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Highline’s Academic Standards Policy was established to ensure that the college resources are used in the best interest of all current and future students and to encourage students to assume responsibility for their own academic progress. Academic standards also ensure that students with academic difficulties are made aware of the many educational resources available at Highline. The Academic Standards Policy applies to all Highline students. Students receiving financial aid are also subject to the Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policy (see “Standards of Progress for Financial Aid Recipients” ).
First Quarter Probation A student attempting six (6) or more credits in graded courses at Highline Community College will be placed on First Quarter Probation when his or her cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.0. All students on First Quarter Probation will receive letters from Highline Community College advising them of their academic status and next steps to take. A student placed on First Quarter Probation must meet with an adviser within the first two weeks of the next quarter of attendance to discuss educational plans and campus resources. A student on First Quarter Probation will not be able to register for the future quarter until the student has met with an adviser. A student who does not have a faculty adviser or who is unable to contact his or her faculty adviser must contact the Educational Planning and Advising Center to receive an adviser assignment. A student on First Quarter Probation may not take more than 15 credits without written permission of the Vice President for Student Services or designee, on the recommendation of the adviser.
If a student on First Quarter Probation attempts six (6) or more credits in graded courses at Highline Community College and earns less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA, he or she will be placed on Second Quarter Probation unless his or her quarterly GPA is 2.25 or higher, in which case the student will remain on First Quarter Probation. A student placed on Second Quarter Probation must meet with an adviser during the first week of that quarter to make appropriate changes to the student’s course schedule and to discuss educational goals and challenges. A student who does not have a faculty adviser or who is unable to contact his or her faculty adviser must contact the Educational Planning and Advising Center to receive an adviser assignment. A student on Second Quarter Probation may not enroll in more than 15 credits during the Second Quarter Probation without written permission of the Vice President for Student Services or designee, on the recommendation of the adviser.
If a student on Second Quarter Probation attempts six (6) or more credits in graded courses at Highline Community College and earns less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA, the student will be suspended unless his or her quarterly GPA is 2.25 or higher, in which case the student will remain on Second Quarter Probation. The office of the Vice President for Student Services will notify these students. Students suspended from Highline Community College will not be permitted to enroll for any credit courses for three consecutive quarters from the end of the quarter for which the suspension occurred. Students who return after suspension will automatically be placed on First Quarter Probation status. Suspended students who have already registered will have their registrations cancelled and their tuition and fees refunded. Students who fail to maintain the required academic standards due to special or extraordinary circumstances may petition the Academic Standards Committee for conditional reinstatement. Petition forms are available in the Vice President for Student Services office.
Students are expected to attend all sessions of their classes. Some instructors may require class attendance as a basis for grading. Only students in a valid enrollment status may attend classes.
The Highline catalog contains general information about the college, its programs, courses, services, staff, and policies. Information is subject to change between catalog updates. It is the student’s responsibility to become familiar with all academic and administrative regulations and procedures that relate to his or her course of study.
Students are responsible for meeting the requirements of any course in which they are enrolled. Instructors will inform students of course requirements in the course syllabus.
Credit Load The normal load for a full-time student varies from 12 to18 credits. Students must average 15 credits of applicable courses each quarter in order to complete a 90-credit program in six quarters or two calendar years. Students who want to take more than 18 credits per quarter must have permission of their faculty adviser or program coordinator. If an adviser or coordinator is unavailable, permission may be obtained from the division chair. When such an overload is requested by an evening student, or by any student during breaks between quarters or during summer quarter, permission may be obtained from Educational Planning and Advising Center staff. See the “Tuition and Fees” section of this catalog for additional credit charges.
Courses offered during the instructional year are assigned credit values of one or more credits. In general, a class that meets two hours a week awards two hours of credit per quarter; one that meets five hours a week awards five credit hours. Some classes, such as laboratories, may vary from this pattern. Necessary preparation time will also vary according to the class and the student’s background. Credits are earned only for courses in which students are officially enrolled. One semester credit hour is equivalent to one and one-half quarter credit hours.
