Academic Standards & Procedures

Academic Integrity (303.11)
Academic Progress (303.12)
Attendance (303.2)
Class Syllabus (303.3)
Final Examinations (303.4)
Grading and Grade Appeals (303.5)
Graduation Procedures (303.13)
Placement, Proficiency and Prerequisites (501.4)
Repeating Courses (303.9)
Special Courses (303.10)
Student Code of Conduct (503.1)

Academic Integrity (303.11) Return to Menu

 

1.     Honesty

Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning environment. The presentation of another individual’s work as one’s own or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating is a violation of the College’s Student Code of Conduct. The general descriptions below emphasize those boundaries of academic conduct that are essential to the learning environment. The following acts of academic dishonesty are among those, which may lead to College disciplinary action or possible dismissal.

2.     Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as submitting assignments, examinations, or other academic work, which is not entirely the work of the student. This can include, but is not limited to such practices as: quoting without giving proper credit to a source, expanding someone else’s work without giving proper credit, adopting as one’s own an actual document (including the copying of computer or other electronic media), directly using someone else’s ideas rather than words without giving proper credit.

3.     Cheating

Cheating is defined as submitting assignments, examinations, or other work, which is based upon sources or activities forbidden by the instructor. Cheating includes the furnishing of materials to another person for purposes of aiding that person to cheat. When an unfair academic advantage is gained by a person, through deception or other means, it is defined as cheating.

4.     Violation of Copyright

The unauthorized copying of copyrighted material, whether print or computer media, is unacceptable and is considered an act of academic dishonesty. Moreover, such practice is illegal and makes the violator subject to legal penalty.

5.     Penalties

The following penalties may be applied in instances of academic dishonesty:

A.     A student caught in an act of academic dishonesty on an assignment may or will, at the discretion of the instructor, be assigned a grade of “F” for that assignment or for the entire course, regardless of the length of time the student has been in attendance.

B.     A student found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty may be dismissed from CCC. The length or time period of the dismissal will depend upon the nature of the offense and may be permanent.

Academic Progress (303.12) Return to Menu

The College requires student academic progress by publishing minimum academic standards, evaluating students, and allowing appeals for extenuating circumstances.

1. Grades are published at the end of each semester.
2. Students are placed on academic probation when their cumulative grade point average drops below 2.00. 
3. Students on probation have two regular (fall and spring) semesters to raise the cumulative grade point average to 2.00 or they will be placed on academic suspension.  
4. Suspended students may apply for re-admission by submitting a petition for      re-admission to the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration. 
5. Students may appeal academic probation, suspension, or denial of re-admission by submitting a letter to the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration. 
6. Students receiving financial aid are subject to Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) rules.

Attendance (303.2)  Return to Menu

Attendance describes faculty and student expectations regarding attendance for in-person and online classes. 

1. Students are expected to regularly and punctually attend all in-person classes and participate in all online courses in which they are enrolled. Requirements about attendance in traditional classes and participation in online courses must be published in the class syllabus. Participation in online courses is defined as taking an assessment, submitting an assignment, contributing in a chat or discussion, or emailing the instructor. Logging into an online course and then immediately logging out is not considered participation.
2. Students are responsible for notifying their instructors in advance of a planned absence and must complete all class assignments as required. Students are responsible for following registration deadlines and understanding the ramifications of dropping or withdrawing from a class.
3. Students must not be penalized for missing class for a religious observance, jury duty, military duty or other mandatory civic duty, representing the College in an official capacity, or participating on field trips for another class, if they have given the instructor reasonable notice.
4. Students who do not attend the first week of an in-person class will be dropped. Some classes may have stricter standards that require students to be present the first day of class or be dropped.
5. Students in online courses must log in and participate in their course by
   11:59 p.m. Saturday of the first week of class or they will be dropped.
6. Participants in the CAVIAT program must adhere to the attendance policy.  However, the instructor must inform the High School Transitions office after two, consecutively missed in-person class meetings or one week of failed participation in an online course and prior to removal from the class for any reason. The High School Transitions office will investigate the absences and facilitate all necessary drops between the CAVIAT Coordinator and the instructor. 
7. Prior to FTSE, instructors must drop students who are not attending in-person classes or are not participating in online courses. After FTSE and prior to the last date for student-initiated withdrawal, instructors must withdraw students who are not attending in-person classes or are not participating in online courses.
8. Instructors are responsible for keeping accurate attendance records, reporting last dates of attendance, submitting the FTSE roster and final grades to the Registrar.
9. Short courses and non-traditionally-scheduled courses follow a timeline proportionate to the regular semester.
10. It is the students’ responsibility to drop or withdraw from any class that they do not want to be registered in. Students are encouraged to discuss drop and withdrawal options with their instructors and with the Office of Student Financial Aid (if a financial aid recipient). Students may drop a course up to the FTSE date and no grade will be recorded on the transcript. Students may withdraw from a course after the FTSE date and up until the student-initiated withdrawal date; a “W” grade will be posted on the transcript.

