Academic Affairs

Blinn Online ID (BOID)

The BOID is the username students will use to access most electronic systems at Blinn College. This includes myBLINN, eCampus/D2L, student email, Library database proxy, wireless network, printing services, and on-campus computers.

The BOID consists of the student’s firstname.lastnameLast2digitsofStudentID. For example, if their name is Stacy Smith with student ID number of B00111112 then the BOID is Stacy.Smith12. Managing the password for BOID is performed at https://password.blinn.edu.

Student E-Mail Accounts

Blinn College is partnered with Microsoft Office 365 for education to provide e-mail accounts to future, current, and former Blinn students. This e-mail account is the primary electronic communication method between Blinn College and students. The account is created during the admissions application process.

• To start using the account go to: http://outlook.com/buc.blinn.edu or use the email icon in myBLINN
• E-mail address: Firstname.LastnameLast2digitsBlinnID@buc.blinn.edu
• Username is the BOID - Firstname.LastnameLast2digitsBlinnID
• The password for email and Office 365 is the same as the student’s Blinn password (myBLINN, eCampus, wireless, printing, etc.)
• Mobile Devices and Outlook - Use Exchange, Outlook or ActiveSync as the account type and the full email address as the Username and student’s Blinn password.
  • If requested- Exchange ActiveSync server name: outlook.office365.com

Students can use the Blinn e-mail account to do the following:

• Receive official communications from Blinn College
• Send/Receive e-mail to friends, fellow students, faculty and staff
• Check email on Mobile/Cell phone
  • (Exchange ActiveSync server name if requested: outlook.office365.com)
• Store and share 5 GB of documents on SkyDrive
• Microsoft Office licensing Discounts
• Share information with blogs, web pages, lists and photos in Spaces
• Use Office Online applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)
• Forward this e-mail account or check multiple e-mail accounts

Student e-mail accounts do not expire and the Inbox remains active as long as the student logs in at least once every 180 days.

Print Management System

Beginning in summer 2004, a new print management system was installed across the College. The purpose of the system is managing the computer-based printing in the open computer labs, libraries and classroom computer labs.

The College has licensed the Pharos Uniprint system to provide a central and college-wide print solution. The system controls the release of print jobs to all printers in student areas. The system is configured to assess a cost to each print based on the following schedule:

Student Accounts

Each enrolled student is automatically given a print system account. The account number is the Blinn Online ID (BOID). Each enrolled student is given 15 credits in their print account per semester. This account will be deducted according to the print schedule. The 15 credits are per semester and are not refundable nor does the balance roll over to the next semester.

Students can add credits to their account using the Add Value stations located in the Brenham Library and Bryan Library building foyer or at the Enrollment Services/Business Office counter on each campus. Funds added to the print account will carry over to the next semester and are not refundable.

Operation

When printing in the Library, Bullock Lab and Open Lab the student will be asked to enter their BOID. The print job will then be placed in a queue (on hold) and await being released. To release the print job, go to the computer labeled Print Release Station. The student will Swipe their ID card or enter their BOID and password. The screen will show all of the pending print jobs. Select the job(s) to print. The documents will print on the nearby printers and the account will be deducted the amount of the job. The student can also view their account activity and balances at the release station.

When printing in the classroom labs and testing areas the student will be asked to enter their BOID and password. A prompt will appear to confirm the print job and will provide the total job cost. After confirmation, the job will print to the nearby printer and the job cost deducted from their account.

Guest Accounts

Community users and those auditing classes can obtain temporary guest cards at the Library on each campus.

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

Information Technology/Copyright Procedure

Purpose: To ensure clear guidance on the use of Blinn College information technology resources and its application to copyright law for employees, students, authorized users, and the community.

Scope: This procedure applies to all information technology resource and electronic media users, including but not limited to administrators, faculty, staff, students, Board members, agents, volunteers, vendors, and the community, both on campus and at remote sites. All information technology resource and electronic media users shall comply with this procedure.

