Dual Enrollment Student Handbook
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Reference Guide for Students and Parents 2024-2025
Greetings
FromOurPresident
WelcometoVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege!
Youhavemadeawonderfuldecision:bychoosingtotake collegecourseswhileyouarestillinhighschool,youare gettingaheadstartonagreatfuture. Throughyourschool’s partnershipwithVHCC,youwillsavetimeandmoneyasyou earncollegecreditsthatcantransferrighttouniversitiesor prepareyouforahigh-payingcareer.
VHCChasacommittedteamofprofessionalsreadytoserve you,andwearewithyoueachstepoftheway-fromyourfirst dualenrollmentclasstodiscussingtransferandcareer options,andeverythinginbetween. Wehavealsodesigned thishandbooktoprovideimportantinformationforyouand yourfamily. AtVHCC,we’rededicatedtoyoursuccess,and we’rereadytohelp.
Asyoucompleteyourhighschooljourneyandtakecollegecourses,Ihopeyouwilllearnmore aboutVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege. Youcanchoosefrom80differentprogramsofstudy, includingfullyonlineprograms,andusethecreditsyouareearningnowtowardadegreeor certificate. And,withmorethan80%ofourstudentsreceivingfinancialaid,you’llsaveevenmore moneyasyoucontinueyoureducation. Visitvhcc.edutolearnmore.
IamsogladyouhavechosenVHCC,andweareproudtobeyourcollege. Congratulationsagain, andIlookforwardtoyoursuccess!
DR ADAMHUTCHISON President
FromOurDualEnrollmentSpecialist
Congratulationsontakingthefirststepinenhancingyourhighschool experiencebyparticipatinginthedualenrollmentprogramat VirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege!Wearethrilledtowelcome youtotheVHCCWolfPack,andweareveryexcitedthatyouhave madethedecisiontobegincollegeandyourcareerEARLY!This handbookwillbeverybeneficialtoyouonyourcollegejourney.I inviteyoutocontactmeifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingdual enrollmentatVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege.
Bestregards,
TRACIMITCHELL Coordinator of Dual Enrollment and High School Programs
The policies and guidelines in this handbook are subject to change dependent upon any unforeseen emergency situations. In the event of an emergency situation, you will be provided with any applicable alternate instructions.
Program Explanation
Dual Enrollment History
Eventhoughtheoptionoftakingcertaincollege-levelcourseswhilestillinhighschoolwas availablethroughVHCCasearlyasthemid-tolate1990’s,dualenrollmentwasnotfully implementeduntilthespringsemesterof1997,whenthefirstcourseswereofferedatHolstonHigh School.Bythefallof1999,dualenrollmentwasavailableatallhighschoolsinourserviceregionas wellasneighboringJohnsonCountyinTennessee.Dr.EdwinHardison,VicePresidentofInstruction andStudentServicesduringtheearlydualenrollmentmovement,recognizedthattheearlysuccess oftheprogramwas“notonlyintermsofthenumberofareahighschoolstudentswhohavebegun theircollegeeducationswiththisprogram,butalsobecauseofthebenefitstoCollege/community relations.”
Fastforwardto2020-2021academicyear,andthedualenrollmentprogramatVHCCcontinuesto flourishandrepresentsapproximately20%ofallcollegeenrollment. Inrecognitionofthevital importanceofassuringthatthecollegecoursesofferedinhighschoolareofthesamequalityand rigorasthesamecoursesofferedoncampus,theVirginiaCommunityCollegeSystem(VCCS) adoptedapolicyinSeptember2018outliningconcurrentenrollmentqualitystandardsforall communitycollegesintheCommonwealth.CurrentCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHigh SchoolProgramsagreesthatthesestandardsareanimportantallytotheprogram.
“Students also have the opportunity, should they elect to, to complete a General Studies Associate degree or a Uniform Certificate of General Studies by their graduation date from high school.”
“VHCC’sdualenrollmentprogramcanhelpstudentsnotonlystrengthentheirhighschool transcriptbytakingcollege-levelcourseworkwhileinhighschool,butstudentsalsohavethe opportunity,shouldtheyelectto,tocompleteaGeneralStudiesAssociatedegreeoraUniform CertificateofGeneralStudiesbytheirgraduationdatefromhighschool.Throughthese opportunities,highschoolstudentscanexperienceacademicsuccess,atthecollegelevel,andlearn manyvaluableacademicskillswhichwillenablethemtocontinuewiththeirpost-secondary educationopportunitieswithmuchmoreconfidence.”
Dual Enrollment Mission
Dualenrollmentisaninstructionalprogramthatprovidesawaytoadvancethecollegeexperience andequitytohighereducationwiththesamestandardsandqualityasareconsistentwiththose establishedonthecollegecampus.TheCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHighSchoolPrograms atVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege(VHCC)isdedicatedtoestablishingstrongnetworks betweenthesecondaryandpostsecondaryeducatorsresultinginaseamlesstransitionforstudents astheymovefromhighschooltocollege.Throughthiscommitment,weprovideanaccessible, affordableandflexibleavenueforhighschoolstudentstoaccelerateintoadvancedpostsecondary education.
Dual Enrollment Purpose
TheDualEnrollmentprogramvaluesacademicexcellence,collaboration,andinformationsharing. Ourpurposeistopromotepartnershipswithschoolsanddistrictstosharecurriculaandhighimpactpractices,introducestudentstocollegeculture,andtohelppreparehighschoolstudentsfor post-secondaryopportunitiesatVHCC.Thisisanexceptionalopportunitytoexperiencecollege courseworkandearncollegecreditswhilecompletingtherequirementsforahighschooldiploma.
DualEnrollmentFocusedOrganizationalChart
Dualenrollmentadministrationfallsunderthegeneraldirectionofthecollege’sVicePresidentofInstructionandStudentServices.TheCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHigh SchoolProgramsoverseestheday-to-dayoperationalaspectofadministeringandverifying testingscoresandpre-requisitesforstudentswishingtotakedualenrollmentclassesas wellasenrollmentofstudentsintodualclasseseachsemester.Careercoaches,underthe directionoftheVicePresidentandinconjunctionwiththeCoordinatorofDualEnrollment andHighSchoolPrograms,workwithhighschoolguidancecounselorstoassiststudents withdevelopmentofindividualizedcareerplans,andtoprovidestudents,parents,and secondary/postsecondarystaffandfacultywithcommunitycollegeandtransitional programinformation.
FIGURE 1: Organization Chart
DefinitionofaDualEnrollmentStudent
Adualenrollmentstudentisdefinedasastudentwhoispursuingahighschooldiplomaand isconcurrentlyenrolledinoneormorecollege-creditbearingcoursestaughtatthehigh schoolbyVHCCapprovedhighschoolteacher(s).ThedualenrollmentprogramatVHCC servesstudentsfromBristol,VAcityschools,SmythCountyschools,andWashington County,VAschools
AVHCCprofessorworksdirectlywiththehighschoolteacherindevelopingthecollegelevelcurriculumforthecourse.Additionally,thehighschoolteachermustmeetthe necessarysubjectmattercredentialsandotherVHCCprofessionaldevelopment requirementstoteachthecourseasoutlinedbythesyllabus.Thedualenrollmentcourses willhavethesamerequirementsasthoseofferedoncampusatVHCCandcarrythesame collegecredituponsuccessfulcompletionofthecourse.ThegradereceivedfromVHCCwill bereflectedonthestudent’sofficialVHCCtranscript.Thestudentcanrequestanofficial transcriptatanytimethroughwww.parchment.com.
