Admission & Records Policies

Academic Renewal

Past substandard academic performance may not, for a variety of reasons, be reflective of a student’s subsequent demonstrated ability. Academic renewal permits the alleviation of all or part of such substandard academic performance at Sierra College in cases where the past work may impair the student’s progress toward a legitimate educational or career goal. Grades approved for renewal will remain on the student’s transcript; however, the grades will no longer be included in the computation of the student’s GPA.

A request for academic renewal must meet the following guidelines:

1. The student must have completed a minimum of 18 units with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all courses attempted since taking the courses to be alleviated.
2. A minimum of 12 months must have elapsed since the substandard grades were earned.
3. The number of units alleviated may not exceed 30 units, or be in excess of the number of units satisfactorily completed by the student since taking the courses to be alleviated, whichever is lower.
4. Academic Renewal can only be applied to “D” and “F” grades. A student seeking academic renewal must meet with a Sierra College Counselor to complete an Academic Renewal petition. The petition must be signed by the counselor before it is submitted to a campus Admissions & Records Office. If any of the required 18 units are earned at another college, an official transcript must be submitted with the petition. The Academic Standards Committee will review the request. For further information, contact a counselor.

Attendance

Sierra College regards regular attendance and participation in all classes as an important student obligation. Attendance is an integral part of student success.

Attendance at First Class: Students must attend the first scheduled meeting of each class in which they are enrolled or risk being dropped from the class by the professor. If illness or emergency prevents a student from attending the first class session, the student must notify the professor in advance. A student who registers for a class and never attends is still responsible for dropping the class.

Attendance during Semester: A professor has the right to drop any student who has accumulated six hours of class absence (excluding excused absences) for a three-unit, three hour per week full term course. All other courses will be prorated in a ratio of one hour of absence to nine hours of class meeting time. Any exceptions to this attendance policy will be communicated to students by professors in the class syllabus. A student dropped by a professor in error may petition for reinstatement to the class. Contact a campus Admissions & Records Office for further direction.

Auditing

Auditing allows students to attend a course without officially registering. There is no record of attendance and no grade will be issued. Completion of assignments and tests is not required. Students may audit one course per semester with the instructor’s permission. Please note priority is always given first to students who register for credit and auditing is on a space available basis. Field trip courses may not be audited. A $15 per unit non-refundable audit fee will be charged along with the health fee and any other appropriate course fees. Contact an Admissions & Records Office for an audit petition and further information.

Certificate Petitions

Students desiring certificate(s) of achievement or skills certificate(s) must file a petition with a campus Admissions & Records Office by the following semester deadlines:

• December 2009 applicants by must petition by October 1, 2009
• May 2010 applicants by must petition by March 1, 2010
• August 2010 applicants by must petition by March 1, 2010

Students submitting certificate of achievement petitions must have: a) in progress or successfully completed certificate requirements (50% of required course work must be completed at Sierra College); and b) an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher in courses required for the certificate of achievement.

Certificates of Achievement are recorded on official transcripts.

Students submitting skills certificate petitions must have: a) in progress or successfully completed certificate requirements (50% of required coursework must be completed at Sierra College); and b) must have grades of “C” or better in all courses required for the skills certificate. Skills Certificates are not recorded on official transcripts. Students requesting a duplicate of either type of certificate must submit a $5.00 fee per certificate.

Credit By Examination
(Challenge Petition)

Students may request to challenge a course offered by the college if they have prior knowledge or experience in the subject area. To be eligible to challenge a course, a student must:

1. NOT be enrolled in the course;
2. Not have completed nor enrolled in a more advanced course;
3. Have approval of the challenge request from both the course professor AND division dean;
4. Have not challenged more than 15 units and
5. Be currently enrolled in and complete at least one course other than the course being challenged.

A course in which a student enrolls and receives a grade of “D”, “F”, “NP”, or “I”, may not be challenged at a later date, nor may a course be challenged again to improve the grade. Units received through the challenge process do not count toward the 12 units in residence required for the associate degree or the full-time enrollment necessary for honor roll determination. Some private institutions will not accept course credit earned through the challenge process.