Authority: The Dean of Academic Technology Services and the Director of Administrative Computing are responsible for Blinn College information technology resources and electronic media. Blinn College reserves the right to randomly audit the contents of all electronic media to determine adherence to policies and/or procedures and, if requested, to provide material to the state auditors for audit purposes. In the event that any Blinn College information technology resource user leaves, resigns, or in any way concludes his or her relationship with Blinn College for whatever reason, access to all information technology resources, including voice mail and e-mail services, will be terminated immediately unless continued access is authorized and approved by the appropriate parties.

Definitions:

• Information Technology Resources includes all forms of the acquisition, processing, storage, and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual, and numerical information by electronic-based computing or telecommunications.
• Electronic Media includes all forms of social media, such as text messaging, instant messaging, electronic mail (e-mail), Web logs (blogs), electronic forums (chat rooms), video-sharing Web sites, editorial comments posted on the Internet, and social network sites. Electronic media also includes all forms of telecommunication, such as landlines, cell phones, and Web-based applications.
• Users include anyone authorized to access information technology resources and/or electronic media owned or operated by Blinn College.
• Copyright Infringement is the unauthorized use of copyrighted material in a manner that violates one of the copyright owner’s exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works that build upon it.
• DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is a United States copyright law that implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

User Responsibilities: Access to information technology resources and/or electronic media owned or operated by Blinn College is a privilege granted to authorized users. Users are responsible for:

• Reviewing, understanding, and complying with all College policies and/or procedures related to access, use, and the security of Blinn College information technology resources and/or electronic media;
• Adhering to all hardware and software license agreements that are in force on any College system, network, or server;
• Asking system administrators or data owners for clarification of access and acceptable use issues not specifically addressed in College policies and/or procedures; and
• Reporting possible violations to the appropriate parties.

Employee Usage: Blinn College’s information technology resources are made available to employees to assist with fulfilling their job responsibilities. Employees shall be held to the same professional standards in their use of Blinn College electronic media as they are for any other public conduct. If an employee’s use of electronic media violates state or federal law or College policy and/or procedure or interferes with the employee’s ability to effectively perform his or her job duties, the employee is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Violations of local, state, and federal laws will be reported to appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.

Student Usage: Blinn College’s information technology resources are made available to students to further the educational mission of the College. To ensure availability and reasonable levels of service, the users must exercise responsible, ethical behavior. The misuse of information technology resources by a few can result in degraded performance for all users and interfere with legitimate academic endeavors. Failure to follow this procedure can result in suspension or termination of access to Blinn College’s information technology resources and/or electronic media, as well as, other disciplinary actions by the College. Blinn College reserves the right to investigate any unauthorized or improper use of College information technology resources. The appeal of any suspension or termination of access or other disciplinary actions shall be governed by the due process procedures outlined in Board Policy and the College Catalog. Violations of local, state, and federal laws will be reported to appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.

Community and Other Authorized Usage: Blinn College’s information technology resources are made available to community and other authorized users for general use consistent with Blinn College activities. The misuse of information technology resources by community and other authorized users can result in limited or terminated access. Violations of local, state, and federal laws will be reported to appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.

General Guidelines:

• Blinn College information technology resources and/or electronic media may not be used: to interfere with normal operations and other users; to violate city, state, and/ or federal laws; to damage or impair College resources; for commercial use; and/or for more than occasional incidental personal communication.
• All reasonable efforts shall be made by users to prevent unauthorized access to the Blinn College information technology systems. Users shall be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of their password. Users shall be responsible for changing their password if it becomes compromised.
• Users shall minimize the electronic exchange of large files not consistent with Blinn College business.
• No effort will be made to guarantee privacy of electronic media other than to limit access to Blinn College employees, students, and authorized users only. Messages which are returned as undelivered or improperly addressed will be reviewed as part of the ongoing operation of the e-mail system.
• E-mail, including messages archived on backup tapes, is subject to subpoena by civil and criminal courts, as well as, some open records requests.
• The following activities are not allowed: file sharing; spamming; chain mail; downloading or installing unauthorized software or other applications; unauthorized access, removal or modification of data, applications or equipment; unauthorized use of network packet ‘sniffers’ or packet analyzers; unauthorized installation of routers, switches, hubs, or wireless access points; unauthorized scanning systems to find running services and vulnerabilities; and unauthorized running of Web, proxy, or e-mail servers from computers connected to Blinn College information technology infrastructure.

