. When such information is not forthcoming promptly, it may be necessary to ask a student to withdraw from the college or be denied the privileges of enrollment.

Directory Information: May be published or released unless a student informs the Register's Office in writing before the first day of classes of the fall semester that any or all items should not be released without prior consent of the student. The request to withhold directory information is valid for one academic year. Directory information is defined to include student's name, address, telephone listings, and major field of study, graduation status, honors and awards.

ADMISSIONS

Gogebic Community College offers a liberal "open door" admission policy. In general, all high school graduates are considered for admission. Adult students may also be admitted after successfully passing a high school equivalency examination such as the General Education Development Test. Adult students who have not graduated from high school and do not meet regular admission requirements but show ability to benefit from instructional offerings of the college may be admitted as special students upon the approval of the Dean of Student Services and the Admissions Committee.

Admissions to specific courses and programs of study within the college will depend upon the student's preparation and readiness to succeed as evaluated by the Admissions Committee.

The college reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who does not meet entrance requirements.

Additional admissions information and specific requirements are found within the college catalog.

ASSESSMENT

All incoming freshman and transfer students enrolling in a program of study are required to participate in assessment of basic skills to determine course placement recommendations and readiness for college level courses. Gross summary data from Student assessments may be used by the college as an index of institutional and instructional effectiveness. Student Assessments may be utilized by a faculty member or the college administration as an aid in evaluating instructional performance and curriculum. Student Assessments shall not be used in the written annual evaluation of faculty members, nor for the imposition of any discipline.

ATTENDANCE

Punctuality and regular attendance are indispensable to success in any human endeavor, and class work in college is not an exception. During the first week of classes, each instructor will announce and provide in writing the attendance requirements for that class. Each instructor keeps an accurate attendance record of the students enrolled in the class and reports excessive absences to the Dean of Students throughout the semester. Excessive absences incurred by veterans receiving educational benefits will be reported to the Veterans' Administration as will those of students attending college under other programs requiring attendance reporting to the sponsoring agency.

Absences exceeding 1/16th of total class hours will be considered excessive.

Rules Governing Absences:

When a student has permission and is an official representative of the College, absences are listed as official and permission is granted for the student to make up studies within two weeks.
Absence and tardiness caused by factors beyond the student's control may be excused by the Dean of Students, with appeal available through the Student Review Committee, and the student may be permitted to make up studies within two weeks.
It is the personal responsibility of students who have been absent from classes to arrange make-up work with the instructor within three days after the absence has occurred. Students should endeavor to arrange for this make-up work during the office hours of the instructor. All make-up work must be completed two weeks after the students return to class.
A student who has been absent from an announced examination except finals may be charged a $5.00 fee by the college for a substitute test unless he/she is able to justify the absence.
Any student who registers late for a course may have already been absent from class meetings. Such absences are to be reported by the instructor. Rules governing such absences are the same as for any absence during the school year.

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

Students who have earned fewer than twenty-eight (28) credits are officially classified as freshmen. Those who have earned twenty-eight (28) or more credits are officially classified as sophomores.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (CLEP) (AP)

The College Entrance Examination Board gives a set of advanced placement examinations which cover the contents of college courses. Gogebic Community college cooperates with the advanced placement program and awards credit for all advanced placement courses passed. CLEP and AP course equivalents are entered on the transcript and students are credited with the appropriate credit hours. Since no letter grades are entered, the credits are not figured into the Grade Point Average. The CLEP and AP examinations may be taken at any authorized test center. The student must specify that the results of the tests be sent to Gogebic Community College (code number 1250).

COMPUTER LAB POLICY

Acceptable use of Information Systems at Gogebic Community College

Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by Gogebic Community College imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to College policies (including those in this student handbook), and local, state, and federal laws.

It is the policy of Gogebic Community College to maintain access for its community to local, national, and international sources of information, and to provide an atmosphere that encourages access to knowledge and sharing of information.

Access to the networks and to the information technology environment within GCC is a privilege and must be treated as such. Inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The administration, faculty, and staff of Gogebic Community College may request the system administrators to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.

All existing regulations are applicable to all users of computers and related technologies. This policy is intended to clarify those rules as they apply specifically to network usage. Acceptable use always is ethical, reflects honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources.

