Student Services

Student Responsibilities

Student Rights

Student Records and Transcripts

Information Regarding Classes

Academic Honesty

Student Appeals

Policies Regarding Credit, Grades and Student Records 

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for:

• Knowing the requirements for the degrees they seek
• Enrolling in courses that fit into their degree programs
• Taking courses in proper sequence to ensure orderly progression of work
• Knowing and abiding by college regulations regarding the standard of work required to continue in the College, as well as those dealing with scholastic probation, academic integrity and enforced withdrawal.

Student Rights

In addition to the rights enjoyed by all citizens and residents, the rights accorded Lee College Huntsville Center (LCHC) students include the following:

• The right to privacy for their college records
• The right to see their records and, if necessary, challenge their accuracy;
• The right to know the graduation rates for full-time certificate and degree seeking students;
• The right to pursue grievances against instructors, administrators, or fellow students;
• The right to place letters in their files regarding disciplinary action or grievances

Note that students may also file grievances and appeal decisions made by instructors and administrators.  These procedures can be provided by counselors.

Student Records and Right to Privacy

Student’s right to privacy is assured in part by federal law.  The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and its amendments specify the types of student information that can be released to the public without the student’s expressed consent and specifies the persons and agencies who may receive other information regarding students.

According to FERPA, the students’ information a college may release to the public without students’ permission is referred to as “directory information.”  The information included in the FERPA definition of directory information is listed below.

Directory Information

1. Name
2. Address both Physical and Electronic
3. Telephone
4. Date and place of birth
5. Credentials earned and date as well as honors and awards
6. Major and field of study
7. Academic classification
8. Dates of attendance/Enrollment status
9. Number of semester hours in progress and attained to date
10. Previous high schools and colleges attended
11. Weight, height, and participation of members of athletic teams

Students may request that the College withhold their directory information from the general public.  To do so, students must file a request with the Office of Admissions and Records during the first twelve class days of long semesters or the first four class days of a summer session.

Students’ Right to Review Their Records

Students who wish to review their college records may do so by filing a request with the office responsible for the records in question.  These offices are listed in a subsequent section.  Students who wish to review their records may be required to complete a “Request for Review of Student Record” form.

Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students may be denied access to some college records. These include the following records:

1. Financial information submitted by the students’ parents.
2. Confidential letters and recommendations associated with admissions, employment, job placement, or honors to which they have waived their right of inspection and review.
3. Educational records containing the information above for more than one student, in which case the institution will permit access only to that part of the record which pertains to the inquiring student.
4. Confidential letters and recommendations placed in their files prior to January 1, 1975, provided those letters were collected under established policies of confidentiality and were used only for the purposes for which they were collected.

Challenging the Accuracy of College Records

Students who desire to challenge the accuracy of the information in their records may do so by following the procedures outlined below.

Informal Review

The custodian of the record will summarize action taken on “Request for Review of Student Record” form and will sign and date the form.

Formal Review

If the informal review does not clarify the question of accuracy or record keeping, the student may request a formal review.  The Associate Vice President of the Huntsville Center or Vice President of Learning will appoint and chair committees to hear challenges concerning academic records.  The Vice President of Student Affairs will appoint and chair committees that hear the challenges concerning non-academic records.  

Student Records and Transcripts

The offices in which student records are maintained are listed below:

Academic Records

• Office of Admissions and Records

Student Affairs Records

• Vice President of Student Affairs
• Counseling Office - Associate Vice President
• Student Affairs

Financial Records

• Business Office - Vice President of Financial Services
• Office of Financial Aid - Financial Aid Director

Offices and Individuals with Access to Student Records

Federal law allows the following individuals and agencies access to student records without the prior consent of students.

1. Officials, faculty, and staff of Lee College who have a legitimate educational interest in the student’s record.
2. Officials of other schools in which the student seeks admission or intends to enroll.  Students may have copies of their records forwarded to other institutions by filing a request with the Admissions and Records Office.
3. Individuals who need the information in connection with a student’s application or receipt of financial aid.
4. State or local officials to which educational data must be reported.
5. Legitimate organizations (ACT, CEEB, ETS) developing, validating, or administering predictive test or student aid programs.  Such data is not to be released in any identifiable form and will be destroyed by the organization after the research has been completed.
6. Accrediting agencies.
7. Parents of a dependent student as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
8. In compliance with judicial order or pursuant to any lawfully issued subpoena (Lee College will attempt to inform students in this instance).
9. Representatives of the Comptroller General of the United States, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Administrative Heads of Educational Agencies, or State Education Authorities.

Students’ Right to Know:  Graduation Rates and Crime Statistics

Federal law also requires colleges to publish graduation and/or persistence rates for all full-time students pursuing certificates and degrees, the same information for students on athletic scholarship, statistics regarding the incidence of crime on the campus, and the number of arrests for certain crimes committed on campus.  This information is compiled each year and is available online.

Information Regarding Classes

Time and Frequency

A copy of the schedule of classes offered during each semester or term will be available in advance of the day of registration.

