Academic Regulations

Academic Good Standing

Academic Probation - If an enrolled student's cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) in either the fall or spring semester falls below the following levels in relation to the student’s total credits used in the calculation of the Grade Point Average, the student will be placed on academic probation. In the subsequent fall or spring semester the student will be allowed to register for no more than sixteen (16) credits.

Extended Academic Probation - At the end of the academic probation semester if the student fails to raise his/her GPA to the minimum GPA requirement specified above, the student will be placed on extended academic probation. While on extended academic probation the student will be limited to seven (7) credit hours in subsequent semesters and summer sessions until such time as the student meets the appropriate standard.

Appeal of Academic Probation or Extended Academic Probation - If a student believes he/she was placed on academic probation or extended academic probation as a result of extenuating circumstances, the student may petition the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee for an exception.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all class meetings and laboratory sessions for which you are registered. Instructors will advise you in writing of class policies governing absences, punctuality, make-up assignments and exams at the beginning of each term.

Absences

Absences accumulate beginning with the first day of class.

Official Absences - Absences from class due to authorized participation in College sponsored activities will be considered as official absences. There will be no institutionally sanctioned penalty associated with official absences. Designation of official absences will be made through the Chief Academic Officer.

Unofficial Absences - Absences other than official absences will be considered as unofficial absences. Instructors are authorized to withdraw a student from class for excessive unofficial absences.

Make-Up Assignments and Exams

It is your responsibility to make up any assignments or exams missed because of either an official or unofficial absence. Arrangements for make-up assignments or exams must be made with the individual instructor prior to the absence. At the discretion of the instructor, you may be denied the opportunity to make up assignments or exams missed because of an unofficial absence. Make-up assignments or exams for official absences shall not be punitive in nature.

Punctuality

You are expected to be prompt in meeting each of your classes. Instructors are authorized to take appropriate actions, including withdrawing you from class, because of excessive tardiness.

The Credit System

Credit is given by means of a semester credit system which assigns each course a certain number of credits. A credit usually represents three hours of work each week in a 16-week semester; it may stand for an hour of classroom work and two hours of preparation, for three hours of laboratory work, or for some other combination as the particular course may demand.

Awarding Transfer Credit

To apply credit earned at another accredited institution of higher education towards your EAC Degree, you must have each of your former colleges send an official college transcript directly to EAC's Records and Registration Office. If you are applying for transfer credit earned at an out-of-state college you must also furnish the Records and Registration Office with a copy of the catalog in effect at the time the course work was taken.

You may receive transfer credits for courses taken at another accredited higher education institution in which you received a grade of "C" or better. When the transfer courses are determined to be equivalent or very similar to EAC courses, you will receive credit for the equivalent EAC courses. Courses that are determined to not be equivalent or similar to EAC courses will transfer as elective credit. In unusual circumstances, you may petition the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee for credit for transfer courses in which a grade of "D" was received.

Courses taken from another institution while you are academically suspended from EAC will not be accepted by EAC.

Accredited higher education institutions are those that are fully accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and/or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Transfer credit from non-accredited postsecondary institutions may also be accepted if such credits represent equivalent or higher level work at Eastern Arizona College.

Prerequisite courses taken over ten years ago may not prepare you well for the subsequent course due to changes in the body of knowledge in the field being studied.

National Standardized Examinations

You may be awarded college credit for satisfactory scores on national standardized examinations listed in the American Council on Education’s "A Guide to Educational Credit by Examination, 4^th Edition," or its successor.

CLEP is an example of such an examination. The College’s Evaluation Center administers the CLEP.  There is a fee for the CLEP exam.  If you intend to transfer to another college or university you are cautioned that policies governing the awarding of CLEP credit vary from institution to institution.  In all cases, scores earned for CLEP examinations will have to be submitted separately to each institution at which credit is being sought.

Credit for CLEP scores earned prior to July 1, 2001

You may be awarded EAC credit through CLEP scores earned prior to July 1, 2001 if you scored 500 or above on each section of the General Examination, or 50 or above on the subject exams.

 
Credit for CLEP scores earned after July 1, 2001

You may be awarded EAC credit through CLEP scores earned after July 1, 2001 if you scored 50 or above on the subject exams.

