Academic Regulations & Conduct

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is a fundamental attribute of higher learning. Students who violate the principle of honesty deny themselves an opportunity to master the skills that they are credited to possess, cheat their classmates of deserved recognition, and demean the college and its degrees. It is a matter of great concern that all members of the college community strive for high standards of personal integrity.
Evaluation of each student’s level of knowledge and understanding is a vital part of the teaching process, and requires tangible measures such as reports, examinations, and homework. Any act that interferes with the process of evaluation by misrepresenting the relationship between the work being evaluated and the student’s actual state of knowledge is an act of academic dishonesty. These acts of dishonesty include but are not limited to: fraud, cheating, plagiarism, forgery and facilitating dishonesty.

Definitions

For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions are in effect:

• Fraud: Acts of dishonesty, which include falsification of documents, fabrication of data and altering exam solutions to be resubmitted for grade are considered fraudulent.
• Cheating: Any deceptive act that involves the submission of academic work purported to be one’s own when in fact the work was obtained from someone else is considered cheating. These acts may include copying or attempting to copy from another person’s test and/or assignment, allowing someone else to copy from a test
  and/or assignment, attempting to use unauthorized aids to complete an assignment and multiple submission of the same work to be graded as different assignments.
• Plagiarism: Misrepresenting someone else’s words, ideas or data as one’s own original work is plagiarism. Students may avoid plagiarism by fully and consistently crediting the person or persons responsible for the original work.
• Forgery: Any attempt to misrepresent another person’s signature, initials, computer login or other identifying mark is a forgery.
• Facilitating Dishonesty: Actions that are intended to assist another person to commit a dishonest act will be considered facilitating dishonesty.

Procedure

1. Faculty should immediately report all incidents of academic dishonesty to the appropriate division head and the Vice President of Instruction in writing. The report will include the date, time, and place of the event, names of students involved, and a summary of the infraction.
2. The Vice President of Instruction and the Division Head will review the written report and consult with the instructor to determine an appropriate course of action.  Actions taken could include a reduction in grade for the assignment, refusal to accept the work with a grade of zero, and assignment of the grade of “F” for the course.

3. In extreme cases of academic dishonesty, the division head and instructor may elect to pursue formal disciplinary action by providing a written summary of the incident to the Vice President of Instruction. The Vice President of Instruction will review the incident report, consider the seriousness of the event, and render a decision.
4. If a student chooses to appeal further, the student needs to notify the Vice President of Instruction or the Vice President of Student Services within three (3) working days.  The Vice President of Instruction and Vice President of Student Services will assemble the Student Appeal Committee.  The Student Appeal Committee will follow existing Northeast policy to consider the case and render a decision. Disciplinary action in cases where the charges are found to be true may include removal from the class with a grade of “F” or removal from the college for repeated offenses.
5. The Student Appeal Committee’s decision is considered final.

Artificial Intelligence

NEMCC encourages the adoption and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools as aids to enhance learning and productivity. It is important to understand that AI tools are intended to support student work, not replace original thought or effort. These tools should be used only with the explicit and clear permission of each individual instructor, and then only in the ways allowed by the instructor. Students should approach the use of AI tools with academic honesty and ethical considerations. If it is proven that a student submits AI-generated work without instructor approval, the NEMCC academic honesty policy will be enforced.

Student Identification Cards

Student ID cards will be made after the student has completed all registration processes including fee payment.  A replacement card can be purchased in the Housing Office of Ramsey Hall for a fee. Once a new ID card is made, old cards are inactivated in the student management system.  The student ID must be worn in a visible location of one's person at all times when on College property.

The student ID is required to check out books in the library, write checks on campus, charge against financial aid in the bookstore, pick up grant and loan checks, and participate in school elections.  Students with valid Northeast IDs are admitted to college activities and events at no charge. It is the student’s responsibility to get the card updated at the start of each new semester.

Students must present their student ID when requested by any College personnel.  A student who does not present an ID card or lends his/her ID card will be subject to disciplinary action by the Vice President of Student Services in Ramsey Hall.