Copyright Infringement Procedures:

Disclosure: Blinn College shall annually disclose that unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material may be illegal, as well as, the Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws:

• Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.
• Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.
• Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.
• For more information, please see the web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ’s at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.

DMCA Notices/Illegal Downloading and Distribution: The procedure to effectively combat the illegal downloading and distribution of copyrighted material for Blinn College is as follows:

• Students
  • ​Locate and block access of the source
  • Send notice to the student responsible
  • Report second occurrence to the Vice President of Student Services for student discipline
  • To have access re-established, the user must acknowledge receipt of complaint and copyright information and/or successfully complete any requirements set forth by the Blinn College Student Discipline Process
• Employees
  • ​Locate and block access of the source
  • Send notice to the employee responsible, as well as, their immediate supervisor
  • Report second occurrence to the appropriate supervisor for employee discipline
  • To have access re-established, the user must acknowledge receipt of complaint and copyright information and/or successfully complete any requirements set forth by the Blinn College Employee Discipline Process
• Community and Other Authorized Users
  • Locate and block access of the source
  • Send notice to the user responsible
  • Report second occurrence to the appropriate authorities for investigation and action

Deterrents: Blinn College utilizes two types of deterrents for the illegal distribution of copyrighted material:

• Bandwidth shaping;
• Vigorous program of accepting and responding to DMCA notices.

DMCA Agent: Blinn College shall designate a DMCA agent to receive notifications of Agent Copyright Infringements Claims. The Blinn College DMCA agent is: Mr. Brad Rowland; DMCAagent@blinn.edu; 979-209-7480.

Blinn Administrative Procedure

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. Short tests may or may not be made up, depending upon the instructor’s discretion.

Tobacco Use

Tobacco use through any or no device shall not be permitted within College District owned, leased, or controlled vehicles, buildings, property, or other facilities.

Exceptions

Tobacco use is only permitted in designated outdoor areas clearly marked with signs and in private vehicles on College District property.

Enforcement

The enforcement methods for noncompliance of the provisions on tobacco use are as follows:

• The violator may be assessed a fine of $25.
• The violator may be escorted off campus/property.
• The violator may be charged with criminal trespass.

Blinn Board Policy FLB (LOCAL)

Alcohol and Drug Use

Drug and alcohol use, misuse, and abuse are complex behaviors with many outcomes at both the cultural and the individual levels. Awareness of the dangerous effects of drug/ alcohol use is imperative for an individual’s well-being or survival. Negative Consequences of drug/alcohol may be exhibited through:

• Physical dependence (the body’s learned requirement of a drug for functioning).
• Psychological dependence (the experiencing of persistent craving for the drug and/ or a feeling the drug/alcohol is a requirement for functioning).

Abuse of any drug/alcohol whether licit or illicit may result in marginal to marked, temporary to permanent physical and/or psychological damage, even death. Since many of the illicit drugs are manufactured and sold illegally, their content varies and may contain especially harmful ingredients or amounts.

