Catalog 2010-2011 - South Texas College

DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIESPROGRAMSouth Texas College offers students the opportunityto develop college-level skills in mathematics,reading, writing and college success.Based on the results of an Alternative Exam;i.e., ACCUPLACER, ASSET, COMPASS, and/or THEA, students are placed in the appropriateDevelopmental Studies courses if the coursesare required.Students who do not pass one of the state-requiredAlternative Exam(s) must continue to remainin Developmental Studies courses (in whichdeficiencies have been identified) until they passall three sections of an Alternative Exam.Failure to remain in a Developmental Studiescourse will result in the students’ compulsorywithdrawal from all college courses.The Center for Learning Excellence is anothermeans by which Developmental Studies studentsreceive individualized tutoring in most subjectareas.The Center for Learning Excellence is equippedwith computer, printers and software for thosestudents who need to work on college papers orprepare for an Alternative Exam (ACCUPLACER,ASSET, COMPASS, and/or THEA).STUDENT ABSENCES ONRELIGIOUS HOLY DAYSSouth Texas College shall excuse a student fromattending classes or other required activities,including examinations, for the observance of areligious holy day, including travel for that purpose.A student whose absence is excused may not bepenalized for that absence and shall be allowed totake an examination or complete an assignmentfrom which the student is excused within one weekafter the absence.A student who is excused may not be penalized forthe absence, but the instructor may appropriatelyrespond if the student fails to satisfactorilycomplete the assignment or examination.The student must notify the instructor(s) in writingof the proposed absence using a form providedby the institution no later than the 15th day ofthe fall or spring semester and the fifth day of thesummer term, during which the approved absenceis being requested.In some cases, a letter of verification of theobserved holy day from the religious institution maybe required. Forms are available in the office ofAdmissions and Records at each campus.ATTENDANCE POLICYRegular and punctual class attendance is importantto the attainment of the educational objectives ofthe College. In some cases, an instructor willhave additional attendance guidelines withadministrative approval which will be consistentwith the fundamental policy but will fulfill individualcourse requirements.The policy will be explained in detail to the class atthe beginning of the semester and will be includedin the course syllabus. The attendance policy iseffective on the first official day of classes.The South Texas College policy states:As a premier learning-centered highereducation institution, student attendanceand participation is paramount to academicsuccess; therefore, regular and punctualattendance in class and laboratories isexpected of all students.It is the student's responsibility tocommunicate with the faculty memberconcerning any absence as specified by therespective course syllabus. The student maybe required to present evidence to supportan absence and make-up work for classabsences will be permitted only as specifiedby the faculty in the course syllabus.Dropping a course is the responsibility of thestudent and not taking the appropriate stepsmay result in an "F" for the course.In addition to Division based guidelinesrelated to attendance, faculty may dropstudents, prior to the withdrawal deadlinewhen, in the opinion of the faculty, thestudent would have difficulty in successfullycompleting the course.STUDENT CODEOF CONDUCTDetailed information regarding South TexasCollege's expectations for students is presentedin the Student Code of Conduct.The Student Code of Conduct is an articulation ofSouth Texas College’s commitment to maintainingan environment that recognizes and supportsthe rights of its students and provides a guidefor defining behaviors the College considersinappropriate.The Student Code of Conduct is available in theStudent Handbook, which can be found online atstudentservices.southtexascollege.edu/studentlifeor by contacting the Conflict Resolution Center at956-872-2180.42