Size of Classes

The College administration reserves the right to discontinue any class for which the enrollment is too small to justify its continuation during a particular semester.

Graduate Guarantee Program

Transfer Credit

Lee College guarantees to its Associate of Applied Science graduates the 15 general education course credits will transfer to other public-supported Texas colleges or universities provided the following conditions are met.

1. Transferability means acceptance of credit toward a specific major and degree at a specific institution.  These three components must be identified by the student during the application for admission process prior to the first semester of enrollment at Lee College.
2. As stated in the general undergraduate catalog of the receiving institution, limitations apply to the total number of credits accepted in transfer, grades required, relevant grade point average, and duration of transferability.
3. Transferability refers to courses in a written transfer degree plan filed in a student’s file at Lee College.
4. Only college-level courses with Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual approved numbers are included in this guarantee.

If all the above conditions are met and a course or courses are not accepted by a receiving institution in transfer, the student must notify the appropriate instructional Vice President at Lee College within 10 days of notice of transfer credit denial so the “Transfer Dispute Resolution” process can be initiated.  

If course denial is not resolved, Lee College will allow the student to take tuition-free alternate courses, semester hour for semester hour, which are acceptable to the receiving institution within a one-year period from granting of a degree at Lee College.  The graduate is responsible for payment of any fees, books, or other course-related expenses associated with the alternate course or courses.

Transfer Limitation Notice

Texas public universities may limit the transfer of lower-division credit hours earned by a student.  All coursework at Lee College is considered lower division coursework, with the exception of developmental courses (see Developmental Coursework).

A Texas public university may elect to limit lower division transfer credit to 66 hours maximum.  However, exceptions are sometimes made at some institutions.  All students intending to transfer should work carefully with Lee College advisors and advisors at each desired transfer institution to assist them in making wise enrollment choices.

Further, courses designed for workforce education may have limited transfer value toward a bachelor’s degree.  These courses are taken from the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) published by the state and are used in certificate and AAS plans; WECM courses are not required in degree plans intended for transfer (all AA, AS, and AAT plans).  Degree programs designed to streamline the acquisition of a bachelor’s degree for earners of AAS degrees have been initiated at some Texas universities.

Students should contact the Counseling Center for more information about any issue related to transfer.  

Transfer Dispute Resolution

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provides a formal procedure for resolution of transfer disputes for lower division courses offered by Texas public colleges and universities.  Students have the right to appeal denial of credit under this policy.  The policy can be viewed at the Coordinating Board’s website.

Students who would like to question transcript evaluations done by Lee College should first contact the Registrar.  If still dissatisfied, the student should see the Vice President of Student Affairs

Guarantee of Job Competency

If a recipient of an associate of applied science degree or certificate of completion is judged by his/her employer to be lacking in technical job skills identified as exit competencies for his/her specific degree program, the graduate will be provided up to 12 tuition-free credit hours of additional skill training by Lee College under the condition of the guarantee policy.  Special conditions which apply to the guarantee include the following:

1. The graduate must have earned the associate of applied science degree or certificate of completion beginning May, 1993 or thereafter in a technical, vocational, or occupational program identified in the College’s general catalog as of Fall 1992 or later.
2. The graduate must have completed requirements of the associate of applied science degree or certificate of completion with Lee College, with a minimum of 80 percent of credits earned at Lee College and must have completed the degree or certificate within a five-year time span.
3. Graduates must be employed full-time in an occupation directly related to the area of program concentration as certified by the Vice President of Learning.
4. Employment must commence within 12 months of graduation.
5. The employer must certify in writing that the employee is lacking entry-level skills identified by Lee College as program exit competencies and must specify the areas of deficiency within 90 days of the graduate’s initial employment.
6. The employer, graduate, or Vice President of Learning, Director of Counseling, and appropriate faculty member will develop a written educational plan for retraining.
7. Retraining will be limited to 12 credit hours related to the identified skill deficiency and to those classes regularly scheduled during the periods covered by the retraining plan.
8. All retraining must be completed within a calendar year from the time the educational plan is agreed upon.
9. The graduate and/or employer is responsible for the cost of books, insurance, uniforms, fees, and other course-related expenses.
10. The guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career.

A student’s sole remedy against Lee College and its employees for skill deficiencies shall be limited to 12 credit hours of tuition free education under the conditions described.  Activation of the “Graduate Guarantee Program” may be initiated by the graduate by contacting the Vice President of Learning within 90 days of the graduate’s initial employment.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is essential to maintaining an environment where teaching and learning take place.  It is also the foundation upon which students build personal integrity and establish standards of personal behavior.  Lee College expects and encourages all students to contribute to such an environment by observing the principles of academic honesty outlined in the College’s Academic Honesty Code.

Student Responsibility: Students at Lee College are expected to maintain honesty and integrity in the academic work they attempt while enrolled at the College.  Each student acknowledges, by the act of turning in work for a grade, that he is in compliance with the code.  Students are also responsible for informing the course instructor of any infractions that they may witness.