Regardless of the types of drug/alcohol utilized, a perceived need for the continued use is likely to ensue, resulting in dependence. Dependence on drugs and/or alcohol alters the user’s psychological functioning. The acquisition of drugs and alcohol becomes the primary focus of the drug dependent individual and often results in reduced job performance and jeopardized family and other interpersonal relationships. Criminal behavior is frequently the means for financing a drug habit. Behavior patterns often include violence and assault as the individual becomes increasingly drug/alcohol dependent. Social and psychological alienation and medical problems increase as the abuser becomes entrapped in drug/alcohol dependence. Drug/alcohol counseling referrals are available in the counselors’ offices of the College.

Student Conduct: Alcohol and Drug Use Policy

Alcohol

A student shall be prohibited from using or being under the influence of intoxicating beverages in classroom buildings, laboratories, auditoriums, library buildings, museums, faculty and administrative offices, intercollegiate and intramural athletic facilities, and all other public campus areas. With the prior consent of the Board or the Board’s designee, the provisions herein may be waived with respect to any specific event that is sponsored by the College District. State law shall be strictly enforced at all times on all property controlled by the College District in regard to the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Controlled Substances

No student shall possess, use, transmit, or attempt to possess, use, or transmit, or be under the influence of, any of the following substances on College District premises or off premises at a College District-sponsored activity, function, or event:

• Any controlled substance or dangerous drug as defined by law, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant, amphetamine, or barbiturate.
• Any abusable glue, aerosol paint, or any other volatile chemical substance for inhalation.
• Any performance-enhancing substance, including steroids.
• Any designer drug.
• Any other intoxicant or mood-changing, mind-altering, or behavior-altering drug.

The manufacture, transmittal, delivery, sale, or attempted sale of what is represented to be any of the above-listed substances shall also be prohibited under this policy.

Exception

A student who uses a drug authorized by a licensed physician through a prescription specifically for that student’s use shall not be considered to have violated this rule.

Violation

Students who violate this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the College Catalog [See also FM and FMA]. Such disciplinary action may include referral to drug and alcohol counseling or rehabilitation programs or student assistance programs, suspension, expulsion, and referral to appropriate law enforcement officials for prosecution.

Notice

All students shall be given a copy of the College District’s policy prohibiting the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol, a description of the applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law, and a description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol. Additionally, this policy may be accessed online at - http://pol.tasb.org/Home/Index/1204.

Blinn Board Policy FLBE (LOCAL)

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 a 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.

“Scholastic dishonesty” shall include, but is not to be limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and collusion.

Scholastic Dishonesty Resolution 

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.

After discussing the incident with the student, the faculty member may dismiss the allegation, issue a verbal warning, issue a written warning and/or assign a grade to the assignment, ranging from a zero on the assignment to an F in the course. The decision should be forwarded to the appropriate dean or designee who will forward the information for inclusion in the Student Conduct Database once the opportunity to appeal has concluded. If a student has received an F in the course as a result of a Scholastic Integrity Violation, and the penalty stands after the end of the appeal process, the student may not drop the course. A student who has been through the Scholastic Integrity Appeal Process may not request a Final Course Grade Appeal to contest the final decision determined by the Scholastic Integrity Appeal Process.

A student who wishes to appeal the faculty member’s decision may appeal according to the process below.

Scholastic Integrity Appeal Process

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.

Standard of Review

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. The standard of review to be used in all proceedings under this policy shall be that of fundamental fairness. Strict rules of evidence and procedure are not required so long as the proceedings are conducted in such a manner as to allow both sides the opportunity to explore the circumstances fairly and fully. Discussion regarding the same shall be made by the party who is conducting the hearing.

Level I

The meeting between the student and the faculty member shall represent Level I of the process and shall be considered an informal meeting. If the conference is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student shall have five class days from the date of the Level I meeting to appeal in writing to the dean or designee.

Level II

The conference between the student and the dean or designee represents Level II of the appeal.
Prior to or at the conference, the student and the faculty member shall submit a written statement and copies of all coursework or other appropriate documentation to the Instructional Dean for review.

The dean or designee shall hear and evaluate the student’s complaint and shall then confer with the faculty member. The dean or designee shall put in writing their findings and related decision.

