Academic standards have been established at Northern Essex Community College to help students attain understanding, competence and excellence.

General Policies

Mandatory Assessment and Planned Placement

Assessment at NECC is defined as a test of a student’s abilities in reading, writing and math.

1.All matriculated college students will be assessed prior to registration.

2.Non-matriculated students may take no more than 6 credits before they must be assessed (unless those credits are in math or English composition).

3.Students enrolling in any math or English composition course must be assessed in that area.

4.Non-native English speakers may take a different test, but they must show proficiency in English before they can take courses which carry graduation credits.

5.Testing accommodations will be made for students with disabilities in conjunction with the Learning Accommodations Center.

Academic Ethics and Plagiarism

The college expects all students to maintain high standards of academic honesty and integrity. Plagiarism is clearly an example of a violation of Academic Ethics and is a major offense.

Plagiarism is defined by the college to be the use of any other person’s work or ideas as though the work or ideas were their own, without giving the appropriate credit.

Instructors are required to provide students with a clearly written definition of plagiarism applicable in their discipline as part of the course syllabus that they provide during the first two weeks of each course.

Students are responsible for understanding what plagiarism is in each of their classes. The college’s definition and that of their instructor will be used as a criterion against which all plagiarism allegations will be judged. Instances of plagiarism will be addressed first by the instructor who discovers, or is made aware of, the incident. Instructors must discuss the evidence of plagiarism with the student prior to taking action. Instructors who take action as a result of a plagiarism incident may report such action to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. There shall be a range of penalties at the discretion of the instructor which may extend to a recommendation to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for expulsion from the College. The Vice President of Academic Affairs may take disciplinary action against students who are reported for plagiarism.

Students have a right to file a grievance if they feel that the action taken in the alleged plagiarism case discriminated or abrogated their individual or student rights. Students may contact the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services Office for detailed information regarding the Board of Higher Education’s Student Grievance Procedures.

Absence for Religious Reasons

Students who, due to religious beliefs, are unable to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work requirements on a particular day, shall be excused from any such examination or study or requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which they may have missed because of such absence on any particular day, provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon the school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to said students such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to students for availing themselves of the provisions for an absence for religious reasons in accordance with Chapter 375, General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Attendance and Non-Participation (NP Policy)

For classroom, laboratory, videoconference, and clinical courses, students are expected to attend each meeting of each class in which they are enrolled. For online courses, students are expected to participate at a level acceptable to the instructor. In every case, the class instructor has full and final authority to decide whether a student is permitted to make up work missed through absence or lack of participation, and on what terms. Attendance and participation policies are noted on each course syllabus.

Faculty have the academic authority to remove students from their class for nonattendance or non-participation. A non-participating (NP) student is one who has excessive absences, has missed quizzes, tests or papers, or otherwise has failed to meet the participation standard clearly delineated in the course instructor’s syllabus.

An NW grade is assigned when non-participating students are removed from a class. Although the NW grade is not included in students’ grade point average, it may have other adverse consequences. See the latest NECC catalog for full details about NW and FN grades.

A student may be removed from a course for inappropriate classroom behavior that is in clear violation of the student code of conduct published in the student handbook. Faculty must follow notification procedures as prescribed in the code and should not use the NP Policy for this purpose.

Graduation, Program and Course Policies

Matriculated Status

Once students have matriculated–been accepted by the college into one of its associate degree or certificate programs of study–they must maintain a prescribed academic standing in order to continue from one semester to another. Matriculation must occur in order to graduate in one of NECC’s programs of study.

Academic Residency Requirements

A minimum of 24 credits of course work for an associate degree program, and 12 credits of course work for a certificate program, are required in order to fulfill residency requirements. CLEP and CLL credit cannot be used to fulfill residency credit. In addition, students must be currently enrolled and matriculated at the time they are fulfilling their residency requirements.

Full-time Status

A student must carry 12 credits to be considered full-time.

Courses Taken at Another College While Enrolled at Northern Essex Community College

When a student lacks one or two courses for completing requirements at Northern Essex, and problems of distance, course availability or class time make it very difficult to take the courses at this college, the student may request permission to take a course at another college. The forms are available at the Registrar’s Office. Grades for courses transferred from another college are not computed in the QPA average at Northern Essex.

This alternative will be approved only in hardship
situations and is subject to the following stipulations.

•Residency requirements will be met.

•All conditions prescribed in the student’s curriculum plan are being met.

•The student provides this college with a detailed course description of the course.

•Written approval is received from the Registrar’s Office, and if appropriate the program coordinator, by the student before taking the course at another college.

•A grade of C or better is earned in the course.