Faculty Responsibility: Faculty members are responsible for helping students comply with the Academic Honesty Code by directing students’ attention to the policy in course outlines and/or by explaining its provisions in class.  Instructors should help minimize student temptation to violate the code by enacting adequate security precautions in the preparation, handling, and administering of graded work.

Academic Honesty Code

Honesty Code Violations:  Any conduct or activity by a student intended to earn or improve a grade or receive any form of credit by fraudulent or dishonest means is considered an Honesty Code violation.  In addition, engaging in any conduct which a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances would recognize as academic dishonesty is considered a violation.  Examples of violations of the Honesty Code include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Acquiring information;

a.  Acquiring information for any assigned work or examination from any source not authorized by the instructor.

b. Working with another person or persons on any assignment or examination without the expressed permission of the instructor.

c. Observing the work of other students during any examination.

d. Using, bullying, selling, stealing, soliciting, copying, or processing, in whole or part, the contents of an unadministered examination.

e. Purchasing or otherwise acquiring and submitting as one’s own work any research paper or other writing assignment prepared by others.

  2.  Providing information:

a. Providing answers for any assigned work or examination when not specifically authorized by the instructor to do so.

b. Informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given.

  3. Plagiarism:

a. Incorporating the work or idea of another person into one’s own work, whether paraphrased or quoted, without acknowledging the source of that work or idea.

b. Attempting to receive credit for work performed by another person, including papers obtained in whole or part from individuals or other sources.

c. Copying computer programs or data files belonging to someone else.

  4. Conspiracy:

a. Agreeing with one or more persons to commit any act of academic dishonesty.

  5. Fabrication of information:

a. Falsifying the results obtained from research or a laboratory experiment. 

b. Presenting results of research or laboratory experiments without the research or laboratory experiments having been performed.

c. Substituting for another student to take an examination or to do any academic work for which academic credit will be received.

d. Changing answers or grades after an academic work has been returned to the student and claiming instructor error.

e. Submitting work for credit or taking an examination and employing a technique specifically prohibited by the instructor in that course, even if such technique would be acceptable in other courses.

  6. Abuse of resource materials:

a. Mutilating, destroying, concealing, stealing, or altering any materials provided to assist students in the completion of academic work, including library books, journals, computer files, microfile and microfiche files, materials, placed on reserve by the instructor, or any such materials as the instructor may provide or assign.

b. Copying without permission of the owner, or mutilating or destroying any media, printed or electronic (for example, film, video, music, 

Student Appeals

Introduction

To maintain an environment that promotes teaching and learning, Lee College has developed policies that outline instructional and behavioral expectations in individual course syllabi/outlines and policy regarding student conduct, academic honesty, and sexual harassment.

Appeals procedures provide students with a means to challenge classroom activity, disciplinary action, and administrative policies and/or behaviors that they feel are arbitrary or unfair while protecting the academic freedom of instructors and the safety and security of the campus community.

To learn more about the appeals process, students may meet with an advisor, counselor, or Division Chair.

General Principles

The appeals process applies to both the informal and the formal procedures.  It can be waived or an addendum may be added to the formal appeal if all parties to the appeal and corresponding college personnel charged with resolving it agree to do so.  All meetings called by college personnel to resolve appeals are confidential and closed to the public.  Deadlines may be extended due to extenuating circumstances, illness, or College events such as registration or final exams.

Students who initiate appeals should not be subject to retaliation and should report any incidents immediately to a counselor or administrator.

Issues That Can Be Appealed

Instructional issues include the classroom, laboratories, and related activities supervised by instructors and/or instructional division.  Examples include, but are not limited to, laboratory safety, behavior, academic honesty, grades, absences, or withdrawals.

Non-instructional and disciplinary issues include, but are not limited to, student conduct, expulsion, threats, injury, trespassing, vandalism, theft of textbooks, or personal possessions, destruction of property, forgery of documents, and other actions that may threaten the safety and security of individual and/or the campus community.

Resolution of Policy Governed by State and Federal Regulations

Policies and procedures based on state and federal laws are resolved within specific departments.

Level 1 - Informal Resolution

The informal resolution attempts to resolve issues regarding college policies, procedures, or personnel as they occur.  Throughout the informal process, students should record dates and times of meetings with individuals, keep a brief account of the meetings, and collect any written documents that they may receive.  Within 10 working days of an incident, the student should meet with individuals with whom they have a concern or complaint to seek resolution.  If the situation is unresolved, students should speak with relevant supervisors and/or administrators who may investigate the incident further to seek information to resolve the concern.

Level 2 - Formal Appeal

Students who are not satisfied with the outcome produced by the informal resolution may initiate a formal appeal.  Which begins when a student submits a written statement outlining the event to the appropriate administrator.  Students must file an appeal within 30 working days of the incident.

