Policies

Absences: In the administration of its attendance policy, Pierpont Community & Technical College recognizes two kinds of excused absences: (1) the institutional absence, resulting from participation in an activity in which the student officially represents Pierpont; and (2) the unavoidable absence, resulting from illness, death in the family, or other causes clearly beyond the student’s control. Other types of student absences may be regarded as either excused or unexcused at the discretion of the student’s instructor or program of study. Pierpont relies chiefly on its faculty to encourage a reasonable pattern of class attendance and on the maturity of its student body to establish such a pattern. Each instructor shall make available on the first day of class what the attendance requirements are and what penalties shall be imposed for nonattendance.

If an instructor establishes a policy penalizing absent students by lowering their grades, the instructor MUST distribute a written statement of this policy to the student during the first class period of the term. The statement should contain precise information relating to a percentage of grades cut per unexcused absence and the instructor’s definition of an excused or unexcused absence. Responsibility for establishing that an absence is “excused” subsequently rests with the student, who must explain the absence to the instructor at the first class meeting following the absence. The instructor is not permitted to require a doctor’s excuse; however, the student should be prepared to give a plausible account of the absence.

In cases where the student’s grade is jeopardized by the instructor’s ruling that the absence is unexcused, the student may appeal for re-evaluation to the Registrar. Before the class meets again, the student must petition the School Dean as determined by the Registrar to investigate the case and make a ruling. If the instructor’s judgment is overruled, the instructor would then have the option of appealing to the Academic Appeals Board. The ruling of the Academic Appeals Board is final.

If the student does not request an evaluation of the absence by the instructor at the first class meeting following the absence, the student is regarded as having agreed that the absence was properly unexcused.

Procedure for Appeals Not Otherwise Provided for Certain Academic Penalties

Section 6 (appeals of the Pierpont Policy 18 - Student Academic Rights) contains the policies and procedures by which a student may appeal or challenge any academic penalties imposed by a faculty member of Pierpont.

Pierpont provides published appeal procedures for final course grades, academic probation, and academic suspension. Other academic penalties not covered by published procedures such as penalties imposed by an instructor in accordance with Section 5.2 of Policy 18, maybe appealed as follows:

1. The student shall contact the instructor to resolve the matter. (At this point and at all levels, the required meeting shall be held as soon as possible but in no instance exceed the time limits set forth in Policy 18.)
2. If the student does not receive satisfaction after contacting the instructor, he or she may appeal to the program Coordinator or Dean of the School of the instructor, indicating the purpose of the appeal in writing. If the instructor is the program Coordinator or Dean of the School, the written appeal shall be sent to the College Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs who shall take the Deans or Coordinators part in the procedure.
3. If either the student or instructor is not satisfied with the decision of the Coordinator or Dean, either may submit a written appeal to the Chair of the Academic Appeals Board Committee. The Chair shall schedule a meeting as soon as possible to hear the case and render a decision. The Committee shall observe the procedure set forth in Section 6.3.2 of Policy 18.
4. The student or the instructor may appeal the Committee’s decision in writing to the President of Pierpont or designee. The decision of the President or his/her designee regarding an academic appeal will be final.

The procedure prescribed herein shall also be followed in appeals of academic dismissal from a limited enrollment program, except such an appeal will begin with the Dean of the School. Further, the provisions of Section 7 of Policy 18 shall be applied in appeals of academic dismissal.

Grade Appeal (Protection Against Prejudicial or Capricious Academic Evaluation Appeal Procedure - Revised 2013)

It is the policy of Pierpont Community & Technical College that students are responsible for fulfilling prescribed course objectives, completing stated course assignments, and adhering to stated academic standards for each course in which they are enrolled. Students’ grades will be based solely on performance measured by academic-related standards, and students will not be penalized for taking reasoned exception to views expressed in the academic forum.

