UNIT OF WORK
College work is measured in terms of the semester "unit." In recitationlecture courses, one hour in the classroom and two hours of study preparation per week constitute a unit of work. In the laboratory, three hours in the classroom per week with no outside study constitute one unit of work. Students can find the number of units of credit with each course description.
GRADES AND GRADE POINT AVERAGES
At the end of each semester or summer session, a report of academic performance is made for every course undertaken. The grading standards, with their grade point equivalents, are as follows:
| A - Excellent | 4 grade points per unit |
| B - Good | 3 grade points per unit |
| C - Satisfactory | 2 grade points per unit |
| D - Passing, less than satisfactory | 1 grade point per unit |
| F - Failing | 0 grade points, no units earned |
| P - Pass | Not computed in GPA, but (C or better) affects progress, probation and dismissal. Formerly known as "CR". |
| NP - No Pass | Not computed in GPA, but (less than C) affects progress, probation and dismissal. Formerly known as "NC". |
| I - Incomplete | Not computed in GPA, but affects progress, probation and dismissal |
| IP - In Progress | Course transcends semester limitation |
| W - Withdrawal | Not computed in GPA, but affects progress, probation and dismissal |
| MW - Military Withdrawal | Not compiled in GPA and does not affect progress, probation and dismissal |
"PASS-NO PASS" GRADING
(Formerly known as Credit-No Credit (CR/NC))
A student may elect one course per semester to be graded on a Pass or a No Pass basis. A request card must be filed with the Admissions and Records Office for this option prior to the deadlines published in the class schedules and in the calendar at the front of this catalog. The equivalent of an "A", "B" or "C" received for the course will be recorded as "P," with units earned. The equivalent of "D" or "F" will be recorded as "NP," with no units earned. Units attempted for Pass-No Pass grades are not computed in the grade point average but are used for determining Probation and Dismissal. (See following page.)
A maximum of 15 credit units taken as "Pass/No Pass" may be applied toward the Associate in Arts or Science degree. A maximum of 25% of required units for certificates may be completed as "Pass/No Pass."
Once elected, the Pass-No Pass grade may not be changed to a letter grade ("A", "B", "C", "D", "F") assigned by the instructor.
Courses taken in Spring 2009 or earlier will be notated on the student transcript record as CR/NC. Courses taken in Summer 2009 or later will be notated as P/NP.
GRADES OF "INCOMPLETE"
An incomplete grade, "I", may be assigned by the instructor when, in the judgment of that instructor, the student is unable to complete the course requirements before the end of the semester due to unforeseeable, emergency and justifiable circumstances. To receive credit for the course, the incomplete work must be finished no later than one year from the end of the semester in which it was assigned. A final grade will be assigned when the incompleted work has been finished and evaluated, or when the time limit for completing the work has elapsed. A student receiving an incomplete may NOT re-enroll in the course. A student may petition for a time extension due to extenuating circumstances.
GRADES OF "W" WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS
A student may officially drop a class without notation (a “W” grade) on the permanent academic record/transcript prior to the point in which 20% of a class has occurred. These important dates are available at http://www.losrios.edu/lrc/lrc_calend.php (click on the appropriate semester, then click on “Click here for more information, including start/end dates, drop/add dates”). Withdrawals occurring after this time, and before the point in which 75% of the class has occurred, shall result in a “W” notation on the permanent academic record/transcript. Official withdrawals are those that have been processed via eServices or by staff in the Admissions and Records Office.
A “W” grade on the permanent academic record/transcript is used for determining Progress Probation and Progress Dismissal. No withdrawals are permitted during the last 25% of a course, except due to extenuating circumstances (verified cases of accidents, illness or other circumstances beyond the control of the student), for which a student may request withdrawal through the student petition process. After consultation with the instructor and with administrative approval, the withdrawal may be recorded as a “W” rather than as a less than satisfactory or failing grade on the permanent academic record/transcript. In all other cases, after the 75% date, a student will receive a grade in the course.
Military withdrawal is available when supporting documentation showing orders compelling a withdrawal is provided along with a student petition. Military withdrawal is available for students who are members of an active or reserve military service, and who receive orders compelling a withdrawal from courses.
Medical withdrawals may be considered when supporting documentation is provided along with a student petition.
GOOD STANDING
Both quality of performance and progress toward completion of objectives are considered in determining a student’s eligibility to attain or remain in good standing and attendance at a Los Rios college. A student merits good standing only by completing 12 or more semester units with a 2.0 GPA on a 4-point grading scale and by completing 50 percent or more of all enrolled units. It is the instructor’s responsibility to notify the student, at the mid-term date, if (and only if) that student is making less than satisfactory progress.