DefinitionofPassportandUniformCertificateofGeneralStudies(UCGS)
• IncompliancewithaVirginialegislativemandate,theGeneralEducationCertificatewill transitiontobeknownastheaUniformCertificateofGeneralStudies(UCGS).
• Passport–ThePassportgivesstudentsconfidencethat16creditsofcourseworkwill transfertoVirginia’spublicandsomeprivateinstitutionsandsatisfy16creditsof generaleducationrequirements. Thecoursebundlemustbecompletedbyselecting onecoursefromthePassportrosterineachofthefollowingareas:written communications,humanities/finearts/history,social/behavioralscience,natural science,andmathematics. ThekeytothePassportisabalancedportfolio demonstratingstudents’educationalexperience. AllgradesmustbeCorhigherto transfer. ThemostcurrentPassportrostercanbefoundat https://www.schev.edu/docs/default-source/institutionsection/guidancepolicy/policies-and-guidelines/approved-passport-course-roster.pdf
• UniformCertificateofGeneralStudies–UCGS–TheUCGSprogramexpandsonthe Passporttosatisfy30creditsofgeneraleducationrequirements. LikethePassport,this 10-coursebundlemustbecompletedbyselectingcoursesofftheUCGSrosterinwritten communication(2courses),humanities/finearts/literature(2courses),history(1 course),social/behavioralscience(1course),naturalscience(1course),and mathematics(1course). Twoadditionalcoursesarecompletedfromthespecialized generaleducationblock. AllgradesmustbeCorhighertotransfer. Themostcurrent UCGSrostercanbefoundathttps://tinyurl.com/TransferVA
BenefitsandObjectivesofDualEnrollment
Benefitsandobjectivesofdualenrollmentincludethefollowing:
• InalignmentwiththeVHCCmission,thedualenrollmentprogramprovidesearlyaccess tocollegelevelcourseworktoourserviceareastudentswhiletheyarestillinhigh school.
• Collegecoursesofferedinthehighschoolareofthesamequalityandrigorasthe coursesofferedonthecampusofVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege
• Instructorsteachingcollegecoursesthroughthedualenrollmentprogrammeetthe academicrequirementforinstructorsteachingatVHCCandareprovideddisciplinespecificprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities
• Thedualenrollmentprogramcreatesacontinuumoflearningfromhighschoolto college.
• Highschoolstudentsareabletoprogresstowardtheirnextacademicgoalwithout havingtowaituntilhighschoolgraduation.
• StudentscanearncollegecreditsthatmayapplytowardgraduationatVHCCoranother collegeoruniversity.
• Thetimerequiredforhighschoolstudentstocompleteanundergraduatedegreeis shortened.
• Duplicationofcoursestakeninhighschoolandincollegecanbeeliminated.
• Participationinthedualenrollmentprogramsharpensstudents’generalacademic preparednessforcollege.
• Awiderrangeofcourseoptionsforhighschoolstudentsisavailable.
• Successfulcompletionofdualenrollmentcourseshelpstolowerthecostfor postsecondaryeducation.
• Dualenrollmentoptionsincreaseflexibilityinschedulingcoursesatafour-yearschool andmayprovideopportunitiesforsemester-longinternshipexperiences.
• Thesuccessfulcompletionofanassociatedegreethroughdualenrollmentmayprovide scholarshipopportunitieswithfour-yearschools.
• Whilestillinhighschool,studentsmayearntheGovernor’sScholarProgramDegree; eithera31-33-credit UniformCertificateofGeneralStudies,oranAssociateDegree.
Downloadthecompleteguide:https://tinyurl.com/Transfer-DE-Guide
Dual Enrollment Support
TeachersandCounselors
Teachersandhighschoolcounselorsareanessentialcomponenttothedualenrollmentprocess. HighschoolteacherswhomeetVHCCcriteriaforteachingthecourseareentrustedtoconveythe spiritoftheVHCCexperienceintheirclassroom.Theyreflecttheintegrityoftheprogramandare regardedwithahighlevelofprofessionalrespect.Counselorsoftenareinstrumentalinseeking opportunitiesfortheirstudentsthatchallengethestatusquo.Theyassistinpreparingstudentsfor lifebeyondhighschooland,oftentimes,spendcountlesshoursbehindthescenestoensure studentsreachthegoalstheysetfortheirfuture.VHCCgreatlyappreciatesthecommitmentand dedicationthatteachersandcounselorsgivetostudentsandtheirfuturesuccesses.
CollegeNavigators
CollegeNavigatorsarecommunitycollegeemployeesbasedinlocalhighschoolswiththemission tohelphighschoolstudentsdefinetheircareeraspirationsandrecognizepostsecondaryprograms andservicesthatcanhelpstudentsachievetheirgoals.
CollegeNavigatorshelpempowerstudentstomakeinformeddecisionsabouttheircareerand educationalplansandtopreparestudentsforsuccessinpostsecondaryeducationandtraining. CollegeNavigators:
• Administercareerassessments;
• Facilitatethedevelopmentofindividualcareerplansandportfolios;
• Shareinformationoncareersandcareerpathways;
• Connectstudentstoearlycollegeprogramssuchasdualenrollment;
• Administerplacementtestsatthehighschool;and
• Easethetransitionofstudentsfromhighschooltopostsecondaryeducation/training.
AlistoftheVHCCCollegeNavigatorsandtheschool(s)theyservearelistedinFigure2:
School
AbingdonHighSchool
ChilhowieHighSchool
HolstonHighSchool
JohnS.BattleHighSchool
KarenReid kreid@vhcc.edu (276)739-3204
SongiaWidener swidener@vhcc.edu (276)646-8966
KathleenButtolph kbuttolph@vhcc.edu (276)739-4003
MaressaMonk mmonk@vhcc.edu (276)642-5313
NorthwoodHighSchool
PatrickHenryHighSchool
SmythCareer&Technical School
VirginiaHighSchool
SongiaWidener swidener@vhcc.edu (276)496-7751
KathleenButtolph kbuttolph@vhcc.edu (276)739-3705
SongiaWidener swidener@vhcc.edu (276)739-4003
JoHutton jhutton@vhcc.edu (276)821-5850
FIGURE 2: VHCC College Navigator by High School
Student Admission and Registration
Enrollment Eligibility for Dual Enrollment
Dualenrollmentisconsideredanexceptionalprogramdesignedforhighschooljuniorsandseniors. Freshmanandsophomorestudentswhoareabletodemonstratereadinessforcollegelevel courseworkwillbeconsideredforenrollmentonanindividualbasis.Itisexpectedthatallstudents meetplacementcriteriapriortoenrollingincollegecoursework.Freshmanandsophomore studentsrequirealetterofendorsementfromthehighschoolprincipalandtheapprovalofan academicdeanandpresidentofVHCC.
StudentsapplyforadmissionstoVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollegeandmustmeettheVCCS AdmissioncriteriainordertobeadmittedtotheCollege.ThebasicmathandEnglishcollege readinessadmissionrequirementsmaybedemonstratedbyGradePointAverage(GPA)3.0or higher.AlgebraISOLorcertainPSAT,SATandACTscorescouldbeusedtowaivetheGPA requirement.Note:StudentswhohaveappliedtootherVirginiacommunitycollegesmuststill applytoVHCC.Studentswhofallbelowthe3.0GPAthresholdanddonothavequalifying standardizedtestscoresmayberequiredtocompeteVirginiaPlacementTesting.
Dual Enrollment Admissions Process
ForHighSchoolStudents
Theadmissionsprocesschecklistbelowisforstudentswhoarecurrentlyenrolledinanyhigh schoolinourserviceregion.