Competency Based Credit

The College offers open entry/open exit courses in which student success and course completion is based on mastery of specified competencies. Such courses are laboratory intensive, and are characterized by students entering and completing at a variety of times. Open entry/open exit courses are not tied to minute:credit ratios. Credits are awarded upon the achievement of clearly defined and measurable course competencies.

Credit by Articulation with Secondary Schools

High school students participating in a secondary program articulated with Eastern Arizona College will receive college credit according to the terms of the articulation agreement with the specific secondary school. Credits earned via articulated secondary programs may not be transferable, depending on the policies of the receiving institution.

Credit by Departmental Examination

If you have acquired college level knowledge or skill through work or life experiences for which you have not received college credit you may petition the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee to earn college credit by taking an EAC Departmental Exam provided you are not currently enrolled in that course nor seeking credit for a lower level course after successfully completing a higher level course. This petition may be obtained through EAC's Records and Registration Office. Upon approval of your petition, a comprehensive written and/or performance examination relating experience to course content will be administered by an instructor designated by the Chief Academic Officer. The examination will be documented by filing results in EAC's Records and Registration Office. If proper test administrators are not available at the time of your request, you must wait until the test administrator is available. Permission to take such an exam is limited to subject areas offered by Eastern Arizona College in which competency can be measured satisfactorily by a written or performance test. A course may be challenged only one time. Credit awarded on this basis will be recorded on an official transcript only upon completion of 16 credit hours at Eastern Arizona College and will be shown on the transcript as "credit by departmental examination." A credit by examination fee will be charged for the examination (see catalog, section "Other Fees"). Upon transfer, acceptance of credit awarded by means of departmental exam may be treated differently by the receiving institution.

Credit for Advanced Placement

Testing and evaluation for Advanced Placement will be uniform throughout the District and shall be applied uniformly by divisions and individual instructors.

The following list shows the EAC credit awarded for specific advanced placement examinations.

American History - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses HIS 101 and 102, a total of 6 credits. A score of 1, 2 or 3 earns no credit.

Art (History) - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course ART 134, for 3 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Art (Studio) - With an AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5, the Art Department will evaluate your portfolio for possible credit. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Biology - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses BIO 181 and 182, a total of 8 credits. A score of 3 earns credit for BIO 100, for 4 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Chemistry - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses CHM 151 and 152, a total of 8 credits. A score of 3 earns credit for CHM 151, for 4 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

English Literature/ Composition - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course ENG 101, for 3 credits. A score of 1, 2 or 3 earns no credit.

English Language/ Composition - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses ENG 101 and 102, a total of 6 credits. A score of 1, 2 or 3 earns no credit.

European History - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses HIS 104 and 105, a total of 6 credits. A score of 1, 2 or 3 earns no credit.

French Language - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses FRE 101, 102, 201 and 202, a total of 16 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

German Language - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses GER 101, 102, 201 and 202, a total of 16 credits. A score of 2 earns credit for GER 101 and 102, a total of 8 credits. A score of 1 earns no credit.

Mathematics AB - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course MAT 220, for 4 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Mathematics BC - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses MAT 220 and 230, a total of 8 credits. An AP Exam score of 3 earns credit for EAC course MAT 220, for 4 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Music Literature - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course MUS 101, for 3 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Political Science: American Government and Politics - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course POS 110, for 3 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Physics B - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses PHY 111 and 112, a total of 8 credits. A score of 1, 2 or 3 earns no credit.

Physics C-Electricity and Magnetism - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course PHY 212, for 5 credits. A score of 1, 2 or 3 earns no credit.

Physics C-Mechanics - An AP Exam score of 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course PHY 211, for 5 credits. A score of 1, 2 or 3 earns no credit.

Spanish Language - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC courses SPA 101, 102, 201 and 202, a total of 16 credits. A score of 1 or 2 earns no credit.

Statistics - An AP Exam score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for EAC course MAT 160, for 3 credits.

