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General Academic Information

The following academic policies and standards for Three Rivers Community College were ratified for the merged institution in May, 1993. All policies are subject to change.

Academic Advising
All students admitted are assigned to an academic advisor. Advisors are members of the professional staff, usually full-time faculty members, whose backgrounds make them especially suitable to help students make academic and vocational choices. During the school year, the advisor helps the student select appropriate courses based on the student’s preference, previous records, and standardized test scores. The advisor also discusses with the student the course of action to be taken when the student is ready to leave Three Rivers Community College.

Students initially admitted as Special Non-Degree who are interested in changing their status to degree-seeking will be assigned an appropriate advisor when they submit a Change of Curriculum Request. The advising system insures each student receives individual help with educational and vocational problems, provides each student with advice from a professional with expertise in a particular subject and enables the professional staff to interact with individual students in matters not directly related to classroom performance.

Students should consult the following Master Advisor List, published each semester, to determine the name of their academic advisor:

Advisor List

Plan of Study
A Plan of Study is a work sheet that outlines the course requirements for a specific Three Rivers degree or certificate program. Students enrolled in a degree or certificate program must obtain a Plan of Study during their first semester to use as a planning guide for future course selection and registration.

During the first semester of enrollment, a student meets with his or her academic advisor and reviews the program requirements. A student obtains a Plan of Study, has their advisor sign it, and retains it as an academic planning guide. Advising appointments are scheduled each semester just before early registration for continuing degree or certificate students.

The original Plan of Study is kept by the student to record course completions and selections for registration each semester. A copy of the form signed by the student and academic advisor must be presented when registering for each subsequent semester.

During scheduled advising days each semester, students who have not completed a Plan of Study and students who wish to amend or change their program should make an appointment with their advisor and complete and submit a Program/Advisor Change form.

Both students and advisors may request reassignment when a favorable relationship is not achieved by submitting a Program/Advisor Change form.

Students are urged to seek information, advice, or confidential counseling regarding drugs and/or alcohol by contacting the counseling staff. Also, Three Rivers Community College is prepared to refer students to appropriate professionals (medical, legal, psychiatric, etc.) according to the needs of the individual student. Contact will be held in complete confidence. A student who ignores opportunities for help and assistance and who willfully violates College policies and the law faces disciplinary action as outlined in the Policy Statement on Student Discipline.

The College’s full policies and programs on the Drug Free Workplace and Drug Prevention are published separately. Copies of these policies and programs are available to students through the Dean of Student Services.

Change of Curriculum
Students who find they must change their plan of study should see their academic advisor or a counselor before beginning the next semester. In making such a change, a student may lose credit for already completed courses that are not required in the new curriculum. Students are cautioned to check the requirements for the new curriculum, or graduation may be delayed because of the change. There are some programs that limit enrollments; students should ensure they are not changing into one of these without advising. Students who change their curriculum must complete and submit a Change of Curriculum Request form.

Attaining Academic Credit
Unit of Credit
The credit hour is the unit of academic credit earned at Three Rivers. A course yielding three hours of credit typically requires 45 hours of classroom time.

Residence Requirement
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total credits applicable to an associate degree or certificate must be granted by Three Rivers. No more than 30 credit hours of non-traditional credit may count towards the associate degree. Nontraditional credit includes CLEP, DANTES, Challenge Exams, Military Service Schools and Assessment of Prior Learning.

Course Load
Usually students are not permitted to register for more than 18 hours of credit per semester in liberal arts and career programs. Students in technical programs may register for up to 21 credits. Some students are advised to limit their course load to 12 credits or less for academic reasons. Students wishing to exceed the credit load limits may take one additional course with the approval of a counselor.

Variable Credit
A student receives, as a total of credits in a variable credit course, no more than the maximum number of credits for which the course is offered. Generally, variable credit is awarded only for independent study, work experience or field work, with the approval of the Academic Dean.