Highline Community College grants academic credits toward its degrees for courses completed at other regionally accredited institutions. To have other colleges’ transcripts evaluated, an official transcript (sealed in the school’s envelope) must be sent to the Credentials Evaluator in Building 6, along with the “Request to Evaluate Other College Transcript” form. This form is available in Admissions/Entry Services and the Registration office in Building 6. When the evaluation is complete, a written transcript evaluation will be mailed.
Credit for Advanced Placement: Students may receive college credit for a score of three (3) or above on an Advanced Placement test taken in high school. In some subjects, 10 to 15 credits may be awarded for a score of five (5). Advanced Placement credit may be used to satisfy distribution or elective requirements. Credit for Armed Service Schools, Military Experience, DANTES, CLEP, and Other Training: Credit may be granted for training received at other institutions as recommended by the American Council on Education. To receive credit, a student must present evidence of satisfactory completion of such education to the Credentials Evaluator in the Registration office in Building 6. Credit for this type of learning may be used for elective credit only and is subject to a credit-limit restriction for the transfer associate degree. Credit by Examination or Challenge: A currently enrolled student who believes previous professional, business, or educational experience, or private study has provided the skills and knowledge required for passing a course offered by Highline may be permitted to challenge that course by examination or evaluation. Courses that may be challenged and procedures for challenging can be obtained from the department that schedules the course. Credit for this type of learning may be used for distribution or elective credit and is subject to a credit-limit restriction for the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. Please speak with the Credentials Evaluator in the Registration office in Building 6 for details. Credit for International Baccalaureate: Highline will grant five (5) credits for each Higher Level subject in which a score of four (4) or higher is achieved. These credits may be used to satisfy distribution or elective requirements. Departmental Placement. Individual departments have different requirements. English (Writing): All writing (WRIT) courses have prerequisites of either previous courses or minimum scores on either the COMPASS or SLEP placement tests. Students should check the quarterly class schedule before enrolling in a writing course. Mathematics: Most mathematics (MATH) courses have prerequisites of either a previous course or a minimum score on the COMPASS placement test. Students should check the quarterly class schedule before enrolling in a mathematics course. For further information, students should contact a mathematics instructor. Reading: Many courses require a minimum COMPASS reading score. Entry Services in Building 6 can help students determine whether they need to take the reading assessment test. Foreign Language: Students can usually select the right level for their first college foreign language course by using these guidelines:
Students are urged to discuss preparation for foreign language study with their adviser or the instructor of the language so that satisfactory placement can be made. Instructors will help place students through the end of the registration period. Caution: Some four-year colleges and universities do not grant credit for 101 to students who entered college in fall 1987 or later if they had two or more years of that foreign language in high school.
All examinations must be taken at the times scheduled by the instructors. A request to take an examination at any other time must be approved by the instructor. Final Examinations for Courses A final examination or evaluation is part of each course. Students are required to take the final examination or participate in the evaluation at the scheduled time in order to complete the course and receive credit. A final examination schedule is included in the official quarterly class schedule.
Grade Point Average The grade point average (GPA) is a measure of a student’s overall academic achievement. GPA is computed on both a quarterly and cumulative basis from those courses in which students have received grades. The cumulative grade point average shown on the student’s transcript is based solely on courses taken at Highline and specifically excludes transfer credits. The grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total cumulative grade points by the total possible credits for courses taken. Grade points are calculated by multiplying the number of credits by the numeric value of the grade for each course. The sum of the grade points is then divided by the total possible credits. Grades of CR (pass) are printed on the transcript as CR and do not count in the quarterly or cumulative grade point averages, but they do count as credits earned. I, N, W, NC, and WI grade symbols do not count in the quarterly and cumulative grade point averages and do not count as credits earned toward graduation. Students are encouraged to review their grades, grade point computations, and credits carefully. Any questions should be immediately presented to the instructor of the class or the Registrar.