Written Statement

All issues related to a single incident should be included in one appeal. Students must include dates of meetings, with college personnel that were held during the informal resolution process.  Evidence and copies of supporting documentation should be submitted with the written statement.  These may include, but are not limited to, letters, syllabi, or grade sheets.  In cases where absences are part of the consideration, written verification by medical personnel, peace officers, or others in authority should be included.  Statements by witnesses may be submitted either in writing or or video.  Students may suggest a resolution or remedy.  Students should keep copies of all materials submitted for consideration.

Instructional Appeal:

1. Students will submit the written statement and supporting materials to the Division Chair.  In the event that the instructor is a Division Chair, the process will begin with the appropriate instructional administrator.
2. Copies of the appeal will be forwarded by the Division Chair (if applicable, the appropriate instructional administrator) to those named in the appeal.

If a student is not satisfied with the decision made by the Division Chair, within 10 working days they need to contact the appropriate instructional administrator.  All materials presented to the Division Chair, along with his/her decision and any additional information collected, should be forwarded.  If an instructional administrator has served in place of the Division Chair and students are not satisfied with the decision, students may continue the process at Level 3.

Non-Instructional Appeal:

1. Students will submit the written statement and supporting materials to the appropriate student services administrator.  In the event that this individual is named in the appeal, the president will appoint an administrator to hear the appeal.
2. Copies of the appeal will be forwarded by the administrator to those named in the appeal.

If a students is not satisfied with the decision made by the administrator, within 10 working days, students may continue the process at Level 3.

Appeal Response and Decision

At the discretion of the appropriate administrator, further investigation may take place, meetings may be held, or a decision may be based on the written appeal and/or information acquired during the informal resolution.  The administrator may request additional information in writing or documentation from the individuals involved.  Instructional issues that are capricious or threaten to undermine the principles of academic freedom will be dismissed.  Within 10 working days of receipt of the formal appeal, the appropriate administrator will respond in writing to the student and copy those named in the appeal.

An addendum may be made to an appeal with the approval of parties named in the appeal and the presiding administrator.  If new witnesses or evidence is produced during the course of an appeal, an extension of up to 10 working days will be granted to allow individuals to respond.

Acceptance of Decision

Students have 10 working days to accept or reject in writing the presiding administrator’s decision.  Students will prepare a written memo/letter with their signature.  If there is no response, it is assumed that the students have accepted the decision.

Level 3 - Appeals Committee

The student services administrator will create an Appeals Committee consisting of three faculty members.  The administrator serves as chairperson of the Appeals Committee and votes only in the event of a tie.  If the complaint is against the student services administrator, another administrator will serve as chairperson of the committee.

If a committee member is challenged, the chairperson of the Appeals Committee will consider the challenge and either dismiss it or appoint a new member to the committee.

Appeals Meetings

Appeals meetings are held the second week of the month.

Evidence:  Students will have the opportunity to explain their position that was submitted in the written appeals statement that included supporting evidence and to respond to or ask questions.  The burden of proof is on the student to show that a capricious, arbitrary, or prejudicial decision has been made.

Formal rules of evidence will not apply and the committee may request additional information or evidence.

Advisor: Students and Lee College employees may choose to have one advisor present who is not a witness.  Although advisors may not participate in the proceedings, students and employees may confer with their advisors during the proceedings.  If the student chooses an attorney for an advisor, both the employee and the College may elect to have an attorney present.  Five working days prior to the appeals meeting, students must notify the Appeals Committee chairperson in writing by the end of the business day if an attorney will serve as an advisor to the student.

Transcription:  If students or employees want to have the meeting videotaped or recorded and transcribed, it is their responsibility to make arrangements for such documentation.  Five working days prior to the appeals meeting, the Appeals Committee chairperson must be notified in writing by the end of the business day if transcription will occur.

Absence from proceedings:  Students or employees may waive their right to be present at the appeals meeting by notifying the appeals committee chairperson in writing.  Without written notice, if students do not attend the appeals meeting, the appeal process will end and the last decision regarding the appeal will be in effect.  If a Lee College employee does not attend, the appeals meeting will continue, using information presented in written statements.

Meeting Protocol:

• The appeal meeting is not an open public meeting.
• The Appeal Committee chairperson is responsible for establishing the purpose of the meeting and maintaining order.
• The committee may set time limits for presentations.
• Students will present their appeal and corresponding evidence (oral, written, tape) to support the written appeal statement.
• Members of the committee may ask questions or seek clarification from students and/or Lee College employees.
• Students may present an oral summary to the committee.
• Members of the committee may request additional information, documents, or witnesses during the meeting.  They may seek additional information or request additional meetings with student and/or Lee College employees.

Response to the Appeal

Within 10 working days of the Appeals Committee’s Decision, the chairperson of the Appeals Committee will respond in writing to the student and copy those named in the appeal.

Policies Regarding Credit, Grades and Student Records

The Semester Credit Hour (SCH)

The unit of measure generally used in counting college credit is the Semester Credit Hour, or SCH.  It represents the work done by class which meets one hour a week for one semester.  Classes which have a credit value of three SCH meet for three hours each week, or the equivalent over a shorter session.