Student Email

All students of Northeast Mississippi Community College are provided an official Northeast email account upon enrolling at the college. The email is the used for all eLearning classes as well as communication with faculty and staff of the college. Students are encouraged to check their respective email accounts on a regular basis. Any official information originating from Northeast will also be sent to the official NEMCC student email account.

Student Insurance

Accident insurance coverage is provided to all students. If you need any information or a claim form for this policy, please contact the Business Office, 103 Ramsey Hall, email BusinessOffice@nemcc.edu, or call 662.720.7281.

Class Attendance

Students are required to attend all classes. Absences from class should be the result of unavoidable circumstances such as sickness, family deaths, hazardous road conditions, and so forth. Excused absences will entitle the student to reasonable opportunities to complete make-up assignments or exams. (Excused absences are those incurred as a result of attending a school-sponsored activity or short-term military active duty.)  It is the student’s responsibility to see the instructor BEFORE the activity to make up work.

Students who are missing more than 10 minutes of class will be given an absence for the class meeting, equivalent to not attending class.   If a student arrives between the class start time and the first 10 minutes, the student will receive a tardy.   Three tardies are the equivalent of an absence.

Students who are absent from class more than 14% (two weeks) of the scheduled class meetings will be reported to the Records Office for excessive absences. The instructor of the class will inform the student of the existence of excessive absences upon the student’s return to class. Students who are removed from class for nonattendance will have a status of CO (cutout) and a grade of F recorded for the courses. Classes for which a student is listed as CO (cutout) count as enrollment under federal financial aid regulations and are used by the Financial Aid Office in the computation of attempted hours for financial aid eligibility. Students who are cut out of a class should process a class withdrawal for that class by the posted deadline to prevent a grade of F from being recorded. A student who has been cut out of class may appeal to be readmitted by the instructor for the class.

Faculty will report attendance and cutouts via the student management systems.

Programs with Special Attendance Policies - In the Health Science programs, students are required to meet the required clock hours as deemed by the state curriculum.  Due to this requirement, please see the program/departmental handbook for additional information.

Withdrawal from Class

Northeast Mississippi Community College strongly supports activities that promote student success in classes and degree programs. With this goal in mind, the college provides a means for students to withdraw from individual classes. Students are encouraged to maintain their enrollment in all courses for the full semester. In cases where the academic load is too great to maintain, the student may reduce his/her load by withdrawing from one or more classes. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain full-time status (12 or more hours), if practical. The withdrawal period begins the day after drop/add and ends on the Monday one week before final exams. Students that receive state aid (MTAG, MESG) must enroll in and complete 15 semester credit hours each semester. 

Students who successfully complete the withdrawal process, either class or college, will receive a grade of “W” on their official college transcript. Withdrawals (W’s) are not used in the computation of a student’s semester or cumulative grade point average. Withdrawals are used by the Financial Aid Office in the computation of attempted hours for financial aid eligibility.

The student who desires to withdraw from class should contact the instructor of the individual course. The following process applies to all class withdrawals:

Procedure for Class Withdrawal

1. Student meets/discusses withdrawal with the instructor, Division Head, Counseling Center, or Instruction Office.  (Online classes may talk to eLearning Office)
2. Student & Instructor complete the form together.
3. The form is sent electronically to Financial Aid.
4. Financial Aid reviews the effects of withdrawal on student aid.
5. Financial Aid enters notes about effects into an online database.
6. The form is sent electronically to the Business Office.
7. Student contacts Business Office:
   1. If no adverse effects on financial aid, the student pays the fee. The form is sent electronically to Records for processing.
   2. If adverse effects on the student’s financial aid, the Business Office informs the student. (Sends student over to Financial Aid, if necessary) Students can pay fees and form sent to Records for processing or students can cancel the withdrawal

The withdrawal period begins the day after drop/add and ends on the Monday one week before final exams.  Online classes will follow the MSVCC calendar withdrawal ending dates.

$10 withdrawal fee waived in extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Vice President of Finance/Business Office.

