Grades

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes, laboratories, and clinical sessions for every course in which they are enrolled. To accommodate students’ reasonable, personal situations that might prevent them from attending classes, each student is entitled to excused absences amounting to the equivalent of one week’s class time in a semester. Any absences in excess of this standard can prevent students from achieving the course learning outcomes as evaluated by the instructor.

Early Warning & Midterm Warning

Students who are struggling in one or more of their courses may receive an early alert notice. Students who receive early alerts are strongly encouraged to meet with their instructor to discuss the instructor’s recommendations, an academic advisor to discuss additional tips and strategies for improving their academic performance, and to use the resources of the Academic Support Center.

At midterm, students in academic difficulty may receive a midterm warning. Students doing unsatisfactory work at this time should consult their instructor to determine ways to improve their academic performance. Academic Advisors are also available to provide support. In cases where additional studying, tutoring, or changes in study habits cannot improve the student’s grade, withdrawal may be recommended to prevent a failure from being recorded.

Final Examinations

Students are not expected to take more than two final examinations on any given day. If a student has more than two final examinations scheduled on a single day, he/she may appeal to have one of the examinations rescheduled. The line of appeal is first to the faculty member(s) and then to the appropriate Divisional Dean. Students are expected to take final examinations when they are scheduled or rescheduled. Missed examinations may be rescheduled at the discretion of the faculty member.

Grade Reports

Students may view final semester or summer session grades by using the Lion’s Den or the RV Mobile App. Grades become viewable as the instructors report them to the Office of Enrollment Services. Approximately two weeks after the end of the semester or summer session, grade point averages are calculated and grade reports are emailed to the Lion Mail address.

Grade & Academic Appeals

Student grievances of an academic nature should initially be discussed between the student and the ( deleted “student’s”) instructor. Failing a satisfactory resolution of the problem at this level, the student should consult with the appropriate department chairperson. Should the student still feel that a satisfactory resolution has not been achieved, the student may request the appropriate Divisional Dean review the matter. Students wishing to initiate a grade appeal must do so within four weeks of the beginning of the following semester, excluding Summer sessions. Other than in cases of computational or clerical error, grades may only be changed by following the grade appeal procedure.

Grade Appeal Procedure

A student who wishes to appeal a final grade shall proceed as follows:

1. Submit a written request for a grade change along with the rationale for such a request to the faculty member who assigned the grade. The appeal must be filed by the fourth week of the following semester (Summer sessions not included).
   • Within two weeks of filing such a request for a grade change by the student, the faculty member shall respond in writing rendering a decision about the request for change of a grade.
2. If the student wishes to further challenge the decision of the faculty member as described above, he/she shall follow the following procedure:
   1. A petition for a grade change should be filed, in writing, with the appropriate chairperson after conferring with the instructor. The petition shall include a description of the student’s rationale for challenging the recorded grade with supporting documentation.
   2. The chairperson shall:
      a. Interview the student.
      b. Interview the faculty member who assigned the grade.
      c. Review written material submitted by the student and faculty member. The chairperson shall also consult with senior faculty members familiar with the discipline involved with respect to the graded material under challenge.
      d. The chairperson shall render a written recommendation to the student and faculty member involved within one month from the date the chairperson received the petition.
3. If the grade was not changed through the above process, the student may further appeal to the appropriate Divisional Dean. The Dean will review all materials and determine whether or not a grade change shall be approved, and shall advise the involved student and faculty member in writing of the decision. The decision of the Divisional Dean shall be final.

Repeating a Course

Students may repeat any college-level course once without specific authorization. To repeat a college-level course more than once, a student must have the approval of the Dean of Student Services or their designee. Courses in which students have received grades of W, AU, or P are not included in counting repeated courses.

When a college-level course is repeated, all enrollments in the course are included on the student’s permanent academic record, but only the highest grade earned at RV will be included in the student’s grade point average (GPA). Developmental courses (course numbers below 100) are not governed by this policy.

Students receiving financial aid should consult with the Financial Aid office before repeating a course, since some financial aid programs do not pay for repeated courses.