To request a challenge, a student must file a “Challenge Petition” form within the first four weeks of the semester or the first week of the summer session. Regulations are stated on the Challenge Petition. Please note: Many courses are not available for the challenge process. Appropriate challenge fees must be paid when the petition is submitted. For California residents, this is equivalent to the enrollment fee. Nonresident and international students must also pay the appropriate nonresident/international student tuition. BOGW fee waivers do not cover challenge fees. Fees paid are non-refundable.

Pass/No Pass Grading

“Pass/No Pass” grades exist to permit students to attempt a class in which they are interested but feel the risk of failure may be high. Students may elect to take one regularly scheduled course per semester on a pass/ no pass basis unless the catalog expressly limits the grading for a particular course to a letter grade only (A, B, C, D, F). It is important to keep in mind that some CSU and UC campuses may have limitations on the number of pass/no pass courses that may be used to meet degree requirements. The UC system allows a maximum of 14 semester units graded Pass/No Pass of the 60 transferable semester units required for admission. The provision is subject to the following regulations:

1. The course must be outside the student’s major.
2. Students must submit a Pass/No Pass petition by the end of the first 30% of the semester or summer session. Check the class schedule or with a campus Admissions & Records Office for deadlines.
3. A grade of “A,” “B,” or “C” will become a Pass, a grade of “D” or “F” will become a No Pass.
4. A “Pass” grade may not be repeated. A “No Pass” grade may be repeated only once and for a pass/no pass credit only.
5. Once filed, the petition for Pass/No Pass option cannot be withdrawn nor the decision be reversed; however, changes in major may result in Pass/No Pass grades being changed to letter grades after review by the Academic Standards Committee.

Degree Petitions

Students desiring an associate’s degree must file a petition with a campus Admissions & Records Office by the following semester deadlines:

• December, 2009 applicants by must petition by October 1, 2009
• May, 2010 applicants by must petition by March 1, 2010
• August, 2010 applicants by must petition by March 1, 2010

Students submitting a degree petition must have: a) in progress and/or successfully completed a minimum of 60 degree credit units (12 units of which must be completed at Sierra College); and b) an overall GPA of at least 2.0. Students may apply for multiple degrees. Courses required in majors may be used to fulfill major requirements for more than one degree. Courses which satisfy major and general education requirements may be used to fulfill either, but not both of the requirements, within the same degree. Students requesting a duplicate diploma must submit a $10.00 fee per diploma requested.

Priority Filing Period

Spring 2010 prospective graduates who file a degree petition by September 30, 2010 will be notified of their degree status before the Spring 2010 semester begins. December 2010 prospective graduates who file by March 30, 2010 will be notified of their degree status before the Fall 2010 semester begins.

Enrollment Status

Students are responsible for their enrollment status at all times. Credit will not be given for courses in which the student is not officially enrolled. For purposes of student enrollment verifications, a full-time student is considered to be one enrolled in 12 or more units during a semester. A half-time student is one enrolled in 6-11.5 units and a part-time student is one enrolled in less than 6 units. For the summer session, 4 units is considered full-time.

Grade Disputes and Grade Change Petitions

Education Code specifies that the instructor’s determination of student grades shall be final except in cases of:

• Mistake—some unintentional act, omission, or error by the instructor;
• Fraud—a deliberate misrepresentation of the truth for the purpose of inducing another to part with something valuable or to surrender a legal right;
• Bad Faith—intent to deceive, in an act of dishonesty;
• Incompetence—a lack of ability, legal qualification, or fitness to discharge a required duty.

A student who feels that an instructor has given an evaluative grade (A, B, C, D, F, P, NP) based on a mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence and has evidence to substantiate the claim, must take the following steps:

First Step — discuss the matter with the course instructor no later than sixty (60) instructional days after the end of the term or semester. If the concern occurs in the summer or between semesters and the student is unable to contact the course instructor, the student should contact the appropriate area educational administrator. If the concern is not resolved satisfactorily at the first step, then continue to the second step.