Except in certain unusual circumstances, the following procedures must be followed in sequence by students who believe their grade to be unfair for the above reasons, although the deadline dates may be accelerated with consent from both parties at the departmental level. Failure of the student to meet any of the deadlines in this process voids the appeal.

• Students must contact the instructor involved within 30 days of the term immediately following grade issuance. Errors in evaluation or misunderstanding of the grading system of the instructor may be resolved in this way. If for some unforeseen reason, the instructor is unavailable in that period, students must inform the Office of Academic Affairs in writing by completing the Academic Complaint Form within 30 days of the term immediately following the grade issuance that they question their final evaluation in the course. The Office will refer the complaint to the appropriate School Dean or Program Coordinator who is then charged with contacting that instructor to attempt resolution.

• If students do not receive satisfaction from consultation with the instructor and believe their grade to be the result of prejudicial or capricious evaluation, or that it reflects discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, they may appeal the grade. The student will inform the Office of Academic Affairs of their intent to appeal by completing the Academic Complaint Form. The Office of Academic Affairs will refer the appeal to the Dean of the School of the instructor in writing of their intent to appeal, including a summary of the reason(s) and the grade they feel they deserve. The notification must be filed within the first ten school days that school is in session following the semester or term for which the grade was received. Summer school grades may be appealed within the first ten days of the fall term. If the instructor is also the Dean, or Associate Dean of the School, this notice of intent to appeal shall be sent to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, who shall take the Dean or Assistant Deans part in the next procedure.

• Upon being notified of the appeal, the School Dean (Provost/VPAA, if applicable) will schedule a meeting of the program Coordinator, the student, and the instructor. This meeting should be scheduled within ten school days of the notification, except for extraordinary circumstances, in which case it would be as soon as possible. At this meeting, in an informal conference, the Dean should try to resolve the issue between the student and instructor. All pertinent information must be presented to the issue. Written copies of this decision shall be forwarded immediately to the Office of Academic Affairs, and Provost/VPAA, the Coordinator, instructor and student, with off-campus mail being sent certified or registered. This correspondence should specify the next possible stage in the appeal process and should also specify the exact deadline date of any further appeal. That date shall be ten school days from the mailing date of the Dean’s decision.

• If either the student or the instructor is not satisfied with the decision of the Dean, an appeal may be made to the Office of Academic Affairs within the specified deadline period. The appealer must send written notice of intent to appeal within ten school days of the mailing date of the Dean’s mailing, unless postal officials verify that the party did not receive the earlier correspondence within the specified period. The case will be sent to the Academic Appeals Board.

• The procedures of the Academic Appeals Board are outlined in the Pierpont Faculty Senate by-laws. The Appeals Board will hear the case and may call in the student, instructor and/or Dean. A decision will be made to uphold the Dean’s decision or to reverse it by the Appeals Board. Notice of this decision will be sent from the Appeals Board Chair to the student, instructor, and Dean, with off-campus mail being certified or registered. This correspondence shall also outline the next possible step in this process and shall specify the exact date (ten school days following this mailing) of the next deadline.

• If either the student or the instructor is not satisfied with the decision of the Academic Appeals Board, an appeal may be made to the President or his/her designee. The appealer must send written notice of intent to appeal within ten school days of the mailing date of the Appeal Board Chair mailing, unless postal officials verify that the party did not receive the earlier correspondence within the specified period. The decision of the President or his/her designee regarding an academic appeal is final.

Academic Achievement:  President’s and Dean’s List

Full-Time students are eligible for the President and Dean’s list.  To be recognized on the President’s list, a student must achieve a 4.0 semester GPA.  To be recognized on the Dean’s list, a student must achieve a 3.40 - 3.99 semester GPA.  Students who receive this academic achievement are included in Pierpont’s notification to local media outlets, unless the student has requested to have their information remain confidential.  (See ‘FERPA Policy’ for additional information about confidential information.)  Additional requirements include:

• The student must complete 12 or more standard-graded (A-F) semester hours.
• All credit/no credit (CR/NC) classes, audited classes, and withdrawn classes are excluded from the calculation.
• Only classes registered and completed at Pierpont Community & Technical College are included in the calculation.
• A student who receives the grade of ‘I’ (Incomplete) is not considered for this achievement until all I’s have been updated to a final grade.