The college does not mail out quarterly grade reports. At the end of the quarter, grades are available in several different ways:
Grading System Highline uses a numerical grading system to measure and evaluate student performance. Instructors are responsible for measuring and evaluating the performance of their students and must provide a course syllabus that clearly defines the grading requirements for each course. Instructors may report numerical grade points within a range of 0.0 to 4.0, in 0.1 increments. Grades in the range of 0.0 to 0.6 do not satisfy minimum academic standards for earning credit. Numerical grades measure achievement according to the following standards:
Note: Students are responsible for checking with appropriate departments for minimum grades required for program completion or as prerequisites for higher-level courses.
In addition to numeric grades, the following letter grades are also used. Of these, only the CR (Credit) grade will be awarded college credit. Explanations of each symbol can be found in this section of the catalog:
CR: Credit. Completion of course requirements at the 2.0 level or above. Must be initiated by the student at the time of registration or by the 15th instructional day of the quarter (an equivalent date is listed in the quarterly class schedule for summer). The instructor will provide a numerical grade point evaluation, and if it is 2.0 or above, it will automatically be converted to CR by the Registrar’s office. Otherwise, the numerical grade given by the instructor will be entered. Only 15 CR credits are applicable toward the AA Option A degree. CR credits may or may not be recognized by other institutions. Other degrees and programs will designate the maximum number of applicable CR credits. Divisions may designate specific courses which are only graded CR/NC. I: Incomplete. An instructor may issue an I when the following conditions apply:
The I will be converted to a numerical grade or CR/NC upon completion of the course requirements. If the I is not removed through the completion of the requirements after 12 months, it will be converted to the grade earned, as shown on the Incomplete Contract. This converted grade may not be changed. N: Audit. Students may enroll for a course on an audit (N) basis. Regular tuition and fees are charged. Auditing students must attend at least 50 percent of the classes. Failure to do so will result in no entry being made on the transcript. The N does not carry decimal points. Students may change from an audit to a credit status, or vice versa, if all appropriate instructional paperwork is completed by the 15th instructional day of the quarter. NC: No Credit. NC indicates a student did not satisfactorily complete course requirements at the 2.0 level to receive credit. The NC grade is used only for courses designated by an instructional division as CR/NC, and carries no GPA calculation. R: Repeated Class. The symbol R prefixed by a numerical grade or CR, such as 3.2R, indicates the class was repeated. See statement on repeating a course following this section. W: Withdrawal. The W grade indicates that the student withdrew from the course, in keeping with college withdrawal policies. The W carries no credit, indicates neither passing nor non passing work at the time of withdrawal, and does not affect the grade point average. Some courses, identified in the catalog and/or quarterly class schedule, require group participation and are not eligible for a W without the instructor’s permission. If a withdrawal to the Registrar’s office is submitted on or before the 15th instructional day of the quarter (an equivalent date will be listed in the quarterly class schedule for summer) the class will not be reported on the transcript. WI: Withdrawal by Instructor. A WI will be recorded on the transcript when the instructor or the college initiates a student’s withdrawal from the course. Like the W grade, the WI carries no credit, indicates neither passing nor non passing work at the time of withdrawal, and does not affect the grade point average. WI grades may be assigned for a variety of reasons, including the following: Retroactive withdrawal: Instructors have the discretion to initiate a retroactive withdrawal in cases where the student, due to a documented emergency or extenuating circumstances, left Highline without withdrawing from a course, causing a failing grade to be posted for failed attendance. In the event the instructor is no longer at Highline, or is otherwise unavailable, the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee can initiate the retroactive withdrawal in the instructor’s stead. First-week nonattendance: In order to accommodate students waiting to register for a course, instructors have the discretion to initiate a withdrawal at the end of the second week of the instructional quarter (an equivalent date will be listed in the quarterly class schedule for summer) for students who have not attended at least 60 percent of the class time during the first five days of the quarter. For courses that do not meet on a continuing basis such as telecourses, independent studies, cooperative work experience, online classes, etc., instructors have the discretion to initiate withdrawal after the initial orientation class session(s) and before the end of the second week of the quarter for any students with whom suitable arrangements have not been negotiated. *: Missing Grade. An asterisk (*) indicates that no grade was received from the instructor.