If the conference is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student shall have five class days from their receipt of written notification to respond to the Instructional Dean, who will then defer to the appeals process for resolution. The Instructional Dean will notify the Vice President for Instruction of this decision in writing within one class day. If the student does not request a hearing by an appeals committee within the five class days provided by this procedure, the student will forfeit the right to any additional appeal.

Level III

The appeals committee shall be initiated at Level III of the appeal. This ad hoc committee will be composed of three faculty members from three separate divisions, one of which must be the technical area. This committee is chosen by the Vice President for Instruction or their designee and shall be chaired by the appropriate Instructional Dean. Upon notification of the student’s decision to pursue further appeal, the Instructional Dean will notify in writing the student, the faculty member, and the Vice President for Instruction that the dispute will be referred within five class days to an appeals committee for review. The Instructional Dean shall submit to the appeals committee copies of all written documentation obtained from the student and/or the faulty member and written instructions concerning assignments from the faculty member.

Within five to ten days of the receipt of the written materials, the committee chair will convene the appeals committee to review the written materials submitted and shall schedule the date, time, and location of the hearing. The committee chair will notify all parties of the hearing. The student and the faculty member shall receive written notification from the committee chair that the issue will be reviewed by the committee within the given time frame.

The hearing shall provide an opportunity for both the student and the faculty member to be heard. No new written evidence may be submitted at the hearing. If witnesses are to be presented, a list must be provided to the chairperson of the appeals committee 48-hours prior to the scheduled hearing.

The appeals committee shall make a recommendation to the Vice President for Instruction who will then make a final decision and notify the student and faculty member in writing. The decision of the Vice President for Instruction is final.

Administrative Procedures Manual, Blinn Board Policy FLDB (LOCAL)

Incivility Protocol Procedure

Civility Statement

Blinn College has adopted Civility and Civility Notification statements, and a statement of Incivility Protocol. The Civility Statement (also included in the Master Course Syllabus Outline) reads as follows: “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 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.” This Civility Statement is to be placed in the Course Syllabus of every course the college offers.

Civility Notification Statement

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.

Discipline and Penalties

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

Level One

A student removed from class for uncivil behavior shall contact his or her instructor within two school days to make an appointment. (The instructor may request a third party be present if the instructor deems it necessary.) The incident must be resolved before the student may return to class. If there is no resolution, the process moves to appeal level two. (If the instructor is an assistant dean or department head, level two is bypassed). If the student fails to make an appointment with the instructor or does not appear for the appointment, the student will be dropped from the class.

Level Two

If no resolution is reached at Level One, the student has two school days to make a written appeal to the dean or division designee. At this meeting, the student will meet with their dean or designee and the instructor. If there is resolution the student may return to class. If there is no resolution the process moves to appeal level three. If the student fails to make an appointment with the dean or division designee, or does not appear for the appointment, the student will be dropped from the class.

Level Three

At level three the student will have two school days to appeal to the respective dean. This dean will assemble and chair an appeals committee (or use a standing committee formed for this purpose) chosen by the Vice President of Student Services or his/her designee. This ad hoc committee will be composed of three instructors from three separate divisions, one of which must be from a technical area.

The Instructional Dean will notify in writing the student, the faculty member, and the Vice President of Student Services. The Instructional Dean shall submit to the committee copies of all written documentation obtained from the student and the faculty member and notify all members of the hearing date and location. If the student fails to make an appointment with the dean or does not appear for the appointment, the student will be dropped from the class.

The hearing will provide an opportunity for both the student and faculty member to speak. No new written evidence may be submitted at the hearing. If witnesses are to be presented, a list must be provided to the chairperson 48-hours prior to the scheduled hearing. The appeals committee shall make a recommendation to the Vice President of Student Services, who will then make a final decision and notify the student and faculty member in writing. If the incivility case is successfully resolved at any level of the appeals process, the student may return to class, and any missed work may be made up.