Graduation Requirements

Northern Essex Community College awards Associate Degrees in Arts and Sciences, and Certificates to all qualified students at commencement exercises for each class. In order to receive this award, students must meet the following criteria:

•Completion of all required courses in a curriculum with a passing letter grade, or with the minimum letter grade specified for that course.

•Completion of the number of credit hours prescribed by a particular curriculum.

•Completion of the final year of course work and a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work at NECC in order to qualify for a degree, and a minimum of 12 credits of classroom work to qualify for a certificate.

•Attainment of a cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 2.00 or higher.

•Completion of the petition for graduation with fee prior to deadline date as prescribed in the Academic Calendar.

•Payment of all financial obligations at the college.

• Student may be required to re-petition at a later date if they do not complete appropriate requirements.

High honors are awarded at commencement to all students with a cumulative quality point average of 3.50 or higher. Honors are awarded to all students with a cumulative quality point average of 3.00 to 3.49 inclusive.

Additional Associate Degrees or Certificates

Students may seek an additional associate degree or certificate at Northern Essex Community College by being accepted for matriculation into a new program after graduating from an initial program. Students must fill out an Action Form with the Academic Advising Office if returning to NECC within 3 years of graduation. If a student returns after 3 years, then an Admission Application must be filled out with the Office of Admission.
To qualify, students must:

• Satisfy graduation requirements.

• Satisfy all of the specific program requirements.

• For those with an Associate Degree, complete a minimum of: 15 credits beyond the most recent Associate Degree to earn an additional Associate Degree; 9 credits beyond the most recent Associate Degree to earn a certificate.

• For those with a certificate, complete a minimum of: 15 credits at NECC beyond the most recent certificate to earn an Associate Degree; 9 credits at NECC beyond the most recent certificate to earn an additional certificate.

Dual Program Status

Students may pursue dual program status by entering a course of study that will allow them to complete two programs simultaneously. Students must apply through the Admissions Office for dual program matriculation.

Students must satisfy the requirements of each program and the requirements listed under the section above-Additional Associate Degrees or Certificates at Northern Essex Community College.

Students may not concurrently graduate from a certificate and associate degree program in the same subject matter.

Program/Course Requirements

When a course is listed as a requirement for a degree/certificate in a given curriculum, a student who meets the knowledge/experience criteria may request approval to waive the course from the appropriate Area Dean and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. No credit is received for a waived course. The student will need to substitute an alternative approved course to fulfill their program requirements.

Directed Studies Courses

In order to provide for a unique, highly individualized course of study for a single student, or a relatively small number of students, each academic department/program in the college offers Directed Studies courses. Such courses are designed to provide further study through directed readings, directed research projects or seminars, or special class work related to research in a specific subject. Each Directed Studies course is usually initiated in response to student interest, is limited to 5 or fewer students and should not be confused with a Special Topics course.

Special Topics Courses

Special Topics courses may be offered by any academic department/program with the approval of the Associate Dean responsible for that Area and the chairperson of the Academic Affairs Committee. The Associate Dean, at the time of signing by the Academic Affairs Committee, shall forward an informational copy of the Special Topics course to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Special Topics courses are usually initiated by faculty or Assistant/Associate Deans and are created for more than five (5) students. Special Topics courses are regular semester college courses and may be from one to four credits. Classes meet on a regular schedule.

Dates for submission of Special Topics proposals to the Academic Affairs Committee will follow the schedule established by the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs. Approval for Special Topics courses may be granted FOUR times by the Chairperson of the Academic Affairs Committee. If the proposer expects to offer the course for more than THREE separate semesters, a formal course proposal should be submitted to the Academic Affairs Committee at the same time as the THIRD request for a Special Topics approval. Both proposals will be considered for approval in order that the course may be offered until the Academic Affairs Committee and President have acted upon the formal course proposal.

Course Loads

Students are responsible for knowing what courses are required in their curriculum and for meeting all other academic requirements.

Students are encouraged to take the number of courses they believe they can manage with good performance. -Note, however, that omitted courses or their
equivalent should be taken in summer session in order to graduate in two years.

Students may request to take more courses in one semester than the suggested schedule if they have attained a QPA of 3.00 or higher at Northern Essex and have the approval of their advisor. Final registration approval will depend on the availability of course seats.

Course Prerequisites

If students do not have the necessary pre-requisite for a course in which they wish to register, it is necessary to obtain permission from the Area Assistant Dean or coordinator of the academic department/program which offers the course. Approved waivers must be on file in the Registrar’s office prior to the 5th day of each semester or the student will be dropped from the course.