Developmental Studies
The College offers developmental courses in reading, writing, and math. These courses are designed to help students whose academic skills need improvement before they take required courses in their programs of study. All developmental classes provide individual support and concentrate on the specific skills students need for academic success. Areas of emphasis for each course are covered under course descriptions.

First Year Experience
This three-credit course is designed to help new college students meet the expectations of college life. Prerequisite(s) for the course require completion of ESL* K060 and ESL* K061, if appropriate.

For additional information regarding the First Year Experience, refer to www.trcc.commnet.edu/academics/first_yr_exp.htm or e-mail whare@trcc.commnet.edu or call the First Year Experience Coordinator at (860) 383-5216.

Independent Study
In specific areas sanctioned by the College, the College offers a program of independent study. Topics vary with the student and the subject. The student works with the approval and under the direct supervision of a faculty member specifically qualified in the area of the student’s interest. Independent study courses are by written contract between the student and the instructor. Contract and registration forms are available only from the Office of the Academic Dean. Completed independent study registration forms must be submitted to the Office of the Academic Dean for approval prior to submission to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Practicum
In subjects approved by the faculty and relevant to a student’s program, academic credit may be granted for practical experience that enhances performance, requires the application of learning, or integrates theory and practice. Work experience in practicum courses is always accompanied by seminar sessions or meetings with the faculty, formal reading and/or writing assignments and evaluation of academic as well as work performance.

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Receiving Credit by Transfer
Students seeking Credit by Transfer are responsible for providing OFFICIAL records from their transferring institution, including college transcripts, military records, and external examination score reports. OFFICIAL records must be sent directly from the transferring institution to the College’s Registrars Office. Hand-carried documents, although useful at an initial admissions conference, are not accepted for official evaluation of transfer credit.

Credit by transfer is normally evaluated during the semester in which the student is admitted (or readmitted) and registered as a degree-seeking student. Once the transfer credits are evaluated, the student receives a course history report showing the transferred credits. Students are advised to consult with their academic advisor for the application of this transfer credit to the student’s particular Plan of Study.

Students planning to graduate, who are not currently registered, are advised to request transfer evaluation of credits needed to complete graduation requirements (which are not reflected on the student’s transcript).

For Liberals Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Career plans of study, there is no time limit on previously earned credits in transfer. Technical courses five years or older may not be accepted into technology plan of study. Students are reminded, however, that acceptance of all transfer credit is at the discretion of the College.

1. Credit from Other Collegiate Institutions
At all the community colleges, degree and certificate credit shall be granted only for credit courses completed at all institutions within the Connecticut state system of higher education and at all other collegiate institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as either a Regional Accrediting Organization or a Specialized and Professional Accrediting Organization in accordance with the following:

a. Degree and certificate credit shall be granted for all credit courses that are applicable to the objectives of, or equivalent to the course requirements of the curriculum in which the transferring student enrolls. Credit work that is not applicable or equivalent to curriculum requirements shall be accepted for credit at the discretion of the College. Degree and certificate credit shall also be granted on the basis of performance on examinations in accordance with standards and limits approved by the board of trustees.

b. Degree and certificate credits shall be granted for credit courses completed with a letter grade of "C-minus" or better, or with a grade of "P" (Pass) with the following exceptions: all technology programs and the Nursing Program where a "C" grade or better is required. Such credit courses shall be accepted only for credit, and letter grades assigned by other institutions shall not be recorded or included in computations of student grade point averages.

c. Notwithstanding the number of degree credits which shall be granted in accordance with the foregoing, the student must complete at least 25% of the minimum credit requirements for the degree or certificate requirements through course work at the college awarding the degree or certificate.

d. When a student seeks transfer credit for technical or specialty courses into a program that is also accredited by a national or regional specialized accrediting agency such credits must be from a comparably accredited program. In the case of a request for transfer credit for technical or specialty courses from a non-specialty accredited program, the college shall provide appropriate means for the validation of the student’s competency in the technical specialty course areas. TAC/ABET-accredited programs, such technical specialty credits should be from TAC/ABET-accredited programs.

