Policies: College/Academic

Academic Honesty - Policy and Appeal Procedure

Northampton Community College considers honesty to be essential to the learning experience. Academic honesty is one of the values that we expect members of the NCC community will apply in their work on this campus and take into their lives beyond NCC. Violations of academic honesty harm the learning experience and violate the expectations and values that the NCC community embraces. We expect all members of the NCC academic community to conduct themselves and their work ethically and honestly.

Student Responsibilities

• Students are solely responsible for their work and for making sure that their work represents their own honest efforts to meet the goals of the course.
• They are responsible for showing that the work they present is theirs in whatever ways are deemed appropriate by the faculty for the course.
• They are responsible for learning and following the policies and expectations of the college and for understanding the consequences of actions that violate the policy on academic honesty.

Faculty responsibilities

• Faculty members are responsible for demonstrating academic honesty in their work.
• They are responsible for making their expectations related to academic honesty clear to their classes including which activities and resources are allowed and the consequences for violations in their courses.
• They are responsible for communicating violations of the academic honesty policy to students and their division Dean and to the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe).

Academic Honesty Violations

Violations of the academic honesty policy include any actions that attempt to gain academic credit for work that does not represent the student's own efforts and knowledge. They include, but are not limited to the following situations and examples:

• Cheating on examinations and quizzes -
  • Using notes, materials, and/or mechanical, electronic or technological devices not authorized by the instructor during examinations or quizzes.
  • Providing or receiving help on an examination or test in a manner not authorized by the instructor.
  • Buying, selling, improperly obtaining, or using any tests or examinations.
  • Taking an exam or quiz for another student and/or allowing another student to take an exam or quiz in one's place.
  • Altering or adding answers on exercises, exams, or quizzes after the work has been graded.
• Plagiarizing –
  • Using the ideas or words of others without appropriate quotation and documentation that acknowledges the source or sources -- in other words, presenting someone else's work as one's own.
  • Copying, exact words, phrases or sentences without quoting and giving credit to the source.
  • Using a paraphrased version of the opinions, work, or ideas of others without giving credit.
  • The wrongful appropriation of all or part of someone else's literary, artistic, musical, mechanical, or computer-based work.
  • Copying all or part of an assignment, (a research paper, lab report, or workbook) from another person or resource and presenting it as one's own work.
  • Purchasing an assignment and submitting it as one's own work.
  • Falsifying or inventing information, data or research material. Altering or forging records or submitting false records as part of course work or making false statements, excuses, or claims to gain academic credit or influence grading.
  • Listing sources that were never consulted.
  • Gaining unauthorized access to another person's or the College's computer system or tampering with or copying programs, files, data or access codes associated with coursework.
  • Tampering with or damaging the work of others or preventing others from completing their own assignments.
  • Self-plagiarizing: the practice of submitting one's own previously submitted work as new; or of submitting the same work to different classes that one is enrolled in. Reworking a previously submitted work, or submitting similar work to different classes may be an option only with the explicit permission of the current professor(s).

Penalties

When a faculty member believes that a student has committed acts that violate the academic honesty policy, he or she will advise the student of the offense and the penalty imposed.

1. A written warning with the requirement that the assignment be redone within the instructor's specified time. Faculty members are encouraged to report the incident and action to their division Dean and to the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) using online Academic Honesty Violation Form.
2. A failing grade for the assignment or test. Faculty members must report the incident and action to their division Dean and to the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) using the online Academic Honesty Violation Form.
3. An "F" grade for the course.
   • If a faculty member issues an "F" grade in the course as a penalty for academic dishonesty, he or she must send a written report of the instance of cheating or plagiarism and the action taken to the division Dean and the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) using the online Academic Honesty Violation Form.
   • If the faculty member has given an "F" grade for the course as a penalty for a violation of academic honesty, a student may not withdraw from the course while the matter is under appeal or if it is resolved that the "F" grade stands.

The College may apply the following penalty:

The College affirms the right to revoke a previously awarded degree due to subsequent discovery of academic dishonesty by the student, clerical error by the college, or revocation of credit from institutions of academic accreditation.

Appeal procedure-charges of academic dishonesty
If a student wishes to appeal a charge of academic dishonesty or the penalty imposed, the student should follow these steps:

Step 1

• If the student wishes to respond to the accusation and penalty of the F grade, they must make an appointment and meet with the faculty member at a formal meeting within ten week days of the notification when the college is in session
• If the student and faculty member accept a specific resolution offered by either of them, the matter shall be considered closed and the documentation shall go to the Associate Dean of Student Life.
• If such a resolution cannot be reached, the student may formally appeal the action of the faculty member within three week days after the meeting with the faculty member. Appeal of Charges of Academic Honesty Violation Forms and procedures will be available in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
• While an appeal is in process, the student may not withdraw from the course.

Note: working day is defined as any day when a full schedule of classes are in session (this excludes Saturdays and Sundays).

Step 2

• Within three week days of the meeting with the faculty member, the student may request in writing that the appropriate dean call a meeting to include the student, faculty member, and program director, if any, within five working days.
• After this meeting, the dean will send all parties involved a written recommendation within three week days.
• Students who do not agree with the recommendation in Step 2 may appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee within three week days. This appeal must be submitted, in writing, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Step 3

• Students initiate appeals to the Academic Appeals Committee (within three days of notification of outcome of Step 2) by requesting a hearing through the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A hearing will be scheduled as quickly as possible and all parties to the appeal will be informed of the date, time, and place of the meeting. The faculty member will delay recording the grade for the work in question until the appeal is decided.
• The Academic Appeals Committee will decide whether evidence sustains or does not sustain such charges of academic dishonesty and whether the penalty is consistent with the faculty member’s stated policies on their syllabus. A decision will be recommended to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, whose decision is final unless different from the recommendation of the committee. In such cases, the student may appeal to the College President whose decision is final.
• If evidence does not sustain such charges in the opinion of the committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, all records in the student's file related to this charge will be expunged. If evidence does sustain the charges and the appeal relates to the penalty, the committee may recommend the following actions: a. The assigned penalty will be supported. b. The faculty member may be asked to reconsider the penalty in question.
• The Vice President for Academic Affairs will communicate in writing a decision to the student, faculty member, and Dean of Students no later than three week days after the hearing.

Recurring violations of Academic Dishonesty If the student is reported to have violated the Academic Honesty Policy repeatedly, the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) shall request the Discipline Committee to consider the student's dismissal from the college.

Penalties

When a faculty member believes that a student has committed acts that violate the academic honesty policy, he or she will advise the student of the offense and the penalty imposed.

A faculty member may apply one of the following penalties:

1. A written warning with the requirement that the assignment be redone within the instructor's specified time. Faculty members are encouraged to report the incident and action to their division Dean and to the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) using online Academic Honesty Violation Form.
2. A failing grade for the assignment or test.

   Faculty members are encouraged to report the incident and action to their division Dean and to the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) using the online Academic Honesty Violation Form.

3. An "F" grade for the course.
   • If a faculty member issues an "F" grade in the course as a penalty for academic dishonesty, he or she must send a written report of the instance of cheating or plagiarism and the action taken to the division Dean and the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) using the online Academic Honesty Violation Form.
   • If the faculty member has given an "F" grade for the course as a penalty for a violation of academic honesty, a student may not withdraw from the course while the matter is under appeal or if it is resolved that the "F" grade stands.

Appeal procedure-charges of academic dishonesty

If a student wishes to appeal a charge of academic dishonesty or the penalty imposed, the student should follow these steps:

Step 1

• If the student wishes to respond to the accusation, he/she must make an appointment and meet with the faculty member at a formal meeting within ten working days of the notification.
• If the student and faculty member accept a specific resolution offered by either of them, the matter shall be considered closed.
• If such a resolution cannot be reached, the student may formally appeal the action of the faculty member within three working days after the meeting with the faculty member. Appeal of Charges of Academic Honesty Violation Forms and procedures will be available in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
• While an appeal is in process, the student may not withdraw from the course.

Note: working day is defined as any day when a full schedule of classes are in session (this excludes Saturdays and Sundays).

Step 2

• Within three working days of the meeting with the faculty member, the student may request in writing that the appropriate dean call a meeting to include the student, faculty member, and program director, if any, within five working days.
• After this meeting, the dean will send all parties involved a written recommendation within three working days.
• Students who do not agree with the recommendation in Step 2 may appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee within three working days. This appeal must be submitted, in writing, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Step 3

• Students initiate appeals to the Academic Appeals Committee (within three days of notification of outcome of Step 2) by requesting a hearing through the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A hearing will be scheduled as quickly as possible and all parties to the appeal will be informed of the date, time, and place of the meeting. The faculty member will delay recording the grade for the work in question until the appeal is decided.
• The Academic Appeals Committee will decide whether evidence sustains or does not sustain such charges of academic dishonesty and whether the penalty is consistent with the stated policies. A decision will be recommended to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, whose decision is final unless different from the recommendation of the committee. In such cases, the student may appeal to the President whose decision is final.
• If evidence does not sustain such charges in the opinion of the committee and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, all records in the student's file related to this charge will be expunged. If evidence does sustain the charges and the appeal relates to the penalty, the committee may recommend the following actions:
  1. The assigned penalty will be supported.
  2. The faculty member may be asked to reconsider the penalty in question.
• The Vice President for Academic Affairs will communicate in writing a decision to the student, faculty member, and Dean of Students no later than three working days after the hearing.

Recurring violations of Academic Dishonesty

If the student is reported to have violated the Academic Honesty Policy repeatedly, the Assistant Dean of Students (Bethlehem) or the Associate Dean of Students (Monroe) shall request the Discipline Committee to consider the student's dismissal from the college.