Assessment of Student Academic Achievement

Pierpont Community & Technical College is committed to providing quality educational opportunities and experiences for every student, embracing a process of continuous improvement in teaching and learning, as promoted by the WV Higher Education Assessment Council, the Higher Learning Commission and the West Virginia Community & Technical College System. Our multifaceted assessment program includes electronic portfolio reviews, standardized testing at multiple levels, signature assessments and assignments, traditional course grades, capstone projects, clinical practice reviews and end of program testing. Students participate in ongoing, integrated assessment activities, such as Program Benchmark Testing, End of Program Graduation Tests, and Field Tests for their majors. Student participation in assessment activities helps to ensure the ongoing health and vitality of academic programs and improve the overall educational experience.

Assessment of Student Learning

Nancy W. Parks
Director of Teaching Excellence, Assessment, and Inclusion
(304) 367-4990

Pierpont Community and Technical College is committed to providing quality educational opportunities for all students. This requires a consistent cycle of assessment of student learning.  In particular, all students graduating from a Title IV eligible program in a career/technical field are required to participate in End-of-Program Assessments indicated by their specific degree programs.

Such EOPA’s may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• assessments prescribed by the State of West Virginia Community & Technical College System
• national certifications tests in the field of study
• assessments required of program accreditors. 

These assessments will be coordinated between the academic degree program advisor and the Director of Teaching Excellence, Assessment, & Inclusion.

In addition to EOPA’s for prospective graduates, each Pierpont course has student learning outcomes with aligned assessments that are posted in each course syllabus.  Those learning outcomes and assessments are consistent across instructors and multiple sections. Required assessments may vary across programs and may include standardized tests, capstone course projects, and clinical practicum reviews. Further, each Pierpont student will be asked to participate in the assessment of General Education and will receive invitations to participate at least once prior to graduation. Students may also be asked to participate in other assessments, including institutional surveys. This continual assessment of student learning is to ensure that Pierpont graduates remain competitive in the workplace and in transfer pursuits to other degree programs.  All findings from the assessment of student learning inform curricular revisions to academic programming.

Students with questions about the assessment of student learning at Pierpont may contact the Director or their individual degree program faculty.

Credit Hour Definition and Conversion

Consistent with the U.S. Department of Education and the Carnegie Unit definition, a credit hour is minimally defined as “an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks (or the equivalent amount of work)”.

Effective July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2021

For lecture courses 1 credit hour is no less than 1 contact hour and a minimum of two hours out of class work per week for 15 weeks (or equivalent).

For laboratory courses 1 credit hour is no less than two contact hours and a minimum of two hours of out of class work each week for 15 weeks (or equivalent).

For on-the-job training no less than 160-200 hours are equivalent to 1 credit hour depending on the degree of study.

For practica/clinical and internship credit, the contact time that equates to one credit hour is determined by program of study. Generally a minimum of 40 hours equates to 1 credit.

Effective July 1, 2021

For lecture courses 1 credit hour is no less than 1 contact hour and a minimum of two hours out of class work per week for 15 weeks (or equivalent).

For laboratory courses 1 credit hour is no less than two contact hours and a minimum of two hours of out of class work each week for 15 weeks (or equivalent).

For on-the-job training no less than 160-200 hours are equivalent to 1 credit hour depending on the degree of study.