Freshmen are defined as students who have successfully completed fewer than thirty (30) SCH of college-level coursework at the beginning of a registration period.  Sophomores are defined as having successfully completed thirty (30) or more SCH.

Grades and Grade Points

Grades awarded in credit classes at Lee College, their grade point value, and their meanings are set forth below.  Also, see “Grades for Repeating Courses” below and “Developmental Courses.”

Grade Point Averages (GPA)

Grade Point Averages (GPAs) are determined by dividing each student’s total number of grade points by their total number of SCH attempted. Grade points are determined by the grade awarded in a course and the value of that grade in terms of Grade Points multiplied by the number of Semester Credit Hours (SCH) associated with the course. The example below demonstrated how the GPA is calculated. Grade points are not awarded in developmental courses (e.g., MATH 310 and READ 302) and grades earned in these courses (whether letter grades or number grades) are not included in the computation of GPAs.

Transfer hours will be used to determine the number of hours attempted but will not be included in the computation of student’s cumulative GPAs.

Grades for Repeated Courses

When a student repeats a course, the total attempted SCH remains unchanged and the grade earned in the second attempt is used in the computation of the GPA.  The original grade will remain on the student’s permanent record.  Students who withdraw from a course during a repeat attempt do not lose the original grade or credit from the first attempt.

Evaluation of Transfer Credit

Credit for college-level work completed at accredited institutions listed in the  Higher Education Directory will be awarded according to the following conditions:

1. The Office of Admissions and Records determines the total number of SCH which students may transfer to Lee College from other institutions.  Students who are pursuing associate degrees and have earned at least 15 SCH at the College should request that their transfer work be evaluated.  Students seeking certificates of completion who have transfer work in the same program of study should request that their transcripts be evaluated.  Official transcripts will not be returned to students.
2. Credit for courses equivalent to those listed in the catalog will be given credit that the student earned at regionally accredited institutions of higher education
3. A minimum of 25 percent of total coursework required by the student’s degree program or 50 percent of the coursework required by the student’s certificate of completion program must be taken in residence at Lee College for the student to become eligible to receive a certificate of completion or an associate degree from Lee College.  Transfer students should consult with a counselor/advisor regarding their transfer hours and degree programs.  In addition, 25 percent of the student’s major field of study semester credit hours must be taken in residence at Lee College.
4. Students may be required to obtain official course descriptions from colleges previously attended before transfer credit can be awarded.
5. Courses in which students earned grades of “D,” “F,” and “Incomplete” will bot be accepted as transfer credit by Lee College.
6. Grade points earned at other institutions cannot be transferred to Lee College.  At Lee College, students’ cumulative grade point averages - which are based solely on grades earned at the College - are used to determine their eligibility to receive honors at graduation.
7. Credit for military courses will be evaluated based upon the evaluation recommendations outlined in the American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services Manual.

Academic Fresh Start

Under state law, students may petition their college or university to have all records of courses attempted 10 or more years earlier disregarded in the determination of their cumulative GPAs.  The policy is designed to give students who had “false starts” as undergraduates a better chance of entering graduate and/or professional schools.  Invoking the policy will not cause students who were granted TASP-Exempt status because of coursework completed prior to September 1989 to lose that status, or the TSIA-Exempt status that they gained from being TASP-Exempt.  Students requesting a Fresh Start should be aware that this action does not remove any grades from the student’s transcript.

Students who wish to invoke this policy must indicate their desire to do so by completing an Academic Fresh Start request and submit it to the Office of the Lee College Huntsville Center (LCHCAssociate Vice President) .  The AVP must sign this form, confirming that the student is eligible for the Fresh Start.  The policy has some restrictions, and it may only be invoked one time per student.  Therefore, students are  urged to meet with a counselor/advisor prior to initiating requests.

Academic Warning and Probation

A student’s academic status is determined by the Grade Point Average (GPA) accumulated at Lee College.  GPA determines a student’s eligibility for continuous enrollment.  Individual students are responsible for their GPA, defining their academic status.  At the beginning of each fall and spring term, academic status will be re-evaluated based on the student’s previous semester success.

Academic Warning: Student did not maintain a 2.0 GPA within a given semester, but has 2.0 or above cumulative GPA.

• Hold placed on account preventing registration

Academic Probation:  Student did not maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.

• Hold placed on account preventing registration - to be released once cumulative GPA of 2.0 is achieved
• Limit enrollment to 1-2 courses that semester
• Grade replacement course selection may be required
• Mandatory visit with assigned Advisor/Counselor to discuss an action plan and to register for upcoming semester
• The last week for mandatory Advisory/Counselor visit appointments is two weeks prior to the semester start.  Any time after will result in flex-start courses or a semester break

Academic Suspension:  Student did not maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher while on Academic Probation

• Must sit out for one (1) long semester, to include summer (includes 10 week, 5 week, and mini terms)
• Continued hold placement on account preventing registration - to be released once cumulative GPA of 2.0 is achieved
• Grade placement course selection may be required
• Limit enrollment to 1-2 courses that semester
• Mandatory meeting with assigned Advisor/Counselor, upon return from required semester sit out, to discuss an action plan and to register for upcoming semester
• The last week for mandatory Advisor/Counselor visit appointments is two weeks prior to the semester start.  Any time after will result in flex-start courses or a semester break

Academic Dismissal:  Student did not maintain a 2.0 semester GPA first semester returning from Academic Suspension.