Gogebic Community College characterizes as unethical and unacceptable, and just cause for taking disciplinary action, removal of networking privileges, and/or legal action, any activity through which an individual:

transmits any material in violation of U.S. or state regulations. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material; threatening; racist, sexist, pornographic, and obscene material; or information protected by trade secret.
interferes with the intended use of the information resources.
seeks to gain or gains unauthorized access to information resources.
uses or knowingly allows another to use any computer, computer Network, computer system, program, or software to devise or execute any artifice or scheme to defraud or to obtain money, property, services, or other things of value by false pretenses, promises, or representations.
destroys, alters, dismantles, disfigures, prevents rightful access to or otherwise interferes with the integrity of computer-based information and/or information resources.
invades the privacy of individuals or entities that are creators, authors, users, or subjects of the information resources.
uses computer programs to decode passwords or access control information.
attempts to circumvent or subvert system or network security measures.
installs, runs, stores, downloads, or otherwise introduces any unauthorized software on any Gogebic Community College computer system or network.
engages in any other activity that does not comply with the general principles presented in this document.

In the case of any doubt about the acceptability of any specific use or operation of the Gogebic Community College computer network, contact the system administrator, instructor, or computer lab technician for clarification.

Users of the Gogebic Community College computer network, when expressing opinions, should include a disclaimer indication that the opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Gogebic Community College.

Gogebic Community College cannot monitor or control the content of information obtained on the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Users should assume that e-mail is not secure and/or confidential. Any and all use of any of the information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk. Gogebic Community College specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy and /or quality of any information obtained through its Internet services.

It is the responsibility of every user to protect his/her user ID, Password, and system from unauthorized use. Each user is responsible for activity on his/her user ID or that originates from his/her system. Users will not lend their network/Internet account and/or password to other users.

Users must acknowledge their understanding of this general policy and guidelines as a condition of receiving an account and using the Gogebic Community College network to access the Internet.

The College considers any violation of acceptable use principles or guidelines to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information resident on College systems allegedly related to unacceptable use.

Gogebic Community College students and employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action as prescribed in this student handbook, and Board of Trustees Policy.

Offenders also may be prosecuted under laws including (but not limited to) the Privacy Protection Act of 1974, The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, The Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1989, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, The Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and Act 53 of the Public Acts of 1979 of the State of Michigan. Access tot he text of these laws is available through the Reference Section of the College Library.

Computer Lab Use Policy

Gogebic Community College does not condone fraudulent use of its computer equipment or facilities, and it is the intent of the college to adhere to the provisions of Copyright Laws applying to computer software and documentation. It is also the intent of the college to comply with the individual license agreements which were expressly or tacitly accepted when the college obtained the software. (Taken from GCC Board of Trustees Policy, adopted May 28, 1990.)

The Law of the State of Michigan

Act 53 of the Public Acts of 1979 of the State of Michigan is "AN ACT to prohibit access to computers, computer systems, and computer networks for certain fraudulent purposes; to prohibit intentional and unauthorized access, alteration, damage, and destruction of computers, computer systems, computer networks, computer software programs, and data; and to prescribe penalties."

The penalties for violating this act are stated as follows:

"A person who violates this act, if the violation involves $100.00 or less, is guilty of a misdemeanor. If the violation involves more than $100.00, the person is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both."

Examples of State Law violations include:

Making unauthorized attempts to access or use information.
Attempting to access computer files belonging to another user without permission.
Attempting to interfere with the performance of computing systems.

United States Copyright Law

Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of "original works of authorship." This includes computer programs (software). Therefore, the unauthorized copying of copyrighted software is in violation of U.S. copyright laws.

You are violating U.S. Copyright Law if you:

Make unauthorized copies of copyrighted software and/or documentation.

The college expects that each student will abide by the regulations governing student conduct. The above policy states some of the general computer use regulations. Such statements cannot be all inclusive and individual student conduct violations may need to be determined on a case by case basis within the scope of this policy.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

Regularly enrolled students may, in some subject areas, be able to earn credit for a course offered by the college by successfully completing a comprehensive examination or series of examinations. Students who believe they have mastered a course through life experience, past training, or study may, at the discretion of the Division Chairperson, instructor and advisor, make application through the Office of the Dean of Students to take the examination if one has been developed in that subject area. An examination fee of $15.00 per credit hour is charged prior to the time of examination and, on the recommendation of the Division Chairperson and instructor, credit will be entered on the student's transcript. Beginning in 1995 this information is also printed on the academic transcript.