For practica/clinical and unpaid internship credit, the contact time that equates to one credit hour must meet a minimum of 37.5 hours. The 37.5-hour calculation takes the total contact (clock) hours, divides the total by 37.5, and then rounds down any fraction. The maximum total contact hours will not exceed the range of 45 to 60 hours of work per semester for one credit hour. Paid internships or apprenticeships are determined between the supervising faculty and industry supervisor at the cooperating site. The credit formula is the same as the practica/clinical and unpaid internships for minimum credit hour (total hours/37.5, then round down). However, maximum contact hours may be exceeded and are based on the industry agreements with the program of study.

Grade Reports

Students can access four week, mid-term and final grades by logging into their online Pierpont ROAR account. Go to “Student Records” to view grades. Both “Four-Week” grades and “Midterm” grades can be found on the “Midterm Grades” link in ROAR.

Grading System

The following system of grading is used at Pierpont:

A - Superior	Given only to students for exceptional performance.
B - Good	Given for performance distinctly above average in quality.
C - Average	Given for performance of average quality.
D - Below Average	Lowest passing grade for most courses, performance of poor quality.
F - Failure	Course must be repeated if credit is to be received.
I - Incomplete	A grade of “Incomplete” should be given only in those circumstances where it can be removed by some process such as taking an examination or submitting overdue papers. A grade of “Incomplete” may be given only if students fail to complete a portion of work due to circumstances beyond their control (less than 25% of a course).  A grade of “Incomplete” should not be given if students are required to repeat all or a substantial part of a course in order to remove it. The instructor must submit the Incomplete Grade Form and receive the approval and signature of the Dean. The letter grade of “I” will be omitted from the calculation of the grade point average during the specified time period as described by the instructor on the Incomplete Grade Form. The instructor has the right to determine the appropriate time period needed to complete the work with the maximum being one year. At the end of the specified make-up period, the instructor must submit a final grade for the student using the Registrar’s Office Grade Modification Form. If no grade is received within a year of the Incomplete being entered, the grade will automatically default to an F. Students with grades of “I” or “NR” on their transcript are not eligible for graduation, and their financial aid may be negatively affected.

Courses offered with a credit/no credit grade option will be recorded but will not be reflected in the quality point index or GPA calculation. Credit earned for courses numbered 1100 or greater may count toward graduation. 

A grade of “CR” is equivalent to a “C” or better.  A grade of “NC” is equivalent to a “D” or “F.”

Auditing Courses

Students may be permitted to attend classes as auditors if they obtain written permission from the instructor of the course. Permission can only be granted if there is available enrollment in the course.  No student who enrolls in any class as an auditor may, in the same semester, be considered as enrolled in the class for the purpose of obtaining credit. Auditors are required to complete the regular registration forms and pay regular fees.

Resident Classifications

General

Students enrolling in a West Virginia public institution of higher education shall be classified as resident or nonresident for admission, tuition and fee purposes by the institutional officer designated by the President. The decision shall be based upon information furnished by the student and all other relevant information. The designated officer is authorized to require such written documents, affidavits, verifications, or other evidence as are deemed necessary to establish the domicile of a student. The burden of establishing residency for tuition and fee purposes is upon the student. If there is a question as to residence, the matter must be brought to the attention of the designated officer and acted upon at least two weeks prior to registration and payment of tuition and fees. Students found to have made false or misleading statements concerning their residence shall be subject to disciplinary action and will be charged the nonresident fees for each session therefore attended.

Residence Determined by Domicile

Domicile within the State means adoption of the State as a fixed permanent home and involves personal presence within the State with no intent on the part of the person to return to another state or country. West Virginia domicile may be established upon the completion of at least 12 months of continued residence within the State prior to the date of registration, provided that such residence is not primarily for the purpose of attendance at any institution of learning in West Virginia.