Adding a Course

A course for which a student did not register may be added to the student’s schedule on a space available basis. A student who wishes to add a course must complete the Add portion of the College’s Registration Form available in the Registrar’s office. An advisor’s signature is required if the student is registering for more than two courses or an English or Math course. Exact days, times and procedures for adding a course are published by the Registrar at the beginning of each Fall, Spring or Summer session and are noted in the Academic Calendar.

Dropping a Course

Students may drop (withdraw from) a course anytime during the semester in accordance with this policy and the respective dates listed in the College Academic Calendar. To drop a course students must complete the Drop portion of the Registration Form, and submit the form to the Registrar’s Office for processing. Before dropping a course, students should consult with their academic advisor and also inform the instructor of the course that they are dropping the course. Students who are enrolled (matriculated) in a program and plan to drop ALL their courses and discontinue their studies, should officially Withdraw from College. The following Withdrawal grades are assigned when a course is dropped:

Period 1: No Withdrawal grade is assigned and the course is deleted from the registration record if a course is dropped during the official “drop and receive a refund” period. The present refund period is defined as the first fourteen calendar days for a full semester course, and for courses meeting eight weeks or less, the period of time prior to the third class meeting. For specific information about refunds, refer to the Refund Policy.

Period 2: A “W” withdrawal grade, which is non-punitive, is assigned to a course that is officially dropped after the end of the course’s refund period through the date specified in the current Academic Calendar. For regular semester courses a “W” grade is assigned if a course is dropped through the tenth Friday of the semester. For courses meeting eight weeks, a “W” is assigned if dropped through the fifth Friday. Note: A “NW” non-participation grade is assigned if the student is dropped for non-participation by the course instructor.

Period 3: A “FW” withdrawal grade which is non-punitive is assigned to a course that is officially dropped
after the “W” period ends as specified in the Academic Calendar, but prior to the start of final examination week. Note: A “NW” grade is assigned if the student is dropped for non-participation by the instructor.

Students may not drop a course after Period 3 ends. Students who drop all of their courses will be considered to have Withdrawn from the College, and if matriculated, their program of studies. Students who were matriculated in a program will have to reapply for program admission per the Withdrawing from College policy. In addition, grades will be assigned in accordance with dates specified in the Academic Calendar and per college policy. Note: All “W” type grades (see Grading System) currently carry no earned credit or quality points, but do appear on student transcripts.

The length of a Drop/Add period for accelerated or extended courses or sessions may vary, but is equivalent to the above mentioned policy, and posted accordingly. Exceptions to these policies may be made only by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Consult the Academic Calendar for dates relative to dropping a course. Academic Calendars are published each semester and are available at the Registrar’s Office, B-216.

Special Notice About Dropping a Course or Withdrawing from College

Students who are receiving any form of Financial Aid or Veterans Educational benefits, international students on a student visa and students participating in college sports or other activities which have eligibility criteria, should consult with the respective office PRIOR to dropping a course. Reducing hour credit load may adversely affect eligibility to receive Financial Aid, Veterans Educational benefits, could jeopardize the student’s visa status, or make one ineligible to participate in collegiate sports or other activities. In addition, most private insurance companies require that students be full time (12 credits or more) to be eligible for coverage.

Withdrawing from College

Students who must drop all of their courses should officially withdraw from the College. Officially withdrawing from the college will ensure that the correct grades are assigned for each course. To officially withdraw from the college, a student must complete a Withdrawal From College Form available at the Registrar ‘s Office.

When a student officially withdraws from college, the student’s course(s) will be assigned Withdrawal grades as prescribed in the Drop a Course policy. Students who discontinue their studies and officially Withdraw from College are no longer considered to be enrolled at the college or matriculated in their program. If the student wishes to return to the college and wants to be enrolled (matriculated) in a program, the student must officially reapply for admission to a program.

Repeating a Course

Students may repeat a course. In most academic programs, there is no limit to the number of times that such a course may be repeated. In each instance the highest grade received when repeating a course will be used to determine the QPA. Notation appears on the transcript for any repeated course.

Persons receiving any form of financial assistance should seek written approval from the representative of the agency providing the assistance; for example, the Regional Veteran’s Administration Office, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Counselor, Financial Aid Director, etc.

Auditing a Course

Students may audit a course for no course credits by electing to enroll and attend a credit course for self-improvement or individual interest, without the responsibility of fulfilling academic assignments. An Audit Request Form, available in the Registrar’s office, must be completed during the first twenty (20) calendar days after the start of the semester.

Enrollment of auditors in courses is subject to the approval of the Vice President of Academic Affairs or Registrar’s Office Representative and the individual faculty member concerned. An audit grade CANNOT be changed to a regular course grade. Tuition for an audited course is the same as a regular course.