• Must sit out for one (1) calendar year
• Continued hold placement on account preventing registration to be released once cumulative GPA of 2.0 is achieved
• Upon return after one (1) calendar year, students must: 1) meet with the Vice President of Learning and/or respective dean for readmission 2) Consult with the assigned Advisor/Counselor for re-development of an action plan, discussion of the 1-2 course needed to replace previously unsuccessful courses, and register for classes
• Remains on Academic Probation status until GPA improves
• May continue to enroll with continued progression towards a cumulative 2.0 GPA

Grade Reports

Grade reports will be sent to students as soon as possible after the end of each semester. 

Class Attendance

Students who have been absent from class for three consecutive class meetings may be dropped by the instructor for nonattendance, with grades of “F” or “W2.”  Instructors may, however, develop individual policies regarding absences.

Incomplete

A grade of “I” indicates incomplete work resulting from illness or other unavoidable circumstances.  To be eligible to receive an “I” students must have completed at least 75 percent of the work required for the course in question during the original term of enrollment.  To receive an “I”, a student must enter into a contract with the instructor of the course regarding the work that is to be completed and the grade the student will receive in the event that the work is not completed.  The remaining work must be completed within one semester unless extenuating circumstances require a longer period for completion.  Instructors have the right to submit any grade at any time to replace an “I” grade, with a grade of “F.”

Students who receive “I” grades should not re-enroll for the class unless they are terminating the incomplete agreement and wish to start over with a new section of the class.  In this case, the student is urged to contact the original instructor to request release from the incomplete agreement.

After the next long semester has lapsed, if the “I” grade has not been changed to another grade by the instructor, the “I” grade will be replaced with an “F”.

Student Drop

If an student is dropped or withdrawn from a class after the certification date for a reason other than release, bench warrant, unit transfer, medical, or administrative request due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, he will be considered “unexcused” and that student will be suspended from enrollment in any college academic or vocational course for one (1) year following the semester in which he was originally enrolled.  The student will be allowed to continue with any course in which he is simultaneously enrolled and attending.

If the student is dropped from all developmental classes in which he is enrolled that semester for reasons other than the “excused” reasons listed above, he will also be dropped from his credit classes at the same time.  the same one-year suspension from enrollment will also apply.

Surcharges for Certain Repeated Classes

Lee College applies a tuition surcharge when students repeat a class for the third or greater time (since Fall 2002).  This action was taken because the state legislation eliminated the funding match the College previously received for these enrollments.

The surcharge is assessed at the non-resident tuition rate in addition to the regular tuition rate based on the student’s residency.

Students are strongly encouraged to keep the surcharge in mind when considering whether to drop a required course.  If the drop will result in a grade of “W”, the course will be counted as an attempt.  Students should see a counselor if they have questions.

Six Drop Policy

The Texas Legislature passed a law designed to limit the total number of course drops to six for undergraduate students at state public institutions of higher education.  This legislation affects only students entering any Texas public college Fall 2007 or later.  Students who have attended any college prior to Fall 2007 are generally not affected.

Lee College is responsible for tracking and possibly denying drop requests of students affected by the law.  Affected students may be asked to give a reason when making a drop request.  Drops may be reviewed for compliance with this law.  An appeal process will be available for students.  The law also requires Lee College to report unexcused drops on an affected student’s transcript.  Updates on the College’s six drop policy will be published on the Lee College website and will be available at the Counseling Center.

Administrative Withdrawal

Students who violate college policies, including TSIA policies and the policies outlined in this catalog, may be withdrawn from the College.  Students who are withdrawn for policy violation will receive grades of “W” in all classes.  There is no grade point value for a “W”.

Student Refusal

Students who refuse a technical course after being transferred to a unit to attend the course will receive a 2 year suspension from all college academic or technical coursework.  RPD will decide what happens to the student after the refusal.

Lee College Huntsville Center (LCHC)’s TSIA Coursework Progression

Any student who earns an A, B, or C grade in ENRD 301 or MATH 320 is automatically promoted to the next higher-level course in that subject area.  Any student who earns a score of C or higher in the exit class (ENRD 302 or MATH 330) AND PASSES THE EXIT EXAM FOR THAT SUBJECT AREA will be promoted out of developmental studies in that subject area without re-taking the TSIA test.  Therefore,

1. An A,B, or C grade in MATH 320 promotes the student to MATH 330.  An A, B or C grade in MATH 330 plus a passing grade on the MATH exit exam promotes the student out of the developmental math program.
2. An A, B or C grade in ENRD 301 promotes the student to ENRD 302. An A, B, or C grade in ENRD 302 plus a score of 65% or higher on the ENRD exit exam promotes the student out of the developmental reading/writing program.

