Student Handbook - San Diego Mesa College

36
COLLEGE POLICIES & PROCEDURES
ACADEMIC
ACCOMMODATION
FOR STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES
Policy 3105
Students with verified disabilities have the
right to receive academic accomodations as
specified in the Americans with Disabilities
Act and Section 504 of the Federal
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Policy 3100,
Section 1.10). Students are responsible
for providing written verification of their
disability.
Students are encouraged to consult
with a Disability Support Programs and
Services (DSPS) counselor to request
accomodations a few months in advance
of class enrollment. Students must follow
procedural requirements established by
DSPS.
Students with verified disabilities who
believe they need accomodations are
encouraged to identify themselves to their
instructors to discuss the details and time
lines necessary to provide appropriate
accommodations.
Accommodation Procedures,
Grievance Process
The College has developed written, informal
procedures for processing requests for
academic accommodation. When problems
or differences occur, the persons involved
should first follow informal procedures in
resolving the problem. Should the informal
processes fail, then the student requesting
accommodation may file an official
grievance with the college grievance officer
and use the student grievance procedures
as outlined in Procedures 3105.1.
For additional information, contact
the DSPS Office, the 504 Officer, Pam
Chapman, (619-388-2254, F-208A), or the
Dean of Student Affairs.
Service Animals — Procedure 3105.2
Qualified students with disabilities may
use service animals at district facilities
and campuses in compliance with state
and federal law. Service animals perform
some of the functions and tasks that an
individual with a disability cannot perform
by themselves.
For additional information, refer to
SDCCD Procedure 3105.2 or contact the
DSPS Office (H-202, 619-388-2780).
ACADEMIC RENEWAL
Policy 3910
Academic Renewal
by Course Repetition
A student who receives a substandard
grade (“D” or “F” or “NC”) in a course
may repeat that course and have a new
grade replace the substandard grade in
the district’s computation of all GPAs.
Students may receive a maximum of three
letter grades or symbols in most courses.
Exceptions exist for courses designated
as “repeatable” in the catalog. Exception
to this policy: because of federal regulations,
the Financial Aid Office does not use the
recalculated GPA for its purposes. Therefore
Academic Renewal will not positively affect
students’ financial aid eligibility or standing.
Procedure:
• Registration for a course in which two
grades of “D” or “F” or “NP” have been
received will be allowed by Reg-e.
At the end of the semester, the academic
renewal will automatically be processed.
Students who have taken and repeated
coursework in the past for which academic
renewal has not been done should submit a
Petition for Academic Renewal by Course
Repetition in the Evaluations Office.
Academic Renewal
Without Course Repetition
A student who has a record of substandard
coursework which does not reflect the
student’s present demonstrated ability,
may petition to have the substandard
coursework disregarded in the district’s
computation of all GPAs. A maximum of 12
units or one complete semester, whichever
is greater, may be disregarded. Exception
to this policy: because of federal regulations,
the Financial Aid Office does not use the
recalculated GPA for its purposes. Therefore,
Academic Renewal will not positively affect
students’ financial aid eligibility or standing.
Procedure:
• Students must see a counselor when
completing the form.
• Student files a completed “Petition for
Academic Renewal Without Course
Repetition” in the Evaluations Office,
MV-20.
• Official transcripts from all institutions
attended must be on file in the Records
Office.
• Once all documentation is in order, the
evaluators will determine whether all
conditions for academic renewal without
course repetition have been met. These
conditions are listed on the petition form.
If the petition is approved the student’s
academic record will be annotated
to indicate academic renewal for the
appropriate term(s).
Students will be sent a copy of the
petition indicating the decision after the
process is completed.
Please Note: In all cases of academic
renewal, the original courses and grades
will remain on the transcript with a code
in the reference column that indicates
academic renewal has been applied to
those courses. Once petition is approved
the action is not reversible.
ACADEMIC
STANDARDS POLICIES
Strategies for Academic Success
• Meet with a counselor to develop a
Student Education Plan. Transcripts from
all colleges previously attended must be
on file prior to scheduling a counseling
appointment.
• Enroll in Personal Growth courses to