Policies & Student Handbook

BIC Student Handbook 2011-2012

For more information on BIC's policies and procedures, click here to download a .pdf copy of the 2011-2012 BIC Student Handbook.

Satisfactory Progress

In order to achieve satisfactory progress, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average each semester, as specified below, and complete the program within a specific maximum time frame.

Grading and Evaluation

computer labs Course grades reflect the student’s mastery of the material and skills presented in a course as well as the student’s class attendance. The weighting of the individual components that determine a student’s grade is based on the nature of the course (lab and/or lecture) and is delineated by the instructor on the first day of class.

Grading Standards

A 4.0 = Excellent
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0 = Good
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0 = Satisfactory
D 1.0 = Passing
F 0.0 = Failure
W 0.0 = Withdraw from College (No penalty)
I 0.0 = Incomplete (temporary)
WX 0.0 =Withdraw from a course
AU 0.0 = Permitted to audit (sit in) a class for review purposes only. A grade is not issued and GPA is not affected. Must have permission of Registrar, Instructor and Dean of Academic Studies.

While a minimum of “D” is considered passing in any one course, a student must achieve a minimum cumulative average each semester, as specified below.

Students not achieving the specified grade point average within the time allocated will be placed on academic probation.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Freshmen and Sophomores

1st Semester 1.0
2nd Semester 1.75
3rd Semester 2.0
4th Semester 2.0

Juniors and Seniors

5th Semester 2.0
6th Semester 2.0
7th Semester 2.0
8th Semester 2.0

Certificate Programs Cumulative Grade Point Average

Because the certificate programs cover a shorter time frame, students must achieve a minimum cumulative average as follows:

1st Semester 2.0
2nd Semester 2.0

instructor with students Students in the first semester who do not achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for their second semester. By the end of the second semester students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 to graduate. Students not achieving a 2.0 cumulative average will be required to repeat a course or courses to raise their cumulative average to a 2.0 and qualify for graduation.

Course Incompletes

A student must make up any incomplete coursework as soon as possible after returning to the class and not later than six weeks following the end of the course. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor to make up incomplete work or exams. If the work is not completed and approved by the instructor within this six-week period, the incomplete “I” is changed to an “F” and no further opportunities for completion are offered. The course must be repeated if the final grade is not a passing one.

Withdrawal from a Course

There are several situations that apply when you withdraw from a course. Please note the different time-frames and procedures for dropping a course.

Students who drop a course in the first week of the semester will not be charged to repeat the course and will not be credited as having completed the course.
Students who drop a course after the first week will be charged a repeat fee.

How to Process a Course Drop Request:

If you decide to drop a course(s), you must notify the Registrar’s Office and complete the “Drop” form. At that time, students will be advised by the Registrar’s office of the consequences of withdrawing from a course, including costs, effect on schedule, financial aid, and the effect on the length of program completion. All drops must be approved by the Financial Aid Department.

How Will Dropping a Course Affect Your Grades?

Students who withdraw from a course prior to 2/3 completion of that course will receive a “WX” in place of the grade (Withdraw from a course). The “WX” indicates that the student must repeat the course and a fee will be assessed. Please see the academic calendar for dates to ensure the course is dropped within the deadline. The deadline for Day 15-week courses would be by the end of week 10; the deadline for 5-week labs is by the end of week 3. The evening 10-week courses would be 2/3 complete by the end of week 6.

Will I Receive Any Grades if I Withdrawal from the College?

academic classroom Students who withdraw from the college will receive a “W” for all courses in which they are enrolled but have not completed; students will receive grades for any completed courses. Students, who readmit to the College, must repeat any applicable courses for which they received a “W”.

Course Repetitions

Students who are required to repeat a course must do so according to the following criteria:

The course must be completed within 1.5 times the normal program length.
Tuition for any course(s) to be repeated must be paid in full prior to start of such course(s).
A course may be repeated more than once within the maximum time frame only if approved by the school director. Only the student’s new grade will be counted in determining satisfactory progress a maximum of three times. No additional financial aid awards will be made for repeated coursework.

Maximum Time Frame

Students must progress through the program at a pace that will ensure successful completion within 1.5 times the program’s length. If a student cannot complete the program within this time frame, financial aid disbursements will be suspended, if applicable, and the student will be academically dismissed.

Academic Good Standing

Students must complete a stated number of credits within a reasonable length of time to remain in good standing. Students not completing the following numbers of credits within the time allocated will be placed on academic probation, and students who do not meet the progress requirements by the end of the following semester will be dismissed. Students must complete:

# Credits by the end of

10 1 semester
20 2 semesters
30 3 semesters
40 4 semesters
50 5 semesters
60 6 semesters

Students advancing to the baccalaureate programs must complete:

# Credits by the end of

70 7 semesters
80 8 semesters
90 9 semesters
100 10 semesters
110 11 semesters
120 12 semesters

Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy

Students who do not meet the satisfactory progress standards outlined above, that is, whose cumulative grade point averages fall below the minimum required or whose total accumulated credits fall below the minimum, will be placed on academic probation. Students on probation must meet with the Director of Student Counseling during the probationary semester. If a student does not meet the minimum standard at the end of the probationary semester he or she will be academically dismissed and may apply for readmission only after a full semester has elapsed.

If the student is approved for readmission, his or her status upon readmission will be academic probation. A student who is readmitted and then does not achieve the level of satisfactory progress in the semester he or she returns to the College will be academically dismissed and will not be considered for readmission until a period of one calendar year has elapsed.