Establishment of West Virginia domicile with less than 12 months’ residence prior to the date of registration must be supported by proof of positive and unequivocal action, including but not limited to the purchase of a West Virginia home, full-time employment within the state, paying West Virginia property tax, filing West Virginia income tax returns, registering to vote in West Virginia and the actual exercise of such right, registering of motor vehicles in West Virginia, and/ or possessing a valid West Virginia driver’s license. Additional items of lesser importance include transferring or establishing local church membership, involvement in local community activities, affiliation with local social, civic, fraternal or service organizations, and various other acts which may give evidence of intent to remain indefinitely within the State. Proof of a number of these actions shall be considered only as evidence which may be used in determining whether or not a domicile has been established.

Minors

Minors are defined by the West Virginia Code -2-2-10 as persons less than 18 years of age. The residence of minors shall follow that of the parents at all times, except in extremely rare cases where emancipation can be proved beyond question. The residence of the father, or the residence of the mother if the father is deceased, is the residence of unmarried and non-emancipated minors. If the father and the mother have separate places of residence, minors take the residence of the parent with whom they live or lived with last or to whom they have been assigned by court order. The parents of minors will be considered residents of West Virginia if their domicile is within the State.

Minor students who are properly admitted to an institution as resident students shall retain that classification as long as they enroll each successive semester.

Emancipated Minors

Emancipated minors may be considered as adults in determining residence, provided satisfactory evidence is presented that neither of their parents, if living, contributes to their support nor claims them as dependents for federal or State income tax purposes. Emancipated minors assume all of the responsibilities of adults to establish residence for tuition and fee purposes. Proof must be provided that emancipation was not achieved principally for the purpose of establishing residence for attendance at an institution of higher education.

Students Eighteen (18) Years of Age or Over

Students 18 years of age or over may be classified as residents if (1) the parents were domiciled in the State at the time the students reached majority and such students have not acquired a domicile in another state, or (2) while adults, students have established a bona fide domicile in the State of West Virginia. Bona fide domicile in West Virginia means that students must not be in the State primarily to attend an educational institution and they must be in the State for purposes other than to attempt to qualify for resident status.

Nonresident students who reach the age of 18 years while students at any educational institution in West Virginia do not by virtue of such fact alone attain residence in this state for admission or tuition and fee payment purposes.

Students who are properly classified as residents at the time they reach the age of 18 shall continue to be classified as residents as long as they enroll each successive semester and do not establish a domicile, or legal residence, in another state.

State Residents 65 Years of Age or Older

Residents of West Virginia who are at least 65 years of age may attend class for credit or audit if space is available. Eligibility will be determined based on appropriate documents reflecting age and residency. Participants will be admitted two weeks after freshman registration begins each term. Registration dates and times and will be published in the Registrar’s Calendar for each term. 

Eligible participants may elect one of two options for enrollment. Participants must identify themselves to Student Services and choose an option at the time of registration.

Audit Option: Eligible participants will be assessed twenty-two dollars ($22.00) per credit hour plus applicable fees (i.e. technology, materials) when appropriate.

Credit Option: Participants electing to earn college credit will be granted a waiver of fifty percent (50%) of the normal tuition and fees for courses. Technology, laboratory, parking and other special fees will be charged at the regular student rate.

Change of Residence

Adult students who have been classified as out-of-state residents and who seek resident status in West Virginia must prove conclusively that they have established domicile in West Virginia with the intention of making their permanent home in this state. The intent to remain indefinitely in West Virginia is evidenced not only by persons’ statements but also by their actions. The designated institutional officer shall consider actions including but not limited to those described above in Section Two, “Residence Determined by Domicile.” Proof of a number of these actions shall be considered only as evidence which may be used in determining whether or not a domicile has been established. Factors militating against a change in residence classification may include such considerations as the fact that students are not self-supporting, that they are carried as dependents on their parents’ federal or state income tax returns or their parents’ health insurance policy, or that they customarily do not remain in the State when school is not in session.

Students may get the necessary paperwork for a change of residence from the Registrar’s Office.