Class Syllabus (303.3) Return to Menu

Defines the syllabus content so that faculty and students are clear on all expectations of the course.

1. Instructors will provide each student a written course syllabus at the beginning of each credit course.
2. The syllabus must include key components including but not limited to the following:
1. Attendance requirements
2. Assignment schedule
3. Formal evaluation plan
4. Semester calendar
5. Grading criteria
6. Emergency closure information
7. Course outcomes, goals and content (from the course outline)

Final Examinations (303.4)  Return to Menu

Outlines the procedure for final examinations and exceptions.

1. Final examinations or projects are scheduled for most courses. 
2. Final examinations or projects may not be taken early except under exceptional circumstances and with the instructors consent.
3. In cases of college closure, see the college closure procedure.

Grading and Grade Appeals    Return to Menu

Grading (303.5)

 

1.     The Coconino Community College grading system is as follows:

 

Letters	Grades	Grade Points/Credit Hour
A	Excellent	4
B	Good	3
C	Average	2
D	Unsatisfactory	1
F	Failure	0
I	Incomplete	Not Computed in GPA
W	Withdrawal	Not Computed in GPA
Au	Audit (no credit)	Not Computed in GPA
NC	Non-credit (no credit)	Not Computed in GPA
S*	Satisfactory	Not Computed in GPA
U*	Unsatisfactory	Not Computed in GPA
IP*	In Progress	Not Computed in GPA
*These grades are used for approved courses only.

 

2.     To Calculate GPA:

a.     Multiply the number of credit hours earned in each class by the points assigned to the letter grade.

b.     Add the points of all classes.

c.     Divide by the total number of credits.

 

3.     A grade of “I” may be requested by a student at the end of a semester in which the student meets the criteria for an incomplete.

 

4.     A grade of “W” indicates that the student withdrew from the class after the end of the drop period but on or before the withdrawal deadline.

 

5.     A grade of S/U is available for some courses as stated in the College Catalog.   grade of S is the equivalent to a grade of C or better.  A grade of U shows on the            transcript but not as credit earned for the semester.

 

6.     A grade of “IP” is used when it is known at the time of registration that class completion will require work in excess of a single semester or session.

Grade Appeals (303.6)   Return to Menu
Students may appeal a grade or other decision affecting completion of course requirements.

1 Students represent themselves in the appeal process.

2. Students have until the end of the following semester to appeal final course grades.

3. Students first appeal through informal procedures by talking with the instructor.

4. If a mutually satisfactory understanding is not reached, students may then appeal to the appropriate Department Chair or Division Dean, who will make every reasonable attempt to mediate a mutually satisfactory resolution.

5. If such an understanding is not reached, students may write an appeal to the Registrar’s office to begin the formal process for appeal to the Student Academic Appeals Committee.

6. The Student Academic Appeals Committee hears cases brought by students and renders recommendations to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

7. The Vice President of Academic Affairs renders final decisions, and decisions are communicated to students.

8. All pertinent documentation shall become a part of students’ permanent file.

Graduation Procedures (303.13)    Return to Menu

 

1.     Definitions

Graduation: Awarding of a degree or certificate by Registrar or authorized designee.