CompleteandsubmitanonlineVHCCapplication. VHCCApplicationfor Admission
ProvidehighschoolGPAdocumentationorsubmit appropriatePSAT,ACTorSATscoreswiththename includedonthescores.
Completeanycourseprerequisitesasevidencedonthehigh school/collegetranscript.
Completetheappropriateenrollmentformsandsecure necessarysignatureseachtimethestudentregistersfor courses.
DualEnrollment ParticipationForm
ForHomeschoolStudents
VHCCrecognizesandsupportsthehomeschoolcommunitywithinourserviceregionandis committedtomeetingtheneedsofthehomeschoolstudent.Thefollowinginformationishowa homeschoolstudentshouldenrollindualenrollmentclasses:
CompleteandsubmitanonlineVHCCapplication. VHCCApplicationfor Admission
Obtainaletterofapprovalfromtheschooldivision regardinghomeschoolinstructionorreligiousexemption.
ProvideGPAdocumentationorsubmitappropriatePSAT, ACTorSATscores,ORotherplacementtestwaivers,with thenameincludedonthescores.
ProvideacopyofthemostrecentRequiredEducational Testingresultsfromspringtesting.Ifnotestingresultsare availabletoverifygradelevelstatus,studentmustmeetwith thediscipline-specificdeanforthecoursesforwhichthe studentwishestoenrollandobtainasignaturefromthe deanapprovingthestudentcantakethecourse.
Completetheappropriateenrollmentformsandsecure necessarysignatureseachtimethestudentregistersfor courses.
DualEnrollment ParticipationForm
StudentandparentsmustmeetwiththeCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHighSchoolPrograms toprovidealloftheabove-mentioneddocumentationandtoenrollinthecourse(s).
High School Credit for Dual Enrollment Courses
Whilesatisfactorycompletionofalldualenrollmentcoursesconveyscollegecredit,notallcollege courseswillsatisfyhighschoolgraduationrequirements.Studentsseekinghighschoolandcollege creditshouldworkwithahighschoolcounselortoselectcoursesthatwillmeethighschool graduationrequirements. The college does not advise students on high school graduation requirements.
Credit by Exam: CLEP
AdualenrollmentstudentmayearncollegecreditbysuccessfullypassingtheCollegeLevel ExaminationProgram(CLEP)exams;however,theseexamswillnotcounttowardhighschool graduationinaCommonwealthofVirginiahighschool.Homeschoolstudentsandtheirparents mustdetermineifCLEPcreditappliestowardhighschoolgraduation.
Governor’s Scholars
PublicschooldivisionsandVirginia’scommunitycollegesworkcollaborativelytoprovidestudents theopportunitytoearnapost-secondarydegreeoraone-year UniformCertificateofGeneral Studiesfromacommunitycollegeconcurrentwithahighschooldiploma.Studentswhoearn collegecreditsthroughdualenrollmentand/orAP*maybeabletoobtainaUniformCertificateof GeneralStudiesortheAssociatedegreebythetimetheygraduatefromhighschool.
*NOTE: students must score a 3 or higher on each AP subject exam the student wishes to have considered for credit toward the Certificate or Degree**.
ThesestudentsaredesignatedasGovernor’sScholars,receiveaGovernor’smedallionandare recognizedatboththeirhighschoolgraduationandVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege commencement.
TomakeanappointmenttolearnmoreabouttheGovernor’sScholarprogram,studentscancallthe CoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHighSchoolProgramsatVHCCat(276)739-2480orcontact theirhighschoolcollegenavigatororschoolcounselor.
Studentsshouldconsidertheirintendedcollegemajorandcheckwiththeprospectivetransfer institutiontodetermineifobtainingtheAssociateDegreeisappropriatefortheirhighschool endeavors.Notallfour-yearinstitutionsrecognizetheAssociateDegreethatisobtainedduring highschool.
**More information on placement scores can be found on page 26 in the VHCC Catalog & Student Handbook under the Academic Policies section titled “Advanced Standing ”
Checklist for Dual Enrollment Students Transitioning to VHCC
Withjustafewsimplesteps,adualenrollmentstudentcanenrollasastudentatVirginiaHighlands CommunityCollegeupongraduationfromhighschool.Thefollowingstepsneedtobecompletedto change the status from dual enrollment to curricular student:
✓ ApplyforFinancialAid
o Theearlieryouapply,thebetterchancethateligiblestudentswillreceivefunding forthefallsemesterinatimelymanner.Informationworkshopswillbeofferedto assistfamiliesinapplying.(StudentsmayapplyforfinancialaidbyOctoberofsenior year.)
o StudentworkshopswillbeavailableinthehighschoolsinJanuaryand Parent/StudentworkshopsatVHCClaterinthesemester(datestobeannounced).
o Federalregulationsrequirethatastudentreceivingfederalfinancialaidmake satisfactoryacademicprogressinaccordancewiththestandardssetbythecollege andfederalgovernment.SatisfactoryAcademicProgress(SAP)standardsalsoapply tostateaid.Formoreinformation,pleasereadRequirementsforFederalFinancial AidRecipientsontheVHCCwebsiteunderCurrentStudents>>Student Services>>SatisfactoryAcademicProgress.
✓ CompletetheTransitionfromDualEnrollmenttoVHCCCurricularStudentform
o Thisform(availablefromyourcollegenavigatororontheVHCCwebsite)will changeyourstudentstatusfromdualenrollmenttoacurricularprogram
✓ NotifyyourcollegenavigatororguidancecounselorthatyouplantoattendVHCC.Theywill forwardtoVHCCan official highschooltranscriptaftergraduation.
✓ Placement
o StudentswhohaveahighschoolGPAof3.0orhigher.
o StudentswhohavecompletedtheSATorACT,ensurethatthosescoreshavebeen forwardedtotheVHCCAdmissionsOffice.
o Scoresof530SATor22ACTonmathand480SATor21ACTonreadingorwriting exemptsastudentfromneedingtotakethatportionoftheplacementtest(students planningtopursueanengineeringdegreestillneedtotakeamathplacementexam)
o StudentsarestronglyencouragedtoreviewmathandEnglishskillspriortotesting, especiallyiftheydidnotcompleteamathclasstheirsenioryear.
o Testreviewmaterialsareavailableat:https://www.vhcc.edu/futurestudents/placement-testing
✓ MakeanappointmentforatransitionsessionwithaCampusConnectionCentercounselor tocompletetheenrollmentprocess
o Duringthissession,GPAwillbeinterpreted,educationandcareergoalswillbe explored,andfirstsemesterclasseswillbescheduled.
o Ifyourplacementtestsarecompleted,contacttheCampusConnectionCenterto scheduleyourappointmentat(276)739-2438.
✓ CompleteanOrientationclass
o EnrollinanOrientation(StudentDevelopment,SDV)class.Eachstudentisrequired totakethiscourseduringthefirstsemester.Yourcounselorwillassistyouin enrollingduringyourtransitionsession.