Academic Probation Policy

Northampton Community College is committed to the academic success of its students. Students who do not achieve a cumulative grade point average in accordance with the following standards will be placed on academic probation:

Cumulative Attempted Credits	Cumulative GPA
0-25	1.50
26-40	1.75
41+	2.00

Students will be notified of their Academic Probation status through NCC student email or by letter prior to the start of their probationary semester. Students must meet with an Academic Probation Counselor or their Success Navigator to develop a plan for improved academic performance and will be limited to a maximum enrollment of 13 credits for their first semester on academic probation. The Academic Probation Counselor or Success Navigator will recommend specific actions based on the meeting and may place restrictions on the type of courses the student may attempt. A hold restricting registration may be placed on the student’s account to ensure compliance with any restrictions.

Academic Warning and Suspension

Any student who meets the Academic Probation criteria for two consecutive major semesters may be placed on Academic Warning. Academic Warning requires the student to earn a minimum semester GPA of a 2.0. Failure to meet the GPA requirements during the Academic Warning semester will result in Academic Suspension for academic one year.

Students will be notified of their suspension for academic reasons and the process by which they may appeal. Appeals must be made at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the fall semester, or 5 business days prior to the spring semester. A committee comprised of three faculty members, an Academic Dean, an Advising staff member, and the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment or their designee will review the appeals and make a recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs whose decision is final.

Students who are academically suspended more than once or who do not make academic progress upon return to NCC, may be dismissed from the institution for a minimum of three years.

Academic Recognition

Dean's List

Students who complete a minimum of six credit hours per semester, and who earn a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher, will be recognized on the Dean's Honor List for academic achievement.

Graduation Honors

Students who complete a minimum of 30 credits hours of coursework in the graduation major at Northampton, and have a graduation grade point average of 3.50 or higher in any degree, certificate or specialized diploma will be graduated with honors. The graduation grade point average includes only those courses used toward the graduation major.

Academic Restart Policy

The Academic Restart policy is intended for students who attended NCC in the past and compiled an unsatisfactory academic record. This one-time-only option allows students to redirect their academic goals and permits students to reset the NCC Grade Point Average and the Cumulative Credits earned.

Eligibility is determined by:

• The student has not enrolled at NCC for at least three (3) consecutive academic years and has not earned an NCC degree.
• The student has a previous cumulative grade point average below 2.0.
• The student has not been granted the Academic Restart previously.
• The student has earned a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in a minimum of 12 credits since returning to NCC.

The previous record will remain on the transcript; however, it will not be used in the computation of the new grade point average. Students may use non-developmental level courses they completed with a grade of C or better prior to Academic Restart toward completion of graduation requirements, but grades for these courses will not affect grade point average calculation.

Interested students must complete an application and meet with a member of the Advising Office. A student's request for academic restart will be voided if 12 credits are not earned after four (4) semesters.

Academic Restart will be recorded on the student's transcript upon certification by the Advising Office.

Note: Given federal and state student aid regulations, the student is not relieved of academic progress requirements for financial aid eligibility, even if restart approval is granted. Some colleges will not accept courses prior to Academic Restart.

Advanced Placement Policy

All students may earn credit through the following options:

1. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Excelsior College Examination Program
2. NCC Departmental Challenge Exams
3. Advanced Placement Exams taken through the College Board
4. Military and non-traditional training, as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE)
5. Portfolio Assessment of Prior Learning
6. Industry-recognized Credential

A student must be enrolled in NCC courses to have such credits applied to the NCC transcript. All external examinations, ACE approved courses, credit for portfolio assessment, and industry-recognized credentials will be equated to NCC courses by appropriate department faculty. Criteria will be reviewed on a periodic basis to insure currency with existing course requirements. Students wishing more information on any of the above, except CLEP and the NCC challenge examination, should contact the Admissions Office. CLEP is administered through the Library and challenge examinations through the Records Office.

Eligibility

All new applicants and currently enrolled students are eligible to apply for credit using any of the above-mentioned options. Any form of advanced placement credit earned is added to the student's transcript upon final verification of enrollment (after the refund period of a student's first semester).

Credit Limits

A minimum of 25% of credits required for any degree, certificate or specialized diploma must be earned through NCC course work. Remaining credits may be awarded through transfer or as outlined in this policy.

Record of Credits

Advanced placement credit earned will be entered on the student's transcript with specific reference to the test or method used for granting credits.

Equating Credits

All methods of advanced placement will be equated to NCC courses or general electives as approved by department faculty. The Admissions and Records Offices will maintain a list of approved equivalencies. Students who have successfully completed any of these advanced placement methods prior to or while attending NCC may request an evaluation of credits earned.

Grades

Only credits will be recorded on the transcript for any advanced placement credit awarded; no grade will be given*. Students who earn credit through this policy and later take the equivalent course at NCC will be given credit and grade earned only for the NCC course. *Exceptions may be approved by the academic dean or designee in the case of developmental math modular units.

Credit may be awarded through:

1) College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Excelsior College Examinations

Students may take the CLEP examinations at either NCC Library or a national testing center. Excelsior examinations may be taken at any Sylvan Learning Center after test registration has been completed through Excelsior College. Credit for CLEP tests and Excelsior exams will be awarded for scores recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) for the former and Excelsior College for the latter, unless a Northampton department performs its own research and determines a more appropriate cut-off score.

2) Departmental Challenge Exams

NCC departmental challenge exams are available for certain designated courses. Subject to faculty approval, students may challenge a course only one time and may not challenge a course in which they have been enrolled beyond the first three weeks of the semester, or the equivalent time in a shorter course. Courses must be challenged in sequence. If a course has a prerequisite, that prerequisite must be fulfilled through course work or credit by examination acceptable to the College before a challenge examination may be taken. Internships and courses numbered 0XX will not be available for challenge*. Credit for NCC challenge examinations will be awarded for scores determined by faculty to be at a passing level. For information about the availability of departmental challenge examinations, students should contact the Records Office. *Exceptions may be approved by the academic dean or designee in the case of developmental math modular units.

3) Advanced Placement exams taken through the College Board

The College awards credit to students who successfully completed Advanced Placement (AP) courses and submit official exam scores that meet required score levels. Department faculty will determine courses to be accepted, credit to be awarded, and equivalency of each course to NCC courses. The Admissions Office will maintain a list of Advanced Placement courses, and their required scores, as approved by faculty.

4) Military and Non-Traditional Training

Credit will be awarded based on recommendations by the American Council on Education (ACE), unless a Northampton department performs its own research and determines a more appropriate recommendation.

5) Portfolio Assessment of Prior Learning

Criteria for each course will be developed (if appropriate) by the academic department to establish the proof of knowledge/learning gained by experiences outside the classroom. Credit will be awarded upon faculty evaluation of presented portfolio. The Admissions Office will have a list of portfolio criteria needed for assessment.

6) Industry-recognized Credentials

Department faculty will determine NCC course equivalency for certain industry-recognized credentials. The Admissions Office will maintain a list of the approved credentials.

ADA Policy and Complaint Procedure

Background

Northampton Community College (NCC) welcomes qualified students with disabilities and endorses the principles of nondiscrimination and reasonable accommodation as described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504), the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2009 (ADAA). The College prohibits discrimination against a person on the basis of disability or who has a history or record of such impairment or is regarded as having such impairment as well as persons who are associated with a disabled person. This procedure applies to complaints alleging disability discrimination carried out by students, faculty and staff, and third-party vendors.The College's Section 504 Coordinator handles complaints and appeals of accommodation decisions and allegations of discrimination on account of disability. The Section 504/ADA Coordinator is Brett Last, Executive Director of Human Resources. He may be reached at 610.861.5460 or blast@northampton.edu.

Procedures for Complaints of Discrimination Based Upon a Disability

If a student feels that he/she has been discriminated against based upon a disability by another student, faculty or staff or a third party, a complaint should be filed with the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator who will conduct an investigation of the allegations in the complaint. If the report alleges misconduct by the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, then the report should be made to the President. Within fifteen (15) days the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator will initiate an impartial, adequate, and reliable investigation. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes discrimination, the totality of the circumstances, the nature of the conduct and the context in which the alleged conduct occurred will be investigated. The individual accused of discrimination will be advised of the allegations, the source of the complaint, and then given the opportunity to respond to the allegations. Parties are allowed to present witnesses and other evidence during the investigation Within 60 days from the date that the complaint was received, the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, or designee, will prepare a written report, unless additional time to complete the investigation is required. The report will include findings with respect to whether discrimination occurred. If an investigation cannot be concluded within 60 days, the appropriate parties will be advised and a projected conclusion day will be announced. Should cause be found to support the allegations, the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator will identify appropriate remedial actions which may include disciplinary action up to and including termination, and he/she will report those recommendations to the person responsible for the division/department in which the alleged discrimination/harassment occurred. The College will also take steps to prevent the reoccurrence of any discrimination/harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others if appropriate. Within 15 days from the date that the report is prepared, the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator will provide notice to both parties of the findings, including the findings with respect to wrongdoing, and the outcome resulting from the complaint, including the final remedial actions and the basis for the decision. The notice provided will include the procedure to appeal.

Appeals of Results of Complaints of Discrimination Based Upon a Disability

Both parties may file an appeal if there is a disagreement with the findings and/or remedies of the complaint. An appeal must be made in writing. All appeals must be filed with the President or his/her designee within 10 working days of the receipt of the Coordinator's decision. The appeal must state why the appellant believes the result and conclusion is unsatisfactory. The President or his/her designee shall review the record and investigate further if deemed necessary. Within 30 working days of the date of the filing of the appeal, all parties will receive notice of the President's or his/her designee's decision in writing. The President's or his/her designee's decision will be final and binding on all parties.

Confidentiality

All actions taken to investigate and resolve complaints through this procedure shall be conducted with as much privacy, discretion and confidentiality as possible without compromising the thoroughness and fairness of the investigation. All persons involved are to treat the situation with respect. To conduct a thorough investigation, the investigator(s) may discuss the complaint with witnesses and those persons involved in or affected by the complaint, and those persons necessary to assist in the investigation or to implement appropriate disciplinary actions.