Students may repeat a course taken at Highline in order to improve their skills or the grade. To repeat a course, students must re-register and pay all necessary fees. Each grade received will appear on a student’s record, but only the last grade awarded is used in computing a GPA. Such substitutions may or may not be recognized by other institutions. Credit for a course is earned only once. A course may not be repeated more than twice.
With written approval of their adviser, students or former students may petition the Registrar to exclude from the cumulative credits and cumulative GPA all courses attempted or completed more than three years before the date of the petition. A student cannot select specific courses or specific quarters for exclusion. For example, if a student wishes to exclude courses in which failing or poor grades were received during the fourth quarter at Highline, all work taken during the first four quarters would be excluded. Credits and grade points for excluded courses will be changed to zero (0) and will not be included in the Highline credit total and GPA. The course number, course title, and original grade will remain on the transcript. These courses and credits may not be reinstated, may not be used as prerequisites, and may not apply toward degree requirements. This exclusion of courses may or may not be honored by other educational institutions since each institution interprets transcripts according to its own policies. Financial Aid does not honor course exclusions. Only one such exclusion is permitted.
An official transcript is a grade report of academic achievement and carries the signature of the Registrar and the college seal. Institutions receiving a transcript will interpret it according to their own policies. Transcript request forms are available at the Registration office and on the Web by going to http://www.highline.edu (click on “Admissions, Registration and Records” and then “Student Records and Transcripts”). Requests must be in writing, signed by the student, and must include name, Social Security number and/or Student ID number, birth date, dates of attendance, and current address and telephone number. A $3.15 fee for each transcript is payable at the time of the request. Three working days are required for processing transcripts. The college cannot accept transcript requests via the Web, telephone, or e-mail. Transcripts are released provided that all fees and fines have been paid and all equipment returned to the college. To obtain an unofficial copy of a transcript, visit the kiosks in Building 6 or Highline’s Web page at http://www.highline.edu (click on “Admissions, Registration and Records” and then “Student Records and Transcripts”).
Highline does not release or certify copies of transcripts from other institutions. Transcripts that have been submitted to Highline from previous secondary schools and colleges are part of Highline’s official file and will not be returned. Advisers and counselors may have access to these transcripts, if required. In order to obtain transcripts of work completed elsewhere, the student will need to order them directly from the other institution. Official transcripts from other schools and colleges must be received by the Registration office in Building 6 directly from the sending institution by mail or by the student in a college-sealed envelope.
Graduation ceremonies are held in June. Transcripts indicating that a student has earned a degree will be available on request after all coursework is completed. Degrees are mailed toward the end of the quarter following the quarter of graduation. Applications for graduation should be made two quarters prior to the anticipated graduation date. Applications are available in the Registration office in Building 6. Students can choose to follow the degree requirements that are in effect when they complete their studies or the degree requirements that were in effect when they completed their first Highline course that applied towards the intended degree. For those students who intend to apply the credits they have earned toward more than one degree or certificate, a separate “Application for Graduation” form must be filled out for each degree or certificate. The cost of each degree/certificate is $10.55. If more than one diploma is ordered at the same time, each additional degree/certificate is $5.25. The college will evaluate student’s coursework and notify them of the results following final approval by the Graduation Evaluator. Degrees will not be awarded unless a completed graduation application is on file in the Registration office. The Graduation Review Board considers requests for substitutions and waivers to degree requirements. Such requests must be submitted in writing to the Graduation Review Board at the Registration office in Building 6. Degree details are available from faculty advisers, program coordinators, and from the Educational Planning and Advising Center in Building 6.