✓ Meetwithafacultyadvisor
o Afacultyadvisorhelpsstudentsthroughtheexplorationofcareerandacademic goalsandassistsstudentsinchoosingandschedulingappropriateclassestomeet thosegoals.Facultyadvisorsareassignedtosharetheirknowledgeandexperience tostudentsbasedontheirprogramofstudy.Studentsarestronglyencouragedto meetwiththeirfacultyadvisorpriortoschedulingclasseseachsemester(this meetingisrequiredforstudentswhohavecompletedlessthan30credithours(see MandatoryAdvising)inordertoensurestudentsareenrollingintherightclasses fortheircurriculumandpossibletransferplans.Formoreinformation,visit AcademicAdvisingathttps://www.vhcc.edu/current-students/studentservices/academic-advising
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education
FERPA givesparentscertainrightswithrespecttotheirchildren’seducationrecords. Theserights transfertothestudentwhenheorshereachestheageof18orattendsaschoolbeyondthehigh schoollevel.Studentstowhomtherightshavetransferredare“eligiblestudents. ”
Generally,schoolsmusthavewrittenpermissionfromtheparentoreligiblestudentinorderto releaseanyinformationfromastudent’seducationrecord.However,FERPAallowsschoolsto disclosethoserecords,withoutconsent,tothefollowingpartiesorunderthefollowingconditions (34CFR§99.31):
• Schoolofficialswithlegitimateeducationalinterest;
• Otherschoolstowhichastudentistransferring;
• Specifiedofficialsforauditorevaluationpurposes;
• Appropriatepartiesinconnectionwithfinancialaidtoastudent;
• Organizationsconductingcertainstudiesfororonbehalfoftheschool;
• Accreditingorganizations;
• Tocomplywithajudicialorderorlawfullyissuedsubpoena;
• Appropriateofficialsincasesofhealthandsafetyemergencies;and
• Stateandlocalauthorities,withinajuvenilejusticesystem,pursuanttospecificStatelaw.
Schoolsmaydisclose,withoutconsent,"directory"informationsuchasastudent'sname, address*, telephone number*,dateandplaceofbirth,honorsandawards,anddatesofattendance.However, schoolsmusttellparentsandeligiblestudentsaboutdirectoryinformationandallowparentsand eligiblestudentsareasonableamountoftimetorequestthattheschoolnotdisclosedirectory informationaboutthem.Schoolsmustnotifyparentsandeligiblestudentsannuallyoftheirrights underFERPA.Theactualmeansofnotification(specialletter,inclusioninaPTAbulletin,student handbook,ornewspaperarticle)islefttothediscretionofeachschool.
FormoreinformationortolearnmoreaboutthisAct,pleasevisittheFERPAwebsiteat: www.ed.gov
*Virginia House Bill 1 (HB1), which took effect July 1, 2018, as Code of Virginia Section 23.1-405(C), prohibits a university from disclosing a student’s email address, physical address or telephone number under the exception in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy At (FERPA) for directory information or the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) unless the student has affirmatively consented in writing to the disclosure.
Title IX
Asarecipientoffederalfunds,VirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollegeisrequiredtocomplywith TitleIXoftheHigherEducationAmendmentsof1972,20U.S.C.§1681etseq.(“TitleIX”),which prohibitsdiscriminationonthebasisofsexineducationalprogramsoractivities,admissionand employment.Undercertaincircumstances,sexualmisconduct,sexualharassment,andsimilar conductconstitutesexualdiscriminationprohibitedbyTitleIX.
ThemostupdatedcompleteTitleIXPolicyaswellascontactinformationfortheVHCCTitleIX Coordinatormaybefoundathttp://www.vhcc.edu/titleix.
Attendance
Attendanceinthecollegecourseisimperativeforcollegesuccess.Attendancerulesfordual enrollmentclasses,regardlessofthemethodtaught,willfollowtheattendancepoliciesofVHCCand course-by-coursesyllabi.Thesyllabusisthecontractbetweentheinstructorandstudent.Itis importanttobecomefamiliarwiththeVHCCacademiccalendar.Professorsestablishtheirown attendancepolicies,andeachpolicymustbefollowedprecisely.Missingdaysfromclasscould resultinfailurebasedupontheinstructor’sattendancepolicy.
“Students need to be aware that a high school attendance policy may differ from a dual enrollment course attendance policy.”
This attendance policy may be different from that of the regular high school course, even if the instructor teaches both high school and dual enrollment courses. Students need to be aware that a high school attendance policy may differ from a dual enrollment course attendance policy.
HighschoolbreaksandholidaysmaynotcorrespondtotheVHCCacademiccalendar.Inaddition, highschoolfunctionssuchaspromorsportactivitiesarenotexcusedabsencesifthedual enrollmentcourseistakenonthecollegecampus.IfthereisaconflictbetweenaVHCCclasssession andmandatoryattendanceatthehighschool,thestudentmustcommunicatethisconflictwiththe collegeprofessor. Documentationfromthehighschoolmayberequiredtoverifytheconflict. Attendancerequirementsaredetailedinaninstructor’scoursesyllabus.
Inclement Weather
CoursesTaughtattheHighSchool
Thepoliciesandproceduresoftheschooldivisionapply.
CoursesTaughtontheVHCCCampus
VirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollegewilloftenholdclasseswhenlocalschooldivisions areclosed.StudentsareissuedaVCCSemailaddressandwillreceiveemailswhenthe collegeisdelayedorclosed.Itisalsobroadcastedonlocaltelevisionandradiostations whenthecollegeisonanalteredschedule.Ifthestudentdeemsitunsafetotravel,the studentshouldnotifyhisorherinstructor(s)beforeclass.
Academic Honesty
AcademichonestypoliciesandproceduresoutlinedintheVHCCCatalogandStudentHandbookwill beenforcedforallcollegecourses.Studentsareencouragedtoreadandbefamiliarwiththe AcademicHonestypolicyundertheFormsofStudentMisconductasprintedintheVHCCCatalogon page39
Student Conduct – Discipline
Studentconductrulesvarywiththelocationofthecourse.
CoursesTaughtattheHighSchool
Thepoliciesandproceduresoftheschooldivisionapply.
CoursesTaughtontheVHCCCampus
Allstudentsarerequiredtofamiliarizethemselveswiththecollege’sFormsofStudent MisconductSubjecttoDisciplinaryActionasprintedintheVHCCcatalogstartingonpage 39.
Withdraw and Drop Process from a Course
Studentsshouldreviewthesyllabusfromtheirhighschoolinstructorforthedropandwithdrawal datesorcontactthehighschoolcounselor.Pleasecontactthehighschoolcounselortolearnthe specificdatetodropandwithdrawfromadualenrollmentcoursetaughtinthehighschool. After the deadline, if a student drops a course, the student will earn an “F” for that course, and it will appear on his or her college transcript.
Dropping a Class
Ifastudentisenrolledinaclassanddecidesheorshedoesnotwanttobeinthatdual enrollmentclass,thestudentmaydroptheclasswithoutpenaltyaslongasitisdonebefore
theDROPdeadline.Thisclasswillnotappearonthecollegetranscript,andthestudentwill getarefundfortheclass.SeeVHCC’sGradingSystemintheVHCCCatalogandStudent Handbookonpage23formoreinformationregardingwithdrawingfromaclassandthe deadlines.
Withdrawing From a Class
Ifastudentisenrolledinaclassandisreceivingapoorgrade,itisbettertowithdrawthan havethepoorgradeonthecollegetranscript.AstudentmustwithdrawbytheWITHDRAW datetoreceivea“W”onthecollegetranscript.SeeVHCC’sGradingSystemintheVHCC CatalogandStudentHandbookonpage23formoreinformationregardingwithdrawing fromaclassandthedeadlines.
College Grading Credit and Grading System
Thecollege’sgradingsystemisasfollows:
• Studentswillreceiveafinalcoursegradeeachsemesterforthecourseworktakenduring thesemester(i.e.,ENG111forfirstsemester;ENG112forsecondsemester).Foryearlong classes,thefinalgradewillbeenteredattheendoftheschoolyear.Collegegradesare baseduponsemesters.
• Studentsshoulddotheverybestworkpossibleintheircollegecourses.Inorderforcourses totransfertofour-yearschools,agradeofCorhigherisrequired.