Retroactive Course Withdrawals

The Vice President of Academic Affairs is responsible for approving any retroactive course drops in a prior semester, and any retroactive withdrawal from college which affects an earned letter grade A through F.

In order to apply for a retroactive course drop or withdrawal, students must complete a Retroactive Withdrawal Petition available in the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar will review the request, prepare supporting documentation if appropriate, and forward the petition to the Vice
President of Academic Affairs for consideration. If approved, the action will result in a W grade appearing on the transcript for the course(s) in the prior semester, with W grade(s) dated as of the forty-fifth academic class day of that semester.

Grading System and Academic Standing

Grading System

Letter grades are used at the college per the table listed below, and each grade has a numeric range and associated Quality Point Value. The Quality Point Value is based on a 0.00 to 4.0 range, with an “A” grade having the highest value of 4.0. Grades are used to represent the quality of work done in a course and knowledge earned, as based on the individual instructor’s standards and course objectives.

The Quality Point Value is used to determine the numeric average of semester course work or of cumulative courses and grades to date. Such a computation is known as the Quality Point Average (QPA) of the grades earned to date. The Quality Point Values of a grade in combination with a credits attempted scale, are used to establish the college’s Standards of Academic Progress. The grades presently in use by the college are:

To determine the Quality Point Average (QPA) of courses completed and grades earned, divide attempted credits into the total quality points earned: 12 credits divided into 24.00 = a QPA of 2.0. In this example, the student has a QPA of 2.0, or in other words an overall “C” average.

Listed below is an example of how the Quality Point Average of grades is computed:

Total Credits Attempted = 12 Total Quality Points earned = 24.0

The QPA is also cumulative. Each semester a cumulative QPA is computed by dividing the total number of credits attempted in all semesters at the college into the total number of quality points earned in all semesters at the college.

Attempted credit hours include credit hours with a letter grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F, FN and IF. Grades of P, NC, I, W, NW, FW, WP, NG and AU are not included in the attempted credit hours. When a course is repeated the higher of the two grades will be computed in the QPA; only the credit hours for the higher grade will be included in the cumulative total of attempted hours. The transcript will record each time the course has been taken. (Refer to Repeating a Course in this section of the catalog for further details.)

Incomplete Grades

To determine the Quality Point Average (QPA) of courses completed and grades earned, divide attempted credits into the total quality points earned: 12 credits divided into 24.00 = a QPA of 2.0. In this example, the student has a QPA of 2.0, or in other words an overall “C” average.

The QPA is also cumulative. Each semester a cumulative QPA is computed by dividing the total number of credits attempted in all semesters at the college into the total number of quality points earned in all semesters at the college.

Attempted credit hours include credit hours with a letter grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F, FN and IF. Grades of P, NC, I, W, NW, FW, WP, NG and AU are not included in the attempted credit hours. When a course is repeated the higher of the two grades will be computed in the QPA; only the credit hours for the higher grade will be included in the cumulative total of attempted hours. The transcript will record each time the course has been taken. (Refer to Repeating a Course in this section of the catalog for further details.)

Pass/No Credit Grade Option – Liberal Arts Program

A student who is enrolled in the Liberal Arts Program and has successfully earned 12 credits or more, may elect to enroll in a course under the Pass/No Credit grade option. The following criteria apply to the NC (no credit earned) grade option:

•Courses taken on Pass/No Credit basis may be used to fulfill the elective requirements only of the Liberal Arts degree. All specific course requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

•At no time may a grade for a course taken on a Pass/No Credit basis be converted to a letter grade.

•All credits earned for courses taken as Pass/No Credit will count towards the total credit hours required for a Liberal Arts degree, but will not be calculated into the student’s quality point average.

•No more than 12 credit hours of Pass/No Credit courses may be applied toward the student’s degree and no more than one course may be taken on this basis in any one semester.

•Some colleges may not permit the student to use courses taken as Pass/No Credit for transfer purposes. Responsibility for seeking information regarding the transferability of Pass/No Credit courses lies with the student.

•The Pass/No Credit Grade Option form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar no later than the sixth academic day of the semester in which the course is taken.

Approval from the course instructor is not necessary for the Pass/No Credit option. The instructor is, however, notified of your Pass/No Credit option. The Registrar may approve late applications for the Pass/No Credit option as appropriate. Pass/No Credit Grade Option forms are available only in the Registrar’s office.

To change the final grade of a student, instructors must complete a Change of Grade form.

Change of Grade forms are available at the Registrar’s office. Instructors must submit forms in person.