Lee College Huntsville Center (LCHC)-Approved Methods for Completing TSIA Requirements

1. Developmental Course Completion (see above): Students will enroll in developmental classes in the subject area(s) that need improvement.  After moving through the class levels for that subject area in sequence and earning a grade of C or higher in the designated TSIA level for college readiness (MATH 330, ENRD 302), they will be considered college ready in that subject area.
2. Credit by Examination:  (See explanation below.) Students will have the opportunity each semester to demonstrate their college readiness in each TSIA test area for which they are enrolled in a developmental class by taking the exit test for the highest level course in that area.  This permits TSIA liable students the opportunity to demonstrate adequate skills to exit developmental studies without taking all levels of developmental coursework.
3. Degree Completion:  Students who successfully complete all the courses required by their degree plan for graduation without completing their TSIA requirements are considered “college ready” in any deficient area(s).

Credit by Examination

Students who are currently enrolled in lower-level developmental classes may complete their Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) requirements and exit the developmental studies program in the area(s) of liability for which they are enrolled by earning Credit by Examination for the exit level class for that subject area.  This is an early-exit opportunity that diligent students may use to limit the amount of time they are enrolled in developmental courses.

The exit level developmental courses are ENRD 302 and MATH 330.  In other words, ENRD 301 students can earn credit by examination for ENRD 302; MATH 320 students can earn credit by examination for MATH 330.

All developmental students are administered the exit exam for credit by examination as their final exam each semester.  That way, every student will have the opportunity to exit the developmental program via credit by examination each semester that he/she is enrolled.

The conditions for earning credit by examination are as follows:

The student must be enrolled in a developmental course in a given subject area when he/she attempts credit by examination for that subject.  In other words, a student enrolled in ENRD 301 cannot attempt credit by examination for MATH 320.

1. A student must maintain a C average or higher in the developmental course for which he/she is enrolled to be eligible for credit by examination no matter what he/she scores on the exit exam.
2. A student must earn a minimum score on the exit (final) exam to be eligible for credit by examination.  For ENRD 302 and MATH 320, the minimum score on the exam is 65, including a score of 5 or higher on the essay.  For MATH 330, the minimum score is 85.
3. If the above conditions are met, the instructor has the option but not the obligation to grant the student an early exit via credit by examination.  Courses completed through credit by examination are recorded on the student’s transcript.

Transcripts

Once a student completes at least one credit course at Lee College, an official college transcript may be obtained from the Admissions and Records Office.  Students may request the transcript online at www.lee.edu/admissions.

Official credit transcripts consist of the following:  identification of the student, TSIA status and method of satisfying TSIA components (math, reading, and writing), record of courses taken and course test credit during all semesters where graded classes were recorded, cumulative statistics including credit hours attempted, earned, and related grade points, along with GPA, as well as degrees or certificates and core curriculum completions earned by the student at Lee College.  Certain honors and awards are only listed on the paper transcript; by default, Lee College will disseminate an electronic transcript when requests are made to send transcripts to those colleges capable of receiving EDI electronic transcripts.

Name Change

A student attending Lee College under an alias must insure that his/her name is changed to his/her legal name upon release from TDCJ.  The student’s legal name will not appear on his/her diploma unless the following records are submitted to the records office:  1) a copy of the birth certificate or comparable legal document, and 2) a notarized statement from someone who knows the student under both names, certifying that he/she is one and the same person. While in TDCJ, Lee College will enroll students under the name that TDCJ lists, even if it is not the student’s correct name.

Grade Change Policy

A student who wishes to protest a grade follows the guidelines for academic grievance, which starts by contacting the instructor within 30 instructional days of the incident.  Students are responsible for reviewing final grades which are mailed to each student upon completion of the semester.  In the event that the original instructor is not available to review a grade, the student should contact the Huntsville Department Chair.

An instructor may make a change to any grade recorded with-in the previous 12 months, for any reason.  The instructor will deliver a completed grade change card to the Huntsville Center office and a correction to the student’s records will be made and an advising document sent to the student.

Grade changes to classes which ended more than one year prior to the change date shall be approved by both the instructor or, in event the instructor is unavailable, the Huntsville Center Department Chair, as well as the AVP of the Huntsville Center.

General Graduation Requirements

Those students with approximately 60 or more semester hours of college credit should complete a Petition to Graduate.  This petition will inform the counselor of the student’s intent to graduate and provide the counseling department with the proper diploma printing information.  After receiving the petition, the Lee College staff will place all necessary transcripts, degree summary sheet and any additional information needed, into the graduation folder for the Associate Vice President to evaluate.  The AVP will evaluate each prospective graduate’s transcripts for necessary course work and will check the student’s overall GPA.  Once the evaluation is completed, the AVP will send a letter to each prospective graduate confirming or denying graduation status.  If the student is denied, the letter will contain a detailed list of courses needed to fulfill graduation requirements and/or the reason(s) for denial.  The most appropriate time to file the petition is when the student registers for his last semester.