• Gradesarereportedtostudents,notparents.Astudenthavingdifficultywithacoursemust beproactiveandspeaktotheinstructorbefore/afterclassorviaemail.Donotwaituntilthe courseisalmostovertohavethisconversation.
• Federallawrecognizescollegestudentsasadults;therefore,itisinappropriateforparents tospeaktocollegeinstructorsabouttheirchild’sprogress,eventhoughtheymayhavepaid thestudent’stuition.ThisisapartofFERPA(FamilyEducationRightsandPrivacyAct).To inquireaboutastudent’sprogress,parentsorlegalguardiansarerequiredtocontactthe highschoolcounselingoffice.MoreinformationaboutFERPAcanbefoundonthe DepartmentofEducation’swebsite: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
GradingPolicy
Thegradingpolicyofanydualenrollmentcoursetaughtatthehighschoolwillcoincide withthegradingpolicyofthatsamecourseonthecollegecampus.Alldualenrollment classesuseacommonsyllabuswiththecollegecourse,sotherefore,thegradingpolicy, includingtheweightofthefinalexam,willfollowthepolicyofVHCC,notthehighschool system.Thepurposeofthispolicyistoensurethecoursesatthehighschoolandthe
coursesatthecollegearecompletelyin-line.Alldualenrollmentclassesarebasedonand gradedonthe10-pointsystem.Studentsshouldconsultwiththeinstructor,seekatutoror considerwithdrawingiftheyexperiencedifficultywithcoursework.
ThegradesofA,B,C,D,P,andSarepassinggrades.GradesofFandUarefailinggrades.R andIareinterimgrades.GradesofWandXarefinalgradescarryingnocredit.
1. Grades Assigned
Instructorsareresponsibleforassigningalettergradetoreflectthequalityof performanceineachcourse.Qualitypointsareassignedasfollows:
2. Grades Applicable to All Courses
I = Incomplete – No credit. No grade point credit.
The“I”gradeistobeusedonlyforverifiableunavoidablereasonsthatastudentis unabletocompleteacoursewithinthenormalcoursetime.Tobeeligibletoreceive an“I”grade,thestudentmust(1)havesatisfactorilycompletedmorethan60%of thecourserequirementsandattendanceand(2)mustrequestthefacultymember toassignthe“I”gradeandindicatewhyitiswarranted.Thefacultymemberhasthe discretiontodecidewhetherthe“I”gradewillbeawarded.Sincethe“incomplete” extendsenrollmentinthecourse,requirementsforsatisfactorycompletionshallbe establishedthroughconsultationbetweenthefacultymemberandthestudent.
Dual enrollment students and parent(s) must understand that an incomplete grade may jeopardize or delay graduation from high school. Failure to complete coursework during the prescribed time limit will result in an “F” for the course. Students and parents should contact their high school counselor before requesting an incomplete in any course.
Inassigningthe“I”grade,thefacultymembermustcompletedocumentationthat: (1)statesthereasonforassigningthegrade;(2)specifiestheworktobecompleted andindicatesthepercentageinrelationtothetotalworkofthecourse;(3)specifies thedatebywhichtheworkmustbecompleted;and(4)identifiesthedefaultgrade (B,C,D,F,P,R,orU)baseduponcourseworkalreadycompleted.
Completiondatesmaynotbesetbeyondthelastdayofthesubsequentsemester(to includesummerterm)withoutwrittenapprovaloftheChiefAcademicOfficerofthe campus.Thestudentwillbeprovidedacopyofthedocumentation.Agradeof“F” willbeassignedattheendofthesubsequentsemesterunlessthe“I”gradeis changedbythefacultymemberthroughthenormalgradechangeprocesses.An“I” gradewillbechangedtoa“W”onlyunderdocumentedmitigatingcircumstances whichmustbeapprovedbytheChiefAcademicOfficerofthecampus.
W = Withdrawal – No credit. No grade point credit.
Agradeof“W”isawardedtostudentswhowithdraworarewithdrawnfroma courseaftertheadd/dropperiodbutpriortothecompletionof60%ofthesession. Afterthattime,thestudentwillreceiveagradeof“F”unlessmitigating circumstancesaredocumentedinthestudent’sacademicfile.
3. Grade Reports
Thecollegedoesnotsendreportcards.Studentsmustchecktheirgradesbylogging intoMyVHCCandviewingtheirunofficialtranscripts.Gradesforthecoursewillnot beposted,however,untilafterthecoursehasbeencompleted.
Gradesareissuedtothestudent,nottheparent(s).
InstructorsposttheircoursegradestotheVHCCStudentInformationSystem.For coursestaughtonline(virtuallythroughEliteLearningorA.LinwoodHolton Governor’sSchool)gradeswillbesenttothehighschoolcounselor.
4. Final Grade Appeal
LevelI:FinalGradeAppealtoFaculty
Forinstancesinwhichastudentchoosestochallengeafinalgrade,thestudentwill communicateinwritingwiththefacultymembertoappealthefinalgrade.This communicationwillbesubmittedtothefacultymemberwithin five (5) College businessdaysofreceivingthegrade.Thefacultymemberwilldiscussthefinalgrade appealdetailswiththestudentandwillrenderadecisionwithin five (5) College businessdaysofreceivingthestudent’sappealcommunication.Thefacultymemberwill retaindocumentationofthisfinalgradeappealdiscussionanddecision.
Ifaresolutionisnotreachedbetweenthestudentandfacultymemberandthestudent choosestoappealbeyondthefacultymember’sdecision,thestudentwillreviewthe twocriteriabelow.Ifoneofthetwocriteriabelowismetandthestudentchoosesto appealthefacultymember’sdecision,thestudentwillcompleteaFinalGradeAppeal form,tobesubmittedtotheappropriatedeanandcopiedtothefacultymember within 48 hours of receiving the faculty member’s decision, or by 9 a.m. on the next
College business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or after 5 p.m. on a weekday.
*AstudentmayrequestaLevelIIfinalgradeappealforoneofthefollowingreasons:
1.Aproceduralorsubstantiveerroroccurredthatsignificantlyimpactedthe academicgrade(e.g.substantiatedbias,materialdeviationfromestablished procedures);or
2.Toconsidernewinformationunavailableduringtheoriginalmeetingthatcould substantiallyimpacttheoriginalacademicgrade.Asummaryofthisnew informationanditspotentialimpactmustbeincludedintheforwardedappeal.
LevelII:AcademicDean’sReview
TheappropriateAcademicDeanwillconductareviewoftheinformationprovidedby boththestudentandthefacultymembernolaterthanten(10)Collegebusinessdays followingthestudentrequestforthereview.TheappropriateAcademicDeanshall makeadecisionandcommunicatefindingsinwritingtothestudentandthefaculty memberwithinfive(5)businessdaysafterthereviewiscompleted.
Afterreview,theappropriateAcademicDeanmay:
•Upholdtheoriginaldecision
•Requestafinalgradechange(maynotbelowerthanoriginalgrade)
IfthestudentchoosestoappealtheappropriateAcademicDean’sdecision,thenextstep isaLevelIIIfinalgradeappeal.
LevelIII:VicePresident’sReview
AnappealoftheappropriateAcademicDean’sdecisionmustbesubmittedbythe studenttotheVicePresidentofInstructionandStudentServiceswithin48hoursofthe studentreceivingtheappropriateAcademicDean’sdecisioninwriting,orby9a.m.on thenextCollegebusinessdayifthedeadlinefallsonaweekendorafter5p.m.ona weekday.TheVicePresidentofInstructionandStudentServicesmayeither:
•UpholdtheappropriateAcademicDean’sdecision;
•Requestafinalgradechange(maynotbelowerthanoriginalgrade)
FortheFinalGradeAppealprocedure,thedecisionoftheVicePresidentofInstruction andStudentServicesisthefinaldecisionfortheCollege.
