Student Handbook
Academic Programs & Student Learning
York College is dedicated to serving the needs of its students by providing a quality learning experience which prepares graduates for productive roles in society. The York community of learners shares the common bond of active participation in the educational, social, and service activities of the College. At York, we believe the collegiate experience for students should facilitate both intellectual and personal growth, and encourage the development of life long learning skills.
In support of this philosophy, the College offers a program of studies which provides degree options in over 50 academic disciplines. Of equal importance, the College requires all students to complete a general education curriculum which includes courses in English and Communication skills, Information Literacy, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Humanities and Fine Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Foreign Languages and Foreign Culture, American Civilization, and Physical Education.
STUDENT CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACADEMIC STANDARDS
ACADEMIC ADVISING AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
Academic Advising is an essential process in the college setting. Upon entering York College, every matriculated student is assigned an academic advisor who, through experience, professional background, and example, is qualified to assist the student in planning the coursework for the program of study, in developing strategies for academic success, and in providing guidance and information in preparation for the student's career and life goals. Academic advisors are available during their regularly scheduled office hours when the College is in session in the fall and spring semesters or by appointment at other times. In addition, other academic support services are offered through Academic Advising, Advising Center, Registrar, Records, Adult Learner Center, and Career Services Center.
While academic advising assists students in their academic planning, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to meet the academic requirements for graduation. Each student is expected to meet regularly with his or her advisor to discuss the development and implementation of a plan of short and long-term academic goals. The final responsibility in meeting graduation requirements, however, rests with the student.
ATTENDANCE
York College expects students to be active participants in the learning process. While class attendance policy is at the discretion of the instructor, students are responsible for all work required by the course unless specifically exempted. At the start of the semester the instructors will inform each class of their specific attendance policy in writing as a part of the course syllabus. Students are responsible for initiating action to make up work missed due to unavoidable absence. In such cases, students should inform the instructor of the reason for their absence. Make up examinations may be offered solely at the discretion of the instructor. Notes or excuse slips are not prepared or sent by the administrative offices regarding student absences.
EXAMINATIONS
Examinations during a semester vary in number according to the instructor. Students are expected to have completed all of the examinations offered in the course before credit can be received. The final examinations, held during a special Final Examination Week, are generally designed to cover all the material discussed in the courses.
GRADING POLICY
4 (Excellent): This grade denotes accomplishment that is truly distinctive and decidedly outstanding. It represents a high degree of attainment and is a grade that demands evidence of originality, independent work, an open and discriminating mind, and completeness and accuracy of knowledge.
3.5 (Very Good): This grade denotes mastery of the subject matter. It represents very good achievement in many aspects of the work, such as initiative, serious and determined industry, the ability to organize work, and the ability to comprehend and retain subject matter and to apply it to new problems and contexts.
3 (Good): This grade denotes considerable understanding of the subject matter. It represents a strong grasp and clear understanding of the subject matter and the ability to comprehend and retain course content.
2.5 (Above Average): This grade denotes above average understanding of the subject matter. It represents a good grasp of the subject matter and the ability to comprehend and retain course content.
2 (Average): This grade denotes average understanding of the subject matter. It represents the grade that may be expected of a student of normal ability who gives the work a reasonable amount of time and effort.
1 (Below Average): This grade denotes below average understanding of the subject matter. It represents work that falls below the acceptable standard. 0 (Failure): This grade denotes inadequate understanding of the subject matter. It signifies an absence of meaningful engagement with the subject matter and that the student is not capable of doing or understanding the work or has made little or no effort to do so.
I (Incomplete): The student may request permission from the instructor to receive an incomplete prior to the final examination and must present extraordinary reasons for the petition. Grades of "I" not removed within two calendar months after the end of the semester will automatically be changed to "0" in the Records Office. Grades of incomplete should only be provided to students who have completed a substantial portion of all course requirements.
W (Withdrawal): Students are permitted to withdraw from courses without penalty up to the ninth Friday of the fall or spring semester. Corresponding deadlines are set for all other semesters (e.g., summer sessions).
