Changing Courses
During the first week of classes, students may drop courses without academic or financial penalty. Students may add courses during the first week of each semester subject to seat availability and college policy.
Class Attendance Policy/Extended Absence
Success in college is often related to class participation and attendance. Students are expected to attend ALL scheduled class meetings. If a student is unable to attend a class, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the instructor and make up work that was missed as a result of his/her absence. Absence does not constitute an excuse for academic work due. Excessive absence is defined by each faculty member and included in the course syllabus. If a student is excessively absent, he or she may be withdrawn or receive a failing grade for the course. MWCC supports the individual attendance policy as stated on every course syllabus. In the case of emergency or illness that will cause a student to miss three or more consecutive sessions, the student should notify his or her specific instructors. If a student expects to be absent for an extended period due to illness, accident, etc., he/she should notify the vice president of student services office (students need not call for an absence of one day).
College Credit Hour
One college hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for 15 weeks for one semester of credit or equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. For example, a three credit course is 3 college hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of six hours out of class student work per week for a 15 week semester. Laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, clinical placements and other work leading to credit hours will be at least equivalent to what is listed above. Out of class work is listed as a minimum estimate. Students should expect to spend more time on out of class work dependent upon the course.
Commencement Awards President's Keys A President’s key is awarded to one full-time and one part-time graduating student who have achieved outstanding academic performance in their program of study in residence at MWCC. For purposes of these awards, full-time is defined as a student enrolled in 12 or more credits or full-time by program for each term of attendance. Part-time is defined as 11 or fewer credits for each term of attendance. Dean's Key
A Dean’s key is awarded each year to the graduating student who, in the opinion of the vice president of student services and staff, has made the most outstanding contribution to the life and spirit of the college through active participation in student activities and who has made significant contributions to the college community. Graduation Honors Graduation with HONORS is awarded to students who have completed all graduation requirements for an associate degree and have achieved a quality point average of 3.30 to 3.59; HIGH HONORS is awarded for a quality point average of 3.60 to 3.79; and HIGHEST HONORS is awarded for students with a quality point average of 3.80 or above. Honors determination at graduation will be based only on the courses directly applied to the degree requirements. In cases where more credits have been taken than necessary for a degree, only those grades for courses meeting the degree requirements will be used in the computation for Honors designation. Students who complete a certificate program with a quality point average of 3.3 or higher will be granted MERIT at graduation.
Computer Access Recommended for Students
MWCC highly recommends that students have access to a computer to support their coursework. Access is available to students through labs at MWCC’s Gardner, Leominster, and Devens Campuses as well as the library at the Gardner Campus. Students can also check with their local libraries about the availability of computers for public use.
Copyright Policy
Copyright is an "intellectual" property right, defined as the exclusive right of a creator to reproduce, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display, sell, lend or rent his/her creation(s). Copyright protects "forms of expression," (e.g. poetry, prose, computer programs, artwork, written or recorded music, animations, movies and videos, java applets, web pages, architectural drawings, photographs, and more) that are fixed in a tangible medium. MWCC students, faculty, and staff who are responsible for college activities or projects are responsible for learning about applicable fair use and for following its dictates. Members of the college community who willfully disregard the copyright policy do so at their own risk and assume all liability. The best advice is to act in an informed and good faith manner. FAQ: What will happen if I do not follow this policy accurately? The person who actually commits the infringement is liable. Case law is slowly evolving. In cases of "willful disregard of the law," criminal actions
33 MWCC 2012-2013 College Catalog & Student Handbook