*Regardingsequentialcoursesthatrequiresuccessfulcompletionofapre-requisite coursetaughtinconsecutivetermswithinsemesters,theproceduredescribedabove willbeexpeditedtoreasonablyaccommodateallpartiesinvolved.
Time Limitation
Everyeffortwillbemadebyallpartiestoexpeditethedisciplinaryprocess.Thetime limitationsspecifiedforeitherpartymaybeextendedbywrittenmutualagreement.If thereisnowrittenmutualagreementtoextendthetimelimitssetherein,thedecision reachedatthepreviouslevelshallbedeterminedtobefinal.
Transfer Information
VirginiaEducationWizard
TheVirginiaEducationWizardwasdevelopedtohelpstudentsexplorecareers,findcollegemajors thatmatchtheircareerinterests,estimateandcomparecollegecosts,findandapplyforfinancial aidandscholarships,plantheirtransferfromcommunitycollegestofour-yearinstitutionsand applyforadmissiontocommunitycolleges.Highschoolcareercoacheswillworkthroughthe Wizardwithstudentswhileinhighschool,butindividualscanalsogotowww.vawizard.orgatany timeandbeassistedthroughtheprocesswithGinny,thevirtualassistant.
TransferAcceptance
Transferring Credits to Other Institutions
https://tinyurl.com/Transfer-DE-Guide
Four-yearinstitutionsarereadilyacceptingcommunitycollegecredits.However, students/parentsareencouragedtocontacttheAdmissionsandRecordsofficeatthe receivinginstitutiontoverifypoliciesandrequirements.
NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to maintain a portfolio containing course syllabi and examples of complete work for each course.
Articulation Agreements with Four-Year Institutions
VirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollegehasanumberofagreementswithfour-yearcolleges anduniversitiesthatprovidesignificantbenefitstoVHCCstudents.These“Transfer Agreements”provideclearpathwaystohelpachievegoalsofearningabachelor’sdegree. Studentsarestronglyencouragedtomaintainaportfoliocontainingcoursesyllabiand examplesofcompleteworkforeachcourse.
TheseagreementspavethewayforasmoothtransitionfromVHCCtoafour-yearcollegeor university.TheyalsohelpmaximizethenumberoftransfercreditsfromVHCCtofour-year institutions,insomecasesresultinginacceptanceatthejuniorlevelatthefour-year institution.Anumberofagreementsalsoofferguaranteedacceptanceaslongasthe studentsachievetherequiredgradepointaverage(GPA)duringstudiesatVHCC.
Transfer Review and Assistance
Foradditionalinformationortoreviewtransferinformation,contacttheofficeof EnrollmentandStudentServices:
Ms.KarenKilgore–kkilgore@vhcc.edu;(276)739-2405
TransferagreementsarealsoavailableontheVHCCwebsite: https://www.vhcc.edu/current-students/program-pathways/college-transfer
NOTE: StudentsearninganAssociateDegreeorUniformCertificateofGeneralStudies concurrentwithhighschoolgraduation do not fall under the Transfer (Articulation) Agreements.StudentsareencouragedtoreadtheTransfer(Articulation)Agreementsat: https://www.vhcc.edu/current-students/program-pathways/college-transfer
Student Resources
My VHCC Information
FollowtheseinstructionstologintotheStudentInformationSystem(SIS)togetgrades,transcripts andotherrelevantinformation:
1. Gotohttps://www.vhcc.edu/home.
2. Selectthe“MyVHCC”optionfromthedarkgreenbarintheupperrightareaofthehome pageandthenselectVHCCLogin.
3. Enteryourusernameandpasswordtogetintothesystem.Ifyouhaveforgottenthe usernameandpassword,followthedirectionsunder“forgotusernameandpassword”to reset.Ifyouhaveproblems,pleaseseeyourhighschoolcareercoachorcalltheCoordinator ofDualEnrollmentandHighSchoolProgramsat(276)739-2480. Afteryouhavesuccessfullyloggedin,youwillarriveatthe“APPS”screen.
1. Clickon“MyStudentInformation”
2. The“StudentCenter”willenableyoutodoseveralthings;
a. Tocheckyourgrades:lookforthedrop-downtabthatsays“otheracademic”and selectthe“grades”link.Selectthetermyouwanttoreviewandhitthe“Continue” button.Inordertoseeadifferentterm,clickthegreen“changeterm”button
b. Toprintyour unofficial transcript,lookfortheheading“TranscriptsUnofficial”and click.Onthenextpage,clickthedrop-downboxandclick“unofficialtranscript,” thenclick“go.”Youmaythenprintyourunofficialtranscript.
c. Youmayrequestan official transcriptbygoingtoParchment.com.
3. Ifyouaretakingon-campusclasses,besuretoprintyourclassschedule.Youwillneedto takethistotheVHCCBookstorewhenyoupurchaseyourtextbooks.Fromthe“Student Center”screen,clickon“ClassSchedule.”
4. Remembertologoutofthesystemwhenyouhavefinished.
NOTE: Dualenrollmentstudents(highschoolstudents)arenotpermittedtoregisterforclasses online.Appropriatesignaturesarerequired,includingthehighschoolprincipal,studentandparent foralldualenrollmentstudents.FollowtheinstructionsontheDualEnrollmentParticipationForm locatedat:https://www.vhcc.edu/future-students/high-school-programs/dual-enrollment.
Dual Enrollment Delivery Options
VirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollegeprovidesdualenrollmentopportunitiesinavarietyof formatsforthosestudentsmeetingalleligibilityrequirements,including:
• Coursestaughtatthelocalhighschoolsbycredentialedhighschoolinstructors,
• Onlinecoursestaughtthroughapprovedcontractualonlineprovidersestablishedbythe public-schoolsystems,and
• CoursestaughtatthecollegewherebystudentswillpayfullVHCCtuitionandcostsforany coursetakenoutsidethecontractagreementwiththehighschools.
Online Learning
Onlinelearningcanbeconvenientbutparticipatinginanonlinecourseisnoteasierthantakinginpersonclasses.StudentsenrolledinanonlinecourseatVHCCareexpectedtologinthefirstweek ofclassandcompleteanassignmentasdirectedbytheinstructor. Failuretorespondtothis requirementresultsin,oftentimes,studentsbeingdroppedfromthecourse.However,mostonline coursesareverystructuredandtherearesetdeadlinesasdetailedinthecoursesyllabus.Astudent whoistakinganonlinecoursemustbeself-directedandmanagehisorhertimewell.
Academic Advising
VHCCbelievesthatanongoing,comprehensiveandinteractiveacademicadvisingprocessis essentialtostudentsuccess.Thecollegeiscommittedtoprovidingstudentswiththeguidance necessarytomakeappropriateacademicandcareerdecisions.Academicadvisingvarieswiththe locationofthecourse:
CoursesTaughtattheHighSchool
Thehighschoolcounseloristhedesignatedadvisor.
CoursesTaughtontheVHCCCampus
StudentspursuingaVHCCdegreeorcertificatewhileattendinghighschoolshouldmeet withtheCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHighSchoolProgramsatVHCC.Itmaybe suggestedthataVHCCCollegeSuccessCoachorAcademicAdvisoralsobeincludedinthese discussions.