2. Credit for Recognized Courses from Non-Collegiate Organizations
Students who have completed courses sponsored by employers, government agencies, labor unions, and professional associations may be eligible for transfer credit. The award of credit is based on the recommendations in the American Council on Education’s (ACE) National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Noncollegiate Courses, The National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction’s (PONSI) College Credit Recommendations, and Charter Oak State College’s Connecticut Credit Assessment Program Course Reviews.

a. Credit may be awarded for military training, ratings and occupational specialties as recommended in the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

b. Credit may also be awarded for work completed in specific areas at non-collegiate institutions if formal approval has been sought and granted by the Connecticut Community Technical Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. Only an institution may apply for recognition of non-collegiate work, not an individual student.

3. Completing Degree Requirements at Other Colleges
Students enrolled in a degree program who wish to complete Three Rivers’ degree requirements at other colleges or universities should request approval, when possible, from their advisor before undertaking such work. This procedure is referred to as "reverse transfer."

4. Credit By Examination
Credit by examination may be recognized if applicable to the degree or certificate program in which a student is enrolled. Any credit earned by examination is recorded on the student’s transcript as semester hours but without grades and grade points.

a. External Examinations
Three Rivers awards credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) General and Subject Examinations and DANTES Standardized Tests according to the applicable college policy, which is based on the American Council on Education’s credit recommendations.

The specific policy for awarding credit in the foreign languages follows: Students can receive academic credit for proficiency in the languages offered at Three Rivers (French and Spanish). They can receive up to six academic credits for proficiency in Elementary French I and II and Elementary Spanish I and II by taking the CLEP standardized test. If the student’s CLEP score entitles him or her to twelve credits, the additional six credits will be awarded as Language Electives. Or, if they wish, they may receive academic credit for Intermediate Spanish I and II and Intermediate French I and II (third and fourth semester Spanish and French) by taking an institutional exam.

CLEP and DANTES tests are administered at Three Rivers during the fall and spring semesters. Contact the Student Development Office for information about this program.

b. Internal (Challenge) Examinations

In specific areas sanctioned by the College, a student may, on the basis of previous study and experience and at the discretion of the department chairperson involved, take a special examination for credit for a course without having enrolled in that course. The student is not permitted to earn credit by examination in a course in which he or she has already received a grade.

5. Advanced Placement Examinations
Three Rivers also grants credit for Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Examination Entrance Board with scores of 3 or above according to current college policy.

6. Credit For Prior Learning Through Portfolio Development
Students who plan to apply for such credit must enroll in a four-credit course entitled COU K122: Portfolio Development. The student develops a portfolio in which he or she describes the learning acquired through prior experiences, specifies learning outcomes, provides appropriate documentation, and requests college credit for that learning. An Assessment Committee reviews and evaluates the portfolio and then determines how many credits the student should receive. The credits gained through this evaluation process are applicable towards an associate degree at Three Rivers. A minimum of 25% (15 credits for career programs and 17 credits for technology programs) must be granted in residence by Three Rivers.

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Honors Program
The Three Rivers Community College Honors Program is designed to provide academically talented and motivated students an opportunity to develop their intellectual skills through challenging work that emphasizes critical and analytical thinking.

In addition to developing advanced academic skills, students enrolled in the Honors program will benefit from the following:

• Early course registration
• Honors designation on transcripts
• Honors seminars or colloquiums
• Invitation to special events and programs
• Personal letters of recommendation

Students who graduate from the program may also be eligible for:

• Honors recognition at Commencement
• Honors Diploma
• Honors Alumni activities

In addition, it is the intent of the program to develop articulation agreements with private and state colleges and universities

Admission Requirements:
A student wishing to participate in the Honors program must have a 3.5 high school cumulative GPA or a 3.5 college GPA based on a minimum of 12 credit hours. Two letters of recommendation must accompany the application, followed by a personal interview with the program coordinator and/or the program advisory panel. In addition, students must score at the MAT* K137/ENG* K101 level of the placement exams or have successfully completed those courses. Students may enter the program at the start of any semester and must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in order to remain in good standing.