Credit for Apprenticeship Training, Licensing, or Other Agency Training or Examination

If you hold a valid and current license or accreditation for a specific skill or trade which included passing an exam by a state or nationally recognized Board and have been actively practicing that skill within the last five years, you may petition the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee for college credit in subject areas offered by EAC. You must supply the name and address of the accrediting Board, trade school, or agency to EAC's Records and Registration Office.

Upon request by EAC's Records and Registration Office, the place of prior accreditation must be willing to supply information about examination competencies. If this information is adequate for evaluation, the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee, in consultation with the Division in which courses are listed, will determine the specific courses for which credit will be given on the official transcript.

Transcript wording will be "Credit by departmental evaluation." If there is question about awarding of credit under these conditions, you will be given the opportunity to earn the credits in question by examination as described under the Credit By Examination section. Credit earned by apprenticeship training, licensing, or other agency training or examination may not be transferable.

Credit for Military Training

"The 1996 Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services" or its successor, published by the American Council of Education, is used as the basis for evaluating training and experience in the armed forces. A student may receive college credit if the armed services training parallels a curriculum area offered at Eastern Arizona College, and the credit meets a program requirement or is used as elective credit. Credit awarded on this basis will be recorded on an official transcript only upon completion of at least 16 credit hours in courses at Eastern Arizona College and will be shown on the transcript as "military credit awarded by evaluation." Upon transfer, acceptance of credit awarded for military service may be treated differently by the receiving institution.

Credit by Evaluation

The "National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs," or its successor, published by the American Council on Education is used as the basis for evaluating training and experience in non-collegiate sponsored training programs. A student may receive Eastern Arizona College credit if the non-college training program parallels a curriculum area offered at EAC and the credit meets a program requirement or is used as elective credit. Credit awarded on this basis will be recorded on an official transcript only upon completion of at least 16 credit hours in courses at Eastern Arizona College and will be shown on the transcript as "credit awarded by evaluation." Upon transfer, acceptance of credit awarded by evaluation may be treated differently by the receiving institution.

Grading

Each course in which you are enrolled at the close of registration for that course will be awarded one of the following grades:

Grade point averages are computed by multiplying the grade points earned by the corresponding credit and dividing the sum of those products by the total credit attempted.

Grade of Incomplete "I"

The grade of Incomplete (I) may be given for reasons acceptable to the instructor if you do not complete the objectives of the course during enrollment. Incompletes may be changed to grades when, upon contract with instructors, the objectives of the courses involved are completed at a passing level. You are solely responsible for making arrangements with instructors to complete course requirements. The course must be completed and a grade recorded by the end of the next regular semester following the Incomplete, or a grade of "F" will be recorded for the course.

Grade of Pass "P" 

If you are in a transfer program it is recommended that you limit the number of credits in which you receive "P" grades to no more than six.  Excessive "P" grades may prevent you from being admitted to the university program of your choice. "P" grades are not calculated in your GPA. "P" grades changed by petition are equivalent to "C" grades.

Grade of Withdrawal "W"

You may obtain the grade of Withdrew (W) by officially withdrawing from the class. Ceasing to attend the class does not constitute withdrawal.

Grade of Audit "X"

The grade of Audit (X) is given to students who officially enroll in a course as an auditor to obtain course information and do not wish to earn college credit. When auditing, you pay the regular tuition and fee charges in addition to the audit fee as specified in the fee schedule.

Grades for Repeated Courses

You may repeat a course previously taken at Eastern Arizona College in order to improve your grade or to update your knowledge of the course material. When a course is repeated, credit may be counted only once for graduation and only the higher grade will be used for computation of the grade point average; however, all grades will appear on your transcript. Veterans cannot claim benefits for repeated courses unless the veteran received a grade of "F" and the course is needed for graduation.

Grade Reporting System

You will be mailed a printed copy of your grade report upon written or verbal request to the Records and Registration Office.

Grade Changes

Grade changes can be made only by instructors with the approval of the Chief Academic Officer, with the exception of clerical errors made and corrected by the Records and Registration Office. If an instructor is not available, petitions for grade changes will be considered by the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee.

An appeal for a grade change will not be considered unless a petition for same is filed with the Records and Registration Office within six (6) months of the close of the semester in which the grade was received.