Library Information
TheVHCCLibraryprovidessupporttostudents,faculty,staffandthecommunity.Studentswho attendclassesatVHCC,orviadualenrollmentoron-linelearning,havefullaccesstoallmaterials fromthelibrary.ThelibraryhashoursMondaythroughFridayaswellasweekendhours.Hoursof operationwillbealteredduringthesummermonthsandholidays.Formorespecificinformation aboutthelibrary’soperatinghours,pleasecall(276)739-2472,orvisittheVHCCwebsiteat: https://www.vhcc.edu/current-students/student-services/library-/hours.
VHCC Student ID’s
VHCCstudentID’sarenoworderedonlineathttps://www.vhcc.edu/currentstudents/studentservices/library/student-id-request
Students with Disabilities and/or Special Needs
Studentswithdisabilitiesorwithspecialneedswillbeaccommodatedbasedonthelocationofthe course.
Courses
TaughtattheHighSchool
Thepoliciesandproceduresoftheschooldivisionapply.
CoursesTaughtontheVHCCCampus
VHCCiscommittedtoensuringstudentswithdocumenteddisabilitiescantakepartin educationalprogramsandservicesinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheAmericans withDisabilitiesAct(ADA)of1990andSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973. Studentsseekingaccommodationsshouldvisitthecollegewebsiteat: https://www.vhcc.edu/current-students/student-services/disability-services
Miscellaneous
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Am I automatically enrolled for college credit if I’m in a high school Dual Enrollment class?
InordertobeeligibletoreceiveVHCCcreditforyourhighschoolclass,youmustofficiallyregister withVHCConlinepriortothecoursebeginningandhavequalifyingscoresobtainedeitherbyPSAT, ACT,SATorthehighschoolGPA.Inadditiontothetestingandapplicationrequirements,students mustdetermineiftheyhavemettheprerequisitesfortheclass,shouldtherebeany,andproduce thedocumentationconfirmingthattheprerequisitehasbeenmet.
How many Dual Enrollment classes can I register for at one time?
Adualenrollmentstudentcanregisterforamaximumof18creditspersemester.Thisisaboutfive classes.Theseclassesmustbepartofthehighschoollistofcoursesinordertoreceivethereduced tuitionrate.Studentsareencouragedtoconsultwiththeirteachers,schoolcounselorsandthe CoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHighSchoolProgramstohelppicktheclassesthatbestfitwith thestudent’scollegeandcareerplans.
Can I register for other VHCC classes as well as those offered in my high school?
Dualenrollmentstudentscanregisterforamaximumof18credithourspersemester.That maximumincludesallVHCCcourses,whethertakenatthehighschoolorontheVHCCcampus. However,onlytheapprovedclassesofferedatthehighschoolqualifyforthereducedtuitionrate. Allothercoursestakenoutsidethehighschool’sapprovedclasslistwillbechargedatthecollege’s fulltuitionrateandfees.
How do I find out if a course is a Dual Enrollment course?
Studentscantalktotheirhighschoolcounselorsandcareercoachestodetermineifacourseisdual enrollment,aswellastheirteachers.schoolcounselorscanhelpstudentsplanahighschool schedulethatincludesdualenrollmentclassesthatbestmeettheneedsofthestudentandtheir career/educationalgoals.
How and when do I register for a Dual Enrollment course?
Highschoolstudentsusuallyregisterforthedualenrollmentcourse(s)attheirhighschoolduring thelastsemesterofthecurrentschoolyearfortheupcomingschoolyear.Onceallthehighschool schedulingiscomplete,counselors,collegenavigatorsandtheCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentand HighSchoolProgramswillchecktoseeifthestudentqualifiestotakethedualenrollmentcourse.If placementtestingisnecessary,itwillbeadministeredduringthespringorsummerpriortothe dualenrollmentcoursebeginning.Oncethestudenthasmetalloftheadmissionsrequirements,the DualEnrollmentSpecialistwillenrollthestudentinthecourse.
What are the schools that participate in the VHCC Dual Enrollment program?
AbingdonHighSchool
ChilhowieHighSchool
CornerstoneChristianAcademy
HolstonHighSchool
JohnS.BattleHighSchool
NorthwoodHighSchool
PatrickHenryHighSchool
SmythCountyCareerandTechnicalSchool
Tri-CitiesChristianAcademy
VirginiaHighSchool
WashingtonCountyCareerandTechnicalSchool
How and when do I pay for a Dual Enrollment course?
Iftakingtheclassatthehighschool,yourteacherorschoolcounselorwillinformyouofthetotal costoftheclassandthedatethatpaymentisduetothehighschool.Ifyoutakethecourseonthe VHCCcampus,fullpaymentmustbemadebythefirstdayofclass,andyouwillpaytheBusiness OfficeintheAdministrationbuildingontheVHCCcampus.IftheclassistakenatVHCC,students willnotreceivethetuitionreductionandthefullcostoftheclasswillbechargedtothestudent.
What if I decide to drop a Dual Enrollment class; can I get a refund?
Studentscanreceivearefundonlyiftheydropaclassbythedatestatedonthecoursesyllabus. Refertothe“WithdrawandDropProcessfromaCourse”sectiononpage28intheVHCCcatalogfor moreinformation
Will my Dual Enrollment credits transfer to other colleges? How does this happen?
MostcollegesacceptVHCCcredit.Youwillneedtorequestanofficialcopyofyourtranscriptat www.parchment.comtobesenttowhatevercollegeyouareapplyingto.However,youmust achieveagradeofaCorbetterinthecourseforothercollegestoacceptthatcourse.Itisalwaysa goodideatocheckwiththecollegeyouplantoattendaseachinstitutionsetsitsownpolicy regardingtheacceptanceoftransfercredit.YourVHCCcollegecreditmaybeappliedtowardyour chosendegree,asanelective,asasubstituteforarequiredcourse,ormakeyoueligibletotakea higher-levelcourse. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain a portfolio containing course syllabi and examples of complete work for each course.
Formoreinformation,contacttheVHCCCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHighSchoolPrograms at(276)739-2480oroneoftheVHCCDualEnrollmentcontactslistedonpage44ofthishandbook.
What if I want to withdraw from a course?
IfyouthinkyouarelikelytoearnafinalgradeofDorF,youshouldstronglyconsiderofficially withdrawingfromthecourse.Thiswillresultinagradeof“W”insteadofhavingafailinggradeon yourVHCCtranscript.Simplytellyourteacherorhighschoolcounselorofyourdesiretowithdraw fromthedualenrollmentcoursewithinthetimelinelistedonthecoursesyllabus.Insomecases, youmightbeabletostayinthecourseandreceivehighschoolcreditonly.Itisveryimportantto knowthelastdayyoucanwithdrawfromthedualenrollmentcourseandearna“W.”Ifyoumiss thisdate,youwillreceiveafailinggradeforthecourse.
How will I be graded in Dual Enrollment courses?
YourVHCCgradewillbecalculatedaccordingtothestandardsetbyVHCC.Thisstandardisshared withyourhighschoolteacher.Forgradingquestions,talktoyourteacherand/orreviewyour coursesyllabusgiventoyouatthebeginningofthecourse.MoreinformationaboutVHCC’sgrading policycanbefoundstartingonpage22ofthishandbook.Whenthecourseconcludesyouwillbe abletologintoyourmyVHCCaccountandviewyourgradesonline.Youmayalsorequestanofficial transcriptbygoingtowww.parchment.com.
Who do I contact with other questions?
Foranswerstoyourspecificquestions,youmaytalktoyourhighschoolteacher,schoolcounselor, and/orcollegenavigator.YoumayalsocontacttheVHCCCoordinatorofDualEnrollmentandHigh SchoolPrograms. Acompletelistofresourcesandcontactinformationcanbefoundinthe ResourcesandAppendicessectionofthismanual.