P (Pass): This grade denotes passing in special Pass/Fail courses. F (Fail): This grade denotes failure in special Pass/Fail courses. AU (Audit): This grade indicates that a student is registered for a course but receives no credit.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE
The grade point average for each student is computed by multiplying the hours of credit in a course by the grade earned for each course attempted, and dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credit hours attempted. Grade point averages are computed following the end of each semester and provide the student with an average for their cumulative performance at the College and for each individual semester.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC STANDING
York College students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. If a student's cumulative average falls below this minimum standard, they become eligible for academic probation, restriction, or suspension from the College.
UNSATISFACTORY ACADEMIC WORK
Students' academic work will be considered unsatisfactory whenever their cumulative GPA falls below
2.0. The academic performance of all students, full and part-time, will be reviewed against this standard at the conclusion of each semester to determine whether students in academic difficulty should be allowed to continue on a probationary or restricted basis, should be suspended for one year, or should be dismissed from the College.
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students placed on academic probation may continue their enrollment at the College, but they will be limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours per semester until their cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above. While working toward attaining the 2.0 cumulative GPA, students who fail to meet the academic standards for the credit hours attempted as outlined above face restriction or suspension.
ACADEMIC RESTRICTION
Students placed on academic restriction may continue their enrollment at the College, but they will be limited to a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester and may lose their campus housing privileges and financial aid. Those students who take 6 credit hours at York College and earn at least a 2.0 overall in those courses will be placed on academic probation (or will be considered to be in good academic standing if they raise their cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0). Students who fail to earn a 2.0 overall in the courses taken during their semester of restriction or who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to meet the GPA standards for the credit hours attempted as outlined above will be placed on academic suspension.
Students placed on academic restriction may take an unlimited number of credit hours at another accredited institution. Those students who take at least 6 credit hours at another accredited institution during their semester of restriction and earn at least a 2.0 overall in those courses will be placed on academic probation upon their return to York College. Students will lose matriculation if they are away from York College for more than one semester, thus requiring them to apply for readmission.
ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
Students placed on academic suspension are prohibited from enrolling in any course at York College for at least one year. In order to resume enrollment at York College, academically suspended students must apply for readmission to the College (official readmission forms are available from the Admissions Office). Those students who take at least 6 credit hours at another accredited institution and earn at least a 2.0 overall in those courses will be eligible to apply for readmission. Upon readmission, these students will be placed on academic probation. Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to meet the GPA standards for the credit hours attempted as outlined above will be dismissed from the College.
ACADEMIC DISMISSAL
Students dismissed from the College are eligible to transfer their credits to another college or university to complete a degree, but they are no longer permitted to enroll in courses at York College.
DEAN'S LIST AND ACADEMIC HONORS
At the end of each semester the Dean of Academic Affairs will publish the Dean's list of students whose semester grade point average is a 3.5 or better. Students must be registered for at least 12 graded credit hours to be eligible for Dean's list honors. At graduation, honors are awarded on the basis of the cumulative grade point average of all York College and transfer credit hours. Graduation honors include:
- Summa Cum Laude: Graduates with a 3.9 average or higher
- Magna Cum Laude: Graduates with a 3.6 average or higher
- Cum Laude: Graduates with a 3.3 average or higher
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at York College. Academic dishonesty refers to actions such as, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabricating research, falsifying academic documents, etc., and includes all situations where students make use of the work of others and claim such work as their own.
When an instructor believes that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the instructor must provide written notification to the student, the Department Chair, and the Dean of Academic Affairs of the charge and the sanction. Documentation related to instances of academic dishonesty will be kept on file in the student's permanent record. If the academic dishonesty is the student's first offense, the instructor will have the discretion to decide on a suitable sanction up to a grade of "0" for the course. Students are not permitted to withdraw from a course in which they have been accused of academic dishonesty.
Students who believe they have been unjustly charged or sanctioned in cases involving a first offense must discuss the situation with the instructor immediately. Following this discussion, students may request through the Dean of Academic Affairs that the Student Welfare Committee conduct a hearing to review the charge and/or the sanction in the case. In cases of a first offense, the instructor may request that the Student Welfare Committee conduct a hearing and decide on the sanction, which can involve academic suspension or dismissal from the College, if the instructor believes the offense to be of an extremely egregious nature.