Withdrawal from College

College withdrawal is available for students who, because of personal hardship, can no longer attend any classes. A student may withdraw from college at any time up to one week before the beginning of final exams for the part of the term on the student's schedule.  Students who desire to withdraw from college should contact their advisor or the Counseling Center to begin the process. Students are responsible for completing the College Withdrawal process which includes:

Procedure for College Withdrawal

1. Student meets/discusses withdrawal with the instructor, Division Head, Counseling Center, or Instruction Office.  (Online classes may talk to eLearning Office)
2. Student & Instructor complete the form together.
3. The form is sent electronically to Financial Aid.
4. Financial Aid reviews the effects of withdrawal on student aid.
5. Financial Aid enters notes about effects into an online database.
6. The form is sent electronically to the Housing Office if the student resides in campus housing.
7. The form is sent electronically to the Business Office.
8. Student contacts Business Office:
   • If no adverse effects on financial aid, the student pays the fee. The form is sent electronically to Records for processing.
   • If adverse effects on the student’s financial aid, the Business Office informs the student. (Sends student over to Financial Aid, if necessary) Students can pay fees and the forms are sent to Records for processing or students can cancel withdrawal.

The withdrawal period begins the day after drop/add and ends on the Monday one week before final exams.  Online classes will follow the MSVCC calendar withdrawal ending dates.

The withdrawal fee waived in extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Vice President of Finance/Business Office.

College Credit

The regular school session is divided into two semesters. Credit is calculated in semester hours. For example, a lecture course pursued one hour a week for a semester carries one semester hour of credit; a course pursued three hours a week carries three hours of credit.

Students who have completed 30 hours or more in their current program are considered sophomores.

Full-time - Enrollment in 12 or more semester hours.
Part-time - Enrollment in less than 12 hours.
Normal Load -Usually 15 or 16 hours per semester.
(Determined by dividing the total number of hours required for graduation by the number of terms required for a full-time student to complete the program.)

Maximum load - Limited to 21 hours.   For above 21 hours, extra tuition is assessed per credit hour.   Students may request the maximum load be increased through the Instruction Office.

Grades/Grading

Examinations are given at the close of each semester and at such other times as instructors deem necessary. Absence from the final examination, except in cases of extreme emergency, results in a grade of “F” being recorded for the course.

If, for reasons acceptable to the instructor, a student is unable to take any examination when regularly scheduled, he/she will be expected to make immediate arrangements to remove this deficiency.

Grades and Quality Points

Within each division, the grading scale will be standardized for each course.

At the beginning of the semester, each student will be given a clear and detailed explanation of how grades are determined and what standards must be met for each course.

The temporary grade “I” may be submitted only in the following cases:

• Whenever the student was absent from the final examination for an acceptable reason.
• Whenever the student has failed, because of acceptable reason, to complete all assignments.

It is the responsibility of the student to initiate action to remove an “I” that he has received. If the “I” is not resolved by the end of the following semester, it automatically becomes an “F”.

Grades submitted at the end of each term are considered final.

Students can view their grades through the student management system.  Hard copies are available on request in the Records Office.

Quality points are based on the total hours attempted. A GPA of less than 2.0 is unsatisfactory for purposes of graduation and transfer of credit to four-year institutions.

Z-GRADE - The “Z” grade is assigned for Advanced Placement (AP) credit, for credit by examination as in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and for credit based on Armed Forces experiences. (The “Z” grade may also be awarded for specified and approved educational experiences and represents academic credit earned.) The “Z” grade is comparable to a grade of “C” or higher and does indicate passing. “Z” grades do not affect the student’s grade point average and are not used in computing academic honors. “Z” grades are awarded by the Registrar of the college and are not subject to change.

Repeat Course Policy

Effective Fall 2005, a student will be permitted to retake up to two different courses (limited to Northeast courses only), not to exceed eight semester hours, in which he or she made a “D” or “F”, with the original grade remaining on the transcript; but not counted toward the student’s institutional GPA. Only the higher grade will be computed in the institutional GPA. A student may retake a course only once under this policy and it must be taken at Northeast. Some courses may not be eligible for this policy. Students may not retake a course in which an “F” was received as a sanction for academic misconduct. This Repeat Course Policy is only in effect for Northeast and may not apply at other institutions.