No Retaliation for Filing a Complaint

Retaliation against any individual for making a complaint of disability discrimination, or for assisting in the investigation of such a complaint is a violation of this policy and will not be tolerated. Any acts of retaliation will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, such as but not limited to reprimand, change in work assignment, loss of privileges, mandatory training or suspension and/or immediate termination.

Appeals

Academic Appeals

Appeals of grades, appeals of penalties for academic dishonesty, and appeals of actions related to the policy on Professional Conduct, will begin informally through discussion between the student and the faculty member involved and will proceed, if continued, through a series of formal steps culminating in a hearing before an Academic Appeals Committee, which will present its findings and recommendations for a decision to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. No final recommendation can be made without a quorum. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs will be final, unless it differs from that of the committee; in such cases, the student may appeal to the President, whose decision is final.

The appeals procedure is a student-motivated one; the responsibility to keep the action in progress rests primarily with the student.

Academic Appeals Committee

The Academic Appeals Committee reviews matters related to appeals of grades, appeals of penalties for academic dishonesty, appeals of actions related to the policy on professional conduct, and waivers of graduation requirements. The Academic Appeals Committee shall be composed of the following: 5 full-time faculty members (at least two shall teach at the Monroe campus) elected to a two year term at large from Academic Affairs, one Student Services faculty member elected by that cluster, and four students (at least 2 shall attend classes at the Monroe campus) appointed for a one year term by the Student Senate and/or Monroe Student Governance.

A quorum shall consist of the following: 7 persons - including 3 faculty members, 2 students, one student services faculty member and a dean (appointed by the President to hear the case). The Registrar may be asked to attend as an ex-officio member.

Appeals Not Covered Under Other Policies

Students may appeal a decision made by an administrator responsible for a department or division to the Vice President for Academic Affairs or Vice President, Enrollment & Student Affairs. The Vice President's decision will be final unless stated otherwise in specific College policy.

Attendance Policy

Class attendance and engagement in the learning process are critical factors in determining students' success in their courses. NCC students are expected to attend all class sessions of courses in which they are enrolled, and are responsible for all material presented in class sessions of these courses.

However, a student who misses class more than twice the number of weekly meetings of the class* (or the equivalent in short term courses) may be withdrawn from the course by the instructor.

Students who are withdrawn for poor attendance will receive a grade of W. Faculty may issue a withdrawal through the first 90% of the semester (14th week or equivalent in short term classes*). After the 90% period, a student may not withdraw or be withdrawn.

In an internet-based online learning course, a student is considered to have missed the equivalent of more than twice the number of weekly meetings of a traditional classroom course in a consecutive two-week period if there has been no participation by the student in the class through submission of assignments, participation in discussion forums or contact with the professor in any way during the period.

Students who are withdrawn from the class for lack of attendance may appeal the enforced withdrawal to the instructor. If the Instructor agrees to reinstate the student, he/she will be required to complete a reinstatement form and return it directly to the Records Office. If the appeal is denied, the student may speak with the appropriate academic dean and/or the Vice President, Enrollment & Student Affairs. Further discussion may take place with the faculty member, but the final decision on the withdrawal rests with the faculty member.

* Clinical and lab courses may have a different application of this attendance policy and it will be so noted on each syllabus.

Audit Policy

A student may apply to audit a course. Auditing students are not required to take examinations and do not receive grades or earn credits for the class.

Enrollment for the purpose of auditing shall be on a space available basis. Priority in class enrollment shall be given to students desiring to take courses for credit; therefore enrollment for audit purposes will only be permitted during the first week of the semester. Auditors must be eligible for admission to the College. A student can only audit a course one time.

Auditors pay standard tuition and fees. The student should identify himself to the instructor as an auditing student and discuss parameters of participating in classroom discussions. If a student wants to change from audit to credit, all prerequisites must be met. The change must be made by the end of the refund period for that course with the consent of the instructor. Instructors may request of the Vice President, Enrollment & Student Affairs that an auditor be officially withdrawn from the course if the auditor is interfering with the learning process.

Class Load

A minimum full-time class load is 12 credit hours. Students registering for 12 or more credit hours in either the fall or spring semester or for 8 or more in any summer session must have approval from an academic advisor. Students will not be allowed to take more than 19 credit hours for either the fall or spring semester or more than 13 credit hours in the summer unless required by their academic program. Exceptions may be granted for students who have a G.P.A of at least 2.75, advisor or Dean recommendation.

Completing an Associate's Degree in Two Years

The number of credit hours that a student must carry in order to complete a program within a two-year period will vary depending upon his or her academic program. Consult the Catalog program description for the variation in credits required by each program. Students who elect to pursue a minimum full-time load (12 credits) each semester cannot graduate in two years unless they complete a significant number of credits during summer sessions. If students must take developmental courses, it will take more than two years to complete a degree. Students are encouraged to review all this information with their academic advisor and to discuss the option that presents the strongest opportunity for academic success.

Classification of Students

Students attending the College will be classified as follows:

• Freshman: Successfully completed fewer than 24 credit hours
• Sophomore: Successfully completed 24 or more credit hours

Course Credit Policy

Each course that offers academic credit is assigned a credit value based on the number of scheduled student contact hours and the type of teaching modality used to deliver the course. The college defines a semester credit hour as a unit of coursework equivalent to:

1. 55 minutes of lecture instruction and student engagement per week for 14 weeks, or
2. a laboratory comprised of 2-3 hours weekly of structured laboratory learning involving the faculty and the student for 14 weeks, or
3. up to 75 hours of internship or fieldwork for 14 weeks.

For courses offered on a schedule different from the 14 week schedule, the associated instructional time (typically 2250 minutes for a three credit course) is distributed evenly over the scheduled weeks of the course. The credit value for each course is displayed as a number ratio following the course title and credit assignment. The first digit indicates the weekly lecture hours; the second digit indicates the weekly laboratory hours; the third digit (where appropriate) indicates the number of weekly experiential learning hours (clinical, internship, practicum, etc). Courses are designed such that students should expect to study a minimum of two hours outside of class for every hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction.

Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy

Policy Statement

Members of the NCC community, guests and visitors have the right to be free from sexual discrimination, harassment and misconduct. All members of the campus community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. When an allegation of misconduct is brought to an appropriate administrator’s attention, and a Respondent (hereinafter referred to as “Responding Party”) is found to have violated this policy, sanctions will be used to reasonably ensure that such actions are never repeated.  This policy has been developed to reaffirm these principles and to provide recourse for Complainants (hereinafter referred to as “Reporting Party”) whose rights have been violated.  This policy is intended to define community expectations and to establish a mechanism for determining when those expectations have been violated.

Northampton Community College is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility and mutual respect in a place free of discrimination on the basis of sex; which includes all forms of sexual misconduct. Sex discrimination violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity.

Northampton Community College considers sex discrimination in all its forms to be a serious offense. This policy refers to all forms of sex discrimination, including but not limited to: sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking by employees, students, or third parties.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. To ensure compliance with Title IX and other federal and state civil rights laws, the College has developed policies and procedures that prohibit sex discrimination in all of its forms.

In accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable state and federal laws, Northampton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis of prohibited discrimination in its programs and activities. This policy extends to employment, programs, and admission to the College.

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. It also governs student-on-student sexual discrimination, including sexual assault, both on and off-campus.

Persons who experience discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct may respond to the experience in many different ways, including feeling confused, vulnerable, out of control, embarrassed, angry, or depressed. The College provides a variety of resources to assist individuals who have experienced discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct to address the effects of the incident and to help them determine whether and how to make a formal complaint about the incident. Additional resource-related information can be found in Section VIII.

All reports of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation shall be promptly made to the Title IX Coordinator as appropriate (or one of the designated Deputy Coordinators). Employees asserting claims of discrimination pursuant to Title VI, VII or ADA/504 must notify the Executive Director of Human Resources of his/her complaint within five (5) Business days of having knowledge of the action(s) that gave rise to the compliant.

Deputy Coordinators and/or Investigators will be appointed by the Title IX Coordinator in consultation with President’s Cabinet as appropriate.  Reporting responsibilities are described in Section III below for those individuals who become aware of incidents involving discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct. Additionally, a Reporting Party’s options for reporting are addressed more specifically in Section IV below.

I. Prohibited Conduct

A. Discrimination

Northampton Community College adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in public institutions of higher education, including, but not limited to, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The College prohibits discrimination against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission, and/or any beneficiary of a program or facility offered or provided by the College, on the basis of any protected class. Protected classes include: age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, or local law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any complaint process on campus or with other human rights agencies.

This policy covers discrimination in employment and in access to educational opportunities, programs, and/or College facilities. Discrimination is defined as adverse treatment of an individual based on that individual’s membership in one or more of the protected groups listed above. Therefore, any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, housing and/or social access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the campus community on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in the  protected classes listed above is in violation of the College policy on discrimination. All College employees shall report all suspected incidents of discrimination or harassment (see Section III. Reporting Responsibilities).

When brought to the attention of the College, any such discrimination will be appropriately remedied according to the procedures outlined in this policy.

B. Harassment

NCC prohibits harassment against any employee, student, visitor, or guest on the basis of any class protected by College policy or law as identified in Section I.A. above. This policy is not meant to inhibit or prohibit educational content or discussions inside or outside of the classroom that include germane but controversial or sensitive subject matters. The sections below describe the specific forms of prohibited harassment under College policy.

1. Bias-Related Harassment

This policy prohibits any form of harassment on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class, by any member or group of the campus community, which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work or academic environment.