If the Dean of Academic Affairs determines that the academic dishonesty is the student's second offense, the Dean will provide written notification to the student, the instructor, and the Department Chair. The Student Welfare Committee will automatically conduct a hearing to review the charges and decide on an appropriate sanction, which will involve academic suspension or dismissal from the College. Students who believe the Student Welfare Committee has unjustly sanctioned them may submit a written request to the Dean of Academic Affairs for a review of their case by the Dean.
GUIDELINES FOR HUMAN AND ANIMAL RESEARCH
York College subscribes to the ethical and appropriate treatment of animal and human subjects during research. All research or class projects involving human subjects and/or research with animals which involves any non-observational manipulation which is done by York College faculty or students, or is done using the facilities of the College, will be subject to review. The Institutional Review Board will review all research using human subjects and will provide application materials and research guidelines to the faculty (and students) on an annual basis.
ACADEMIC PROCEDURES
DECLARING OR CHANGING A MAJOR
Students typically declare a major program of study upon admission to York College. However, some students who have not decided on a specific major register as Undeclared and must declare a major later. The Undeclared student is encouraged to discuss interests and goals with his or her academic advisor, professors, or personnel in the Academic Advising Office or Adult Learner Center to assist in identifying a major. In addition, the Career Services Center provides extensive career guidance and self-assessment for those wishing to explore possible fields of study.
College policy requires a student to declare a major at 60 credit hours. If there is a delay in declaring a major or there is a change in major, the time needed to complete degree requirements may be extended. To declare or change a major, a student should contact the Academic Advising Office to complete a Request for Change in Student Record form and an academic advisor will be assigned from the new major. The student must follow all degree requirements in the major at the time the major is declared.
COURSE REGISTRATION
New students are pre-registered for fall courses by the Registrar and the schedules are mailed to the students' permanent address during the early summer months. In addition, students may meet with the Registrar during the summer. For continuing students, course registration for the fall and spring terms occurs during specific scheduling periods. A schedule of classes for each upcoming semester is available online along with a rotation timetable which specifies the date and time at which students may schedule their courses. Students must meet with their advisor to develop an appropriate course schedule for the semester. Non-matriculated students may schedule courses following the normal scheduling period. Registration for summer, evening, and off-site courses occurs through the Registrar's Office and Adult Learner Center.
DROPPING AND ADDING A COURSE
The first week of each semester constitutes the Drop/Add period when students may adjust their schedules. Courses may be added or dropped only during this period of the semester. Courses dropped during this period will not appear on the transcript.
WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE OR FROM COLLEGE
The last date for withdrawing from a course or from college is the ninth Friday of the academic semester. To withdraw from one or more courses, students must complete a Change in Student Record form at the Records Office. Failure to attend class or merely giving notice to an instructor does not constitute a course withdrawal and will result in a failing grade for the course. To officially withdraw from College, full-time students must contact the Dean of Student Affairs for complete withdrawal from all courses; part-time students should contact the Registrar's Office for assistance. Courses dropped using these procedures will appear on the student's transcript with a "W" designation.
PASS/FAIL OPTIONS
York College students may take designated courses on a pass/fail basis. Those courses which are offered as pass/fail options will be so designated on the course schedule for each semester. Students may take up to two pass/fail courses per academic year, with a maximum of eight such courses in a student's undergraduate program. Students may not take courses which are required by their major or minor or courses used to satisfy ADR requirements on a pass/fail basis.
CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
Matriculated students may challenge a course by successfully completing an examination which tests mastery of the learning outcomes of a given course. All applications for such examinations should be made to the appropriate department chair using the standardized form. Credit is awarded for a grade of 2.0 or higher and shall be recorded together with quality points on the student's permanent record. The maximum number of credits which may be earned by examination and/or advanced placement is 60. A student should not use credit by examination to complete any course required for graduation during the last semester.
GRADUATION
To apply for graduation, students MUST complete the formal application form available at the Records Office, lower level, Administration Building, and at the Adult Learner Center in Campbell Hall. This application is required of ALL STUDENTS whether or not the student wishes to participate in commencement ceremonies. Application deadlines are as follows: February 5 for May graduation, September 15 for December graduation, and July 15 for August graduation. After the deadline, a late charge will be assessed, and significant delays will occur in processing. The $60 graduation fee must be paid to the Business Office prior to submitting the completed application to the Records Office. The graduation application must be returned to the Records Office in triplicate. Graduation regalia is handled through the College Bookstore.
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