Academic Policies

GRADING POLICIES

Grading System

Rocky Mountain College uses the Alberta Common Grading Scale as follows:
 

Grade	Grade Point	Grade	Grade Point
A+	4.0	C+	2.3
A	4.0	C	2.0
A–	3.7	C–	1.7
B+	3.3	D+	1.3
B	3.0	D	1.0
B–	2.7	D–	0.7
		F	0.0

P Pass
IN Incomplete
VW Voluntary Withdrawal
AU Audit

The conversion of marks, such as percentage scores, to the Grading Scale does not follow a college–wide system. The relationship between raw scores and the Grading Scale is dependent on the nature of the course and the instructor’s assessment of the performance of the students’ work as compared to common expectations within the discipline for that level of course work and the performance of students in similar courses in other classes and years. The following provides an interpretation of each grade:

A = Excellent — superior performance showing comprehensive understanding of subject matter.
B = Good — clearly above average performance with knowledge of the subject matter generally complete.
C = Satisfactory — basic understanding of subject matter.
D = Inferior work which falls below the expectations of the course but which is of passing quality.
F = Failure to meet the minimum standards required for a passing grade.
P = Represents satisfactory work. Given only in courses specially designated for pass / fail grading.
IN = Incomplete.
VW =Voluntary withdrawal from a course before the course withdrawal deadline.
AU = Audit — No grade awarded. Indicates that a minimum of 75% of classes have been attended.

Grade Point Average

At the end of each semester, a student’s grade point average (G.P.A.) is calculated by totalling the number of grade points earned in each course and dividing by the total number of course hours taken.

Appealing a Grade

Grades for a course are determined by the classroom instructor, guided by the criteria outlined in the course syllabus. If a student has concern that a grade for an assignment, test, or final mark for a course is inaccurate, the student should first consult the course instructor. If consultation with the instructor fails to resolve the concern, the student should present a written appeal to the Academic Dean, who will consult with the course instructor. The student will be notified in writing of the decision, and if it is determined that a student’s grade should be adjusted, the student will receive a revised grade report.

Incomplete Grade

A student must apply to the Registrar and receive permission from the professor to complete course work after the end of a semester and to have an Incomplete (‘IN’) grade applied to the transcript. Work missed must be made up and the final examination taken within four weeks of the end of the semester unless further time is granted by the Academic Dean. If the course is not completed within the revised deadline, an ‘F’ grade will be given.

Academic Probation

Students registered in 9 or more hours and whose grade point average in a previous semester or in high school was below 1.75, are placed on academic probation. Limitations on academic and extracurricular activities may be applied. Students taking less than 9 hours but 6 or more hours in a year have their grade point average considered on an annual basis. Academic probation is removed when the semester G.P.A. achieved is 2.00 or above. A student remaining on academic probation for two consecutive semesters is required to take a semester off before permission is granted to register for another semester. A student may submit a written appeal to the Academic Dean requesting exemption from this policy due to extenuating circumstances.

Class Attendance

Attendance at each class session is important for learning and for the development of personal discipline. Each professor will clearly communicate attendance requirements and penalties for absences in the course syllabus. The Academic Dean reserves the right to determine whether a student who has missed more than three weeks of classes can continue the work of the semester.

Standard for Written Work

Written work is expected to follow standards set by the college. Students are encouraged to purchase the latest edition of A Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian, which gives specific guidelines for preparing papers. First year students are expected to generally adhere to the style manual. Upper level students are expected to adhere to it consistently. APA form and style in written work is required by Bachelor of Arts in Human Services programs.

Tests and Examinations

Mid–semester tests are scheduled by the course instructor as outlined in the course syllabus. Missed tests without prior rescheduling arrangements confirmed with the course instructor will receive 0%. Final examinations, posted by the Registrar early each semester, must be taken as scheduled during the last week of the semester. Travel arrangements for semester–end must be made around the exam schedule. Requests for rescheduling of exams for travel arrangements will not be considered. Missed final examinations will receive 0%. Permission to reschedule an exam requires application to the Registrar in consultation with the course instructor prior to the sitting of the exam.