Commencement: A ceremony to honor graduates and applicants for graduation.

Credentials: Degrees or certificates.

What this procedure does not cover: GED and Adult Education completions.

 

2.     Methods of Graduation

There are three ways a student may achieve graduation from CCC.

 

Student-initiated*	All students should use this method to ask the College to evaluate satisfaction of degree or certificate requirements.
College-initiated	The College may determine that a student has met graduation requirements after the student has left the College, award the credential, and notify the student.
Partnership-initiated	The College may accept transfer credits from a partner institution, such as NAU and use those credits to award a credential and notify the student.
*Student-initiated graduation applications are available at each registration area in the district as well as online.

  

3.     Application for Graduation

Students who believe they will be eligible to graduate with a CCC degree or certificate must consult with their academic advisor and submit an application for graduation based on the following chart of deadlines. See the Academic Calendar for dates.

 

Term of graduation	Early application	Final deadline
Fall	July	October
Spring	October	March
Summer	March	July

 4. A choice of catalog must be declared at the time of application. See Catalog Choice Procedure  (501.5).
All required documents, including official transcripts, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration by the stated deadline for each session. The graduation application initiates the graduation check procedure, completed by the Office of Admissions, Registration and Records to ensure that all requirements are met by the graduation semester.

 

5. Minimum Requirements:

a.        Minimum CCC Hours:

1.        To earn an Associate Degree, a student must successfully complete at least fifteen (15) credit hours of CCC coursework applicable to the degree. No more than twelve (12) credits may be completed with a grade “S”. A grade of “S” is not applicable to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) except when awarded for Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Proficiency Examination (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) credit.

2.        To earn a certificate a student must complete at least one-third of the required credit hours in CCC coursework applicable to the certificate. No more than three (3) credits may be completed with a grade of “S.”

b.        Minimum Grade Point Average:
A student must complete all degree or certificate coursework with a “C” or better and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00, unless a specific program requires a higher standard.

                6.   Waiver or Substitution of Program Requirements:
Students may request a substitution of graduation course requirements. Program substitution requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as recommended by the academic advisor or other College officials, and approved by the Department Chair.

7.   Graduation with Honors:

a.        Students graduating with a degree who complete at least thirty (30) credits at CCC, and whose grades qualify will be granted the following designations:

1.        Cum Laude - 3.40 to 3.69 Cumulative CCC GPA

2.        Magna Cum Laude - 3.70 to 3.89 Cumulative CCC GPA

3.        Summa Cum Laude - 3.90 to 4.00 Cumulative CCC GPA

b.        Students graduating with a certificate who complete at least fifteen (15) credits at CCC, and whose grades qualify will be granted the following designations:

1.        Honors - 3.50 to 3.89 Cumulative GPA

2.        High Honors - 3.90 to 4.00 Cumulative GPA

8.    Second Degree:

a.        Upon completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, or Associate of General Studies degree from CCC, a student who wishes to pursue an additional degree must meet the following criteria:

1.        The student must meet the requirements of that degree as outlined in the current College Catalog at the time the second degree is declared.

2.        The student must establish residency by completing a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours beyond those earned in the previously awarded degree.

3.        All other graduation requirements must be met as outlined in this procedure.

b.        Students cannot pursue additional credit hours towards earning an Associate of General Studies degree as a second degree.

c.        Students who have completed an AGEC may request one of the following:

1.        AGEC Certificate

2.        AGEC stamp on their transcript

 9.  Evaluation, Verification and Posting of Degree:
The College Registrar or designee has sole authority to approve or deny graduation or verify graduation. Upon final approval, a diploma or certificate will be issued and the credential posted to the transcript.

10. Commencement Ceremony:
Attendance at Commencement does not confirm or bestow graduation (i.e., attendance is not in and of itself confirmation of receiving a degree or certificate).

Placement, Proficiency and Prerequisites (501.4)  Return to Menu

Coconino Community College believes academic achievement is directly related to the course placement.  

