Student Handbook 2010-2011 - Holyoke Community College

Fresh Start students attending in summer 2008 or laterwill have one continuous academic record (transcript)of all courses taken before and after the election of FreshStart. Earlier Fresh Start students will have two records,Undergraduate and Fresh Start. For more information aboutFresh Start, contact Academic Affairs (FR 321, (413) 552-2770).Incomplete GradesIf a student is temporarily unable to complete final courserequirements due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness),an instructor may agree to issue a grade of “I” (Incomplete).It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor tomake arrangements for completion and submission of thework due.A student may not take a course if he or she has an “I” gradein the prerequisite course —for example, a student withan “I” grade in ENG 101 may not take ENG 102. Studentsare urged to finish incomplete work as soon as possible,though the final deadline is the mid-term date of the followingsemester. If the work is not completed by that time,an administrative failure (“F”) grade will be recorded for thecourse. Degree candidates with “I” grades must complete allremaining work prior to the date of their anticipated graduation.Otherwise, the graduation date recorded will be thenext future date. For more information on incomplete gradesor how they affect graduation, contact the Student RecordsOffice in the Welcome Center at FR 221, (413) 552-2319.Placement TestingHolyoke Community College assesses all newly admittedstudents before they schedule classes for their first semesterof study. The purpose of these required tests is to assessachievement in the basic skills of reading, writing, andmathematics. Students who do not demonstrate collegelevelbasic skills are required to take developmental coursesthat are designed to improve the skills needed to be successfulin college. The Office of Admissions and TransferAffairs notifies students of the dates and locations of placementtests after they are admitted to the college. No credittoward graduation is awarded for developmental courses. TheAssessment Center is located in FR 271, (413) 522-2055.If a student’s English or Math placement test scores aremore than two years old, and the student has not beenenrolled in a related Math or English course, a retest isrequired.Retest ProceduresEnglish Placement Test menttests only once per academic year. of the English placement test, but not the writingportion, may write a sample essay that willbe evaluated by the English Department. Ifthe readers of the sample essay agree that thesample is of ENG 101 quality, the student willbe placed in ENG 101. Developmental English may not retake theplacement test that semester without theEnglish instructor’s permission.Math Placement Test those who think they might place higher areencouraged to take the test a second time.New Students. Prior to enrolling at HCC and duringthe Add/Drop period of the student’s first semester,the student may take the math placement testno more than two times (for initial course placement).Continuing Students. Any student who is enrolledat HCC (regardless of whether he/she is currentlytaking a mathematics course) may take the mathplacement test up to two times during each semester. the Add/Drop period, the results will not becomeeffective for course placement until the followingsemester.Registration for ClassesPriority RegistrationThere are two Priority Registration periods for current students:one in March/April (for the fall semester) and inOctober/November (for the spring semester). Exact datesare listed in the Academic Calendar posted on the college’swebsite.Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor and preregisterfor courses during Priority Registration. HCC providesacademic advising to all students. Students can lookup their advisors name and contact information online atwww.hcc.edu. Select the link labeled “MY HCC” then clickon “My Online Services.” Or visit the Welcome Center (FR221). Students not assigned an advisor can meet with anEducational Planner in the Advising Center (FR 271).Registration and Schedule Changes using My OnlineServicesStudents enrolled in the current term may schedule andadd/drop courses online during the Self-Service registrationperiod. Students need to obtain an alternate PIN from theiradvisor and enter that PIN online to access registration.Students enrolled in only evening or online courses canaccess advising and receive an alternate PIN in the AdvisingCenter.NOTE: Students who have earned 24 or more HCC credits(excluding transfer) and who have a cumulative HCC GPA of2.5 or higher may schedule, add, and drop courses online with-29