Evaluation of Student Performance

Course Evaluation for College Credit

Evaluation for college credit in all courses is on the basis of an A through F grading system. The exceptions to this are HM 050, SS105, SS110, SS120, SS206, SS265, and SS415, which are evaluated on a Pass/Fail (P/F) basis.

A student who, because of extenuating circumstances such as extended sickness or injury, is unable to attend required course meetings presenting material that cannot be made up at other times will receive a permanent incomplete for that course. No credit is granted in such cases. A report of grades is given to each student at the end of each semester. Sterling College uses a weighted grade point average system (quality point average) calculated according to the following formula:

Incompletes are treated as Fs but are subject to appeal. Permanent incompletes (PI) are not included in the QPA calculation. WPs or WFs are excluded from QPA calculations.

Credits approved for transfer from other institutions for newly enrolled students are not included in QPA.

Effort Grades

Participation in all courses is evaluated on an Excellent (E), Satisfactory (S), or Unsatisfactory (U) basis. The following criteria are considered:

It is expected that a student doing below-average college level work will make individual contact with the faculty as part of an effort to improve. If a student is having problems with the course and does not see the faculty member in charge, participation is considered unsatisfactory.

Back to top

Progress Reports

Students receive a Progress Report, which includes effort grades and comments mid-semester.

Back to top

Satisfactory Academic Progress

1. Definition and Consequences:

   The standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress is established to encourage students to perform adequately in their coursework. It defines the steps by which a student progresses toward the final degree. In order to earn second-year status, a student must have earned 27 credits with a minimum QPA of 1.7. In order to earn Junior status, a student must have earned 60 credits with a minimum QPA of 2.0. In order to earn Senior status, a student must have earned 90 credits with a minimum QPA of 2.0.

   From the standpoint of financial aid, students may take up to six years of full-time enrollment to earn a B.A. degree. Students working to remedy deficiencies may take Sterling College courses on a part-time or full-time basis but will not be eligible for financial aid unless they are able to earn their degree within the six year period. Candidates for the B.A degree must achieve Junior Year status no later than the end of their fourth year of full-time study.

   If a student is on academic probation, he or she must be invited back each semester by a vote of the faculty. In their vote, the faculty will consider whether the student shows promise of regaining the Satisfactory Academic Progress standard to advance to a higher year’s status.

   Occasionally students may wish to earn their degree by making up work after full-time enrollment at Sterling College has ceased. For up to five years after completing their full-time enrollment, students may earn a Sterling College degree by transferring credits from other institutions or by returning to Sterling College to take additional part-time credits. Generally, such students will not be eligible for financial aid. All such special arrangements must be approved by the Dean.

2. Notification by the Registrar:

   It is the responsibility of the Registrar to inform each returning student in writing at the end of each semester after the first full academic year if that student is behind schedule in meeting degree requirements. The Registrar will consider whether the student has passed required core courses, major requirements, humanities requirements, the math competency exam, and has met credit and QPA standards. If a student is deficient in any of these areas, the Registrar’s letter will serve as advance warning that this area needs attention. If deficiencies are so severe that the student cannot meet degree requirements within the maximum time-frame for full-time study, the student will lose eligibility for financial aid. If the student feels that there are mitigating circumstances that explain the lack of progress or affect the maximum time frame, the student should appeal to the Registrar, in writing. If the student is then not satisfied with the determination of the Registrar, the student may appeal to the Dean of Academics.

Back to top

Course Enrollment

1. Time of Enrollment:

   Most newly enrolled students take part in a 14-day block schedule in the fall. During this time, new students will be able to review elective course choices and make selections for the remainder of the fall semester. Returning students enroll in fall semester courses prior to their arrival on campus. Students enroll in November for spring semester courses and in April for summer semester. During the add/drop period of each semester, students may in most cases, alter their course selection. Add/drop forms are available from advisors. Completed forms must be submitted to the Registrar. The add/drop period for long block courses is during the first two weeks. The add/drop period for intensive courses is during the first two days. Throughout the add/drop period, the Registrar reserves the right to change each student’s schedule.

2. Late Enrollment:

   Students may petition the Dean of Academics to enroll in a course after the add/drop period with permission of the instructor. If the schedule, the size of existing classes, and the nature of the material already covered permit, the request may be granted.

3. Withdrawal from Courses:

   If a student is enrolled in an elective course beyond those needed to meet course load requirements he/she may withdraw from the course by filling out an add/drop form available from his/her advisor. The course instructor as well as the advisor must sign this form, and the effective withdrawal date will be the date on which the Registrar receives the form. If a student withdraws during the add/drop period, the course will not be included on the permanent transcript. Thereafter, the course will be listed on the permanent transcript with a grade of WP if the student is passing the course on the date of withdrawal; otherwise, a grade of WF will be recorded. A class dropped before the end of the 5th week of the semester will not count toward the limit of 33 credits attempted. After this time, a dropped class will count toward that limit, and receive a grade of F, which will count toward the Q.P.A.