Second Step — within ten (10) days from completing the first step, discuss the matter with the appropriate educational administrator/area Dean. The administrator will attempt to resolve the dispute and will respond to the student in writing within ten (10) days. If the concern is not resolved satisfactorily at the second step, then continue to the third and final step.

Final Step — the student may appeal the educational administrator’s decision in writing to the Academic Standards Committee. The Academic Standards Committee will respond in writing within twenty (20) instructional days of receiving the appeal during fall and spring terms and within sixty (60) instructional days during a summer term. The decision made by the Academic Standards Committee is final. Any approved grade change must be submitted on a “Grade Change Petition” form to a campus Admissions & Records Office within one year of course completion.

Incompletes

If, due to an emergency or for justifiable cause, a student has not completed academic work at the end of the semester, an incomplete “I” grade may be requested. It is the primary responsibility of the student to request an incomplete. If a student feels an incomplete is warranted, the student may obtain an “Incomplete” petition from a campus Admissions & Records Office and submit it to the professor for approval. If approved, the professor will file a written record of the required conditions for removal of the “I” and the grade to be assigned in lieu of removal. The student may not re-enroll in the course, but instead works with the professor to complete the required academic work no later than one year after the end of the term in which the incomplete was assigned. The student must submit a grade change petition upon completion of the work.

Matriculation

Matriculation in its usual use, means, “The steps one takes to get to and through college.” At Sierra College, Matriculation means an agreement between the college and each student as to the steps both will take to help ensure the student succeeds.

Agreement:

Sierra College will:

• Assess students’ basic educational skills and career goals
• Orient students to the college’s programs, services and policies
• Provide top-quality instruction and services
• Offer a wide variety of courses
• Offer services to support students’ education
• Follow up on students’ progress toward educational goals

Students will:

• Participate in Assessment and Orientation
• Declare an educational major
• Meet with a counselor to design an educational plan
• Attend courses and work hard to complete them
• Seek out support services as needed
• Strive to make progress toward goals

Matriculation and Registration:

Students must complete assessment, orientation and counseling prior to registration. New students who complete at least two of these components will be allowed to register during the regular registration period.

Assessment:

Assessment in reading, English and mathematics helps to determine student skill levels and needs. Results are used by counselors to assist students with selection of courses and development of a Student Educational Plan (SEP). The Assessment Center also offers English as a Second Language (ESL) and Ability to Benefit (ATB) testing.

Orientation:

Sierra College staff provides information about programs, services and registration procedures.

Students who complete orientation are prepared to meet with a counselor.

Counseling:

Students meet individually with a counselor, who helps them develop their educational plan, refers them to appropriate services and answers specific questions and concerns.

Exemptions:

Some students are exempt from the requirements of Matriculation. Nevertheless, students are encouraged to avail themselves of these services. Students are exempt if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Hold an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree;
• Apply with a selected educational goal of “educational development;”
• Apply with a selected educational goal of “maintain certificate or license;” or
• Other criteria as determined by the Sierra College Board of Trustees.

Students who have completed orientation or assessment at another college can have those portions of the matriculation requirements waived. Students should submit evidence to a campus Assessment or Counseling Office.

Challenges or Appeals to Matriculation:

Students may request a waiver of any matriculation requirement due to extraordinary circumstances; or may review the regulations covering matriculation and file a complaint if the student believes any of these regulations are not being met. All complaints, appeals, or requests for information should be directed to the Matriculation Office in the Winstead Center on the Rocklin campus.

Overload Request

Students may not enroll in more than 18 units without submitting an overload request. To be granted an overload of up to 20 units, a student must:

1. Have completed 12 or more units with a 3.0 GPA.
2. Not be on probation.
3. Be eligible for English 1A by assessment or satisfactory completion of English A, E.S.L. 30W, or equivalent.
4. Meet the reading proficiency requirement by assessment or satisfactory completion of English 1B, 1C, 11, 50, N, History 35, Philosophy 4, or equivalent.