1.    Purpose
Enhance student success by requiring placement in English, mathematics, and Spanish. It is designed to help students determine their current skills and knowledge levels, and to direct them to the appropriate classes.

 2.   Procedure

1.     Placement Assessment
Students are required to complete placement assessments under the following conditions:

a.     The student is taking his/her first college credit in English or Mathematics.

b.     The student should complete English and Mathematics placement testing prior to the first semester of enrollment in courses requiring placement. These requirements should be pursued in each subsequent semester until requirements are fulfilled.

c.     The student is degree seeking and does not have previous college credit in English or Mathematics. Degree-seeking students will not be allowed to enroll in classes after completion of eighteen (18) hours if they have not taken appropriate placement tests.

d.     The student is a transfer student who completes prerequisite courses more than five (5) years prior to the semester in which prerequisite proof is required.

2.     Exemptions
Students may be exempt from the placement tests if at least one of the following conditions applies:

a.     The student has an Associate’s degree, or higher. This exception does not apply to Spanish placement testing.

b.     The student has earned transferable college credits in Spanish with a grade of “C” or better within two (2) previous years to date of enrollment.

c.     The student has a record of placement assessment at CCC within the past two years.

d.     The student has SAT or ACT scores.

3.     Course Placement

a.     A student’s score on a CCC placement test, the SAT, or ACT, determines his/her placement in a specific course.

b.     CCC course placement in Mathematics and English based on ACT or SAT scores.

4.    Appeal
Students who wish to appeal class placement must follow the procedures established by the academic department.

5.    Implementation
To ensure consistency of student placement within the CCC District, the following will apply:

a.     All sites shall use the same assessment instruments or their equivalents.

b.     All sites shall adhere to the same cut-off scores.

c.     Placement scores will be valid for two (2) years from the date of original assessment.

d.     The student will be permitted no more than one (1) re-test per discipline each semester.

e.     Copies or placement test results will be kept on file in the Registrar’s Office.

6.     Proficiency Test

a.     Requirements: The proficiency tests are designed to help students determine their preparedness for taking specific courses. Required tests are established by the academic department.

b.     Exemptions: Students may be exempt from the proficiency test(s) if the student has satisfied the appropriate course prerequisites.

Repeating Courses (303.9)   Return to Menu

Defines limitations for repeating courses.

1. Students may repeat a course as necessary to:

a.   acquire certification
b. update knowledge and/or skills due to periodic content changes (e.g. Software)
c. Retrain or upgrade job-related skills
d. with the exception of below

2. Students may repeat up to three (3) times after the initial attempt or as required by program: courses for credit in the case of music and dance performance, art studio, physical health and wellness, creative writing, and developmental courses necessary to raise skills to the college level.

3. Limitations to Exceptions:
a. Specific CCC programs, including Financial Aid, limit the number of times a course may be repeated. Where those requirements are more stringent, they supersede this procedure. Students should refer to program requirements and contact Financial Aid for guidance surrounding the financial implications of repeating courses.

a.  Students may repeat, but not receive duplicate credit for a course:

         i.      One (1) time in order to improve a grade of C or better.

        ii.      Two (2) times for which the previous grade(s) received was “D,” “F” or “U”.

            Note: “W” will not count towards repeat

4. Credit courses at CCC will only be counted once towards fulfilling the credit requirements for any degree or certificate unless allowed in the degree or certificate requirements.

5.Only the higher grade(s) will be used in computing the grade point average. All grades will be posted on the permanent record and transcript. A student may be allowed to repeat a course beyond the limit with recommendation from appropriate: Instructor, Department Chair, Dean or Registrar.

6.     Repeating in Violation of Procedure
A student found to be repeating a course in violation of this procedure will have registration for the course canceled. Such cancellation may occur at the time of registration or whenever a College official becomes aware of the violation.

Special Courses (303.10)    Return to Menu

Special Courses provide an opportunity for student learning beyond the regular college curriculum that addresses a unique topic or specific need through a one-time offering which does not duplicate existing courses.