Program Requirements:
Any student who meets the acceptance criteria may participate in the program. However, those who intend to graduate from the program must fulfill the following:

• Complete the requirements for an Associate’s Degree with a minimum 3.5 GPA
• Complete 4 Honors Contracts (minimum of 12 credits) with grade of B+ or higher

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Class Attendance Policy
Instructional staff assigned to all sections of credit bearing courses at Three Rivers are required to take attendance at each class meeting and retain accurate records of attendance for at least three calendar years. The manner in which attendance is taken is determined at the professional discretion of the instructor. In certain instances, these records are furnished to the Financial Aid Office and the International Student advisor.

Administrative Notations and Administrative Notations Grade Points for Courses
At the end of each semester, students receive grades in every course in which they are enrolled. Grades represent various levels of accomplishment. Except for developmental courses, grades carry certain "grade points", which are numerical expressions used to determine each student’s academic standing.

Non-Academic Grades (no grade points)

AU - Audit
An administrative transcript notation for students auditing a course. Students not wishing credit may audit a course. This status will allow them to participate in class activities without being required to meet the examination requirements of the course. Students may ask to have papers critiqued, but faculty members are not required to grade an auditor’s course work. Full tuition and fees are charged for courses audited. A student who wishes to change from credit to audit status must request this within the first four weeks of the course, using such forms and procedures as the college may prescribe. Students auditing a course may not change to credit status.

I - Incomplete
A temporary grade assigned by the faculty member when course work is missing and the student agrees to complete the requirements. The student and instructor both must sign a contract to permit an "incomplete" grade. The contract will denote what must be completed to resolve the "I" grade. The "I" must be resolved by the end of the 10th week of the next academic semester (except summer) or it automatically converts to an "F" or "NC" for incomplete (remedial) courses.

N - No Grade
An administrative transcript notation for any situation where there is no grade reported at the end of the traditional semester (i.e., no grade received from a faculty member, courses in progress, or no basis for a grade). The "N" grade can only be awarded by the Registrar.

P - Pass
An administrative transcript notation for successful completion of courses taken on a pass/fail basis. Pass ("P") is a final grade awarded to a student who elects the P/F Option prior to the end of the 10th week of the fall or spring semester or prior to the completion of two-thirds of a summer session or module course. The "P" is not figured in the Grade Point Average, but it does count as a course attempted. The "F" is figured in the Grade Point Average. The Pass/Fail Option is not available for use on courses to be applied toward a technology degree or for courses in the Nursing Program. The P/F option is irrevocable.

TR - Transfer
An administrative transcript notation in lieu of a grade for courses accepted for credit completed at all institutions within the Connecticut state system of higher education and at all other regionally accredited collegiate institutions in accordance with policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of Community-Technical Colleges.

W - Withdrawal
An administrative transcript notation used to indicate that a student is withdrawn from a course in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the college. Students may withdraw, in writing or verbally at the Registrar’s Office, for any reason until the end of the 13th week of classes. Financial aid students and International students withdrawing from all courses must notify respectively the Financial Aid Office and the International Student advisor through the end of the semester.

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Grades For Developmental Courses
Developmental courses do not carry grade points, and the credits assigned to these courses do not count towards the required credits necessary for graduation.

Developmental courses are graded A#, A-#, B+#, B#, B-#, C+#, C#, C-#, D+#, D#, D-#, and F#, and are not calculated in the Grade Point Average.

Grades received and credits earned or not earned in developmental courses do not affect graduation honors in any way, positively or negatively. Credits received in developmental courses do not count towards graduation and consequently cannot be applied towards the 25% minimum residency requirement.

Grades For Credit-Free Courses
CS         Completed satisfactorily, eligible for CEU as assigned.
CU         Completed unsatisfactorily, not eligible for CEU award.
CX         Course not completed by student.
CN         Indicates no grade assigned by instructor.

Repeated Courses
Effective Fall 2002, the repeat policy is: No course may be repeated more than twice. The highest grade received will be used in calculating the student’s academic average. This does not apply to those courses that are designed to be repeated for additional credit.

