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Policies and Procedures

Inclement Weather Policy Harassment Policy
Adding/Exchanging Courses Academic Honest
Co-Curricular Activities
Incomplete Grades Outcomes Assessment
Refunds

TO THE STUDENT: Every college has its policies and procedures. We have our policies too, and we strongly urge you to read the catalogue and other materials in your new student packet so that you will be informed about your education. We would like to make your life here as easy as possible, so we have summarized the most important policies for a student to know. Familiarity with these policies will help you take full advantage of your education at Garrett.

Inclement Weather Policy
Garrett College has implemented the following class cancellation procedures in order to serve the students, faculty, and staff. The College administration will use its best judgment in determining a delayed opening or closing of the College campus. Since Garrett County covers a large area in square miles, weather and/or road conditions may vary. Therefore, the final judgment on traveling to class or work shall be the responsibility of the individual student or the employee, but college expectations for work and study will be uniform.

When inclement weather occurs, the following possibilities will exist:

Announcement Interpretation of the Announcement** Announcement Deadline
Closed Only essential employees report to work. 7:00 a.m.
Garrett College will open at 11:30 a.m. Employees report at 11:30 a.m. Classes with a start time after 11:30 a.m. meet as scheduled. 7:00 a.m.
Garrett College
will close at
12:00 Noon.
Classes with a start time after 11:30 a.m.
will not meet.
10:00 a.m.
Garrett College will close at 4:30 p.m. Classes with a start time after 4:30 p.m.
will not meet.
3:00 p.m.

**Please note that only essential employees are to be on GC Property during any of the above closing times.

Garrett College Weather-Info Hotline 301-387-3198.

Announcements will be broadcast over the following Radio & Television stations.

Radio    

WWHC (92.3 FM)

WKGO (106 FM)

WMSG (1050 AM)

WFRB (105.3 FM)

WQZK (Q94 FM)

WTBO (1450 AM)

WKMM (96.7 FM)

WKKW (1440 AM)

WVAQ (101.9 FM)

WAJR (97.9 FM)

WKHJ (104.5 FM)

 

Television    
KDKA - Channel 2- Pittsburgh, PA  
Internet    
www.garrettcollege.edu www.kdka.com www.kdkaradio.com
Phone    

Garrett College Weather-Info Hotline 301-387-3198

ADDING AND EXCHANGING COURSES: Garrett allows you to add a course to your schedule or to switch courses during the first week of classes. This policy gives you some flexibility in choosing your course schedule. Contact your advisor should you wish to add or exchange classes; all adds or changes to your schedule must be processed in the Office of the Director of Records & Registration.

DROPPING AND WITHDRAWING: Garrett gives students an opportunity to drop a course or all courses WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY provided that the courses are dropped BEFORE THE LAST DATE TO DROP/WITHDRAW. This date usually occurs at the end of the fourth week of the semester but prior to mid-term. Drops will not be accepted after the published drop/withdrawal date. Consult with your advisor prior to taking action. All drops MUST be processed in the office of the Director of Records & Registration.

YOU MUST DROP OR WITHDRAW IN WRITING: Never discontinue your attendance without taking official steps. DROPPING courses and WITHDRAWING FROM COLLEGE is your responsibility; it is also your responsibility to make yourself aware of the published refund dates. All drops and withdrawals MUST be done in person and/or in writing. REMEMBER, you have not officially dropped or withdrawn officially unless you have processed OFFICIAL FORMS IN THE office of the Director of Records & Registration. Failure to complete official paperwork usually results in F's ON YOUR RECORD.

INCOMPLETE GRADES: Sometimes extraordinary extenuating circumstances like serious illness or death in the family may interrupt your education and put you behind to the point that you are unable to complete your course assignments by the end of the regular semester. In such instances you may request an "Incomplete" from your instructor. If s/he agrees, you will be granted an extension of time (limited to one semester) to finish your course work, otherwise "incomplete" becomes an "F" on the record at the end of the following semester.

MINIMUM GRADES: To graduate from Garrett, you must have a minimum 2.0 (C) average. Although "D" grades will count toward graduation, they are unsatisfactory and contribute to a cumulative average below minimum standards. "D" grades often do not transfer and may mean repeating a course when admitted to another college/university.