The deadline to petition to graduate will be as follows:

     Spring - February 15

     Summer - June 15

     Fall - September 15

Commencement

Graduation ceremonies will be held once a year during the spring or summer semester.  Only graduates who completed all requirements for graduation during or before the preceding fall semester are eligible to attend the graduation ceremony.  Students who complete degrees in the spring semester will be eligible to attend the graduation ceremony one year later, during the next spring semester.  The exercises will be held on a unit which will be easily accessible for the college or university. 

As of January 2001, a new TDCJ policy has been implemented regarding the transportation of students to the graduation ceremony.  Transportation will be available only for those students assigned to facilities that have programs on those units and are participating in the ceremony.  Example:  Graduation at Wynne - units participating are Ellis, Ferguson, Huntsville, Luther, Pack, Wainwright and Wynne.

The student shall be at least (G2/P2) and line class I status with no major disciplinary conviction for six (6) months prior to graduation.  G3 students may participate with the unit Warden’s approval.

Lee College is responsible for ensuring the Graduation Invitation Form is completed by the student graduates, approved by the Warden, and submitted to the TDCJ - Rehabilitation Programs Division (RPD) as soon as the college or university identifies the graduates, which shall be at least six (6) weeks prior to the scheduled ceremony.  students may invite guests to the ceremony by providing names and addresses on the Graduation Invitation Form.  The college shall obtain the Warden’s approval for the guests prior to invitations being mailed.

Graduating students with visitation restrictions regarding children can attend the graduation ceremony but attendance at the reception may be denied or restricted at the discretion of the Warden of the host unit.

Each graduate may be allowed up to two visitation permits so relatives or friends from their approved visitor’s list may be invited to the ceremony.  The college is responsible for insuring the Graduation Invitation Form is completed by the student graduates, approved by the Warden, and submitted to TDCJ - Rehabilitation Program Division (RPD) as soon as the college or university identifies the graduates, which should be at least six weeks prior to the scheduled ceremony.  The number of guests may be limited due to space availability, which will be determined by the unit Warden.

If the student leaves the TDCJ system, the diploma will be mailed to the address on the “Petition to Graduate.”  If the address changes, the student must contact the Lee College counselor/advisor sending the name and address to:  

    Lee College Huntsville Center

    168 C Colonel Etheredge Blvd.

    Huntsville, TX 77340

Graduation with Honors

Students in associate degree programs may graduate from the college with honors if they complete, at Lee College, fifty percent or more of the coursework required by their degrees with an overall GPA of 3.5 or better.  The following designations for honors graduates will be announced at the commencement ceremony:  Summa Cum Laude - 3.86 to 4.00; Magna Cum Laude - 3.75 to 3.85; Cum Laude - 3.5 to 3.74

Course Waivers and Substitutions for Graduation

An instructional AVP may, in certain circumstances, approve course substitutions or waive courses listed in degree plans.  Course substitutions must be of similar content and difficulty.

Physical Education requirements will be waived for students.

Honor Societies

Alpha Beta Gamma is an International Business Honor Society established by business professors in 1970 to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year business and professional college students.  The society is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and has initiated 65,500 members.

Lee College Huntsville Center is accredited by Alpha Beta Gamma International Business Honor Society to initiate members into the honor society for business and related professional disciplines.

Lee College Huntsville Center is proud to offer qualified students membership into the nationally recognized “Delta Sigma” chapter.  Eligibility into Alpha Beta Gamma is based on the following criteria.

Students must be presently enrolled in a business curriculum and must have completed 15 business course credit hours in courses leading to a Business Management degree (A.A.S.) recognized by his/her institution, Lee College.

Students must have demonstrated academic excellence by attaining a 3.0 GPA or its equivalent in business courses as well as a 3.0 overall cumulative average.

Student initiates of Alpha Beta Gamma must pay a one-time lifetime membership of $50.00 which will be collected directly by Lee College.

For additional information about the society, please submit an I-60 to Mr. Paul Allen,  Ms. Judy Baker or Mr. David Jackson, Lee College Huntsville Center.

Course Numbering System

Lee College participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System, which designates equivalent course content among many public and some private colleges and universities in the state of Texas.  Its purpose is to assist students in making a smooth transfer from one post-secondary institution to another.  However, the fact that a course is not part of the numbering system does not necessarily mean that it will not transfer or meet degree requirements.

Each course has an individual alphanumeric code (such as ENGL 1302). The alphabetic part of the code indicates the subject area.

The first number (of the four-digit numbers) generally indicates the rank of the course:

1. freshman level;
2. sophomore level

The second number indicates the number of semester credit hours:

     ENGL 1 3 0 2

Number of credit hours assigned

The third and fourth numbers are assigned to each course with some designating a required sequence of completion.  See prerequisites for required order.

Three-digit course numbers indicate a developmental level (non-credit) course.  “Non-credit” means that the course does not apply toward Lee College degrees or certificates and is not transferable to another college or university.  Non-credit courses may be required for TSIA-liable students and tuition is charged for non-credit courses at the same price-per-SCH as for credit courses.