From Fall 1995 through Summer 2001, the repeat policy was a student may repeat any course, regardless of the grade received. In every instance, the last grade received will become the valid grade for computation of the Grade Point Average (GPA). All grades still appear on the transcript, with the annotation "E" for excluded after the first attempted course grade. The meaning of "E" is that the grade points associated with the grade have been excluded from the GPA calculation. Credit for any given course is awarded only once.

For the benefit of all students who repeated courses during the period of Fall 1993 through Summer 1995, the earlier restriction on repeating courses graded "C" or better has been removed. The revised policy of unrestricted repeats introduced with the Fall 1995 semester has been applied retroactively to those students who received an unauthorized repeat symbol instead of an earned grade for the repeated course. Affected students will now receive the last earned grade for the course and the associated grade points will be used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Any students negatively impacted by the retroactive change in policy may petition the Academic Dean for individual review of their academic record.

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The Grade Point Average (GPA)
The GPA is used to determine a student’s standing in his or her class and in the College generally. Total grade points for a semester are calculated by multiplying the grade points allocated to each letter grade times the number of credits (in semester hours) assigned to each course attempted. The GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of credits earned, either in one semester or over the student’s entire college career.

For example:

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Standards of Progress
Academic Progress Standard #1 - Academic Standing (ASTD)
Beginning with Fall 2004, academic standing is calculated based on cumulative GPA hours (rather than attempted hours) and the student’s overall GPA. Courses with the # and ^ sign and N, W, I, AU (Audit), and P (Pass) are excluded from the calculation.

Students who have been placed on academic probation for one semester and who have not attained the overall GPA to move back into good standing will be placed on suspension.

The progress evaluation percentage is calculated as follows:

(Total cumulative credits minus credits that have been graded as non-completions) divided by total cumulative credits

For example, if a NEW student takes four three-credit courses this fall and receives grades of C, B, F and W, then the calculation will be: (12-6) divided by 12 = ½ or 50%. The student will be in good standing because they have successfully completed a minimum of 50% of total credits.

Combined Academic Standing
Effective with Fall 2004 grading, the combined academic standing will determine whether a student can continue taking courses for the next term with no restrictions (Good Standing), with a limited credit load (Written Warning or Probation) or if the student is suspended from taking any classes for the minimum of one term. The possible permutations of Academic Standing and Progress Evaluation descriptions and the resultant combined academic standing are shown below.

Academic Standing + Progress Evaluation = Combined Academic Standing

Students who fail to regain satisfactory academic progress at the conclusion of the GPA Probation semester will be subject to GPA Suspension. Suspension can result in ineligibility to return to the college for a minimum of one semester.

Students placed on academic probation or suspension who believe extenuating circumstances affected their performance, including financial aid recipients who have their funding suspended due to unsatisfactory academic progress, may submit a written letter of appeal to the Academic Dean.

Academic Warning, Probation and Suspension Policy
• Satisfactory academic progress will be evaluated by the College when a student is registered at Three Rivers (including all registered credits at the former Mohegan Community College and Thames Valley State Technical College).

• Students who have completed 11 or fewer credits whose Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) falls below 1.5 will be given a Written Warning.

• Students who have completed between 12 and 30 credits inclusive whose CGPA falls below 1.7 and those who have completed 31 or more credits whose CGPA falls below 1.9, will be given a written notice that they are placed on Academic Probation. Students will receive written notification of the academic probation status and will be required to reduce their registered course load for the next enrollment period. Financial Aid recipients placed on academic probation will also have their funding suspended until they regain satisfactory academic progress.

• Students who fail to regain satisfactory academic progress at the conclusion of the Academic Probation Semester will be subject to Academic Suspension from the College for a minimum of one semester.

• Students placed on Academic Probation or Suspension who believe extenuating circumstances affected their performance, including financial aid recipients who have their funding suspended due to unsatisfactory academic progress, may submit a written letter of appeal to the Academic Dean.