DEAN'S LIST

Each semester, a Dean's List is issued and published listing all full-time students who have earned a 3.5 or better grade point average.

DISHONESTY, CHEATING

Dishonesty of any kind, including plagiarism, cheating on examinations or any assigned work, may be dealt with in any manner deemed suitable by the instructor, including the recording of a failing grade for the course. Cheating on examinations may also result in the student appearing before the Conduct Committee and possible suspension from school if circumstances warrant.

DROPPING AND ADDING COURSES

During the Drop and Add period at the beginning of each semester, a student may make changes in his/her schedule.
After the Drop and Add period students may withdraw from a class up to the beginning of the last two weeks of the semester (not including final exam week) by filling out a DROP form, which must contain the signature of the instructor of the course dropped and the Dean of Student Services.
Students who officially withdraw from a class will receive a "W". Students who do not go through the official drop procedures will receive an "F" grade for courses not completed.
Dropping a course can have an effect on a student's current and future Financial Aid, including Veterans Benefits. Refer to the Financial Aid section of the catalog for details.
Students will not be permitted to drop a course after the beginning of the last two weeks of classes (does not include final exam week).
All Drop Forms are secured from and must be filed in the Office of the Dean of Student Services.

EXAMINATION AND GRADES

Two formal examinations are usually held each semester: the mid-semester and the final. All students are required to take these examinations and to complete all work as assigned.

Grade (through Summer 2007)		Honor Points per Credit
A	Excellent	4.0
A-		4.0
B+		3.0
B	Good	3.0
B-		3.0
C+		2.0
C	Average	2.0
C-		2.0
D+		1.0
D	Below Average	1.0
D-		1.0
F	Failure	0.0
I	Incomplete	0.0
W	No Grade (Withdrew) - Given in courses dropped during specific drop period. Not used in Grade Point Average Calculation.
CR	Credit Given
NC	No Credit Given
AU	Audit
P	Passing
CX	Credit by Examination
LE	Credit for Life Experience
TR	Transfer Credit

Beginning with the Fall 2007 semester, the college will move to plus/minus grades.

Grade (Beginning Fall 2007)		Honor Points per Credit
A	Excellent	4.00
A-		3.67
B+		3.33
B	Good	3.00
B-		2.67
C+		2.33
C	Average	2.0
C-		1.67
D+		1.33
D	Below Average	1.0
D-		.67
F	Failure	0.0
I	Incomplete	0.0
W	No Grade (Withdrew) - Given in courses dropped during specific drop period. Not used in Grade Point Average Calculation.
CR	Credit Given
NC	No Credit Given
AU	Audit
P	Passing
CX	Credit by Examination
LE	Credit for Life Experience
TR	Transfer Credit

FINAL GRADES

Final grades are recorded on the student's permanent record in the Dean of Students Office at the close of each semester. Such grades are also sent to the student at the permanent mailing address listed in the student's record.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Grade Point Average, GPA: Honor points divided by semester hours determines your academic average. The GPA is used to determine your continuance in college, graduation from college, and academic status after each semester.

Honor Points: Numerical equivalent of letter grades used to figure the GPA. For example: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0. Below is an example of the method of calculating your grade point average:

An "Incomplete" grade calculates as a failing grade until it is replaced with a final grade.

	Credit	Grade	Quality Points
English	3	C=2	6 (3 x 2)
Political Science	3	D=1	3 (3 x 1)
Geology	4	B=3	12 (4 x 3)
French	4	C=2	8 (4 x 2)
Physical Education	1	A=4	4 (1 x 4)
	15		33
33/15 = 2.20 GPA

A copy of your permanent record is on file in the Office of the Dean of Students. It is a total record of your academic work and includes the courses you have taken, your grades, and your cumulative GPA. Questions concerning your academic record should be referred to the Dean of Student Services.