Grievance Procedure - Academic Standards

Students aggrieved by College actions of an academic nature shall have the opportunity for appeal.

The professional educator's qualifications and rights to determine academic standards are respected and accepted. The professional educator shall be accountable for establishing and maintaining appropriate academic standards for coursework.

When a complaint about academic standards arises, with the exception of sexual harassment, the student shall subscribe to the following procedure to render the complaint legitimate. Complaints of sexual harassment should follow the procedure described in GCCCD 4730.00 Sexual Harassment.  The student’s right for grievance shall be forfeited if the complaint is not addressed through the Official Review Process – Academic Standards.  The Official Review Process - Academic Standards may not be applicable when services are delivered under the provisions of a negotiated contract.  The appeal process does not suspend any actions which are being grieved.

Definition of Terms

Days - Calendar days exclusive of official holidays as identified in the College Catalog.

Complainant - Student complainant.

Professional Educator - College professional educator(s) responsible for the program or action for which the student complainant has a grievance.

Academic Affairs Officer - Campus official designated by the College President for oversight of academic affairs.

Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee - College committee charged with responsibility to advise the College President on policies, standards, rules and regulations for academic standards and student admission; and to serve as an appeals committee for grievances concerning academic standards.

Academic Standard - All actions relating to grades, grading standards, professional educator conduct, materials presented in a classroom or adjunct by the professional educator, and professional educator discrimination against a student exclusive of discrimination as defined by federal or state laws.

Official Review Process - Academic Standards

Step 1. The Complainant shall seek out, within five (5) days of the action, the Professional Educator so both parties may be afforded an opportunity to clarify facts and to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Step 2. If Complainant satisfaction is not achieved in Step 1, the Complainant shall provide a written request for a meeting to the Division Chairperson responsible for oversight of the standards employed by the Professional Educator. Within five (5) days of receipt of the request the Division Chairperson shall arrange for a meeting to include the following individuals: the Division Chairperson, the Professional Educator, and the Complainant. The Division Chairperson shall attempt to mediate an acceptable solution.

Step 3. If Complainant satisfaction is not achieved in Step 2, the Complainant shall provide a written request for a hearing by the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee. The request shall articulate the complaint and shall be delivered to the Academic Affairs Officer within five (5) days after receiving a recommended solution as provided in Step 2. Within ten (10) days of receipt of the request, but not less than three (3) days of receipt of request, the Chairperson of the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee shall arrange for a hearing. The Complainant, the Professional Educator and the Division Chairperson shall be in attendance at the hearing. Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the hearing, the Chairperson of the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee shall set forth a written document addressing finding of fact and the decision reached by the Committee. Copies shall be addressed to the Complainant, the Professional Educator, the Division Chairperson, and the College President.  Decisions made by the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeal Committee are binding.

Honors

President's List - The President's List will, upon completion of each semester, include those full-time students who:

• Are enrolled in a curriculum listed in a College Academic Catalog leading to a degree offered by Eastern Arizona College,
• Complete during the semester a minimum of 12 credits at the 100 level or higher for which a grade other than an “I” (Incomplete) or “P” (Pass) grade was earned, and
• Received a 4.000 semester grade point average.

Dean's List - The Dean's List will, upon completion of each semester, include those full-time students who:

• Are enrolled in a curriculum listed in a College Academic Catalog leading to a degree offered by Eastern Arizona College,
• Complete during the semester a minimum of 12 credits at the 100 level or higher for which a grade other than an “I”  (Incomplete) or “P” (Pass) grade was earned, and
• Received a 3.500 through 3.999 semester grade point average.

Official Notifications

You are required to maintain in the Records and Registration Office a current address, to which official College correspondence will be mailed. Correspondence mailed first class to this address will be deemed official and adequate notification to you regarding the contents of such correspondence.

Registration

The act of enrolling in courses at the College indicates you agree to be subject to all the requirements, policies, and regulations in the College Catalog, Schedule of Classes and Student Handbook, and agree to establish a permanent college academic record. You further acknowledge that in order to be admitted to other colleges or universities you may be required to send this academic record to those institutions. Your enrollment also certifies your understanding that the content of EAC courses are designed for adult students and if you are a younger student you may feel constrained from participating in class discussions due to the maturity and age of other students in addition to the subject matter being discussed. Contact the Records and Registration Office at (928) 428-8270 or 1-800-678-3808 Ext. 8270 for details.