REGULATIONS ON COURSE REPETITION
Repetition of courses must be conducted in compliance with California Title V Regulations, Sections 55040 through 55046. A course may be repeated up to two times at any of the Los Rios colleges for which a notation of D, F, NC (No Credit), NP (No Pass), or W (Withdrawal) was earned. This regulation is effective across the district at all Los Rios colleges. If you took a course at any of the Los Rios colleges – American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake, or Sacramento City, this counts as one of your three attempts.
Exceptions to this regulation are as follow:
- The college finds that the student’s most recent previous grade is, at least in part, the result of extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accidents, illness, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. This is a one-time exception.
- A student may repeat a course because there has been a significant lapse of time since the student previously took the course based on the established recency for that course. Grades awarded for courses repeated under this circumstance shall not be counted when calculating a student’s grade point average. This is a one-time exception.
- Courses designated as “repeatable” are those listed as such in the College Catalog and are designed to enhance students’ skills or performances through supervised repetition. These include: (a) courses where the content differs each time it is offered; (b) activity courses where the student continues or builds on skills or proficiencies by supervised repetition and practice in class; (c) courses in music, fine arts, theatre or dance which are part of a sequence of transfer courses. In all of these cases, students can take the course a maximum of four times.
- Students may repeat courses listed in the College Catalog as such to meet a legally mandated training requirement as a condition of continued paid or volunteer employment. These repetitions are not limited and are granted based on the College’s verification of established legal mandates.
ACADEMIC RENEWAL WITHOUT COURSE REPETITION
Previous substandard work (“D” or “F”) earned at Cosumnes River College may be discounted at the student’s request, if it meets certain criteria. Courses and grades that no longer reflect the student’s current educational objective and current level of academic success may, upon petition, be discounted in the computation of the grade point average.
The following conditions must apply:
- A student may have previous substandard work earned within the District alleviated if it is not reflective of a student’s current demonstrated ability according to the following regulations and procedures;
- For purposes of academic renewal, substandard work is defined as a D or F;
- The maximum amount of coursework that may be alleviated is thirty (30) units;
- A minimum of 12 consecutive months shall have elapsed since the end of the semester or summer session in which the work to be alleviated was recorded; and a minimum of twelve (12) semester units (or its equivalent) with a grade of C, Credit, or Pass or better shall have been attained. The coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited college;
- All work on the permanent record must remain legible, ensuring a true and complete academic history;
- College procedures related to academic renewal will be published in the College catalog and will be implemented by the Office of Admissions and Records;
- Records of academic renewal action shall be kept by the Admissions and Records Office at each college.
PROBATION
There are two types of probation: academic and progress:
Academic Probation: A student who has attempted at least 12 units is placed on Academic Probation if the student has earned a grade point average below 2.0.
Progress Probation: A student who has enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester units is placed on Progress Probation when "W", "I", "NC", and "NP" grades are recorded in one half or more of all units in which a student has enrolled.
Unit Limitation:
A student on either Academic or Progress Probation may be limited to 12 units plus a physical education activity course or to a maximum load recommended by the student’s counselor.
Removal from Probation:
A student on Academic Probation is removed from probation and achieves good standing when the student’s cumulative grade point average is 2.0 or higher.
A student on Progress Probation is removed from probation and placed in good standing when the "W", "I", "NC", and "NP" units drop below one half.
Computations:
Grade Point Average = Total Grade Points Earned (divided by)/Total Units Attempted with letter grade
Progress Percentage = Total Units with "W", "I", "NC", and "NP" (divided by)/Total Units Enrolled
DISMISSAL
Academic Dismissal:
A student on Academic Probation is subject to dismissal when the student earns a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in all units attempted in each of three consecutive semesters.
Progress Dismissal:
A student on Progress Probation is subject to dismissal if one half or more of the units in which the student has been enrolled have recorded entries of "W", "I", "NC", and "NP" in at least three consecutive semesters.
Dismissal Period:
A dismissed student will be required to remain out of college one semester, but may return on probationary status after one semester's absence.
Appeal Option:
A dismissed student may appeal to the Dean of Counseling and Student Services for permission to enroll without loss of semester if the student feels that extenuating circumstances caused the dismissal. It is the student’s responsibility to detail those circumstances in writing on a petition for readmission after dismissal.