If a student’s GPA is 2.8-2.9 and all other requirements have been met, student must have completed 30 or more college units. If a student wishes to enroll in more than 20 units, in addition to the above listed requirements, a student must have completed 18 or more units, of which 15 units must have been completed in a single semester. This request will be reviewed for approval by the Dean, Student Services.

Course Prerequisite, Corequisite and Advisory Policy

It is the intent of Sierra College to guide students to courses in which they will have the greatest chance of academic success. Therefore, some courses listed in this catalog have either a prerequisite, a corequisite, or advisory preparation. If no prerequisite, corequisite or advisory information is indicated there are no conditions of enrollment. The following are the definitions for prerequisites, corequisites and advisory preparation:

“Prerequisite” means a condition of enrollment that students are required to meet in order to demonstrate current readiness for enrollment in a course or educational program.

“Corequisite” means a condition of enrollment consisting of a course that students are required to simultaneously take in order to enroll in another course.

“Advisory” means a condition of enrollment that students are advised but not required to meet before or in conjunction with enrollment in a course or educational program.

Students who have met the prerequisite or corequisite at another college, must make evidence of this completion available. Students who cannot demonstrate that they have met a prerequisite or corequisite may be dropped from registration in a course.

Any prerequisite or corequisite may be appealed by a student on one or more of the grounds listed below:

1. The student has the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course or program despite not meeting the prerequisite or corequisite;
2. The student will be subject to undue delay in attaining the goal of his or her educational plan because the prerequisite or corequisite has not been made reasonably available;
3. The student believes that the prerequisite or corequisite has been established in violation of regulations and/or the College’s policy and procedures; or
4. The student believes that the prerequisite or corequisite is unlawfully discriminatory or is being applied in an unlawfully discriminatory manner.

To appeal a prerequisite or corequisite, students must obtain a Prerequisite Appeal form from an academic division office or a Counseling Center. Once submitted, the appeal will be reviewed within five working days. If the appeal is approved, the student will be permitted to enroll in the course or program.

President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List

Full-time students earning a grade point average of 3.5 or better are included on the President’s Honor Roll each semester. Those students who earn a grade point average of 3.0 to 3.499 are placed on the Dean’s List. To qualify for the President’s Honor Roll or the Dean’s List, students must complete 12 or more units of graded work (A, B, C, D, or F) at Sierra College. Credit by Examination and courses taken for Pass/No Pass do not apply.

Probation and Dismissal Policies

Academic Probation: A student who has attempted at least 12 units at Sierra College and has earned a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in all units attempted, shall be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation may be held to a student educational plan developed with a counselor.

Progress Probation: A student who has enrolled in at least 12 units at Sierra College and has entries of “W,” “I,” or “NP” in fifty percent or more of the total units attempted, shall be placed on progress probation. Students on progress probation may be held to a student educational plan developed with a counselor.

Students on academic OR progress probation will not be allowed to register for more than 13 units until they have been removed from probation.

Removal from Probation: Pursuant to Section 55032 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations, students on academic probation shall be removed from probation when the cumulative Sierra College grade point average is 2.0 or higher.

Students on progress probation shall be removed from probation when the percentage of “W,” “I,” and “NP” units at Sierra College drops below fifty percent.

Dismissal: Pursuant to Section 55033 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations, students on academic probation shall be subject to dismissal if their cumulative grade point average is less than 2.00 in all units attempted in each of three consecutive semesters*, excluding summer, or if their cumulative grade point average is less than 1.00 in each of two consecutive semesters attended, excluding summer.

Students who are on progress probation shall be subject to dismissal if the percentage of “W,” “I,” and “NP” units in at least three consecutive semesters* reaches or exceeds fifty percent, excluding summer.

