Academic Policies

Grades

Unit of Credit

Each course carries academic credit based on the total contact hours and the method of instruction. Units of credit are used in determining student grade point averages.

Grading System

Students enrolled in credit courses will be graded by the following letter-grade and point system. These represent various levels of accomplishment and grade points earned.

Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits in those courses taken at Western Iowa Tech Community College. Grades that do not carry points are not included in the grade point average.

The semester cumulative grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in a semester by the total number of credits in those courses.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will be given special recognition during graduation ceremonies for their outstanding achievements. Honors are also noted on the student’s official transcript.

Grade Reports

No grade reports will be mailed to the student’s home address. The student may access grades via MyWIT Student Planning at my.witcc.edu.

Resolving Failing Grades

The options for resolving a failing grade in a course are the following:

1. Repeat the course at WITCC.
2. Transfer an equivalent course offered by another institution.

Repeating a Course

Students may wish to repeat a previously taken course. Both courses will be shown on the permanent transcript. Only the latest grade will be computed in the cumulative grade point average.

Veterans should consult with the Veteran’s Advisor in Enrollment Services before repeating any course.

Academic Renewal

Academic renewal permits the removal of credit hours and grades for one or two semesters from a student’s grade point average to allow for improvement of the student’s cumulative GPA.

A student may be granted academic renewal only one time. A student must have completed 12 semester credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.00, or 24 semester credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 following the term(s) for which renewal is sought.

Courses and grades, which are granted academic renewal, will remain on the student’s official transcript, but will be marked with an “O.” These hours and grades will not count toward graduation or be included in calculating the student’s cumulative GPA. Courses which have been considered in granting a previous graduation award are not eligible for Academic Renewal.

Students who are granted academic renewal may be required to pay back some or all benefits received for those courses and terms for which veteran’s benefits or financial aid was received.

Auditing a Course

A student who audits a class is required to pay tuition and other required fees. To audit a class, a student must complete the Audit Permit form within ten (10) days after the class starts. Students who audit a class will receive a grade of “N” but will receive no credit.

Incomplete Grades

To receive an Incomplete (“I”) grade, students must contact their instructor prior to the end of the semester requesting a grade of incomplete. The instructor must complete an Incomplete Grade Contract form.

Instructors may assign incomplete grade (“I”) only when a student who is doing ACCEPTABLE course work and is unable to complete the course because of an illness or other extenuating circumstances, i.e., military service, hardship, or death in the immediate family.

A student shall have until the end of the next regular semester following receipt of the “I” to meet the conditions of the contract. If the student fails to do so, the “I” will be changed to an “F” grade.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all sessions of classes for which they are enrolled. Absences do not excuse the student from meeting the course requirements and the student must take the initiative in making up any missed work as permitted by the instructor. Each instructor will provide policies concerning course attendance. Students who require an extended leave of absence due to extenuating circumstances should communicate directly with their instructors.

Attendance and participation in courses, both on-campus and online, will be monitored and tracked by instructors and advisors. The college may administratively withdraw any student who fails to attend or participate in an on-campus or online course for 14 calendar days. Lack of attendance or participation may also negatively impact the student’s eligibility to receive federal financial aid or may require that funds previously received by the student be returned to the federal aid program. Students who are administratively withdrawn from their courses are responsible for all costs associated with the academic term and will not be allowed to continue to reside in on-campus housing.

Classroom Etiquette

Students are to come to class prepared for the activities of the day. Children, guests, and pets are distractions and therefore are not acceptable in a classroom environment.

Complaint Process

If a student is unhappy with a classroom issue, the student should first bring concerns to the faculty member and/or the instructor’s department chair or department director. If the issue is not resolved at the department level, the student should contact the Executive Dean of Instruction office for further direction. All types of complaints can be filed here. Students can also contact the Iowa College Student Aid Commission or 877-272-4456 to get their complaint issue resolved.

Academic Progress Standards

Students who fail to achieve a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for 12 or more graded credit hours will be placed on academic probation.

The Director of Records and Registration and the Dean of Instruction will review students’ academic records each semester and will notify students in writing of their probationary status. All students placed on academic probation will remain on academic probation until their
cumulative GPA is raised to 2.00. Probationary students who fail to raise their GPA may be suspended. If a student is suspended, he/she has the right to appeal and should contact the Enrollment Services Office to initiate the appeal process. If a student receives financial aid, there are additional criteria to meet for satisfactory academic progress as in the college catalog. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional details. Students who are placed on academic probation will be directed to their academic advisor and the Comet Learning Center for assistance. Scholastic Recognition Scholastic recognition is available to students who have completed 12 or more graded semester credits during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students are eligible for the following academic honors.

1. President’s List GPA = 4.0000
2. WITCC Scholar List GPA = 3.5000-3.9999

This scholastic recognition is announced early in the following semester.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will be given special recognition during graduation ceremonies for their outstanding achievements. Honors are also noted on the student’s official transcript. 

 Commencement

Application for Graduation

Students who plan to receive a degree, diploma, or certificate should file an Application for Graduation form with the Admissions and Advising Center by the filing deadline published in the College Calendar. Application may be done online at https://my.witcc.edu under Academics.

Requirements for Graduation

All degrees, diplomas, and certificates earned at WITCC are based upon the successful completion of a specific prescribed program of study. Refer to the appropriate section in the College catalog for the requirements of each program.

It is the student’s responsibility to check the transcript prior to the last semester of study and finalize any transfer of credit to ensure that all the requirements for graduation are met. Students should request a degree audit prior to enrolling in the semester in which they expect to graduate.

Commencement Ceremony

Students are encouraged to participate in the formal commencement ceremony upon completion of their requirements for an associate degree, diploma, or certificate. Dates of the commencement ceremony are included in the College Calendar. More information is available in Enrollment Services, ext. 1289.

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will be given special recognition during commencement ceremonies for their outstanding achievements. Honors are also noted on the student’s official transcript.