After Fall 2017, effective Fall 2017, repeated courses that are taken at Northeast Mississippi Community College are excluded at the end of each semester, leaving only the highest grade to count in the student’s GPA. Courses will be marked “E” for exclusion from the GPA. Health Science Program Courses: DMS, DHT, MET, MLT, NUR, PNV, RCT, and RGT are not eligible for exclusion.

Repeated courses are automatically excluded by the student management system at the end of each semester, leaving only the highest grade to count in the student’s GPA.

Limitation on Catalog of Record

The catalog under which a student first enters a degree program is referred to as a Catalog of Record. A student must complete their degree program within five years to graduate under the Catalog of Record. Students taking longer than five years to complete their degree program must meet the degree requirements listed in the current catalog at the time of graduation.

Auditing Courses

1. Regularly enrolled students and others may audit a course with permission of the  Registrar or Vice President of Instruction.
2. Any student who audits a course is expected to complete all work except the final examination.
3. No credit may be granted for audit courses.
4. No laboratory work may be audited.
5. Tuition is charged for auditing courses.

Grade Appeal

Access to the records by students and parents of dependent students may be gained by written request, specifying the records to be released, the reason for their release, and to whom. The request must be signed, dated, and submitted to the Records Office. After examination of the records, the student can challenge entries and add factual, explanatory information to the records. This challenge does not give the student the right to question the appropriateness of a grade (grades earned by taking the final examination) but instead does allow for the examination of the correctness of the recording of the grade that has been given by an instructor. If the College does not amend a record as requested, the student will be notified and informed of the right to a hearing. Results of hearings will be given in writing to eligible students according to procedures that shall include:

1. Hearings will be conducted within a reasonable time frame;
2. Parents and/or eligible students will be given notice of the date, place, and time of the hearing;
3. The hearing will be conducted by an official of the institution, named by the President of the College, who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing;
4. Parents and/or eligible students can present evidence relevant to the issue and may be represented by individuals including attorneys; and
5. Decisions will be given in writing in a reasonable period and will be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing.

The College must keep a log of all parties, other than College employees, who have requested or obtained access to a student’s records. This log will contain the reason why access was requested. The log will not be made available to anyone other than the student and the College employees.

When information concerning a student is requested by a third party, they must be notified that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits the college from sharing information with any outside party without written permission from the student.

A complete copy of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is available in the Records Office.

Forgiveness Grade Policy

Academic Forgiveness offers a fresh start to students who have been separated from the college for at least two (2) consecutive semesters and wish to re-enroll.  Under this policy, the student may receive W’s for any courses with F’s or D’s within a single semester.  The student will retain credits for any courses in which a grade of C or better was earned.

Academic Forgiveness can be granted only once during a student’s career at NEMCC.

By federal regulation, the Financial Aid Office must include all courses attempted in evaluating a student’s satisfactory academic progress.  There will be no “automatic” eligibility for aid based on academic forgiveness.

A student receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration will not be reimbursed for repeating courses previously passed.

This policy applies to NEMCC records only.  In case of transfer to another institution, students will be bound by that college’s terms and conditions for accepting transfer credits.  This can only be used for coursework after 1993.  Grades before this period are archived and cannot be changed.

Makeup Work

The student must make appointments for required makeup work and other matters. However, instructors are not expected to give individual attention or make-up tests that have resulted from the student’s being absent without justifiable reason. The student can normally expect an “F” for the test or quiz missed due to the absence under this condition. Arrangements for completing approved make-up work must be made with the instructor within two weeks.