Blinn Administrative Procedure

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.

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.

Authority to Issue Order Denying Students Admission to Class

Except as outlined above, only the President, vice presidents and campus directors 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

Final Grade Dispute

The 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 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 following process, which is outlined here and in Board Policy FLDB (Local) and in the Administrative Procedure Manual.

Appeal Process

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 the next long semester (e.g. fall to spring, spring to fall, and summer to fall).

Standard of Review

The standard of review to be used in all proceedings under this policy shall be that of fundamental fairness. Strict rules of evidence and procedure are not required so long as the proceedings are conducted in such a manner as to allow both sides the opportunity to explore the circumstances fairly and fully. Discussion regarding the same shall be made by the party who is conducting the hearing.

Level I

The meeting between the student and faculty member shall represent Level I of the process and shall be considered an informal meeting. If a student has been unable to make contact with the faculty member for a Level I appeal, the student may inquire about a direct appeal to Level II.

Level II

The conference between the student and the Instructional Dean or designee represents Level II of the appeal. Prior to or at the conference, the student and the faculty member shall submit a written statement and copies of all coursework or other appropriate documentation to the Instructional Dean or designee for review. The Instructional Dean shall hear and evaluate the student’s complaint and shall then confer with the faculty member. The Instructional Dean or designee shall put in writing his or her findings and related decision.

If the conference is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student shall have five class days from receipt of written notification to respond to the Instructional Dean, who will then defer to the appeals process for resolution. The Instructional Dean will notify the Vice President for Instruction of this decision in writing within one class day. If the student does not request a hearing by an appeals committee within the five school class days provided by this policy, the student will forfeit the right to any additional appeal.

Level III

The appeals committee shall be initiated at Level III of the appeal. This committee is an ad hoc committee chosen by the Vice President for Instruction or their designee and shall be chaired by the appropriate Instructional Dean. Upon notification of the student’s decision to further appeal, the Instructional Dean will notify in writing the student, the faculty member, and the Vice President for Instruction that the dispute will be referred within five class days to an appeals committee for review. The Instructional Dean shall submit to the appeals committee copies of all written documentation obtained from the student and/or the faculty member and written instructions concerning assignments from the faculty member.

Within five to ten days of the receipt of the written materials, the committee chair will convene the appeals committee to review the written materials submitted and shall schedule the date, time, and location of the hearing. The committee chair will notify all parties of the hearing. The student and the faculty member shall receive written notification from the committee chair that the issue will be reviewed by the committee within the given time frame. The hearing shall provide an opportunity for both the student and the faculty member to be heard. No new written evidence may be submitted at the hearing.

If witnesses are to be presented, a list must be provided to the chair of the appeals committee 48-hours prior to the scheduled hearing. The appeals committee shall make a recommendation to the Vice President for Instruction, who will then make a final decision and notify the student and faculty member in writing. The decision of the Vice President for Instruction is final.

Board Policy FLDB (Local), Administrative Procedure Manual

Commencement Exercises

Formal commencement exercises are held at the close of the regular spring and fall semesters. Degrees, certificates and achievement awards are awarded at the close of each semester at the request of the student.

Student Course Loads and Excess Hours

Fall/Spring: To promote student success and in compliance with Texas Administrative Code, the regular course load for students in a traditionally delivered sixteen (16) week semester (Fall or Spring) should not exceed one semester credit hour per week for a total of no more than fifteen to sixteen (15-16) credit hours (depending on the selected lecture + lab courses) per long semester. Therefore, students must obtain special approval from the appropriate academic dean and the Vice President for Instruction for extenuating circumstances that may substantiate the need to enroll in more than sixteen (16) credit hours in any long semester. (Note that some competitive entry programs have prior approval for excess credit hour enrollment.)