NOTE: All "Withdrawals," while not calculated into the academic GPA, count as "F's" in the Financial Aid GPA, possibly affecting continued eligibility for aid, including VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance in calculating your Financial Aid GPA.

GRADE RE-EVALUATION

The purpose of GRADE RE-EVALUATION at Gogebic Community College is to assist a student whose grade point average from some prior period is significantly lower than the work the student has completed in current semesters and, because of this, the cumulative grade point average is not representative of the student's capabilities.

Upon approval of the student's petition for grade point re-evaluation all course grades prior to re-enrollment will be removed from the calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA). Passing credits may be carried forward to meet graduation requirements if current course content has remained substantially the same as the historical course of record. As part of the application process, the student must identify any courses which are to be considered for use in meeting current degree requirements.

Procedural Guidelines for the policy are as follows:

To apply for grade re-evaluation, a currently enrolled student must file an application in the Dean of Students' office.
Any student seeking consideration under this policy is asked to discuss this option with their assigned academic advisor prior to applying for re-evaluation.
Five or more years must elapse between the point of application and the last failing grade for which grade re-evaluation is requested.
The student must have earned at least fifteen credit hours in Gogebic Community College courses numbered 100 or above and have a G.C.C. cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 since the failing grades were received before the policy may be applied.
All original grades remain on the transcript even though they are no longer calculated into the cumulative grade point average.
Past courses used to meet graduation requirements for a prior degree cannot be removed from the cumulative grade point average.
Grade Re-evaluation can be granted only once to any student.
Grade Re-evaluation, when granted, applies only to Gogebic Community College courses. There is no guarantee, expressed or implied, that the academic forgiveness will be recognized by any other college or university.
A student receiving grade re-evaluation will be allowed to utilize the revised grade point average for graduation purposes and for special academic recognitions, requirements for professional certifications within the province of licensure boards, external agencies, etc. unless otherwise prohibited by external regulation.

Note 1: Nursing admission processing will require additional approvals before this policy applies.

Note 2: Recipients of federal aid may not be eligible for this policy under Federal Guidelines and Regulations. The student should contact the Financial Aid Office for clarification.

GED (General Education Development Program)

GCC serves as a national test center for the GED program. High school non-graduates can take the General Education Development Test by making arrangements with the Director of Learning Support Services (ACES). The GED Test is administered to individuals as a measure of high school equivalency. This test can only be administered after the class of which the individual was a member has been graduated.

GRADUATION INFORMATION

Students may graduate from Gogebic Community College with either an Associate Degree or a Certificate of Completion.

Application for Graduation: Students wishing to graduate must file an Application for Graduation in the Office of the Dean of Students at the beginning of the semester in which they anticipate meeting all degree requirements. Graduation apparel consists of cap and gown and is available at no cost to graduating students.
All candidates are required to pay a graduation processing fee of $30 each time an application for graduation if filed. The $30 graduation fee is non-refundable and is subject to change by authority of the Board of Trustees. A separate application must be filed for each degree sought.
Minimum Grade Point Average: A final cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above must be achieved for graduation eligibility.
Minimum Credit Requirement: For an Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, or Associate of Applied Technology, 63 credits are required. No more than two of these credits may be in physical education. For an Associate of Applied Business, 61 credits are required none of which may be in physical education.
Enrollment Status: You must have been enrolled at Gogebic Community College during the semester immediately preceding fulfillment of degree requirements.

HONORS-AT GRADUATION

Special recognition at graduation will be given under the following conditions:

Students completing graduation requirements at Gogebic Community College with a 3.75 cumulative grade point average or better will graduate with High Honors.
Students completing graduation requirements at Gogebic Community College with a 3.5-3.74 cumulative grade point average will graduate with Honors.

Grade point averages for those students transferring to Gogebic Community College from other colleges or universities are determined by only those grades earned at Gogebic Community College. Any student graduating with honors must have earned a minimum of 30 credits at Gogebic Community College prior to their final semester.

While recognition at the commencement ceremony will be based upon cumulative grades prior to the final grading period, all grades earned at Gogebic will be included in the final determination of honors status to be recorded in the student's permanent record.