4. Cancellation of Courses:
   

   The College reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment.

5. Auditing Courses:

   Matriculated students may audit courses with the permission of the faculty in charge of that course. Non-matriculated students may audit with permission of the Dean of Academics at a cost of one-half the current tuition cost per credit hour. Students auditing courses may be restricted from lab or field-based experiences. An audited course will appear on the transcript but will not receive a grade or credit.

6. Part-time Students:
   

   Nonresidential students may enroll part-time in selected courses, with permission of the Dean of Academics. Due to limits in class size, enrollment in some courses may require permission of the instructor. The charge is $580 per credit. In most cases, SS105/110/205 (Experiential Education I, II,& III), will not be offered to part-time students.

7. Repeating Courses:
   

   Students may petition the Dean of Academics in writing for permission to repeat a course or courses for up to 30 semester hours of credit toward the B.A. degree. Students should specify which course(s) they wish to repeat and explain the benefits to be derived from repeating them. In any course repeated, the second grade will be included in the Q.P.A. and it will be noted that the course has been repeated. To take a course a third time a petition must be submitted to the Dean of Academics two weeks prior to the start of the semester of enrollment. The first grades will remain on the transcript, but will not be included in the Q.P.A. In no case will credit be awarded more than once for a given course. Students will pay full tuition costs for any repeated course(s).

8. Incompletes:
   

   A student may apply for a temporary incomplete when extenuating circumstances prevent completion of course requirements by the last day of final exams. Extenuating circumstances are factors beyond a person’s control, such as death of a loved one, serious illness, or a family crisis. An incomplete may be granted if such factors prevent a student from completing required coursework.

   A proposal for incomplete status must be submitted to the course instructor by the last day of final exams. It should include an explanation of the extenuating circumstances and present a timeline for when unfinished work is to be completed. Documentation of the extenuating circumstance, such as a note from a physician or counselor, must be submitted along with the proposal.

   Generally, all incomplete work should be completed by the end of the next semester. On rare occasions, an instructor may recommend taking two semesters to finish the incomplete work, such as when a student misses Winter Expedition for health reasons and plans to finish Bounder I requirements by participating the following year.

   If the instructor approves a proposal for an incomplete, she or he will complete a form to be filed with the Registrar (see reverse). This form includes the student’s current grade in the course. If the student fails to complete required work according to the proposed timeline the incomplete will be changed to the current grade.

   A student who, because of extenuating circumstances, is unable to attend required course meetings presenting material that cannot be made up within the following year will receive a permanent incomplete for that course. No credit is granted in such cases.

Back to top

Exiting From the College

A student voluntarily exiting from the College during the semester must do so formally and in writing by completing a Student Exit Notification Form available from the Registrar’s Office.

The transcripts of students exiting the College after the beginning of classes and prior to the drop deadline will show W grades for all courses enrolled in that semester. The transcripts of students exiting the College after the add/drop deadline and prior to the end of the 5th week will show WP or WF grades submitted by their instructors. The transcripts of students exiting the College after the fifth week will show A-F grades submitted by their instructors.

Students who exit from the College may re-apply by filing a formal application with the Admissions Office. The WP or WF grades received will be used in making an admission decision.

Back to top

Credit Transfer

Credit earned at Sterling College is expressed in semester hours. The transfer of any credits to other institutions of higher education is always at the discretion of the receiving institution. At a student’s request, Sterling College will make every effort to communicate with these institutions so that they understand the nature of the programs. On request, course syllabi, faculty qualifications, and other pertinent information are sent to those administrators making decisions on credit transfer. Sterling College may also accept credits transferred in from other institutions. Students should speak to the Transfer Advisor about issues of transfer credit.

Back to top

Independent Study Guidelines and Requirements (200 level)

An independent study course is an individual project relating to the Sterling College curriculum in a general way. This provides students the opportunity to pursue areas of special interest in a structured, supervised format. Students should plan to spend approximately 30 hours per credit for an independent study. Students considering an independent study should discuss their ideas with an appropriate faculty member before making a formal proposal. It is the student’s responsibility to find a faculty sponsor, and faculty members reserve the right to refuse a sponsorship. All Independent Study plans are subject to approval by the Dean of Academics.