Military

Individuals who are on active military duty or employees of the federal government may be classified as residents for the purpose of payment of tuition and fees, provided that they established a domicile in West Virginia prior to entrance into federal service, entered the federal service from West Virginia, and have at no time while in federal service claimed or established a domicile in another state. Sworn statements attesting to these conditions may be required. The spouse and dependent children of such individuals shall also be classified as residents of the State of West Virginia for tuition and fee purposes. Persons assigned to full-time active military service and residing in West Virginia may be classified as in-state residents for tuition and fee purposes.

Aliens

Aliens in the United States on a resident visa, or those who have filed a petition for naturalization in the naturalization court and who have established a bona fide domicile in West Virginia, may be eligible for resident classification provided they are in the State for purposes other than to attempt to qualify for residency status as students.

Former Domicile

A person who was formerly domiciled in the State of West Virginia and who would have been eligible for an instate residency classification at the time of his/her departure from the state may be immediately eligible for classification as a West Virginia resident provided such person returns to West Virginia within a one-year period of time and satisfies the conditions of Section Two regarding proof of domicile and intent to remain permanently in West Virginia.

Appeal Process

The decisions of the designated institutional officer charged with the determination of residence classification may be appealed to the President of the institution. The President may establish such committees and procedures as determined necessary for the processing of appeals.

Residency Application  

Skill Sets and Advanced Skill Sets

In today’s work world in order for students to remain competitive, they must adapt to change by seeking new knowledge and building upon their current talent to create the ability to perform a specific job. The skill set has been developed to assist the student with facing this challenge. Skill sets are typically several courses designed to prepare the student with specialized skills. Often skill sets are part of the Certificate of Applied Science and/or the Associate degree. Advanced Skill Sets are 12 or more but less than 30 credit hours (or noncredit contact hours, equivalent to 12 or more but less than 30 credit hours) and Basic Skill Sets are fewer than 12 credit hours (or noncredit contact hours, equivalent to fewer than 12 credit hours). Successful completion of courses with a GPA of 2.0 or better will receive an Advanced Skill Set or Skill Set Certificate of completion.

Skill Set and Advanced Skill Set programs alone do not qualify for financial aid. Students seeking financial aid eligible degrees may incorporate the classes as electives when their schedule allows or may declare an Associate or Certificate of Applied Science degree major of study in which the courses are embedded.

Catalog Policy

Pierpont Community & Technical College publishes an academic catalog each Fall and Spring semester, beginning in academic year 2022-2023.  The academic catalog provides current practices, policies, and procedures, along with degree, curriculum, and course requirements.  Pierpont reserves the right to change provisions or requirements at any time to reflect curricular changes, administrative regulations, and procedures, and the institution will notify all faculty, staff, and students timely of these changes.  Academic policies are subject to change and apply to all students regardless of admission term.  The academic catalog is not considered a binding contract between the student and the institution.

Students should keep informed of current degree, curriculum, course requirements, and academic policies.  Students are governed by the catalog in effect as of the term of admission.  Students who change their major will be governed by the catalog in effect as of the effective term of their new major.  Students who sit out one or more semesters (excluding the summer semester) adopt the catalog in effect as of the term of their readmission.

Email Account Policy

The Pierpont e-mail address assigned to a student will serve as the official email address used by the institution for all correspondence including invoices, financial aid notifications, and information from the Student Services Center. The Admissions Office will send an official admission letter informing students of their email account and Unified College Account (UCA) and how to activate the UCA and email account. The Admissions Office will also formally notify students of the institution’s policies regarding the use of Pierpont email for all major institutional correspondence. No other email addresses will be included when emails are sent. The parent email address will be collected at orientation for new students and the first invoice will be sent to those addresses in addition to the student’s address.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) provides students with the right to inspect and review information contained in their educational records, to challenge the contents of their educational records, to have a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory, and to submit explanatory statements for inclusion in their files if they feel the decisions of the hearing panels are unacceptable. Students wishing to review their educational records must contact the campus official in charge of the office in which the records are located. Students may not inspect records to which they have waived their rights of inspection and review.