HONORS PROGRAM

Students who have demonstrated previous academic experience are invited to apply to the honors program. The program is designed for transfer students intending to go on to four-year colleges. Participation in honors courses allows students to earn honors credits. Completion of four or more honors courses is highlighted on student's transcripts.

INCOMPLETES

It is expected that students will fulfill course requirements to warrant a grade for each course at the end of the semester. However, should a student receive an incomplete due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, the incomplete is to be made up within 30 days unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor and the Dean of Students. An incomplete will revert to a grade specified by the instructor if not made up within the time allotted. An incomplete grade will count as a failing grade until the final grade is entered.

INDEPENDENT STUDY (directed study)

Opportunities for independent study are available to outstanding students, usually sophomores. Such study must be arranged by the supervising instructor and approved by the appropriate Division Chairperson, the Dean of Instruction, and the Dean of Students. Independent study is designed to provide an opportunity for students to pursue special or advanced study under the direction of the faculty. A $25 per credit fee is assessed in addition to normal tuition and fees.

ORIENTATION

All incoming freshmen and transfer students are required, prior to registration, to attend orientation activities on campus. The purpose of orientation is to acquaint students with the college, their program of study, rules and regulations, study techniques and other procedures necessary for a satisfactory beginning. Additionally, student's academic skills are assessed.

Orientation for new students begins with visits by the counselor and admissions coordinator to the area high schools. Events such as College Day and conferences with the counselor and advisors are all part of this orientation.

As a major part of formal orientation, students enroll in ORI 100, Freshman Seminar, a one-credit orientation course. In this course, students are given credit for orientation activities attended during the registration period. The balance of the course is held during the early weeks of the student's first semester on campus. Through the orientation process, students become familiar with the campus, meet student leaders, administrators and faculty, are counseled in their program of study, and take the basic skills assessment to determined placement and readiness for college classes. For additional information on the Freshman Seminar course, consult the course description for ORI 100 is available in the catalog or contact the ACES Center on campus.

REFUND POLICY

Students who officially drop from class(es) prior to the day last day of the official registration period of the semester enrolled shall qualify for a tuition/fee refund of 100%. No refunds after the last official drop date for the course(s).
Refunds are made to students only after the student completes a Drop Form with the Dean of Student Office. Failure to obtain official release can result in failing grades and loss of tuition/fee refund privileges in effect at the time of withdrawal.
For students on approved financial aids or aid through other agencies that mandate recovery or financial assistance, refunds will be made in accordance with related requirements.
Classes canceled by the college shall qualify for a 100% refund of tuition and fees.
Appeals concerning the refund policy should be referred to the Dean of Students in writing prior to the end of the semester in which the course is offered.
Payments received for tuition and fees are refundable to veterans in accordance with the same refund policy stated above.

RETURN OF FINANCIAL AID - FEDERAL AID REFUND POLICY

If you withdraw, drop out, quit attending or are dismissed, you may be required to pay all or part of your financial aid back to the individual financial aid programs. You may also owe a payment to the college for your tuition, fees and/or books. All schools are required to use specific refund calculations when a student totally ceases attendance during the academic year.

The Financial Aid Office will review your financial aid eligibility at the time of withdrawal. The withdrawal date is the date you completed the withdrawal process or officially notified GCC of your withdrawal date. GCC may always, at its option, use your last date of attendance as a documented academically related activity in lieu of any other withdrawal date.

The amount of your financial aid that may need to be returned to the programs, along with the amount you may owe the school will be calculated according to a federal formula. You will be notified of any payment obligations you may have. A copy of the federal formula can be obtained from the GCC Financial Aid Office.

REGISTRATION

All students must complete regular admission requirements before they will be permitted to register.

Specific information concerning registration is sent to all currently enrolled students and incoming freshmen. Registration procedures and information are published in the local newspapers in addition to being posted on the bulletin boards in the college.

As a part of the process of admission, each student enrolled in a program of study is assigned to a faculty advisor who will assist and advise the student in drawing up a class schedule during formal registration.

The 5th instructional day is the last day any student may register for regularly scheduled classes during any semester. The 11th calendar day is the last day that a student may drop a course and receive a tuition refund.

The Dean of Students acts as the Registrar. It is the registrar's duty to preserve the academic integrity of the institution and to establish and maintain accurate permanent academic records. The registrar is also responsible for evaluating transcripts of transfer students and for the certification of graduation requirements.

