Division of Student Services Frequently Asked Questions
Grading
Q: I don’t agree with the final grade I received in a course. What can I do about it?
A: The Dean of Student Services Office staff can review with you the informal process used to resolve complaints regarding unfair academic appraisal (e.g., final grade) and/or unfair treatment in the classroom. Stop by the Dean’s office to obtain a copy of the Academic Grievance Student Checklist [PDF] that will guide you on how to proceed. There is a deadline associated with filing a formal academic grievance. Refer to the Student Code of Conduct Policy [Adobe Acrobat, PDF] and Grievance Procedures (Grievance Procedures, I. Academic Complaints) for further information. Copies of this publication are available from the Dean of Student Services Office.
Q: My instructor issued me a "Q" grade, because I’ve missed classes. What can I do?
A: You need to review the course syllabus provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester. Each instructor distributes to students a "syllabus," which essentially is the course contract between the instructor and students. The syllabus identifies, in general, the instructor’s attendance policy, grading policy, assignments, exam schedule, etc. The syllabus requirements vary from instructor to instructor. It is a faculty member’s prerogative to issue a Q grade to a student who violates the attendance policy. To have a Q grade changed to a W grade (voluntary withdrawal), complete a Course Drop/Add Form available at the Registrar’s Office. Please note: An instructor’s signature must be obtained on the drop form, and the course withdrawal must occur prior to the end of the semester.
Q: My instructor told me I plagiarized on a graded assignment and has asked me to drop the class. What can I do?
A: When a student engages in a form of academic dishonesty, the instructor may handle the incident in a variety of ways. The instructor may: ask the student to redo the assignment, issue a grade of F for the assignment on the student’s behalf, ask the student to voluntarily withdraw from the course, issue a grade of F for the course on the student’s behalf, and/or refer the incident to the Dean of Student Services for review under the Student Code of Conduct Policy. Please note: A student may not withdraw from the course after a grade of F has been assigned for academic dishonesty. Examples of academic dishonesty appear in the College Catalog. Incidents of academic dishonesty are considered an offense under the Student Code of Conduct Policy [Adobe Acrobat, PDF].
If you feel the instructor’s request is unfair, refer to the Student Code of Conduct Policy [Adobe Acrobat, PDF] and Grievance Procedures (Grievance Procedures, I. Academic Complaints) for further information.
Academic Probation
Q: What is “academic probation?”
A: Academic probation serves as a warning that you are in academic jeopardy; that is, you are not in good academic standing. In order to be in good academic standing and to be making academic progress toward a degree or certificate, a student must meet a minimum cumulative grade point average and successfully accumulate credits according to the Standards of Progress table illustrated at www.flcc.edu/academics/academic_standards.cfm. If the standard of progress is not achieved at the intervals noted, you will be placed on academic probation.
Q: When am I notified of my academic probation status?
A: You will receive a letter in early-January regarding your status for the spring semester and early-June regarding your status for the fall semester.
Q: What happens if I am placed on academic probation?
A: Students on academic probation are limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours. At the conclusion of your probationary semester, your academic transcript will be reviewed. If progress is shown towards meeting the College’s Standards of Progress, you may achieve “good academic standing” or “continue on academic probation.” If progress is not shown towards satisfying degree requirements and the College’s Standards of Progress, you will be “academically dismissed” from FLCC.
Q: Am I still qualified to receive financial aid when I am on academic probation?
A: Yes, but you should always check with the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility. It is possible that you may not qualify for TAP funding; however, you will receive notification if your TAP funding has been jeopardized.
Q: What can I do to help myself get off academic probation and achieve good academic standing?
A: There are many resources at FLCC to help you reach your academic goals. We suggest you develop an action plan by incorporating the following suggestions:
- Meet with your instructors to discuss strategies for success in each of your classes. Visit your instructors during their office ours to clarify any concerns you may have regarding material covered in class.
- Earn at least a 2.0 “C” average or better in all of your courses.
- Visit the Academic Support Center on main campus or at the campus centers to arrange to work with either a professional or peer tutor; all tutoring is free.
- Seek assistance with any of your writing assignments at The Write Place (B-372).
- Ask for help if you’re having difficulty with math. Stop by the Math Center and work with a student tutor. The Math Center is located in the Academic Support Center at all three campuses.
- Meet with your academic advisor about your academic status.
- Meet with a counselor in the Center for Advisement/Career Services Office to assess and clarify your career goals and to develop a plan for academic success. To schedule an appointment, call 585/394-3500, ext. 7267.