Mid-Semester Grades

Mid-semester grades are not routinely issued at Northern Essex. All students, however, have the right to request written evaluations from their instructors at any time during the semester. The Registrar’s office has a mid-semester grade form available for students who wish to submit them to their instructors.

Student Academic Transcripts/Semester Grade Reports

All courses taken at Northern Essex Community College are maintained at the Registrar’s Office and are recorded as a single permanent record. If the student successfully completes a program of study at Northern Essex Community College, the name of the degree or certificate earned will be noted on the transcript.

Transcripts may be reviewed by students in person by presenting an acceptable form of identification, such as a driver’s license, college I.D. card, social security card, etc. Any written request for (or release of) an official transcript must contain the student’s name, address, date of birth, social security number, and dates of attendance. Transcripts will be released to other parties only if written authorization from the student has been received. There is a fee for official transcripts.

Academic Standing

A student’s academic standing indicates progress towards a degree. A minimum over-all average grade is required to continue from one semester to another. There are three categories of academic standing. These are described as follows above:

Good Standing: Good standing is defined as follows:

•A QPA of 1.50 after attempting one to nineteen credit hours

•A QPA of 1.75 after attempting twenty to thirty-six credit hours

•A QPA of 1.90 after attempting thirty-seven to fifty-four credit hours

•A QPA of 2.00 after attempting fifty-five or more credit hours.

Probation: Probation is a warning that a student must show academic improvement in order to maintain enrollment within a program. Students on probation receive a written warning from the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the beginning of the semester in which their QPA falls in the probationary range. This letter states that students on probation must consult with an advisor from the Academic Advising Center, and plan a course of studies to improve grades. Upon attaining grades of good standing, probationary status is removed. Probation status is assigned as follows:

•A QPA below 1.50 after attempting one to nineteen credit hours.

•A QPA below 1.75 after attempting twenty to thirty-six credit hours.

•A QPA below 1.90 after attempting thirty-seven to fifty-four credit hours.

•A QPA below 2.00 after attempting fifty-five or more credit hours.

Suspension: Students are put on suspension as a result of unsatisfactory academic progress. Suspension automatically drops students from their academic programs and denies students eligibility to return in the following semester. Students are informed in writing by the Vice President of Academic Affairs that they are suspended. The letter includes information regarding academic advising available to assist students in improving their academic progress. It also explains the actions students must take if they desire to continue enrollment at NECC as a “special conditions student” or be reinstated into their academic program at the college at a later date. Suspension is assigned as follows:

•A QPA less than 1.00 after attempting one to nineteen credit hours.

•A QPA less than 1.50 after attempting twenty to thirty-six credit hours.

•A QPA less than 1.75 after attempting thirty-seven to fifty-four credit hours.

•A QPA below 1.90 after attempting fifty-five or more credit hours; but less than nine credit hours beyond the total required in the student’s curriculum.

•A QPA below 2.00 after attempting nine credit hours beyond the total required in the student’s curriculum.

Petition to Return as a “Special Conditions Student”

Students who are suspended may petition the Vice President of Academic Affairs, through the Academic Advising Center, to continue enrollment at NECC as a “Special Conditions Student.” After consultation with an academic advisor, students may be allowed to take a limited number of classes at Northern Essex while suspended (usually no more than two).

Student’s who desire to do so, must fill out a Petition to Return as a Special Conditions Student Form. The petition can be obtained at the Academic Advising Center. An approval signature is given only after the student meets with an advisor to discuss course selection; provide reasons for unsatisfactory progress, and develops a plan for improving grades.

Removal from Suspension

Students who show improvement in their academic progress by successfully completing necessary courses and raising their cumulative QPA above suspended status may petition the Vice President of Academic Affairs, through the Academic Advising Center, to be removed from academic suspension and return to their academic program. Students who desire to do so must fill out a Petition to Return to Academic Program Form, which can be obtained at the Academic Advising Center.

Students must meet with an academic advisor to review their academic progress and develop plans for continued improvement. The current cumulative QPA, along with the student’s academic progress to date is used to determine the future academic status of the student. At this time a recommendation is made as to whether or not the improvement has been sufficient to warrant reinstatement into an academic program.

Dean’s List Policy

Each semester students are appointed to the Dean’s List for Academic Honors if they fulfill the following requirements:

•Be a candidate for a degree (a matriculated student).

•Attain a GPA of 3.3 or higher within the semester.

•Carry 6 or more credit hours within a given semester.

All students, both developmental and college level, are eligible for this distinction; and that the Dean’s List will be compiled and published for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters beginning with the Fall of 2004.