Academic Information and Regulations

• Student Course Loads and Excess Hours
• Class Modalities
• Blinn Online
• Prerequisite Override Request and Registration
• Attendance
• Recording of Class Lectures by Students
• Makeup Examinations
• Grades
• Final Grade Dispute
• Scholastic Integrity
• Incivility Protocol Procedure
• Expulsion of Students from Class

Student Course Loads and Excess Hours

The Blinn College District recognizes that student success is its primary purpose in providing courses and programs of study. To facilitate student success, the Blinn College District sets limits on the number of per semester credit hours, in general, that a student may carry each term. Any student who wishes to register for credit hours in excess of the set limits may request permission to do so by completing the Student Services excess hours form Excess Hours Request Form and submitting the form to the appropriate administrators for approval. Credit Hour Limits

Class Modalities

Blinn Online

Online courses are those in which the majority (50% or more) of the instruction takes place when the instructor and student(s) are not in the same place. There are three types of online courses at Blinn College: Online (Internet), Blended (Hybrid), and Interactive Video courses. The objectives and content of online courses are the same as those offered in a traditional classroom setting. Although these courses allow students flexibility, they require a great deal of self-discipline and self-motivation . Students must have effective time management skills and be able to allocate sufficient time to complete the required coursework. Students are encouraged to test their suitability for Blinn Online courses by taking the free SmarterMeasure assessment at https://blinn.smartermeasure.com .

Some online courses may require specific software and/or hardware. To access Online and Blended courses from off-campus sites, a student must have access to a computer with a broadband Internet connection. Please visit the Blinn Online website at www.blinn.edu/online/ for additional information.

Online (Internet) Courses

Students taking Online (Internet) courses work within a virtual classroom environment using the learning management system called eCampus. This system allows students to interact with their instructor and fellow classmates using a variety of tools. In the course schedule, Online (Internet) course section numbers begin with an “N.”

It should be noted that Online (Internet) courses may have mandatory face-to-face sessions, such as proctored tests, orientation, review, and laboratory, which total no more than 15% of the instructional time. For additional information, students should review the respective course syllabus.

Blended (Hybrid) Courses

A Blended (Hybrid) course is one in which the majority (more than 50 percent but less than 85 percent) of the planned instruction occurs when the students and instructor(s) are not in the same place. Students are required to attend the scheduled face-to-face class sessions in addition to the required online course sessions facilitated through the learning management system, eCampus. For additional information, students should review the respective course syllabus. In the course schedule, Blended (Hybrid) course section numbers begin with a “B.”

Interactive Video Courses

An Interactive Video course is one in which the instructor originates the course on one campus and the students are located at another site or campus (remote sites). The course schedule specifies the times and meeting location(s) of these courses. In the course schedule, Interactive Video course section numbers begin with a “V.”

Prerequisite Override Request and Registration:

A Prerequisite course is a course a student must successfully complete prior to enrolling in the course for which it is listed as a prerequisite. The student must receive a grade of C (2.0) or better for the course to satisfy a prerequisite requirement, unless otherwise specified in the course description. If a student is currently enrolled in a prerequisite course and wants to register for the course that requires the prerequisite, he/she may request a Prerequisite Override.

1. Student completes and submits an online Prerequisite Override Request form for each course for which the student wishes to receive a prerequisite override.
2. Analysis and approval of such request is given by the division’s academic leadership.
3. Once approval for overriding is granted, it is the student’s responsibility to contact, upon completion of the prerequisite course, the Division with proof that the prerequisite course has been successfully completed. Failing to do so two weeks prior to the first day of class will deem the student ineligible to take the sequence course and the student will be dropped from the course in which the student is registered.
4. A student taking a prerequisite course in a different institution, who wishes to continue at Blinn College may use an unofficial transcript as proof of registration for the purpose of a prerequisite override. However, for the student to secure space before the semester starts, the student must submit an official transcript to Enrollment Services showing successful completion of the prerequisite course. Prerequisite Override Request Form

Attendance

See Student Attendance and Class Participation

Recording of Class Lectures by Students

Students may be permitted to record class lectures under circumstances in which such recordings would enhance the learning process. Students desiring to record lectures must obtain prior approval of each instructor whose lectures they wish to record.

Blinn Administrative Procedure Student Recording of Class Lectures

Makeup Examinations

Blinn Administrative Procedure A student who misses a major or final examination may ask his/her instructor for permission to make up the examination. If a student is absent while officially representing Blinn College or excused on the basis of “a religious holy day,” he/she will be permitted to make up the examination. The major examination must be made up within two weeks after he/she returns to class or at the discretion of the instructor. Final examinations must be made up within a reasonable time to allow the instructor to submit the final grade(s) on the day and time defined by the Admissions and Records Office. If a student cannot complete the final examination in that time frame, an Incomplete (I) may be considered: consult further the Incomplete Procedure Incomplete Grades . Short tests may or may not be made up, depending upon the instructor’s discretion.