Upon notification of dismissal, the student will not be eligible to enroll in any classes for one semester. A student who has been dismissed may request readmission after one semester. Contact a counselor for further information.

* For purposes of these conditions, semesters shall be considered consecutive on the basis of the student’s enrollment (e.g., fall semester followed by another fall semester shall be consecutive if the student was not enrolled in the spring semester.)

Course Repetition

State-mandated regulations limit the repetition of courses taken at Sierra College. Students found to be enrolled in courses beyond the legal limitation will be dropped and the class fees refunded. Course repetition is only allowed under the following three conditions:

Course repetition for which earned grade was “D,” “F,” or “NP”

1. If a “D,” “F,” or “NP” was earned in a non-repeatable course, students may repeat the course two times in an effort to alleviate substandard academic work. Upon each repetition the previous attempt remains on the transcript, insuring a true and complete academic history. The previous grade and units will no longer be used in the GPA computation. The grade received for the final attempt will be used to compute the GPA, regardless of the grade received.
2. If a course is identified as a repeatable, and a student earns a grade of “D,” “F,” or “NP,” in one or more of the enrollments, the course repeat limitation (e.g., may be taken four times for credit) still applies.
3. Courses offered for variable units must be repeated for the same or greater number of units.
4. Students may repeat a course any number of times, regardless of whether or not substandard academic work was previously recorded, if it is a legally mandated training requirement as a condition of continued paid or volunteer employment. The grade received each time the course is completed shall be included for purposes of calculating the student’s GPA. Courses approved for legally mandated training requirements are notated as such within the course description.

Transfer students are cautioned that, regardless of Sierra College policy, some institutions may recompute GPA based on their own course repetition policies. For further information please consult a counselor.

Course repetition for which earned grade was “A,” “B,” “C,” or “P”

1. There are occasions when students may need to repeat a course in which a passing grade was received. Special circumstances warranting such repeats include:
   • When a significant lapse of time, normally three years, has occurred since the student previously took the course.
   • When significant changes in technology, methodology, or content have occurred.
   • When a higher grade then previously earned is required by a specific educational program.
   • When the previous grade is, at least in part, a result of extenuating circumstances (e.g., verified cases of accidents, illness, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student.)
     
     A course that is repeated under special circumstances will not be included in the computation of a student’s GPA, nor will the student receive units. Students should file a Repeat Special Circumstance Petition with an Admissions & Records Office prior to enrollment. The petition must include counselor and/or professor recommendation and division dean approval.
     
     
2. Courses that are necessary to meet legally mandated training requirements as a condition of continued paid or volunteer employment may be repeated for credit any number of times. These courses are notated as such within the course description.
3. Additional repetition of special classes for students with disabilities may be permitted. Course repetition is determined on an individual student basis. Contact the Disabled Student Programs and Services office for more information.

Repeatable courses

1. If a grade of “C” or better was earned in a course, it may be repeated if it is identified as repeatable in the course description. These activity courses include those in which students meet course objectives by repeating similar primary educational activities and continues or builds on skills or proficiencies by supervised repetition and practice within class periods.
2. If a course is identified as a repeatable, and a student earns a grade of “D,” “F,” or “NP,” in one or more of the enrollments, the course repeat limitation (e.g., may be taken four times for credit) still applies.
3. Courses that are necessary to meet legally mandated training requirements as a condition of continued paid or volunteer employment may be repeated for credit any number of times. These courses are notated as such within the course description.

Restriction to Access - Directory Information 

Directory information includes name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, major, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and most recent previous school attended. Upon request, the college may release this information to military recruiters and the media. Students who do not wish this information to be released must file a “Restriction to Access” with an Admissions & Records Office during the first two weeks of the semester or the first three days of summer session.

Student ID Number

You must create a mySierra account to obtain your student identification number.

Student ID Card

Your Student ID card is free of charge and may be obtained at the Admissions and Records Office on the Rocklin Campus or the Nevada County Campus. You will need your ID card to check out library materials, to use the computer lab or tutor center.