Academic Renewal Program

The Academic Renewal Program is designed for students who previously attended RVCC, compiled an unsuccessful academic record, and subsequently left the College for five or more years. Students may now return to college to pursue a program of study and not have their prior RVCC coursework included in their overall RVCC grade point average (gpa). To qualify for the Academic Renewal Program, a student must:

• Be matriculated into a degree or certificate program
• Have been away from RV for a minimum of three years
• Upon returning to RV, complete a minimum of twelve credit hours, earning a GPA of 2.4 or better
• Be currently enrolled in classes

Under the Academic Renewal Program all grades earned prior to three-year period are eliminated from the student’s GPA calculation. Only the GPA is affected by this program. All other previous academic records will remain on the transcript. Grades earned after returning to RV will be included in the new GPA calculations, including the twelve credits required to qualify for this program. All courses taken prior to the three-year absence in which a grade of C or better was earned may be used to meet graduation requirements.

Academic Standing

Academic Standing is recorded on the academic transcript at the conclusion of each term. Students whose comprehensive semester grade point average or cumulative college level grade point average falls below 2.00 will receive a Lion’s Den e-mail letter indicating their academic standing. Students should check final grades and academic standing on Lion’s Den and Lion’s Den e-mail each term.

Grade Point Averages Used to Determine Academic Standing

Comprehensive semester grade point average: The grade point average for the term, including developmental studies, English as a Second Language Studies, and all other college-level coursework

Cumulative grade point average: The cumulative grade point average for all college-level coursework at Raritan Valley Community College

Good Standing

Students must maintain a comprehensive semester grade point average of 2.0 or better and a cumulative college level grade point average of 2.0 or better to be in Good Academic Standing.

Academic Alert

Academic Alert is an initial warning to students whose comprehensive semester grade point average or cumulative college level grade point average falls below 2.00 that they are not making satisfactory academic progress and that they may be placed on Academic Probation if their record does not improve.

Academic Probation

Students on Academic Alert whose comprehensive semester grade point average or cumulative grade point average is below 2.0 in their next enrollment term are placed on Academic Probation.

Students on Academic Probation whose comprehensive semester grade point average in their next enrollment term is 2.0 or higher, but whose cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0, remain on Academic Probation.

Academic Probation is a serious warning to students that they are not making satisfactory academic progress and that they may be placed on Academic Suspension if their record does not improve. Students on Academic Probation must have the approval of an Academic Advisor or Counselor for subsequent enrollments or enrollment changes while on Academic Probation. Students’ enrollment may be restricted to certain courses, or to a limited number of courses, as a condition of Academic Probation status.

Academic Suspension

Students on Academic Probation whose comprehensive semester grade point average in their next enrollment term is below 2.0 are placed on Academic Suspension.

Students on Academic Suspension are prohibited from enrolling in the next semester. A student may petition for permission to enroll part-time to the Academic Standards Committee or to an Academic Advisor or Counselor authorized by the Academic Standards Committee to hear such petitions. If a student’s petition is approved, the student is placed on Suspension Probation.

Suspension Probation

Students returning to the College after a period of Academic Suspension or Academic Dismissal, and students who successfully petition to enroll from Academic Suspension are placed on Suspension Probation. Students on Suspension Probation must meet with an Academic Advisor or Counselor before re-enrolling. These students’ enrollment may be restricted to certain courses, or to a limited number of courses, as a condition of Suspension Probation status.

Academic Dismissal

Students on Suspension Probation whose comprehensive semester grade point average in their next enrollment term is below 2.0 are placed on Academic Dismissal and are prohibited from enrolling for two calendar years. Students are subject to Academic Dismissal each enrollment term the comprehensive semester grade point average is below 2.0, until achieving Good Academic Standing. Academic Dismissal is final and cannot be appealed.

Re-enrollment Following Academic Dismissal

A student returning to the College after a period of Academic Dismissal must petition the appropriate Divisional Dean in writing by letter or email. If reinstated, the student will be placed on Suspension Probation.