Within the Pierpont community, members, individually or collectively, acting in the student’s educational interest are permitted to access appropriate student educational records.

At its discretion, the institution may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of the Act.  Directory Information, as defined by Pierpont and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, include:

• Full Name
• Physical/mailing address
• Telephone number
• Age
• Field of Study (Major)
• Dates of Attendance
• Previous Degrees
• Awards Received, including Dean’s list and President’s list designation
• Previous educational agency or institution attended by the student

Students may withhold directory information by emailing Student Services at (studentservices@pierpont.edu).  Students must use their official Pierpont email account when making this request.  By making this request, a student’s record will be considered ‘Confidential’ and will not be included when processing a Directory Request of Information.  Please note that this also includes public notifications of awards, such as the Dean’s list and the President’s list.

Students can give Pierpont permission to release information to other individuals by completing the ‘Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act Release Form.’  By completing this form, the student notifies the institution of who has permission to access their information.

Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 permits Pierpont to disclose academic information to parents of students who establish evidence of the student’s dependency. Dependency status may be established by the presentation of a certified copy of the parents’ most recent federal income tax form listing the student as a dependent.

Compliance with Military Selective Service Act

State law provides that a male person who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years may not enroll in a state-supported institution of postsecondary education unless he is in compliance with the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S. Code, Appendix 451, et seq. and the amendments thereto). A male person may not receive a loan, grant, scholarship or other financial assistance for postsecondary higher education funded by state revenue, including federal funds or gifts and grants accepted by this State, or receive a student loan guaranteed by the State unless he is in compliance with the Military Selective Service Act. Selective Service Act registration information should be available at all United States Postal Service facilities and may be available at some high schools. The Selective Service System also provides information through a web site, https://www.sss.gov.

Firearms, Weapons & Explosives Policy

Exceptions to this policy may be requested in writing to the Campus CFO. Only under very limited circumstances will an exception be granted. Questions regarding the applicability of this policy to specific items must be directed to the Campus CFO.

Any student, faculty or staff member violating this policy shall be subject to the disciplinary policies and procedures applicable to students, faculty or staff in addition to the penalties provided under State law.

Definitions

Firearm: Any device that shoots a bullet, pellet, flare, tranquilizer, spear dart, paintball or other projectile, whether loaded or unloaded, including those powered by CO2. This includes, but is not limited to, guns, air guns, dart guns, pistols, revolvers, rifles, cannons, etc, and any ammunition for any such device.

Weapon: Any device that is designed to or traditionally used to inflict harm. This includes, but is not limited to: 1) firearms, slingshots, switchblades, daggers, blackjacks, brass knuckles, bows and arrows, hand grenades, hunting knives, nun-chucks, throwing stars, etc.; 2) any object that could be reasonably construed as a weapon; or 3) any object legally controlled as a weapon or treated as a weapon under the laws of the State of West Virginia.

Explosives: Any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that contains any oxidizing and combustible units, or other ingredients, in such proportion, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, friction, concussion, percussion, or detonator, or any part of the compound or mixture, may cause a sudden generation of highly heated gases that results in gaseous pressures capable of producing destructive efforts on contiguous objects or of destroying life or limb. This includes, but is not limited to, firecrackers, black powder, dynamite, etc. as well as detonating devices such as detonators, blasting caps, timers, incendiary wire and the like.

English and Mathematics Competency

The West Virginia Community & Technical College System requires that students meet certain score requirements before being permitted to enroll in introductory college-level math and English courses without an additional support course. Any ONE of the following scores will satisfy the requirement to enroll in the respective subject areas without need to enroll in a support course:

English

(ENGL 1104) (three credit hours, three hours per week for fifteen weeks or equivalent time)

• ACT: 18 or above on the English section
• SAT (2016): 500 or above on the Evidenced Based Reading Writing Section
• ASSET: A scaled score of 38 or above on the Writing Skills test
• COMPASS: 71 or above on the Writing Skills Placement test
• ACCUPLACER: 88 or above on the Sentence Skills test
• WV General Summative Assessment: Achievement Level 3 or Higher on the English/Language section.