REPETITION OF COURSES

When a student repeats a course in which s/he earned a "D" or "F", the record made in repetition will supersede the first record, thereby making it possible in improve the cumulative grade point average. The student is reminded, however, that the first grade will continue to be on his/her record although it has been superseded by the second grade in the calculation of grade point average.

When a student repeats a course in which s/he has earned a grade higher than a "D", the original grade will continue to be used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average and the new grade will be excluded from the calculation. Both grades will be reflected on the academic transcript.

RIGHT OF REVISION

The college reserves the right to change without notice any curricula, courses, faculty, tuition, fees, policies, and rules. If courses and curriculum changes take place after students commence a program of study, the college will make efforts to implement the changes in the student's best interest.

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

For all students who are not attending on full scholarships, the total fee for each semester is payable on the published payment date and for late registrants no later than the first week of classes.

Tuition and fees must be paid in full at the time the student officially registers for each semester. The college may elect to cancel enrollment and shall withhold information on academic transcripts for students who fail to meet financial obligations by specified deadlines.

STUDENT RECORDS--See "Access to Records"

SUSPENSION POLICY/ACADEMIC PROBATION--See "Academic Probation/Suspension Policy"

TRANSCRIPTS--See "Access to Records"

TRANSFER INFORMATION

Every American college and university has certain general education requirements of its own. The Student Services and Counseling Offices maintain records of these requirements and can counsel the student preparing for transfer. Information can also be obtained from faculty advisors.

In general, however, any student who receives an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science Degree from Gogebic Community College is not required to pursue further General Education requirements at most four-year colleges and universities in Michigan.

Gogebic Community College participates in the MACRAO (MI Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) Transfer Student Agreement and will identify transcripts of students completing MACRAO requirements with the statement, "MACRAO Transfer Agreements Satisfied."

To help students planning to transfer to a four-year college, a number of aids are available: Catalogs, curriculum guides, applications for admission, scholarship applications, and conferences with four-year college representatives.

How to transfer:

Obtain an application form from the Transfer Coordinator in the Dean of Students' Office. Early application for transfer is recommended.
Fill out applicable portions of the form completely.
Forward a transcript of your Gogebic Community College credits, which should accompany the application. A TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM MUST BE FILLED OUT AND SIGNED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Explore financial aid application procedures and pursue transfer scholarship opportunities.

VETERANS REFUND POLICY

Payments received for tuition and fees are refundable to veterans in accordance with the same refund policy stated under "REFUND POLICY."

WITHDRAWING FROM COLLEGE

A student finding it necessary to withdraw from college after the official Drop and Add period must complete a Drop form and file a Withdrawal Form with the Dean of Student Services Office. Failure to obtain official release can result in failing grades in all courses.
Withdrawing from college can have an effect on current and future Financial Aid, including veterans benefits. Refer to the Financial Aid section of the catalog for more information.
A student can be withdrawn from a course/class for the reason of non-attendance.

POLICY OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW

It is the policy of Gogebic Community College that no persons on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, disability, political affiliation or belief shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subject to discrimination in any program or activity for which the college is responsible or for which it received federal financial assistance from the Department of Education.

It shall continue to be the policy of this school district to make all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner. No decision as to hiring, assignment, promotion, transfer, layoff, termination, or reinstatement shall be made on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, disability, political affiliation or belief. Equal pay shall be given for the performance of jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibilities.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Gogebic Community College not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin or ancestry, marital status, disability, political affiliation or belief in its education's programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies as required by title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. of 1973, and the American's With Disabilities Act. of 1990.

Any questions concerning Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, or any inquiries related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, should be directed to:

Steven Wesselhoft
Dean of Student Services
Gogebic Community College
E4946 Jackson Road
Ironwood, MI 49938
Telephone: 906/932-4231

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, and protect qualified applicants and employees with disabilities from discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, job training, fringe benefits, and other aspects of employment. The law also required that covered entities provide qualified applicants and employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations that do not impose undue hardship. The law covered applicants to and employees of most private employers, state and local governments, educational institutions, employment agencies and labor organizations.