This environment may be created by verbal, written, graphic, threatening and/or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive so as to interfere with, limit, or deny the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities or employment access, benefits, or opportunities. Merely offensive conduct and/or harassment of a generic nature not on the basis of membership in a protected class may not result in a violation of this policy but may be addressed through education and/or other resolution methods.

2. Sexual Harassment

This policy prohibits any form of sexual harassment (defined below). Anyone experiencing sexual harassment in any College program is encouraged to report it online (www.northampton.edu/reportit), to NCC’s Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Coordinator, or by methods identified in the Complaint Resolution Process Section (IV.A. Confidentiality and Reporting of Offenses).

Some examples of possible sexual harassment include:

• A professor insists that a student have sex with him/her in exchange for a good grade. This is harassment regardless of whether the student complies with the request.
• A student repeatedly sends sexually oriented jokes on an e-mail list the student created, even when asked to stop, causing one recipient to avoid the sender on campus and in the residence hall in which they both live.
• Two supervisors frequently rate several employees’ bodies and sex appeal, commenting suggestively about their clothing and appearance.

Consensual Relationships. There are inherent risks in any romantic or sexual relationship between individuals in unequal positions (such as faculty and student, supervisor and employee). These relationships may be less consensual than perceived by the individual whose position confers power. The relationship also may be viewed in different ways by each of the parties, particularly in retrospect.

Furthermore, circumstances may change, and conduct that was previously welcome may become unwelcome. Even when both parties have consented at the outset to a romantic or sexual involvement, this past consent may not remove grounds for a later charge of a violation of applicable sections of the faculty/staff handbooks. For the personal protection of members of this community, relationships in which power differentials are inherent (faculty-student, staff-student, administrator-student) are generally discouraged.

Consensual romantic or sexual relationships in which one party maintains a direct supervisory or evaluative role over the other party are unethical.

Therefore, persons with direct supervisory or evaluative responsibilities who are involved in such relationships must bring those relationships to the timely attention of their supervisor, and will likely result in the necessity to remove the employee from the supervisory or evaluative responsibilities, or shift the student out of being supervised or evaluated by someone with whom they have established a consensual relationship. This includes CAs and mentors and students over whom they have direct responsibility. While no relationships are prohibited by this policy, failure to self-report such relationships to a supervisor as required can result in disciplinary action for an employee.

3. Sexual Misconduct

This policy prohibits any form of sexual misconduct. Acts of sexual misconduct may be committed by any person upon any other person, regardless of the sex, gender, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity of those involved. The definition of consent below will be used in the interpretation and application of this policy:

Consent. Consent is knowing, voluntary, and clear permission by word or action to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. Since individuals may experience the same interaction in different ways, it is the responsibility of each party to make certain that the other has consented before engaging in the activity. For consent to be valid, there must be a clear expression in words or actions that the other individual consented to that specific sexual conduct. Consent to a specific sexual contact (such as kissing or fondling) cannot be presumed to be consent for another specific sexual activity (such as intercourse). A current or previous dating relationship is not sufficient to constitute consent. Silence or the absence of resistance alone is not consent. The existence of consent is based on the totality of the circumstances, including the context in which the alleged incident occurred. Individuals can withdraw consent at any time during sexual activity by expressing in words or actions that they no longer want the act to continue, and, if that happens, the other person must stop immediately.

A person cannot consent if he or she is incapacitated. Under this policy, a person is incapacitated if he or she is disabled or deprived of ability to act or reason for one’s self, is unable to understand what is happening, or is disoriented, helpless, asleep, or unconscious for any reason, including due to alcohol or other drugs. Incapacitation is defined as a state where someone cannot make rational, reasonable decisions because they lack the capacity to give knowing consent (e.g., to understand the “who, what, when, where, why, or how” of their sexual interaction). This policy also covers a person whose incapacity results from mental disability, involuntary physical restraint, and/or from taking of an incapacitating substance. A person is incapacitated if the person is temporarily incapable of apprising or controlling the person’s own conduct due to the influence of a narcotic, anesthetic, or intoxicating substance; if a person is unable to communicate an unwillingness to act because the person is unconscious, asleep, or is otherwise physically limited; or if the person has a bodily impairment or handicap that substantially limits the person’s ability to resist or flee.

An individual who engages in sexual activity when the individual knows, or should know, that the other person is physically or mentally incapacitated has violated this policy. It is not an excuse that the Responding Party to a claim of sexual misconduct was intoxicated and, therefore, did not realize the other person’s incapacity.

The following are types of prohibited sexual misconduct under this policy:

 

a. Sexual Harassment

Defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: (1) An employee of the College conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the College on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; (2) Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the College’s education program or activity; or “Sexual assault”, “dating violence”, “domestic violence” or “stalking” as defined below.

b. Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse

Defined as any sexual penetration or intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal) however slight with any object by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force.

Sexual penetration includes vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or object, or oral copulation by mouth‐to‐genital contact or genital‐to-mouth contact.

c. Non-Consensual Sexual Contact

Defined as any intentional sexual touching however slight with any object by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force.

Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, genitals, mouth, or other bodily orifice of another individual or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.

d. Sexual Exploitation

Defined as taking non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another; and the conduct does not fall within the definitions of sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual intercourse, or non-consensual sexual contact. Examples of sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to:

• Sexual voyeurism (such as watching a person undressing, using the bathroom, or engaging in sexual acts without the consent of the person observed)
• Taking photographs, video recording, or audio recording of another in a sexual act or in any other private activity without the consent of all persons involved in the activity
• Exceeding the boundaries of consent (such as allowing another person to hide in a closet and observe sexual activity or disseminating sexual pictures without the photographed person’s consent)
• Engaging in sexual activity with another person while knowingly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other sexually transmitted disease (STD) without informing the other person of the infection
• Administering alcohol or drugs (such as “date rape” drugs) to another person without the person’s knowledge or consent

e. Relationship Violence

Includes domestic violence and dating violence, which are defined as follows:

• Domestic violence” means felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Dating violence” means violence committed by a person: (A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: (i) The length of the relationship; (ii) The type of relationship; and (iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

f. Stalking

Defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Sending multiple unwanted text messages, phone calls, or electronic communications
• Following, watching, photographing, or otherwise tracking an individual without his or her permission
• Sending unwelcome gifts, notes, or other items to another person

C. Retaliation

The College seeks to create an environment where its students and employees are free, without fear of reprisal, to use its procedures to determine if there has been a violation of their civil rights. Any act of retaliation will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

No person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or other federal, state, or local law, or College policy, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this policy. Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for Code of Conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege constitutes retaliation. Acts of alleged retaliation should be reported immediately to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators. The exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment does not constitute prohibited retaliation.

D. Other Offenses

This policy prohibits other offenses of a discriminatory, harassing, and/or retaliatory nature not included in the previous sections as follows:

• Intimidation, defined under this policy as implied threats or acts that cause a reasonable fear of harm in another on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class
• Hazing, defined under this policy as acts likely to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to any person within the College community when related to the admission, initiation, joining, or any other group-affiliation activity on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class.
• Bullying, defined under this policy as repeated and/or severe aggressive behavior likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control or diminish another person, physically or mentally on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class.
• Violation of any other College rule, when it is motivated by sex or gender or the actual or perceived membership of the victim in a protected class, may be pursued using this policy and process.

II. Scope/Jurisdiction/Application

This policy applies to allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation that take place on NCC property or at College sponsored events and properties within the United States, that are a part of the College educational mission and related activities, and is limited to locations, events, or circumstances over which the College exercised substantial control over both the Responding Party and the context in which the harassment occurs, and also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the College. This policy may also apply to allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation that occur off-campus or to actions online when the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator determines that the off‐campus or online conduct could have an on-campus impact or impact on the educational mission of the College.

Such impact includes:

• Any action that constitutes a criminal offense as defined by federal, state, or local law;
• Any situation where it appears that the Responding Party may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of self or others;
• Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property, or achievements of others or significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder; and/or
• Any situation that is detrimental to the educational interests of the College.

III. Reporting Responsibilities

All College employees who are aware of or witness discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation are required to promptly report to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Coordinator; or to the Executive Director of Human Resources or his/her designee if the complaint relates to discrimination in employment. Any student who is aware of or who witnesses discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation is encouraged to promptly report to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Coordinator. All initial contacts will be treated with the maximum possible privacy: specific information on any complaint received by any party will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator, but, subject to the College’s obligation to investigate and redress violations, every reasonable effort will be made to maintain the privacy of those initiating a report of a complaint. In all cases, the College will give consideration to the Reporting Party with respect to how the complaint is pursued but reserves the right, when necessary to protect the community, to investigate and pursue a resolution when an alleged victim chooses not to initiate or participate in a formal complaint.

Please note: This section addresses reporting obligations for members of our campus community who are made aware of potential violations of this policy. Methods for filing a complaint and the Complaint Resolution Process are detailed in Section IV. Additional resource-related information can be found in Section VIII.

A. Role of the Titles IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators

The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators are charged with coordinating the College response to reports of misconduct under this policy. The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators do not serve as advocates for either the Reporting or Responding Party but rather for all parties involved, thus the roles are to be neutral throughout the process. The Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators will explain to both parties the informal and formal processes outlined below and the provisions for confidentiality. Where appropriate, the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators will provide to both parties’ information on options for obtaining advocacy, medical and counseling services, and making criminal reports, and will assist with providing information on other resources. The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators will coordinate with other campus officials to take appropriate interim actions such as no contact orders, academic accommodations, and rearrangement of housing and work assignments.