Rescheduling of an exam without financial penalty may be given if:

• a student has an exam conflict with another RMC exam
• a student has more than two exams scheduled on one day
• a student has a scheduling conflict with another post-secondary institution
• a student has an illness with notification given prior to the examination and a doctor’s note indicating that the student was unable to attend on the scheduled day

Any other approved request for rescheduling an exam requires payment of a re-scheduling fee.

Last Day to Accept Semester Assignments

All assignments for the semester must be submitted by the due dates outlined in the course syllabus. No papers, make up examinations, reading reports, or any other type of assignment will be received after noon of the last day of final examinations, except those granted an Incomplete by prior permission.

Repeating a Course

A student may repeat a course in which a failing or low grade is obtained. The transcript will record each time a course is taken and the grade given. However, only the highest mark is considered in computing the cumulative G.P.A. A course may be retaken only once.

Notification of Results

At the end of each semester, Grade Reports will be issued to students. If there are outstanding fees on a student’s account, Grade Reports will be withheld until payment is made in full.

Transcripts

Transcripts are issued upon written request to the Office of the Registrar. Official transcripts are issued directly to other educational institutions or employers. All financial accounts must be settled in full before a transcript will be issued.

President’s Honour Roll and Dean’s List

Full–time students who complete a semester with a 4.00 G.P.A. are placed on the President’s Honour Roll. Full–time students who complete a semester with a G.P.A. of 3.40 to 3.99 are placed on the Dean’s List.

FIELD EDUCATION

The purpose of Field Education is to ensure practical experience in the vocational area for which the student is preparing. Diploma and degree programs require the completion of a certain number of Field Education units and / or Practicum experiences to meet graduation expectations. Field Education units do not have academic credit value; practicums do receive academic credit. Students should consult the Director of Field Education to discuss the nature of Field Education units required for their program and the process for completing those requirements. For some Field Education experiences a Criminal Record Check is required. Costs may be incurred by the student.

GRADUATION POLICIES

The following obligations must be fulfilled for a student to graduate from an RMC program:

• a student needs to complete the last 30 hours at Rocky Mountain College to graduate from diploma and degree programs and the last 15 hours to graduate from certificate programs. Credit for learning from experience does not apply to these minimum requirements
• all academic requirements must be completed
• Field Education units as required by the student’s program must be completed
• students are to complete at least 6 hours in Bible and theology at RMC even if they have sufficient transfer hours to cover all Bible and theology requirements

Graduation Requirements

• a growing Spirit-directed Christian experience
• a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00 and fulfillment of hour and course requirements. Students are required to have a G.P.A. of at least 2.30 in course work directly related to their major
• completion of any required Field Education units
• approval by the Board of Governors upon recommendation of the faculty

Graduation Honours

Honours are granted to graduating degree candidates according to their cumulative grade point average as follows:
3.40 – 3.69 Cum Laude
3.70 – 3.89 Magna Cum Laude
3.90 – 4.00 Summa Cum Laude

LIBRARY SERVICES

The Rocky Mountain College Library is central to the teaching and learning process since it is the chief intellectual resource of the academic community. The RMC Library collection offers materials that reflect a variety of viewpoints on numerous subjects. Our Library holdings currently total over 36,000 items, including books, video cassettes, audio cassettes and audio visual materials. We also subscribe to approximately 150 periodicals. These current subscriptions, as well as back issues, can be accessed using our periodical indices. The RMC Library exists for many purposes. One of the primary purposes is to serve as a research centre. To aid our students in research we offer a Book Collection, Reference Collection, Periodical Collection, Audio Visual Materials, Video Cassettes, Audio Cassettes, Internet Access, CD ROM programs, etc. A second primary purpose is to serve as a study hall. We provide a number of study carrels, study tables, small study rooms, a computer lab, CD / cassette players, VCR and DVD players. Students may access our library catalogue from the Internet through our website.

Library Sources Outside RMC

The City of Calgary offers many other research resources which are available to our students. The University of Calgary Library is close at hand. The Calgary Public Library (CPL) has a large branch library located close to our campus. RMC students need only purchase a CPL card to obtain access to thousands of resource materials. At the same time our students can apply for a free Alberta Library Card which gives them borrowing privileges at many public and private libraries across Alberta including the University of Calgary Library.