Quarterly President’s and Vice President’s Lists A student completing 12 or more credit hours of courses numbered 100 and above during any quarter at Highline Community College with a quarterly GPA of 3.5 to 3.99 and with no grade below 2.0 or an incomplete (I grade) is placed on the Vice President’s List for the quarter. A student with a 4.0 GPA will be placed on the President’s List. The transcript will indicate “Vice President’s List” or “President’s List” for the quarter(s) involved. Honors are generally posted to the transcript the third week of the following quarter.
A student completing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree who achieves a college-level cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 4.0 is eligible for Honors at graduation. The transcript will indicate “Honors.” Winter quarter GPA is used for students who are scheduled to complete degree requirements during spring or summer quarter.
The highest scholastic achievement award is presented each commencement to the graduating student(s) who has attained the highest grade point average and who has completed all degree requirements by the end of the spring quarter of the academic year of graduation. “Highest Scholastic Achievement Award” will be printed on the transcript.
College Year: The college instructional year consists of fall, winter, and spring quarters of approximately 11 weeks each and a summer quarter of about eight weeks. During the instructional year, nearly 300 class sections are offered during the early morning, late afternoon, and evening hours at the college and at other sites throughout the district. Transfer, professional-technical, and basic skills courses are offered during summer quarter as well. College Quarters: Highline offers classes on a quarterly schedule. Fall quarter classes begin in late September, winter quarter begins in January, and spring quarter begins in late March or early April. Summer quarter begins in June.
Standards of Progress for Financial Aid Recipients Students applying for or receiving financial aid should review the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy in order to ensure continued eligibility for financial aid. Copies of the policy are available in the Financial Aid office in Building 6.
The most current policy information is available in the Student Handbook.
Instructional Grievance Process Highline Community College provides a process through which students can seek resolution of complaints about instructional matters. Typically, these matters include grades and classroom practices. Excluded from this process are those complaints for which other specific remedies are provided such as Title IX discrimination claims. An attempt should be made to resolve all instructional complaints in an informal manner. The interests of all are best served when complaints are resolved at the lowest possible level of the administrative structure.
The student should first discuss the situation with the faculty member involved, before meeting with anyone else. Any employee of the college receiving a complaint concerning a faculty member shall encourage the complainant to meet with the faculty member involved.
If the student has already discussed the matter with the faculty member or refuses to do so, and desires to pursue the complaint, the student will be directed to meet with the division chair, if the complaint is against a full-time faculty member, and with the department coordinator, if the complaint is against a part-time faculty member. Upon hearing the complaint, the chair or department coordinator should attempt to facilitate resolution by encouraging further discussions between complainant and the faculty member, using a third party intermediary if necessary.
If all attempts at an informal resolution have failed, the student must submit in writing to the chair and the faculty member involved the complaint and a chronology of the attempts at resolution. The faculty member may choose to send the chair a written response to the complaint. After reviewing the complaint with the parties involved, the chair will provide, in a timely manner, a written response to the complainant and faculty member, which includes the chair’s resolution to the complaint. Failure of the faculty member to comply with the resolution, if applicable, will be considered the same complaint and will be appealed to the chair.
If the student wishes to pursue the matter, he or she must provide to the Vice President for Academic Affairs all written materials initially provided to the chair and the response from the chair. Upon reviewing the complaint with the appropriate parties, the Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee) will provide an opportunity for the faculty member and the complainant to submit additional materials related to the written complaint. The Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee) may consider other related complaints in reaching a resolution. Prior to issuing a written response, the faculty member will have the opportunity to review all written materials the Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee) has considered in resolving the complaint(s). Copies of the Vice President for Academic Affairs’s (or designee’s) resolution will be sent to the complainant and the faculty member.
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