CLASS ATTENDANCE AND DROPS
Class Attendance Requirements and Instructor Initiated Drops:
- Students are expected to attend all sessions of the classes in which they are enrolled.
- A student who fails to attend the first session of a class may be dropped by the instructor and his/her seat may be given to the next student on the Wait List.
- Students who attend none of the first three class sessions will be dropped by the instructor. If a class is scheduled for only one session per week, then students who have not attended at least one of the first two sessions will be dropped by the instructor.
- Students with excessive absences (6% or more of the total hours of class time) may be dropped by the class instructor.
- Faculty will ensure that their class rosters accurately reflect student attendance by the census date of the relevant term.
Student Initiated Drops:
While faculty will follow the attendance and drop criteria listed above,
it is ultimately students’ responsibility to monitor their enrollment status and drop classes they do not, for whatever reason, intend to complete.
Students can drop classes online or in person at the CRC Admissions & Records Office. Any student who fails to drop an unwanted class by the required deadline, risks earning a ‘W’ notation or ‘F’ grade on his/her transcript. Drop deadlines are available on the Academic Calendar: http://www.losrios.edu/lrc/lrc_calend.php then click on "Click here for more information, including start/end dates, drop/add date".
Veterans and Dropped Classes:
Veterans who drop below the number of units required by the Veterans Administration (VA) for any reason during a semester, including being dropped from a class for excessive absences, may lose part of their VA Educational Benefits allowance.
NO SHOW
Students who are not present at the first class meeting may be dropped by the instructor, and their seat may be given to a student from the wait list. Students will be dropped if they fail to attend at least one of the first three sessions of a full term class.
UNIT LIMITATION
Full-time students’ course programs usually average 12-15 units per
semester. This indicates that students normally spend 36-45 hours per
week preparing for and attending classes. The college recommends that students carry no more than 18 units during a given semester. Students planning to carry more than 18 units must confer with their counselor and complete a student petition.
STUDENT CLASSIFICATION
| Part-Time | A student carrying fewer than 12 units |
| Full-Time | A student carrying 12 or more units |
| Freshman | A student who has completed fewer than 30 units |
| Sophomore | A student who has completed 30 or more units |
| Graduate | A student who has been awarded the Associate degree or a higher degree by a recognized collegiate institution |
Note: During the summer session, a student carrying six (6) units is considered full-time.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS
The college requires final examinations in all courses. The college publishes a time schedule for final examinations in the Class Schedule each semester so students may be notified in sufficient time regarding the examination schedule.
ACADEMIC HONORS
Each semester, honors may be earned by students enrolled in 12 units or more, nine (9) of which must be graded on a letter grade basis exclusive of Pass (P) or Credit (CR). Students who earn a grade point average of at least 3.0 are Honors students. If they earn a grade point average of 3.5 or better, they have achieved Highest Honors.
ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Academic Freedom is essential for the fulfillment of the educational mission of the Los Rios Community College District and for the ability of faculty members to perform their professional duties. Faculty members have the principal right and responsibility to determine the methods of instruction, the planning and presentation of course materials, and the fair and equitable methods of assessment in their assignment in accordance with the approved curriculum and course outline and the educational mission of the District in accordance with state laws and regulations.
All faculty members should: (a) conduct a classroom environment that is conducive to student learning, growth, and development; in which students are free from discrimination, prejudice, and harassment; and in which students are free to express relevant ideas and opinions; and (b) clearly differentiate to students the expression of a faculty member's personal opinions or convictions from the objective presentation of theory, fact or ideas.
HONORS AT GRADUATION
Students who maintain a high scholarship average are eligible for honors at graduation. Students who maintain a scholarship average of 3.5 or better are eligible for graduation with highest honors, and students who maintain a scholarship average of 3.0 or better are eligible for graduation with honors. The published lists of students are compiled from the data available at time of publication of the Commencement Program and may be subject to subsequent revision.
ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Academic Freedom is essential for the fulfillment of the educational mission of the Los Rios Community College District and for the ability of faculty members to perform their professional duties. Faculty members have the principal right and responsibility to determine the methods of instruction, the planning and presentation of course materials, and the fair and equitable methods of assessment in their assignment in accordance with the approved curriculum and course outline and the educational mission of the District in accordance with state laws and regulations. All faculty members should: (a) conduct a classroom environment that is conducive to student learning, growth, and development; in which students are free from discrimination, prejudice, and harassment; and in which students are free to express relevant ideas and opinions; and (b) clearly differentiate to students the expression of a faculty member’s personal opinions or convictions from the objective presentation of theory, fact or ideas.