*Students not meeting state required scores will need to enroll in the ENGL 1104 four credit hour course.

Mathematics

MTH 1200 and MTH 1207 

• ACT: 19 or above on the mathematics section
• SAT-1: 460 or above on the quantitative mathematics portion
• SAT (2016): 500 or above on mathematics portion
• ASSET: A scaled score of 40 or above on the numerical test and 38 or above on the elementary algebra test
• COMPASS: A 59 or above on the pre-algebra test; a 36 or above on the elementary algebra test
• ACCUPLACER: A scaled score of 85 on the arithmetic test for majors requiring quantitative reasoning courses or a scaled score of 76 on the elementary algebra test for majors requiring college algebra or a scaled score of 40 on the college-level math test of the College Obard’s ACCUPLACER Testing System.
• WV General Summative Assessment: Achievement Level 3 or Higher on the Mathematics section.

*Students not meeting state required scores will need to enroll in the MTH 1200 or MTH 1207 four credit hour course. To find placement test scores required for each math course, please check the course descriptions.

Pierpont Community & Technical College offers some placement tests free-of-charge at several of our campus locations for students who have no test scores at the time of admissions, or for those students who would like the opportunity to re-test. For additional information, contact the Director of Advising, Testing, & Assessment at 304-367-4990 or at Nancy.Parks@pierpont.edu.

Transient Credit Policy

Regularly enrolled students who complete work at another accredited institution on a transient basis must secure the written permission of the Registrar before attempting such course work.  This ensures the transferability of the course and the specific articulation of the course.

Official Transcript Policy

Students are entitled to official transcripts of their record as long as all financial and credential requirements are met. Transcripts can be requested electronically through ROAR or via the main homepage.  The cost for each transcript is $8.00 and is delivered electronically.

Academic Complaint Policy

Pierpont provides prompt attention to student concerns:

• If students do not receive satisfaction from (1) consultation with the instructor and (2) the program coordinator and believe their grade to be the result of prejudicial or capricious evaluation, or that it reflects discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, they may appeal the grade. The student will inform the Office of Academic Affairs will refer the appeal to the Dean of the School of the instructor in writing of their intent to appeal, including a summary of the reason(s) and the grade they feel they deserve. The notification must be filed within the first ten school days that school is in session following the semester or term for which the grade was received. Summer school grades may be appealed within the first ten days of the fall term. If the instructor is also the Dean, or Associate Dean of the School, this notice of intent to appeal shall be sent to the Provost/Vice President for Academics and Student Services, who shall take the Dean or Assistant Dean’s part in the next procedure.
• Upon being notified of the appeal, the School Dean (Provost/VPAS, if applicable) will schedule a meeting of the program Coordinator, the student, and the instructor. This meeting should be scheduled within ten school days of the notification, except for extraordinary circumstances, in which case it would be as soon as possible. At this meeting, in an informal conference, the Dean should try to resolve the issue between the student and instructor. All pertinent information must be presented to the issue. Written copies of this decision shall be forwarded immediately to the Office of Academic Affairs, and Provost/VPAASS, the Coordinator, instructor, and student, with off-campus mail being sent certified or registered. This correspondence should specify the next possible stage in the appeal process and should also specify the exact deadline date of any further appeal. That date shall be ten school days from the mailing date of the Dean’s decision.

Academic Complaint Process Infographic    

Academic Complaint Form - RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO THE PIERPONT OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES, SUITE 200 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CENTER, 500 GALLIHER DRIVE, FAIRMONT, WV, 26554    OR SEND VIA EMAIL TO academicaffairs@pierpont.edu.