1.         Instructor creates a course outline and syllabus to meet a unique student or group need.

2.         All Special Courses are assigned a 196, 197, 198, 199, 296, 297, 298 or 299 number in any active prefix, and from one to six college-level credit hours. Special Courses are defined as:

a.            196, 296 - First and second level Travel/Study - College facilitated courses that include travel.

b.            197, 297 - First and second level Independent Study – student-generated and instructor-approved topic to meet specific individual student need. Students may enroll in up to six credit hours of Special Courses each semester.

c.            198, 298 - First and second level Special Topics – one-time course offering to address unique topic.

d.            199, 299 - First and second level Workshops - courses designed to meet special interest requests. 299 courses are intended to build on 199 special interests.

3.         Department Chair reviews and determines if course fulfills Special Course purpose, then forwards completed course outline and syllabus to Division Dean.

4.         Division Dean reviews, and approves or disapproves the course. Approved course outlines are submitted to Curriculum Coordinator.

5.         Approved courses are submitted to Registration and Enrollment Services for scheduling.

6.         Instructor responsibilities, load, and compensation are equivalent to those of regular courses (Procedures 308-02 and 444-02).

Student Code of Conduct (503.1) Return to Menu

Students enrolled at Coconino Community College are responsible for abiding by the laws governing the College and are expected to observe standards of conduct set by the College.  The College receives its authority to set conduct standards under the policies of the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges of Arizona.  These policies, in turn, are guided by laws enacted by the Arizona State Legislature. 

 Administrative procedures relating to student conduct, disciplinary action, and involuntary withdrawal will be determined by the President in consultation with appropriate administrative staff, faculty and students.  Procedures will be followed to ensure due process should a student violate a College rule or regulation not directly involving academic performance and achievement. The President is expressly authorized to enforce the rules set forth under the Code.

Assuming Self-Responsibility (503.1.1)
Self-responsibility entails respect for student rights, eliminating blame, acknowledging mistakes, working toward constructive change, and challenging injustice and unethical acts of others. As a member of the campus community, students are expected to be responsible for themselves, to assist others in accepting their responsibilities, and to help make the college community a better place.

Statement of Commitment to Students (503.1.2)
Coconino Community College provides personalized and accessible opportunities in higher education by offering transfer, career and technical programs, and community interest courses.

Student Code of Conduct (503.1.3)
Coconino Community College offers its students the opportunity to learn in an environment where individual rights are respected. As in any group situation, respect for individual rights is best achieved when each group member acts in ways that are reasonable and responsible. Conduct is expected to be consistent with the learning environment and is subject to standards set by the College.

The Student Code of Conduct is designed for the promotion and protection of such an environment at the College and to balance the rights and needs of the individual with the responsibility of the individual to the college community.

Listed below are the conducts that may lead to college disciplinary actions or possible dismissal:

• Conviction of a crime or continued misconduct of any type that is an infraction of the established laws of the city, county, state or nation.
• Possession, use, solicitation, or distribution of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, controlled substances or illegal drugs on college-owned or controlled property.
• Theft or conversion of college-owned or personal property, possession of stolen property, or unauthorized entry into college-owned or controlled property.
• Malicious destruction of college or personal property.
• Endangering or threatening the life or physical safety of others or self, including detention or physical abuse of any person.
• Failure to meet financial obligations to the College.
• Falsification, misuse, or forgery of college records or documents including the Student ID card.
• Knowingly furnishing false or incomplete information to the College or to a college representative or official in response to an authorized request, including a legitimate request by an identified college official, that a person identify him/herself.
• Possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or other dangerous weapons or instruments on college-owned or controlled property except as expressly authorized by the law or by institutional regulation.
• Behavior that interferes with the orderly functioning of the College, interferes with an individual’s pursuit of an education, or disrupts the learning environment on college-owned or controlled property or during an authorized college class, field trip, seminar, or other meeting, or college-related activity on or off college property.

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This catalog was prepared on the basis of the best information available at the time of publication. All information is subject to change without notice, obligation, or liability.