For a roster of the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators, please visit: www.northampton.edu/titleix

B. Police Reporting

In addition to required campus reporting, reports may also be made to the police and/or campus security, especially if a crime is or may be involved, by calling the following numbers:

• Emergency - 911
• Bethlehem Township Police (non-emergency number) 610-330-2200
• Pocono Township Police (non‐emergency number) 610-330-2200
• Bethlehem City Police (non-emergency number) 610-865-7187
• NCC Public Safety:
  • Main Campus (24 hrs.): 610-861-5588
  • Monroe Campus: 570-369-1911
  • Fowler: 484-390-3240

C. Federal Timely Warning Obligations

Victims of sexual misconduct should be aware that College administrators must issue crime alerts for incidents reported to them that represent a serious or continuing threat to students or employees. The College will withhold a victim’s name and other identifying information while providing enough information for community members to make safety decisions in light of the potential danger.

IV. Complaint Resolution Process

The College will respond to any alleged violation of this policy received by the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators. This section outlines ways in which offenses can be reported by individuals choosing to pursue complaint options. Additional resource‐related information can be found in Section VIII.

A.    Confidentiality and Reporting of Offenses

Northampton Community College will make every effort to safeguard the identities of individuals who seek help and/or report discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. While steps are taken to protect the privacy of victims, College’s ability to respond may be limited in the event of a request for confidentiality. The College may need to investigate an incident and take action once an allegation is known, whether or not the reporting individual chooses to pursue a complaint.

When a report is made, personally identifiable information (name of Reporting Party, name of Responding Party, etc.) may be initially withheld in cases where the victim is hesitant to come forward. Subsequently, campus officials may need additional information. The College’s Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator will conduct an initial inquiry, looking for any sign of pattern, predation, violence, or threat. When such exists, institutional action may be required in an effort to ensure campus safety.

No employee should ever promise absolute confidentiality except those as described below in Section IV.A.2. Reports may be private, but not confidential, as described below in Section IV.A.3. Reports to police and/or Title IX officials do not obligate the Reporting Party to file any criminal or College conduct charges.

The College will not pursue disciplinary action for improper use of alcohol or other drugs against an alleged victim of sexual misconduct or against another student who shares information as either a witness to or as a reporter of sexual misconduct as long as the report is made in good faith. See “Good Samaritan Provision,” Appendix 4

Deliberately false and/or malicious accusations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, as opposed to complaints which, even if erroneous, are made in good faith, are just as serious an offense as discrimination, harassment, or retaliation and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Complaints and reports should be made as soon as possible after an incident. 

If the incident is an assault:

Report the incident:

• Local Police – Emergency – 911
• Bethlehem Township Police (non-emergency number) 610-759-2200
• Pocono Township Police (non-emergency number) 570-629-7323
• Bethlehem City Police (non-emergency number) 610-865-7187
• Campus Security
  • Bethlehem Campus (24 hrs.): 610-861-5588
  • Monroe Campus: 570-369-1911
  • Fowler: 484-390-3240

Seek immediate medical attention. Do not change clothing, shower, bathe, brush teeth or douche. Delay the above and going to the bathroom (if possible) until you are examined as this preserves evidence of the assault. Medical attention should be accessed at a local hospital.

• Easton Hospital: 610-250-4000
• Muhlenberg Hospital/LVH: 610-402-8000
• St. Luke’s Hospital: 484-526-4000
• Pocono Medical Center: 570-476-3367

Seek emotional support. It is important that you talk about this issue and that you tell someone you trust.

On‐campus you may contact:

Counseling Services: 610-861-5342

Health and Wellness Center staff: 610-861-5365

Residence Life staff: 610-861-5324 or 610-861-4115

Off-campus you may contact:

• Crime Victims Council/Sexual Assault 24-hour hotline (Bethlehem): 610-437-6610
• Women’s Resources Hotline (Monroe): 570-421-4200
• North Penn Legal Services: 610-317-5317

Options for filing a report include:

1. Anonymous and Third-Party Reporting

   The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators accept anonymous and third-party reports of conduct alleged to violate this policy and will follow up on such reports. The individual making the report is encouraged to provide as much detailed information as possible to allow the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators to coordinate an investigation and respond as appropriate. The College may be limited in its ability to investigate an anonymous or third party report unless sufficient information is provided. (See www.northampton.edu/reportit)

2. Confidential Reporting

   If a Reporting Party would like the details of an incident to be kept confidential, the Reporting Party may speak with counselors, health service providers, victim services advocates, domestic violence resources, local or state assistance agencies, or members of the clergy who are permitted by law to maintain confidentiality (except in extreme cases of immediacy of threat or danger or abuse of a minor). These sources may submit anonymous statistical information for timely warning and Clery Act purposes. If a Reporting Party is unsure of a resource’s ability to maintain confidentiality, the Reporting Party is advised to ask them before talking to them. NCC counselors for students and/or the Employee Assistance Program for employees are available to help free of charge and can be seen on an emergency basis.

3. Private Reporting

   Reports to College employees who are not confidential resources listed above in Section IV.A.2. should be treated with the maximum possible privacy. If a Reporting Party is unsure of a resource’s ability to maintain privacy, the Reporting Party is advised to ask them before talking to them. The resource will be able to explain the resource’s reporting obligations and help a Reporting Party make decisions about who is in the best position to help. If personally identifiable information is shared, it will be shared with as few people as possible under the circumstances and efforts will be made to protect privacy to the greatest extent reasonably possible.

4. Formal Reporting

   A Reporting Party is encouraged to speak to College officials, such as the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators or NCC Public Safety, to make formal reports. A Reporting Party has the right, and can expect, to have reports taken seriously by the College when formally reported and to have those incidents investigated and properly resolved through these procedures or resolved through informal measures. Formal reporting still affords privacy to the Reporting Party and only a small group of officials who need to know will be told. Information will be shared as necessary with investigator(s), witnesses, the Responding Party, and a hearing board if deemed appropriate. The number of people with this knowledge will be kept as few as reasonably possible to preserve a Reporting Party’s rights and privacy.

5. Criminal Reporting

If someone is in immediate danger or is a victim of a crime, call 9‐1-1. Some acts of discrimination and harassment may also be crimes, such as sexual assault or stalking. Allegations of criminal conduct should be reported to law enforcement even when it is not clear whether the conduct rises to the level of a crime. Regardless, law enforcement can assist with obtaining medical care, getting immediate law enforcement response and protection, connecting with victim advocate services and counseling support, initiating a criminal investigation as appropriate, and answering questions about the criminal process.

B. Informal Resolution Process

Informal resolution is an alternative to the formal complaint resolution process after a formal complaint has been made to the Title IX Coordinator or respective Title IX Deputy Coordinators. The Title IX Coordinator will determine if informal resolution is appropriate, based on the willingness of the parties and the nature of the alleged conduct. Sanctions are only pursued as the result of an informal resolution process when the parties agree to such an informal resolution process and appropriate remedies. The Title IX Coordinator will keep records of any resolution that is reached. The College reserves the right to cancel informal resolution if sufficient evidence suggests a formal investigation or other sanctions or remedies may be necessary and appropriate.

To pursue informal resolution, it is necessary to first make a formal complaint. Anyone participating in informal resolution can stop that process at any time and request to continue through the formal process. Lastly, an informal resolution can be reached while navigating the formal resolution process, if agreed to by both parties.

Except in cases involving criminal activity and/or sexual assault, an employee alleging discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation against an employee under this policy is encouraged to consider an informal resolution. If it is appropriate, an attempt to facilitate an informal resolution of the matter will be made throughout the process. In the event that an informal resolution is not reached, is not appropriate, or is not pursued, the employee who is alleging the discrimination, harassment, or retaliation may initiate a formal investigation.

C. Formal Resolution Process

1. Filing a Complaint

Any individual who believes that this policy has been violated should contact the Title IX Coordinator or any Deputy Coordinator.

a. Complaint Intake

Following receipt of notice or a complaint, a Deputy Coordinator will make an initial determination as to whether the information has merit to reasonably indicate there may have been a violation of College policy. The Deputy Coordinator will then engage with the Reporting Party to confirm the receipt and submission of the formal complaint. After this Initial Inquiry step has been completed and the confirmation of a formal complaint by the Reporting Party, if it appears a violation may have occurred, an investigation of the complaint will begin. If the complaint does not appear to allege a policy violation or if conflict resolution is desired by the Reporting Party and appears appropriate given the nature of the alleged behavior, then the complaint does not proceed to investigation. An investigation will be pursued if there is sufficient information to suggest a policy violation, a pattern of misconduct, and/or a perceived threat of further harm to the community or any of its members may exist. Notwithstanding the above, if the conduct alleged in a formal complaint would not constitute sexual harassment even if proved, did not occur in the College’s education program or activity, or did not occur against a person in the United States, then the complaint will be dismissed with regard to the alleged conduct.

b. Interim Action

The College will offer supportive measures upon notice of alleged discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation, and may take additional prompt remedial and/or disciplinary action with respect to any member of the community, guest, or visitor who has violated this policy.

Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the Reporting Party or Responding Party before or after the filing of a formal complaint, or where no formal complaint has been filed. These measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s education programs or activities without unreasonably burdening either party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the College’s educational environment, or deter sexual harassment. Supportive measures may include counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, safety planning, referral to campus and community resources, and other similar measures. Any supportive measures provided to the Reporting Party or Responding Party shall remain confidential to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the College to provide the supportive measures. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures.

The College may remove, on an interim basis, a student, or place an employee on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation and procedures. The College may also suspend a student organization on an interim basis. Prior to removing a student, the College will undertake an individualized safety and risk analysis in order to determine whether an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual arising from the allegations of sexual harassment justifies removal, and will provide the Responding Party with notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision immediately following removal. In cases in which an interim suspension or administrative leave is imposed, a representative of the student organization or employee will be given the opportunity to meet with an appropriate administrator prior to such action being imposed, or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible, to show cause why the action should not be implemented. Violation of interim provisions, or failure to comply with supportive measures, will be grounds for disciplinary action.