Reinstatement of Suspended Students
Suspended students who are reinstated to the College must satisfactorily complete all course work and achieve a minimum semester grade point average of 1.7 or higher each semester following their reinstatement until they regain satisfactory academic standing. Students who do not meet these criteria shall again be subject to suspension from the College. Subsequent reinstatement requests must be submitted to the Academic Dean.

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Academic Honors
At the conclusion of each fall and spring semester, Three Rivers publishes a Dean’s List recognizing students who earned three (3) credits or more in that semester and demonstrated exceptional academic performance.

Dean’s List
Students who earn a 3.40 or higher semester GPA will be awarded Dean’s List Honors.

Students are ineligible for academic honors consideration in a given semester if they have:

1. a grade of "I" (Incomplete)

2. a grade of "W" (Withdrawal)

Courses with grades of "P" (Pass), "AU" (Audit) and all earned credit for developmental courses are not counted in honors calculation.

Graduation Honors
Required cumulative grade point averages:

• For Cum Laude (honors): 3.4 - 3.699 cumulative GPA

• For Magna Cum Laude (high honors): 3.7 - 3.89 cumulative GPA

• For Summa Cum Laude (highest honors): 3.9 - 4.0 cumulative GPA

Graduation Honors for Associate Degree

Summa Cum Laude
To graduate with highest honors, a student must have completed a minimum of 25% of the AS degree requirements with earned credits at Three Rivers Community College, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher.

Magna Cum Laude
To graduate with high honors, a student must have completed a minimum of 25% of the AS degree requirements with earned credits at Three Rivers Community College, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.70 - 3.89.

Cum Laude
To graduate with honors, a student must have completed a minimum of 25% of the AS degree requirements with earned credits at Three Rivers Community College, and achieved at least a cumulative GPA of 3.4.

An incomplete grade for any class during the semester will make the student ineligible for honors at the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Honors for Certificate

Summa Cum Laude
To graduate with highest honors, a student must have completed a minimum of 50% of the certificate requirements with earned credits at Three Rivers Community College, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher.

Magna Cum Laude
To graduate with high honors, a student must have completed a minimum of 50% of the certificate requirements with earned credits at Three Rivers Community College, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.70 - 3.89.

Cum Laude
To graduate with honors, a student must have completed a minimum of 50% of the certificate requirements with earned credits at Three Rivers Community College, and achieved at least a cumulative GPA of 3.4.

An incomplete grade for any class during the semester will make the student ineligible for honors at the graduation ceremony.

Fresh Start
The Fresh Start Option permits a fresh start for students who have been away from the College for two (2) or more years, who would return on probation or have been suspended, and who have a GPA (Grade Point Average) of less than 2.00.

If approved, the student will receive credit for the courses with a grade of "C-" or above (> = 1.70), including "P" (Pass). Courses with a grade less than a "C-" will not retain credit. All courses and grades remain on the student’s academic record with an additional notation of when the Fresh Start Option is in effect but grades are not incorporated in the GPA.

• Fresh Start Option may be used only once.
• Fresh Start Option does not apply to any completed degree or certificates.
• Fresh Start must be applied to ALL courses taken during the time span under consideration, even if completed satisfactorily.
• A student must complete a minimum of 15 credits after returning to college under the Fresh Start Option to be eligible for a degree or certificate, and for graduation honors.

Academic Integrity Policy (revised 8 January 2003)
The effective operation of any organization is dependent on the honesty and goodwill of its members. In an organization devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, acting with integrity is essential to effective teaching and learning. Furthermore, academic dishonesty erodes the legitimacy of every degree awarded by the College. To emphasize the importance of academic integrity, Three Rivers Community College adheres to the following policy in addition to the Student Discipline Policy, sections 2:10 and 3:1-10, as provided by the Board of Trustees of Connecticut Community Colleges. Since collaboration is central to the learning community, Three Rivers wishes to emphasize that this policy is not intended to discourage collaboration when appropriate, approved, and disclosed.

Definitions of Academic Dishonesty
General Definition
(Student Discipline Policy, section 2:1