Grades

At the end of each semester, students shall receive a final grade report that shall become a part of their permanent record. The Blinn College District grading system can be found under Admission and Records.

See Grading Details .

Final Grade Dispute

The Blinn College District recognizes that the evaluation of student performance is based upon the professional judgment of its faculty. Faculty will clearly outline their grading procedure in their course syllabus. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the grading process and seek clarification when needed. A student may question a course grade that the student believes has been awarded in a manner inconsistent with Blinn College District policies or class syllabus details or that has resulted from calculation errors on the part of the faculty member. A student who has questions about his or her grade or who disagrees with a grade assigned should contact his or her faculty members to discuss his or her concerns as soon as possible following receipt of the grade.

Final Grade Dispute Resolution

A student disputing a grade shall make an appointment with his or her faculty member. Because grade and course materials are not readily accessible after the next long semester, the student must initiate contact no later than the end of the next long semester (e.g., fall to spring, spring to fall, and summer to fall). If the student does not appear for the appointment, the grade shall stand. After discussing the incident with the student, the faculty member may change the grade or uphold the grade.

A student wishing to appeal the faculty member’s decision may appeal according to the process outlined in Board Policy FLDB (Local). Final-Grade Appeal Procedure

Scholastic Integrity

It is the responsibility of students and faculty to maintain scholastic integrity at the College District by refusing to tolerate any form of scholastic dishonesty. Adequate control of test materials, strict supervision during testing, and other preventative measures should be utilized, as necessary, to prevent cheating or plagiarism. If there is compelling evidence that a student is involved in cheating or plagiarism, the faculty member should assume responsibility and address the infraction. Likewise, any student accused of having violated the Scholastic Integrity Policy is entitled to due process to resolve the allegation. If a student has been found in violation of the Scholastic Integrity Policy, the student’s name will be forwarded to the Blinn College Student Conduct Database.

If a student accused of violating the Scholastic Integrity Policy wishes to appeal the decision, the student must make an appointment with their faculty member. If the student does not appear for the appointment, the faculty member will render a decision and, if applicable, an appropriate penalty for the infraction.

The process for appealing faculty decisions shall be initiated by the student as soon as possible following receipt of the decision but shall be filed no later than the end of five class days from the notification about the infraction. See Scholastic Integrity Appeal Process for the appeal process.

Incivility Protocol Procedure

Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College District holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedom of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.

The Civility Notification statement (also included in the Master Course Syllabus Outline) is primarily for student notification and reads as follows: “If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until the student arranges a conference with the instructor; it is the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference.” This Civility Notification Statement is placed in the Course Syllabus of every course the college offers. If behavior is threatening or violent, the college police have jurisdiction and the college’s Discipline Code takes precedence.

In the case of incivility in the classroom, the college’s Incivility Protocol provides for removal of the uncivil student immediately from the classroom to maintain student/teacher integrity and essential pedagogical decorum. IF THE INCIDENT IS THREATENING OR VIOLENT, BLINN COLLEGE POLICE HAVE JURISDICTION AND SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY AND THE BLINN COLLEGE DISCIPLINE CODE TAKES PRECEDENCE. If the incident is one of common incivility, the student removed from class must arrange a conference with his or her instructor to discuss and resolve the problem resulting from the uncivil incident before being readmitted to the class. Incivility Protocol

Expulsion of Students from Class

A faculty member may expel a student from a class or lab for reasons outlined in the procedure on Incivility Protocol. Incivility Protocol

Denial of Entry to Class

A faculty member may deny a student entry to class for the following reasons:

1. The student is not properly registered for that class.
2. The student is not in compliance with any applicable published dress code of the College.
3. The student has been previously notified in writing by an appropriate member of the administration of his suspension or expulsion from the class.
4. The student appears to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
5. The student has in his possession any unlawful weapon (licensed law enforcement officers are excepted).
6. The student’s behavior indicates that he might be dangerous to himself or others in the class.
7. The student’s name is on a list (approved by the President or by a vice president of the College or by an off-campus director) of students to be denied admission to class because of a delinquent account or other good reason.
8. The student has been previously expelled from a class or lab and remains out of compliance pursuant to the Incivility Protocol.

A student shall not be denied admission to class because of tardiness. However, a student that is tardy on a recurring basis may, subject to the guidelines under the section “Expulsion,” be suspended or dropped from class.

Except as outlined above, only the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellors, and Campus Deans may authorize any order or request to deny students admission to class. All notices shall carry the name of the person authorized to deny admission.

Blinn Administrative Procedure Expulsion from Class