During a removal or administrative leave, a student or employee may be denied access to College housing and/or the College campus, facilities, computer network, resources and/or events, either entirely or with specific application. As determined by the appropriate administrative officer, this restriction includes classes and/or all other College activities or privileges for which the individual might otherwise be eligible. At the discretion of the appropriate administrative officer, alternative coursework options may be pursued to ensure as minimal an impact as possible on the Responding Student. At the discretion of the appropriate administrative officer, alternative employment/work options may be pursued to ensure as minimal an impact as possible on the Responding Employee.

2. Notice of Charges

Once an investigation has begun and thus an Investigator has been assigned, the college will provide the following written notice to all parties involved: (1) a copy of the College’s grievance process outlined in this policy; and (2) notice of the allegations of sexual harassment, including sufficient details known at the time and with sufficient time to prepare a response before any initial interview. If the Responding Party is an employee, the written notice will be copied to the employee’s department head/director, dean, vice president, and president. If, in the course of an investigation, the College decides to investigate allegations about the Reporting Party or the Responding Party that are not included in the notices provided above, the College will provide notice of the additional allegations to the parties whose identities are known. There shall be a presumption that the Responding Party is not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of this grievance process.

3. Investigation

If a Reporting Party wishes to pursue a formal complaint or if the College determines an investigation is necessary, the Title IX Coordinator will assign an investigator, usually within five business days of determining that a formal complaint should proceed. Investigations will be thorough and impartial and will entail interviews with relevant parties and witnesses, and obtaining available evidence. Both the Reporting Party and the Responding Party will have the opportunity to present witnesses with information pertinent to the alleged sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or sexual assault, and any relevant information.

The investigator will document the proceedings including evidence provided, any evidence deemed irrelevant, questions asked and questions also deemed irrelevant with respect to the alleged sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or sexual assault. Written notice of the date, time, location, participants, and purpose of all hearings, investigative interviews, or other meetings will be provided to a party whose participation is invited or expected, with sufficient time for the party to prepare to participate.

Every effort will be made to avoid conflict of interest (real or perceived) during the Investigation and overall Title IX process. The College aims to complete investigations within 60 days, which can be extended as necessary for appropriate cause by the Title IX Coordinator with notice to the parties. An Investigation may take longer when initial complaints fail to provide direct first-hand information. The College may undertake a short delay (usually 3-10 days, to allow evidence collection) when criminal charges are being investigated. Reporting Parties will be informed, at regular intervals, of the status of the investigation. College action will continue regardless of the status of civil or criminal charges involving the same incident. A Reporting Party may proceed with both a criminal charge and a request for a College resolution simultaneously.

Prior to completion of the investigative report, the College will send to each party and the party’s advisor, if any, the evidence subject to inspection and review in an electronic format or a hard copy. The parties will have ten (10) days to submit a written response, which the Investigator will consider prior to completion of the investigative report.

Upon receipt of the Investigative Report, the Title IX Coordinator will forward the report to the parties involved to allow review of the completed report at least ten (10) days prior to a hearing. The Title IX Coordinator will also forward the report to the Title IX deputy overseeing the case, to prepare the Hearing Board for review.

4. Investigation Findings

For Students and Employees

The parties are entitled to a live hearing as part of the grievance process. The Hearing Board will determine if this policy has been violated by using a preponderance of the evidence standard. A finding of a policy violation by a preponderance of the evidence means that it is more likely than not that the policy violation occurred. If it is decided that no policy violation has occurred or that there is insufficient evidence, then the process will end, subject to an appeal as outlined below. Regardless of the outcome, notice will be delivered in writing by the Hearing Board, to the Reporting Party, the Responding Party, and the Title IX Coordinator.

A live hearing will proceed as follows:

• Both the Reporting and the Responding Party will receive equivalent notice of the process.
• Each party’s advisor will be permitted to ask the other party and any witnesses all relevant questions and follow-up questions, including those challenging credibility.
• Cross-examination is required during the Hearing Board session and will occur after the Hearing Board has completed their round of questioning.
• To facilitate the cross-examination part of the hearing, an advisor must be present for each party. The advisor is the only entity for each respective party that is able to engage in the cross-examination questioning.
• If an advisor is not available to a party, the College will provide an advisor without fee or charge to the party.
• Cross-examination must be conducted directly, orally, and in real time by the party’s advisor.
• Only relevant cross-examination and other questions may be asked of a party or witness. Before a party or witness answers a question, the Hearing Board will determine whether the question is relevant, and explain any decision to exclude a question as not relevant.
• The Reporting Party and Responding Party are required to be present throughout the entire Hearing, along with witnesses and the Investigator involved in the case. Failure to participate will result in the striking of their testimony from throughout the process. However, the Hearing Board will not draw an inference about the determination regarding responsibility based solely on a party’s or witness’ absence from the living hearing, or refusal to answer questions.
• The Reporting Party will be entitled to the same opportunity to have others present during a Hearing as is provided to the Responding Party, including residence hall staff and/or a College Support Person.
• Both the Reporting and the Responding Party will have the opportunity to present witnesses with information pertinent to the alleged sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or sexual assault, and any relevant information to the Hearing Board during the conduct process.
• The Reporting Party and Responding Party must be present during the entirety of the hearing. However, at the request of either party, the hearing can be held in the alternative format to allow the parties to be located in separate rooms with technology enabling the Hearing Board and the parties to simultaneously see and hear the party or witness answer questions.
• Questions and evidence about the Reporting Party’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant, unless such questions and evidence about the Reporting Party’s prior sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the Responding Party committed the alleged conduct, or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the Reporting Party’s prior sexual behavior with respect to the respondent and are offered to prove consent. If the Responding Party is found responsible for the conduct alleged in the complaint, his or her past sexual misconduct, if any, may be considered in determining the appropriate outcome.
• The College will document the proceedings, which shall be made available to the parties for inspection and review.

Following the hearing, the Hearing Board, or designee, shall issue a written determination regarding responsibility for the alleged misconduct. The written determination will be provided to both parties simultaneously, as well as to the Title IX Coordinator. The determination will become final either on the date of notice of a written determination of the result of an appeal, if any, or, if no appeal is filed, the date on which an appeal would no longer be considered timely.

If, following a hearing, the Responding Party is found to have violated College policy, appropriate disciplinary sanctions will be determined by the Hearing Board after consultation with the Title IX Coordinator. The Hearing Board will notify the Reporting Party, the Responding Party, and the Title IX Coordinator in writing of the decision. This written decision must be issued within twenty business days of the date of receipt of the investigative report from the Title IX Coordinator.

5. Sanctions

Sanctions will be issued by the Hearing Board in consultation with the Title IX Coordinator as noted above in Section IV.C.4. Factors considered when determining a sanction may include:

• The nature of, severity of, and circumstances surrounding the violation
• The Responding Party’s disciplinary history
• Previously founded complaints or allegations against the Responding Party involving similar conduct
• Any other information deemed relevant by the Title IX Coordinator
• The need to bring an end to the discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation
• The need to prevent the future recurrence of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation
• The need to remedy the effects of the discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation on the victim and the community

1. Student Sanctions

   For examples of the range of potential disciplinary sanctions against students, see the section of the Student Handbook entitled Disciplinary Actions.

2. Employee Sanctions

Sanctions for an employee who has violated this policy may include, but are not limited to, verbal or written warning, required counseling, training, demotion, reassignment, suspension, and termination.

6. Appeals

Appeals of the decision of the Hearing Board, and from the dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations therein, may be filed by the Reporting Party, the Responding Party, or both. All requests for appeal considerations must be submitted in writing to the Title IX Coordinator within five business days of the date of the final written notice.

Appeals are limited to the following bases:

• A procedural irregularity that affected the outcome.
• New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, that could affect the outcome of the matter. A summary of this new evidence and its potential impact upon the investigation must be included in the appeal.
• The Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, or member of the Hearing Board had a conflict of interest or bias for or against reporting parties or responding parties generally, or the individual Reporting Party or Responding Party, that affected the outcome of the matter.
• The sanctions imposed are substantially disproportionate to the severity of the violation.

The original finding and sanction/responsive actions will stand if the appeal is not timely or is not based on the grounds listed above, and such a finding and sanction/responsive action(s) are final. When a party requests an appeal, the other party (parties) will be notified and given an opportunity to respond.

For students: In cases involving student conduct, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment (or designee) will review the appeal request(s).

For employees: In cases involving employee conduct, the Vice President, Finance and Operations (or designee) will review the appeal request(s).

Where the designee finds that at least one of the grounds is met, and proceeds with the appeal, additional principles governing the hearing of appeals include the following:

• The original decision will only be changed when there is a compelling justification to do so.
• Appeals are not intended to be full re‐hearings of the complaint. Appeals are confined to a review of the written documentation or record of the original hearing and pertinent documentation regarding the grounds for appeal.
• Each party shall be given a reasonable, equal opportunity to submit a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome subject to appeal.
• Sanctions will not be imposed pending the outcome of the appeal. Interim and/or supportive measures may be imposed and/or continued as appropriate.
• The designee will render a decision within ten business days to the Title IX Coordinator who will normally provide simultaneous written notice of the appeal to all parties within three business days from the date of the appeal review.
• All parties will be informed of whether the grounds for an appeal are accepted and the results of the appeal decision.
• Once an appeal is decided, the outcome is final. Further appeals are not permitted under this policy.

7. Failure to Complete Sanctions

All Responding Parties are expected to comply with conduct sanctions within the time frame specified in their written notice. Failure to follow through on conduct sanctions by the date specified, whether by refusal, neglect, or any other reason, may result in additional sanctions and/or suspension, expulsion, and/or termination from the College. For students, failure to comply may result in transcript notation and/or a hold to prevent future registration.