- Enroll in academic support courses such as GST 101 First Year Seminar or GST 116 Introduction to College Studies. These courses will help you acquire the skills and techniques necessary to succeed in college.
- If you are undecided about your degree program or career path, enroll in GST 196 Career Explorations.
- For additional support services and resources to assist you in achieving academic success, check out www.flcc.edu/developmentalstudies and www.flcc.edu/center
Q: I understand I will be limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours due to my probationary status, but I pre-registered for 16 credit hours next semester. Are there any exceptions to this rule?
A: Exceptions may be requested by completing an Academic Probation Overload Appeal [PDF]. If you are registered for more than 13 credit hours and do not file an appeal or your appeal is denied, your course schedule will be adjusted to bring you into compliance with the 13 credit hour requirement. If you are registered for 13 or fewer credit hours, you do not need to submit an appeal; your schedule will remain as is.
Q: I have a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, why am I on academic probation?
A: At FLCC a student is placed on academic probation for failing to meet a minimum cumulative grade point average and/or successfully accumulating credits according to the Standards of Progress table illustrated at www.flcc.edu/academics/academicstandards.cfm. For example, if you attempted a total of 30 credit hours, but only completed 12 with a 3.2 GPA, you are on academic probation because the credit hours attempted and credit hours completed are off sequence. That is, you are having difficulty completing courses.
Academic Dismissal:
Q: What happens if I am academically dismissed from FLCC?
A: Academic dismissal means that you are no longer in a degree program, lose all financial aid, and are not eligible to return to FLCC without completing the Academic Appeal process. Basically, you were academically dismissed because you did not show progress toward satisfying degree requirements and the College’s Standards of Progress illustrated at www.flcc.edu/academics/academicstandards.cfm.
Q: How do I begin the appeal process?
A: If you have had extenuating circumstances (including, but not limited to, death of a relative, personal illness or injury, etc.) that impacted your academic progress, you may appeal your status. To begin the Academic Appeal process, you must complete a Petition for an Academic Appeal [PDF] and submit documentation to support the appeal. A petition is included with the letter you received regarding your dismissal status. Petitions are also available in the Center for Advisement, Geneva and Wayne County Campus Centers, and Office of the Dean of Student Services. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a counselor in the Center for Advisement and Personal Development to review the Academic Appeal process. The petition and all supporting documentation must be returned to the Assistant Dean of Student Services by the stated deadline on the petition.
Q: What if I didn’t have any extenuating circumstances?
A: If no extenuating circumstances contributed to your academic dismissal, you may appeal after leaving the College for two academic semesters (fall and spring). The Committee on Academic Standing will review and act upon your petition.
Q: Who will determine the status of my appeal?
A: The Committee on Academic Standing will review and act on your appeal. The Committee on Academic Standing is comprised of faculty members, representatives from the Center for Advisement, Financial Aid Office, Bursar’s Office, and the Assistant Dean of Student Services. Appeals are reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing on a regular basis throughout the academic year.
Q: How will I be notified about the outcome of my appeal?
A: You will be notified in writing regarding the outcome of your appeal. Students may contact the Assistant Dean of Student Services with any questions regarding the Academic Appeal process and/or decision at 585/394-3500, ext. 7554, or at lowdenrc@flcc.edu.
Q: What happens if my appeal is approved?
A: If your Academic Appeal is approved, you will be reinstated with probationary status and required to meet conditions specified by the Committee on Academic Standing, including, but not limited to, completing a specific course(s), limiting the number of credit hours for which you may register, achieving a semester grade point average of 2.00, and successfully completing all coursework.
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the conditions outlined by the Committee on Academic Standing?
A: If you fail to meet the conditions, you will be required to be separated from the College as follows:
1st failed contract – one year leave from Finger Lakes Community College
2nd failed contract – three years leave from Finger Lakes Community College
3rd failed contract – three years leave from Finger Lakes Community College
Q: What happens if my appeal is denied?
A: You will be notified in writing regarding the status of your appeal and when you are eligible to return to FLCC. All pre-registered courses will be dropped. Students may contact the Assistant Dean of Student Services with any questions regarding reinstatement at 585/394-3500, ext. 7554, or at lowdenrc@flcc.edu.
Q: I received an academic dismissal letter, but I am registered for next semester. What happens to those classes?
A: If you do not file an Academic Appeal for readmission or your appeal is denied, those pre-registered classes will be dropped.
Q: When will I be eligible to return to FLCC?
A: Dismissed students, regardless of their financial aid status, must file an academic appeal. Academic dismissal remains in effect until the student has been readmitted to the College by the Committee on Academic Standing.