Course Overload

The typical academic load varies from 15 to 18 credit (semester) hours. Students carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours are considered full-time students for financial aid, residency, and scholarship purposes.

You are allowed to register for an “overload”—defined as more than 18 credit hours of Regular Semester courses other than those designated as Open Entry/Open Exit or Short Term courses less than a semester in length —contingent upon the following criteria. For purposes of overload consideration, Activity/Personal Enrichment Courses are not included in the number of credits to be examined.

• You may enroll for an overload of up to 22 credit hours if you have completed a minimum of 12 credits at Eastern Arizona College with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• If you have not completed, but are currently enrolled in, a minimum of 12 credits at Eastern Arizona College, you must petition to enroll for an overload of up to 22 credits for the subsequent semester contingent upon completion of your courses currently in progress with a GPA of 2.75 or better. At the end of the semester, if the cumulative GPA for the courses in progress is less than 2.75, you will be administratively withdrawn from the course(s) requested in your petition. You may also be subject to other points of enforcement surrounding academic standards.
• If you have completed at least 12 credits at Eastern Arizona College with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 through 2.7499, you must petition the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee for approval to register for an overload.
• If your cumulative GPA is less than 2.25, you will not be considered for an overload unless evidence is provided showing that impending graduation requirements cannot otherwise be met.
• If you are a first-time student or first-semester transfer student to Eastern Arizona College, you must petition the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee for an overload of up to 22 credits. An official transcript from either the high school or transfer institution must be on file in the Records and Registration Office.

If you want to enroll in more than 22 credits for a regular semester, you must petition the Admissions and Academic Standards Committee for additional overload consideration.

Transcripts

A fee of $3, payable in advance, will be charged for each transcript and if EAC is requested to fax any transcript, there will be an additional $2 charge.

Eastern Arizona College reserves the right to withhold transcripts from students who are in debt to the College. A student whose transcript is being withheld has the right to discuss the matter with EAC personnel who are empowered to resolve any dispute concerning indebtedness to the College.

If you desire to transfer to another institution of higher education, you should request that the Records and Registration Office send your transcript directly to the institution you expect to enter. Also, you may request that the Records and Registration Office mail a transcript directly to a prospective employer.

Withdrawal from a Course

You are responsible for initiating and completing official withdrawals from classes from which you wish to withdraw through the Records and Registration Office. Withdrawal before the end of the registration period will result in the course not showing on your transcript. This is known as "Withdrawal Without Record." Withdrawal from a course after the close of registration will result in a grade of "W" - "Withdrawal With Record" - showing on your transcript. There is a different deadline for each type of course (semester-length, short-term, open entry/open exit and summer) that is taught at EAC. Please see the listing below for the exact deadlines. If you do not officially withdraw from a course, you may receive a failing grade. Instructors are authorized to withdraw you from courses for excessive unofficial absences, excessive tardiness, disruptive behavior, or inability to perform the required tasks.

Your failure to drop a class after registration, regardless of nonattendance or nonpayment, does not release you from the financial obligation incurred at the time of registration.  To ensure your registration is cancelled and the financial obligation to EAC reversed, you must withdraw from the course.  To completely remove your financial obligation for refundable fees, you must withdraw from the course during the open registration period for that course. If you incurred any nonrefundable fees, you will still be obligated to pay these fees. Instructors are not always obligated to withdraw you from their courses and you should not assume they will do so.

If you have received financial aid and withdraw from courses, please see the related link Return of Title IV Federal Student Aid Policy as to how this might affect you.

Semester-Length Courses - The last day for you to initiate an official withdrawal from a semester-length course and to receive a “W” grade is six weeks prior to the last Friday before final exams. The instructor may initiate a withdrawal from a semester-length course up to the last Friday before final exams.

Short-Term, Open Entry/Open Exit, and Summer Session Courses - The last day for you or your instructor to initiate an official withdrawal from a short-term, open entry/open exit or summer session course is the last day of the course.