V. Remedial Actions

In addition to the interim actions outlined in Section IV.C.1.b, the Title IX Coordinator (or designee) may provide remedial actions intended to address the short or long-term effects of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation. That is, remedial actions may be taken at the conclusion of the process in addition to any actions that may have been taken on an interim basis, in order to redress harm to the Reporting Party and the community and to prevent further harassment or violations. Remedial actions may also be used when, in the judgment of the Title IX Coordinator (or designee), the safety or well‐being of any member(s) of the campus community may be jeopardized by the presence on campus of the Responding Party or the ongoing activity of a student organization whose behavior is in question.

These remedies may include referral to counseling and health services or to the Employee Assistance Program, altering the housing situation of a Responding Student, (or the Reporting Party, if desired), altering work arrangements, providing campus escorts, implementing contact limitations between the parties, or offering adjustments to academic deadlines and/or course schedules.

VI. Statement of Rights for Reporting and Responding Parties

Both a Reporting Party and Responding Party will be afforded the following rights under this policy:

• To be treated with respect by College officials
• To take advantage of campus support resources (such as Counseling Services and College Health Services for students, or EAP services for employees)
• To experience a safe educational and work environment
• To have an advisor (students) or representative (employees) during this process
• To refuse to have an allegation resolved through informal procedures
• To be free from retaliation
• To have complaints heard in substantial accordance with these procedures
• To reasonable and necessary participation in the process

VII. Records

In implementing this policy, records of all complaints, resolutions, and hearings will be kept by the Title IX Coordinator indefinitely.

Appendix

Good Samaritan

The welfare of students in our community is of paramount importance. At times, students on and off‐campus may need assistance. The College encourages students to offer help and assistance to others in need. Sometimes, students are hesitant to offer assistance to others, for fear that they may get themselves in trouble (for example, as student who has been drinking underage might hesitate to help take a victim of sexual misconduct to the Campus security). The College pursues a policy of limited immunity for students who offer help to others in need. While policy violations cannot be overlooked, the College will provide educational options, rather than punishment, to those who offer their assistance to others in need.

Risk Reduction Tips

Risk reduction tips can often take a victim-blaming tone, even unintentionally. With no intention to victim-blame, and with recognition that only those who commit sexual violence are responsible for those actions, these suggestions may nevertheless help you to reduce your risk experiencing a non-consensual sexual act. Below, suggestions to avoid committing a non-consensual sexual act are also offered:

• Know your sexual intentions and limits. You have the right to say “NO” to any unwanted sexual contact. If you are uncertain of what you want, ask your partner to respect your feelings.
• Communicate your limits firmly and directly. If you say “No,” say it like you mean it. Avoid giving mixed messages. Back up your words with a firm voice and clear body language. Do not assume that someone will automatically know how you feel or will eventually “get the message” without you having to say anything.
• Remember that some people think that drinking, dressing provocatively, or going to your or your date’s room is saying you are willing to have sex. Be clear up front about your limits in such situations.
• Listen to your gut feelings. If you feel uncomfortable or think you might be at risk, leave the situation immediately and go to a safe place.
• Don’t be afraid to “make waves” if you feel threatened. If you feel you are being pressured or coerced into sexual activity, don’t hesitate to state your feelings and leave the situation.
• Attend large parties with friends you trust. Agree to “look out” for one another. Leave with the group, not alone. Avoid leaving with people that you don’t know very well.
• Take care of your friends and ask that they take care of you.  A real friend will challenge you if you are about to make a mistake. Respect them when they do.

If you find yourself in the position of being the initiator of sexual behavior, you owe sexual respect to your potential partner.  These suggestions may help you to reduce your risk for being accused of sexual misconduct:

• Clearly communicate your intentions to your sexual partner and give them a chance to clearly relate their intentions to you.   
• Understand and respect personal boundaries.
• DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS about consent; about someone’s sexual availability; about whether they are attracted to you; about how far you can go or about whether they are physically and/or mentally able to consent.  If there are any questions or ambiguity then you DO NOT have consent.
• Mixed messages from your partner are a clear indication that you should stop, defuse any sexual tension and communicate better.  You may be misreading them.  They may not have figured out how far they want to go with you yet.  You must respect the timeline for sexual behaviors with which they are comfortable.
• Don’t take advantage of someone’s drunkenness or drugged state, even if they did it to themselves.
• Realize that your potential partner could be intimidated by you, or fearful.  You may have a power advantage simply because of your gender or size.  Don’t abuse that power.
• Understand that consent to some form of sexual behavior does not automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual behavior.   
• Silence and passivity cannot be interpreted as an indication of consent.  Read your potential partner carefully, paying attention to verbal and non-verbal communication and body language.

Sexual Offense Educational Programming

Because Northampton Community College recognizes sex discrimination in all its forms as important issues, the College offers annual educational programming to a variety of groups such as: staff, security, Residence Life, Faculty, incoming students, resident and off-campus students and, members of student organizations.

Visit www.notalone.gov for more information and resources on avoiding and preventing sexual assault.

Sex Discrimination educational programming may address matters such as: a definition of what constitutes sex discrimination, the causes of sex discrimination, myths involved with sex discrimination, prevention, the relationship between sex discrimination and alcohol use, what to do if you are assaulted, the nature of a rape examination, an explanation of the College sex discrimination policy, how to file charges within the College, its conduct system, and/or with the local police department, men’s issues and sexual assault, and campus community resources to assist both the survivor and the accused.

Federal Enforcer

The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the federal agency charged with enforcing compliance with Title IX. Individuals with complaints of this nature always have the right to file a formal complaint with the United States Department Education:

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-1100

Customer Service Hotline #: 800.421.3481

Facsimile: 202.453.6012

TDD#: 877.521.2172

Email: OCR@ed.gov

Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr

Establishment and Approval of Special Studies Courses

Policy and Procedure for Special Studies Courses

In some semesters, the College offers special studies courses, of one to four credits, that are designed to give variety to the present curriculum and reflect current interests.

• Special Studies courses may be established for 1, 2, 3 or 4 credits and will have a course designation of 19X or 29X.
• The courses are entitled "Special Studies in (Departmental Name)". On the schedule and the transcript, the name of the specific topic would be included after the course title, e.g. Special Studies in Economics - Econometrics.
• Students may apply a maximum of 12 credit hours of Special Studies toward a degree. Special Studies topics which are later approved as separate courses in substantially the same form shall not be counted toward this limit.
• A Special Studies course may be offered once, or upon the approval of the Dean, twice. A Special Studies course may not compete with an existing college course of equal description or another Special Studies course.
• In departments that do not already have Special Studies courses, the provision for such courses may be established within each department by means of a Curriculum Committee proposal submitted through normal channels.
• To propose a specific Special Studies course, follow the procedures listed below: The steps must be completed before the publication deadline for the schedule for the semester in which the course is to be offered.
  • A faculty member wishing to offer a Special Studies course must submit a completed course outline to the Division Dean.
  • After approval by the Dean, the course outline is considered by the appropriate Cluster.
  • The Cluster will decide the appropriateness of the offering and recommend to the Dean the semester of offering.
  • The recommendations of the Cluster are forwarded by the Division Dean to the curriculum committee for approval.

Final Examinations

Final Examination Policy

All courses will end with some "culminating experience," a final examination, project-based assessment or portfolio that integrates the learning of the whole semester.  Each course will be assigned a time during the final exam period, at which time a final exam may be given. 

Final papers and projects may be due on the "Project due date" on the first day of finals.  Performance-, production-, and critique-based "culminating experiences," which may run the course of days or several weeks, may begin before the final exam period.

No tests of any kind, except for short (less than 15 minutes) quizzes or science lab practicals, may be given during the last week of instruction.  

Culminating Experiences other than seated final exams

Final papers and projects may be due on the "Project due date" on the first day of finals. Performance-, production-, and critique-based "culminating experiences," which may run the course of days or several weeks, may begin before the final exam period.

View Final Exam Schedule

Grading/Grade Changes/Grade Appeal

Grading System

A plus/minus grading system is used at the College. Using the plus/minus system is an option for faculty, not a requirement.

Grades will be available online at MyNCC at the end of each regular semester. At the end of the seventh week of classes, faculty will submit to the Records Office the names of all students whose performance in a particular course to date puts them at risk of failing the course. The Records Office will communicate this information to those students by the end of the eighth week of the semester.

Grade	Evaluation	Points/Credit Hour
A	Superior	4.0
A-		3.7
B+		3.3
B	Above Average	3.0
B-		2.7
C+		2.3
C	Average	2.0
C-		1.7
D+		1.3
D	Below Average	1.0
F	Fail	0.0
P	Pass
PC5	Pass with C or higher
PC-5	Pass with C-, D+, D
I1	Incomplete
N	Not released
NC5	No Credit
R	Released
R1	Released to ENGL 101
R2	Released to ENGL027 and ENGL101
X	No grade submitted
IP	In progress
L	Audited
T	Transfer Credits
Z	Successful completion of course challenge process
AZ4	Successful completion of course challenge process	4.0
BZ4	Successful completion of course challenge process	3.0
CZ4	Successful completion of course challenge process	2.0
TZ	Credits accepted through articulation agreement
W2	Withdrawal
WP3	Withdrawal, Passing
WF3	Withdrawal, Failing
Grade*	Course repeated - this grade IS NOT included in GPA
Grade**	Course repeated - this grade IS included in GPA

1. An incomplete grade (I) is given only when the student had obtained, in advance, the permission of the instructor to postpone completion of specific course work for a valid reason. (Refer to Incomplete policy.)
2. A student may withdraw, or be withdraw administratively, from a class in which he or she is enrolled through the 90% point in the instructional period.
3. Through summer 2007, students who withdrew from a course through the first 2/3 of the instructional period received a grade of W. After that point, and through the end of the semester, student received a grade of WP or WF. The grade of WF counted as a grade of F in the student's grade point average.
4. Grade value for completion of developmental math modular units awarded through course challenge process; beginning Fall 2014.
5. Temporary COVID-19 Pass/Fail Grades for Spring Semester 2020 only. After the Spring Semester 2020 the Pass/Fail policy will revert back to the original form. Instructors of all courses will submit the usual letter grades for all students. Students who selected the Pass/Fail Grading option for the spring 2020 semester will see grades on their transcripts for those courses appear as PC, PC- or NC.