Summer: To promote student success and in compliance with Texas Administrative Code, the maximum credit hour load for Summer I and II sessions, will be six (6) credit hours per summer short semester. The maximum credit hour load for a Summer ten (10) week session is ten (10) credit hours. Therefore, students must obtain special approval from the appropriate academic dean and the Vice President (or Assistant Vice President) for Instruction for extenuating circumstances that may substantiate the need to enroll in more than six (6) credit hours in any Summer I or II session or ten (10) credit hours in a Summer 10-week session.

Minimester: To promote student success and in compliance with Texas Administrative Code, the maximum credit hour load for any minimester is three (3) credit hours.

Course Selection

Meeting with an academic advisor or division designee is a great way for students to begin the decision making process for selecting the correct courses for the student’s academic goals. Setting academic goals will help ensure student success toward completion of courses, certificates or degree programs, or possible transfer to a college or university.

During advising sessions, the advisor will suggest courses that satisfy Blinn degree requirements and/or the senior institution’s major guidelines. Students undecided on a major/transfer institution, should take general education courses as outlined in the Core Curriculum or associate degree guidelines. Meeting with an advisor can greatly enhance course information for students regarding developmental requirements, transferability of courses, and major/degree requirements. However, the ultimate decision of what courses to take rests with the student.

Students should consider a number of factors, such as skill level, extracurricular activities, difficulty of course/major, employment, and finances, when determining their semester course load. Generally, a student enrolled in academic courses needs a minimum of two (2) hours preparation outside of class for each hour of classroom instruction. By taking into account these factors, students are better able to prepare themselves for academic success.

Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS)

In the past, transferring credits from one college to another meant trying to match comparable courses. Since every college had its own scheme for abbreviating its courses, this process was often complicated and time consuming for both students and advisors. In the common course numbering system, participating institutions have signed agreements accepting a standard numbering system for commonly transferred academic courses. This system ensures that if the student takes the courses the receiving institution designates as common, then the courses will be accepted in transfer and be treated as if they had actually been taken on the receiving institution’s campus.

The common course number has a standardized four-letter prefix followed by a four-digit number. The four-letter prefix identifies the subject area. For example, ENGL is the common prefix for English courses, while COSC is the common prefix for computer science courses. The four-digit number following the prefix identifies specific courses within the subject area.

Each digit in the four-digit sequence gives additional information about the course. The first digit identifies the course as either freshman level (e.g., HIST 1301) or sophomore level (e.g., PSYC 2301). The second digit identifies the number of credit hours students earn upon completing the course. Most often this digit will be a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. For example with ENGL 1301, the student would meet three lecture hours a week and earn three credit hours after successfully completing the course. Most laboratory classes (e.g., BIOL 1406 e.g.) would meet for three lecture hours per week and three lab hours per week, earning four credit hours. The final two digits serve to establish the sequence in which courses are generally taken. Thus, FREN 1411 - Beginning French I is taken before FREN 1412 - Beginning French II. Courses beginning in “0”, such as MATH 0310, are developmental and do not count toward degrees. For more information, see the TCCNS web site at: www.tccns.org/.

Lower-Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM)

The Lower-Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) is the official list of courses approved for general academic transfer that may be offered by public community and technical colleges in Texas for state funding.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rule 5.372 requires that each institution of higher education shall identify in its undergraduate catalog each lower division course that is substantially equivalent to an academic course listed in the web-based inventory of the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM). In this catalog, ACGM courses are identified with a plus sign (+), and core curriculum courses are in red lettering and denoted with an asterisk (*).

For more information, see the ACGM web site at: www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/UndergraduateEd/WorkforceEd/acgm.htm.

Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM)

The Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) is a web-based inventory of current workforce education courses available for use by public two-year colleges. This web-based inventory allows for searching the WECM using a variety of criteria. For more information, see the WECM web site at: www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/UndergraduateEd/WorkforceEd/wecm/. In this catalog, WECM courses are identified with a pound/number sign (#).