CODE OF CONDUCT: Garrett strives to be a community of people working and studying together in harmony and mutual respect. Each member of the community is expected to adhere to standards of conduct that acknowledge the rights of others and the integrity of academic study. The College publishes its Code of Student Conduct in the College Catalog provided to you in your student packet. You are responsible for knowing the Code and adhering to it. Some main points to keep in mind are these: students are not permitted to steal, cheat or plagiarize, harm or threaten persons or property; disrupt the academic process or college activities, procedures, or tranquility; possess or use alcohol or controlled substances on campus; enter unauthorized areas of the campus or fail to identify themselves when requested to do so by a college official.

SEXUAL ASSAULT/HARASSMENT POLICY: Garrett College's sexual assault policy defines "sexual assault" as (1) verbal or physical attacks or abuse of a sexual nature or (2) pressure for sexual favors. The "sexual harassment" policy states that sexual harassment is defined as (1) sexual involvement with an individual followed by threats concerning one's education or employment, (2) unwelcome remarks or gestures with sexual connotations toward an individual, and (3) unwelcome touching. Any substantiated charges against a student of the college will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the college.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: All students at Garrett College are expected to adhere to a code of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of the code of academic honesty, as stated in the Code of Student Conduct, include all forms of cheating (giving or taking answers), plagiarism, and misuse of college documents or instruments. Students found to be in violation of the code of academic honesty will receive an "F" in the course in which dishonesty occurred and will be expelled from all other courses. The student will be academically suspended from Garrett College for a minimum of one semester. Additional penalties may be incurred as each violation is investigated and reviewed on an individual basis.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Garrett believes that involvement in co-curricular activities and events is a vital part of the collegiate experience and an important component of learning. Garrett schedules activities and events each semester which enrich students' learning experiences. These activities include lectures, field trips, theatre productions, and musical events. All students earning an associate's degree from Garrett must have eight approved co-curricular credits as a requirement for graduation. Students transferring credits to Garrett from another institution will have the number of credits required for graduation prorated.

GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT: In compliance with the Middle States Accreditation requirement that all institutions of higher education assess student learning in general education courses prior to degree completion, Garrett administers an Outcomes Assessment test in April and May for its prospective graduates (degree awards only). The purpose of this assessment is to gather data on student learning in general education at Garrett. Results permit the College to evaluate curriculum and instruction at the institution and to determine academic areas that need to be strengthened.

Although a student's performance on the Outcomes Assessment test will not alter his or her graduation status, it is an institutional requirement. The assessment will be administered on several different days and times in April and May to accommodate students' work schedules and family responsibilities. Garrett will make every effort to assure that the test will be given at reasonable and convenient times. Only in very extraordinary and extenuating circumstances will students be scheduled for individual testing. Students who would like to be informed of their performance on the test may request this information. The results will be available at Garrett in July of the graduation year. Test results and student's placement within the group of persons tested may be obtained by written request at the time of testing.

SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS: In an effort to promote wellness of our college community, there is No Smoking on the Garrett campus. The exception is your private vehicle. Also, other non-smoke tobacco products are forbidden. We appreciate your cooperation!

DRUG/ALCOHOL FREE CAMPUS: It is the policy of Garrett to maintain a drug and alcohol free campus. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispersing, possession or use of a controlled substance, and the abuse of other substances (including but not limited to alcohol) by any student of the College is prohibited.

THE DRUG/ALCOHOL ABUSE POLICY and the CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT included in the College Catalog detail all of the information necessary regarding this important aspect of your educational experience. You are encouraged to read both documents and to get in touch with your advisor or any member of the faculty, staff, or administration if you have questions or concerns.

REFUNDS: Students may obtain refunds depending on the time that they withdraw from a course as follows:

Through the end of the official registration period: 100%

Through the end of the 15th calendar day after start of classes: 75%
Through the end of the 21st calendar day after start of classes: 50%
Through the end of the 28th calendar day after start of classes: 25%
(But not after the last date to withdraw.)

These dates are proportionately adjusted for summer classes and other special schedules.
NOTE: Refunds pertain only to tuition. FEES ARE ALWAYS NON REFUNDABLE.
NOTE: Refunds take 4-6 weeks to process.

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