Grade Changes

Any grade changes by a faculty member must be made within five months of the end of the semester in which the original grade was issued. Withdrawal from a course is a final action. No change to the final grade is permitted in the case of a Withdrawal.

Grade Appeal

Grades are assigned by the course instructor. Students may appeal a final grade only in the cases where they are alleging a serious computational error in the grade or in cases where they allege unfair treatment in the application of a course policy or procedure.

When a student wishes to appeal a grade, final or part of a semester's work, he or she must follow the appeal procedures for grades, and those involved in the appeal may recommend only the following actions:

• The assigned grade may be supported.
• The faculty member may be asked to reconsider the grade in question.

Appeal procedure-grades

Step 1

• If a student wishes to appeal a grade, he or she must make an appointment and meet with the faculty member within ten working days. To appeal final grades or grades assigned in the last week of the semester, the student must make an appointment and meet with the faculty member at a formal meeting during the first week of the next regular semester unless arrangements can be made to meet prior to that time.
• If no agreement can be reached, the student may file an appeal in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and proceed to Step 2.

Note: working day is defined as any day when a full schedule of classes are in session (this excludes Saturdays and Sundays).

Step 2

• Within three working days of the meeting with the faculty member, the student may request in writing that the appropriate dean should call the meeting within five working days to include the student, faculty member, and program director, if any. 
• After this meeting, the dean will send all parties involved a written recommendation within three working days.
• Students who do not agree with the recommendation in Step 2 may appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee within three working days. This appeal must be submitted, in writing, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Step 3

• Students initiate appeals to the Academic Appeals Committee (within three days of notification of outcome of Step 2) by requesting a hearing through the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A hearing will be scheduled as quickly as possible, and all parties to the appeal will be informed of the date, time, and place of the meeting. It is the responsibility of the student and the person(s) whose decision(s) is (are) being appealed to provide the committee with evidence, documentary or otherwise. The appellant may be accompanied by a college friend.
• Having heard the cases of appellant and objects of appeal, the committee will deliberate in private and recommend a decision to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, whose decision will be final unless different from the recommendation of the committee; in such cases the student may appeal to the President, whose decision is final.
• The Vice President for Academic Affairs will communicate in writing a decision on the appeal no later than three working days after the hearing.

Graduation

Eligibility

To be eligible for graduation, a student must meet the minimum number of credits for a degree, certificate, or specialized diploma and must earn a graduation GPA of 2.00 (only courses for the credential are calculated in the graduation GPA). Developmental coursework does not count toward graduation requirements. These specific requirements cannot be waived.

Waiver of Graduation Requirements Policy and Procedure

Substitution or Waiver of Graduation Requirements

A student may request to alter graduation requirements by substituting a course or other earned credit (earned by completed NCC course or awarded per the Transfer Policy or Advanced Placement Policy) for a specified program/major requirement, General Education Elective, or Free Elective, or by requesting to follow program requirements as published in a different catalog year. A student may request to waive the Writing-Intensive requirement by presenting a graded writing sample that demonstrates mastery of writing competencies. To make this request, the student must complete and submit to the Records Office the 'Graduation Substitution/Waiver Request' form along with appropriate justification and supporting documentation. The Records Office will facilitate review by program faculty and academic dean(s). If reviewing parties do not reach a consensus decision, then the request will be referred to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Waiver of Graduation Requirements Procedure

To petition to waive graduation requirements, a student must complete the Graduation Waiver request form which can be obtained in the Records Office, Monroe Enrollment Office or online at www.northampton.edu/register. The completed form must be submitted to the Records Office. It will be reviewed by the program dean, the instructor, and the dean responsible for the course(s) for which waiver is sought. If the reviewing parties do not reach a consensus decision, then the request will be referred by the Records Office to the Academic Appeals Committee for disposition. That body will recommend approval or disapproval of the petition. Decision of the Academic Appeals Committee will be final. Student will be notified by Records of final decision.

Honors at Graduation

See Academic Recognition

Incomplete Policy

An incomplete grade of I is issued after a student requests it and a faculty member agrees to allow completion of specific course work the student did not complete due to valid, unforeseen circumstances. These circumstances may include: serious illness of the student, serious illness or death in the student's immediate family, etc. The request must be made for the Incomplete grade before the last class meeting of the semester. The faculty member may approve or deny the request. If the request is approved, the faculty member will outline, on the Assignment of Incomplete Grade form, the work the student must complete. The faculty member will send the Assignment of Incomplete Grade form to the Records Office who will then communicate with the student.

The deadline for completing the course requirements is no more than five months - or sooner as designated by the faculty member - after the date grades were due in the semester in which the I grade was issued. The faculty member will designate that the incomplete grade become a specific letter grade if the work is not completed. This grade may not be a withdrawal (W). An Incomplete grade in a prerequisite course may make a student ineligible to take the subsequent course.

Placement Policy

For detailed information, see Placement Policy.

Prerequisite/Co-Requisite Policy

A prerequisite is a skill requirement or a course that must be successfully completed before registering for a specific course.  (For example: ENGL101 English I is a prerequisite and must be taken before registering for ENGL151 English II).


A corequisite is a skill requirement or course that must be satisfied at the same time as a specific course. (For example:  DENH103 Pre-clinical Preventative Oral Health Service and DENH104 Foundations of Preventative Oral Health Services are corequisites and must be taken in the same semester).


A pre- or corequisite is a skill requirement or course that may be successfully completed before registering for a specific course or may be taken at the same time as a specific course. (For example:  PARL101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies is a pre- or corequisite for PARL151 Family Law).


Students should consult the course description when choosing courses to ensure that all prerequisite and corequisite requirements are fulfilled.  


Students are required to fulfill the prerequisites and/or corequisites for each course. If a student enrolls in a course without having fulfilled the prerequisites and/or corequisites, the instructor or the Registrar may take action to remove the student from the course.  Exceptions to pre and corequisites are rare and addressed on a case by case basis by the instructor of the course, or the dean in the absence of the instructor.

Repeated Courses

The College allows a student to repeat any course once for any reason*. This is subject to availability in limited enrollment courses (see special policy for readmission, reentry into limited enrollment courses).

A student, who fails to earn credit or to satisfy a grade prerequisite after enrolling in a course for the second time may not take the course for one academic year after the last attempt.

Grades for all repeated courses will appear on the student transcript. The credit hours for the course may be counted only once unless the course description states otherwise. Only the highest grade earned will be used in calculation of the cumulative grade point average.

Appeals to this policy may be made to the Director of Advising & Transfer Services who, in consultation with the appropriate faculty, will make a decision. Further appeals can be made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and that decision shall be final.

*Except for Allied Health Students (refer to Academic Dismissal from Allied Health Programs Policy)

Re-Admission, Re-Entry into Limited Enrollment Courses

Any student who does not successfully complete a major course* in a program which has limited enrollment may retake that course only if space is available. Priority will be given to students entering the program for the first time and to those students who have successfully completed the core courses and have maintained continuous enrollment.

* A major course is a course which carries the prefix of the student's program.

Withdrawals

Course Add/Drop and Course Withdrawals

Course Add/Drop

Students may add courses to their schedule by the Add deadline, and may drop courses from their schedule by the Drop deadline. Dropped courses will not appear on the student’s transcript.

Course Withdrawal

After the Drop deadline students may withdraw themselves from classes in which they are enrolled through the 90% point of the semester. An instructor may issue a withdrawal for poor attendance through the same period. Any student who officially withdraws, or is withdrawn by the instructor during this period will receive a grade of W for the course.

Academic Dismissal from Allied Health Programs

(Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Assistant, Radiography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Funeral Service, Licensed Massage Therapy, and Veterinary Technician)

Any student who does not successfully complete* two (2) courses (either two different courses or the same course twice), that carry the prefix of the student's Allied Health program, regardless of when in the program curriculum the unsuccessful attempt occurs, will be dismissed from his/her Allied Health program. An unsuccessful course completion for the purposes of this policy is defined as a final course grade of an "F," or "W".

Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act

Graduation rates, transfer out rates, and campus crime data required by the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act are available upon request from the Records Office, 610.861.5494, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, 610.861.4558, or Campus Security.

2014 Annual Crime Report (PDF)

Student Rights and Responsibilities

A student has the right to pursue an education in an environment that is conducive to the free flow of information and ideas. At Northampton Community College, a student is encouraged to express him or herself through speech and actions and to actively participate in decisions affecting the educational process of the College. With rights come responsibilities. A student has the responsibility to realize that his or her actions must not interfere with the College's function as an educational institution and with the rights of others. The current student handbook contains the full student's rights and responsibilities document.

Policy on Student Professional Conduct

Documented evidence of a student's failure to conduct herself/himself in accordance with professional codes of conduct (i.e. Departmental and Host Facilities Code of Ethics, Policies on Clinical Procedures, Departmental Policies and Procedures, etc.) could result in serious academic penalties, up to and including failure in the course or dismissal from the academic program. If a student wishes to appeal any action taken under this policy, he/she should follow the procedures for appeal of grades.

Transfer Recommendation Policy

To receive an unconditional recommendation for transfer from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and no prior disciplinary record at NCC. Students who do not satisfy the two aforementioned requirements may receive a conditional transfer recommendation.

Policies Found in Student Handbook

Visit www.northampton.edu/StudentHandbook

Required Student Medical Examinations Policy, Student Handbook page 15

Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy, Student Handbook page 36

Confidentiality, Student Handbook page 47

Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook page 55

Smoking/Tobacco Policy, Student Handbook page 77

Drug and Alcohol Use, Student Handbook page 78