1. For first-year students, preliminary proposals, following the outline below, must be submitted to a faculty member two weeks before the end of the semester preceding the independent study. The proposal must be finalized and approved by the Dean of Academics before the end of the semester. All other students have until the end of the first week of the semester during which the independent study occurs to finalize proposals and have them approved by the faculty sponsor and the Dean of Academics.
2. Independent studies are evaluated on an A through F basis for college credit. Faculty sponsors will submit such evaluations to the Registrar at the end of the semester in which the study is conducted.
3. Contents of an Independent Study proposal should include:
   1. A narrative description of the general nature of the project
   2. The means by which the project will be carried forth
   3. The final product of the study
   4. The method of evaluation including both faculty and student input
   5. Preliminary resource inventory
   6. Schedule for completion

PLEASE NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to keep copies of individual projects in their personal files as evidence of their independent work.

Back to top

Upper Level Independent Study Guidelines and Requirements (300-level)

Extended independent studies may be undertaken by Juniors or Seniors. Students work with their advisors to develop detailed plans, guided by the requirements outlined below:

1. Study plan, with learning objectives and the activities that will support them
2. Schedule
3. Credits to be earned (by division)
4. Description of how the study fits into an overall degree plan
5. Resources to be used
6. Budget
7. Products of the study
8. Method of evaluation
9. Plan for keeping the advisor informed of progress

Upper level independent study proposals must be approved by a student’s faculty advisor and the Dean of Academics. Students may earn between 1 and 12 credits for self-designed study and should plan to spend ?about 30 hours per credit earned.

Back to top

Math Competency Exam

This test will be administered once each semester. Students may take the test as many times as necessary. If a student has not passed the test by his/her graduation date, a retest may be arranged in order to meet degree requirements with a charge of $20 for each retest.

Back to top

Academic Expectations

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is an essential standard in an educational institution. All students are expected to exhibit honesty in completing classroom and laboratory work. A student shall neither give nor receive unauthorized aid. Such unauthorized aid includes cooperation on quizzes, tests, work projects, or laboratory assignments unless such cooperation is specifically approved by the instructor. On regular homework assignments, students may advise and assist one another. However, a student shall neither copy another’s work and represent it as his or her own, nor fabricate data for laboratory or field work. If you are unsure about specifics, please ask a faculty member.

Any materials taken from published sources must be specifically acknowledged. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. See “Plagiarism” below, for more information.

Violations of an academic honesty guideline will result in a penalty ranging from receiving no credit for that portion of the course to dismissal from Sterling College. The penalty will be determined by the Dean of Academics in consultation with the course faculty. The determination of the Dean of Academics may be appealed to the President.

Back to top

Plagiarism

To represent another person’s words or ideas as your own is called plagiarism and is a violation of the College’s Policy on Academic Honesty. Whenever you write a research paper using direct quotes or paraphrased ideas from another source, you must always give credit where credit is due. Plagiarism has led to the downfall of more than one famous researcher, journalist, or politician, including a 1988 presidential candidate. In all circumstances ask yourself whether the concept or word you are using is wholly your own or taken from elsewhere. . If borrowed or copied from any source, whether electronic, print, recorded, or spoken word, the original source must be acknowledged.

Back to top

Responsible Conduct

The faculty is responsible for the safety and security of all participants in College programs; students who are unwilling or unable to comply with safety procedures create an unacceptable risk for the College. A student who fails to live up to specific written guidelines for College activities may be barred from further participation in activities that involve the assumption of risks.

Back to top

Class Attendance and Lateness

In order to accomplish what we need to during our brief and busy time together, we at Sterling College take an unusual approach to class attendance and timeliness. Many of our courses build on skills that progress week by week, and missing one class in a sequence jeopardizes the rest of that course.

Attendance at all scheduled course activities is expected of students. Students must see the physician’s assistant/nurse for a medical excuse, if applicable. Students wishing an excused absence from a class for non-medical reasons should make arrangements in advance with the course faculty and the Dean of Academics. If a student must miss a class, the student must see the faculty member immediately to see if it is possible to make up the work. Make-up work is at the discretion of the faculty member; it may not always be possible to make up missed quizzes and exams. Records of class attendance are kept by the Registrar.

Students who do not arrive on time should inform the faculty of the reason for their lateness. In many cases, late students will not be admitted to class. When classes are traveling in Sterling College vehicles, the vehicles are expected to leave at class starting times and will not wait for late students.

Back to top

Late Class Work

This policy is designed to assure that students do not get behind in their work. Students must see the course instructor early if they are having problems!

All assigned papers and projects should be submitted on or before the due date. Late work will affect a student’s final evaluations and work references. Students are expected to complete all assignments, even if they are late. Assignments not completed by the last day of the final exam period will generally earn the student a U (unsatisfactory) for the course.

Back to top