Satisfactory Progress

Students enrolled in the college are expected to demonstrate performance in their coursework sufficient to lead to the eventual completion of their program. The following is a summary of the progress requirements for the various program types:

A student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 to remain in “Good Standing” with the college. Students who fail to maintain this status for one semester are designated on “Probation”. A student may be classified as probation for one term. If he/she does not meet the cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 by the end of his/her second consecutive semester in residence, he/she will be suspended for one semester. A student who has been suspended may request readmission from the  Instruction Office. If a suspended student is readmitted, he/she must reach a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 by the end of the second semester following his/her return or he/she will be excluded from the college

Veterans

The college is approved to train veterans and war orphans under the existing public laws.

An individual may attend or participate in a course of education if the individual provides a certificate of eligibility under Chapter 31 or 33.  The student may attend the course, beginning on the date the student provides a COE until the earlier date VA provides payment to the school or 90 days after the school certifies tuition and fees.  The school does not impose any penalty, including assessing late fees,  denial of access to classes,  libraries,  or school facilities,  or require the student to borrow additional funds due to the inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution as a result of delayed payments for education assistance under Chapter 31 or 33, unless the student is less than 100% covered.

• A student receiving benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 35, 1606, 33 (Post 9/11), and VRAP must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0. If the required GPA is not met by the end of the second consecutive semester in residence the student will be suspended by the college. Students will need to follow the published guidelines for suspended/excluded students.
• An individual may attend or participate in a course of education if the individual provides a certificate of eligibility under Chapter 31 or 33. The student may attend the course, beginning on the date the student provides a COE until the earlier date VA provides payment to the school or 90 days after the school certifies tuition and fees. The school does not impose any penalty, including assessing late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries or school facilities, or require the student to borrow additional funds due to the inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution as a result of delayed payments for education assistance under Chapter 31 or 33, unless the student is less than 100% covered.

For additional questions please contact:

US Department of Veteran's Affairs
800.698.2411
Education and Training Home (va.gov)

Northeast Mississippi Community College
Chassie Kelly
Ramsey Hall 
cmkelly@nemcc.edu 

The Mississippi State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Mississippi. Our office investigates complaints from GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email at saa@msva.ms.gov.

Academic Dismissal

3. The procedures outlined below will be followed in the process of a dismissal hearing for a student due to an act committed which is academic or while in a clinical or training, setting that is not in compliance with the standards taught or not within the role of the student.

   The instructor of the student, the program director, and the division head of the division in which the student is enrolled determine if an academic dismissal is appropriate. This committee will submit written charges against the student to include the time and place where the offense occurred and a written decision for or against academic dismissal. Students may appeal to the Vice President of Health Sciences or the Vice President of Instruction (depending on which program the course is in).  The Vice President of Health Sciences or Vice President of Instruction will render a decision in writing within three (3) working days. The student may be suspended from class(es) until a decision is reached.

   If a student chooses to appeal further, the student needs to notify the Vice President of Instruction or the Vice President of Student Services. The Vice President of Instruction and Vice President of Student Services will then assemble the Student Appeal Committee to review the charges brought against the student. The Vice President of Student Services will notify the student in writing of specific charges brought against him/her within three (3) working days of notification from the Vice President of Instruction. The letter will include the time and place of said offense and the time and place of a formal hearing before the Student Appeal Committee. The letter will also notify the student that he/she may be accompanied by a legal advisor at his/her own expense. The student will receive notification three working days in advance of the hearing.

   The student will be informed that witnesses may appear in his/her behalf. The student charged may confront and question witnesses testifying against him/her at the hearing. The chairman of the committee will take necessary action to maintain an orderly hearing.

   A recommendation for dismissal will require 2/3 of the Student Appeal Committee membership voting against the student. A record of the vote will become a part of the record of the hearing.

   The Vice President of Student Services will notify the student in writing within three (3) working days from the date of the hearing of the committee’s findings and of the action to be taken. The decision of the Student Appeals Committee is considered final.  

   If this issue is a “critical incident,” the student may not attend clinical until the situation has been resolved.

   The record of the hearing will be kept on file in the office of the Vice President of Student Services, Vice President of Instruction, Vice President of Health Sciences, and the Division Head in the division in which the student is enrolled.