Resources and Appendices
Important Virginia Highlands Community College Information ForDualEnrollmentStudentsandParents
When you participate in Dual Enrollment you also become part of VHCC; therefore, we want to share the following important information with you. Before registering for a Dual Enrollment course, students will review and acknowledge the college information below. We ask that you keep this information with your important school documents.
WewishyoumuchsuccessinyourhighschoolandyourVHCCDualEnrollmentcourse.
ByregisteringforaVHCCDualEnrollmentcourse,YOUUNDERSTAND:
• DualEnrollmentcoursesareofferedthroughVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollege.
• WhenyoucompletearegistrationforaDualEnrollmentcourse,youaresending informationtoVirginiaHighlandsCommunityCollegeandregisteringforacollege course.Informationthatisincorrectorincompletewilldelayyourregistration.
• DualEnrollmentstudentsarelimitedto18hourspersemester.Thisisaboutfouror fiveclasses.
• ThecourseyouareregisteringforandtheVHCCgradeyoureceivewillberecorded onanofficialVHCCtranscript.Thiscourseandgradebecomepartofyourpermanent collegerecord.
• DualEnrollmentcoursesaregradedaccordingtocollegestandardsandyourfinal VHCCgradewillberecordedonyourofficialVHCCtranscript.Forgradingquestions, pleasecontactyourhighschoolteacherand/orthecoursesyllabus.
• DualEnrollmenttuitionmustbepaidinfullbythetuitionduedate.
• YoumaywithdrawfromtheVHCCcoursebeforethewithdrawaldeadline.Your transcriptwillindicatea“W”forcoursesfromwhichyouwithdraw.Studentand parentsmusttalktotheirhighschoolteacherandschoolcounselortoinitiatea withdrawal.Thewithdrawaldeadlineislistedthecoursesyllabus.
• YoumustcompletetheDualEnrollmentParticipationFormandgettheappropriate signaturesbeforestartinganyDualEnrollmentcourse.Thisformmustbeturnedin toyourhighschoolcounselorwhowillsubmitittoVHCC’sDualEnrollment Specialist.
Understanding a Syllabus
Listedbelowisasyllabustemplate,whichisyourguidetoeachofthecoursesyoutakefromVHCC Itprovidesvaluableinformationaboutcourseexpectations,attendanceandotherpolicies, assessmentandgrades,etc. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain a portfolio containing course syllabi and examples of complete work for each course.
Virginia Highlands Community College
Course Number-Course Section: Course Title
Youshouldreadthesyllabus! Ifyouwanttobesuccessfulinyourdualenrollmentcourse,startby readingandstudyingthesyllabus. Basically,thesyllabusisanagreementbetweenyouandyour professor. Thesyllabusoutlinesallthethingsyoumustdo,helpsyouplanyourlifeforthe semester,andhelpsyoufinishyourprojectsandassignmentsontime.
Instructor:
Office Location: Buildingandroomnumber. SeethecampusmapintheResourcesandContact Informationsectionofthishandbooktofamiliarizeyourselfwitheachbuildinglocationand abbreviation.
Phone: Whenleavingamessage,pleaseleaveyourname,EMPLID#,abriefdescriptionofyour question,andthebestcallbacknumberandtimetoreachyou.Itisreasonabletoexpectaresponse within24hours.
E-Mail: Whenusingtheemailaddress,pleaserememberthatresponsesmaynotbeinstantaneous. Itisreasonabletoexpectaresponsewithin24hours.
Office Hours: Thisiswhentheinstructorwillbeinhis/herofficeandisyouropportunitytomeet withthemone-on-onetoclarifyanyquestionsyoumayhave.
How Best to Contact Instructor:
Informationinthissectionofthecoursesyllabusisprovidedtoconnectyouwithyourprofessor. Youshouldtakefulladvantageofthisinformation,especiallytheprofessor’sofficehours. Heorshe hasspecificallysetasidethesetimestoworkwithyou.
I. Course name and Course number –ThecoursenameandcoursenumberaretheVirginia HighlandsCommunityCollegeidentificationinformationfortheclassyouaretaking. This informationwillappearwithafinalgradeonyourVHCCcollegetranscript.
II. College Course Catalog Description –ThisinformationistakendirectlyfromtheVirginia CommunityCollegeSystem(VCCS)mastercoursefile. Itdescribesthecoursecontentandidentifies anypre-requisitesforthecourse. Itwillalsocommunicatethenumberofcreditsforthecourse.
III. Course Level Objectives –Thissectionwillexplaintheskillsandabilitiesyouwillpossess uponcompletionofthecourse.
IV. Required Texts and Materials -Thiswillbealistingoftherequiredmaterialsneededforthe course. Itmayincludetextbookinformationaswellasequipmentand/orsuppliesrequiredfor success
V. Teaching Methods –Thissectionwilllistthetypesofassignmentsyouwillencounterinthe course.
VI. Course Policies –Whileallsectionsofthesyllabusshouldbereadandstudiedcarefully,this sectionshouldbeofparticularinteresttoyou. Itwillexpresstheprofessor’sexpectationsforyou, anditwillcontainvitalinformationregardingwhatyoumustdoinordertobesuccessfulinthe course.
VII. Grading Criteria –Thisisanotherveryimportantsectionofthecoursesyllabus. Inthis section,youwillfindaspecificexplanationofhowthegradewillbedeterminedforthecourse. It maydescribehowassignmentswillbeweighted(howmucheachassignmentwillcounttowardthe finalgrade)andhowtheprofessorwillusepercentagesorpointstoexpressthegradingsystem.
Example:
Assessment
e.g.,Essay1
PercentofFinalGrade(OrPoints ContributingtoFinalgrade)
20%/50points
e.g.,Midterm 15%/35points
e.g.,GroupProject 15%/35points
e.g.,Essay2 30%/75points
e.g.,FinalExam 20%/40points
Example #1:
Grading Scale
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
**Remember, only an A, B, or C will transfer.
Example #2:
Grading Scale
LETTERGRADE POINTSREQUIRED A 395-362
315-296 F 295andbelow
Challengestofinalgradesshouldbemadeinwritingdirectlytotheinstructor.Seepage25ofthis documentfordetails.Ifyouareunabletocontacttheinstructordirectlyorcannotcometoan agreementwiththeinstructorofrecord,thedivisiondeanshouldbenotifiedinwriting.
VIII. Disability Statement –Eachcoursesyllabuswillprovidespecificinformationencouraging youtodiscussanyspecialproblems,needs,oraccommodationswiththeinstructorduringthefirst weekofclass. AnysuchneedsshouldbefullydocumentedwiththeADACoordinator.
Ifyouhaveadisabilityorotherneedforreasonableaccommodationinordertosuccessfully completetherequirementsofthiscourse,pleasecontactADACoordinator,ISC124,276-739-2404, OfficehoursM-F8:30-5:00)todiscussthismatterconfidentially.
IX. Attendance Policy-Required –Thissectionwillspecifytheprofessor’sexpectationsfor attendance. Howmanyabsencesareacceptable? Willyouearn/losepointsbasedonattendance? Itmayalsoexpressexpectationsofcourtesyregardingabsencenotification.
Example:
Regularclassattendanceisrequired.Whenabsencefromaclassbecomesnecessary,itis thestudent’sresponsibilitytoinformtheinstructorpriortoorimmediatelyafterthe absence.Facultymaybecontactedbyemailortelephone.Frequentunexplainedabsences mayresultindismissalfromacourse.Studentsareresponsibleformakingupallwork missedduringanabsence.Anyinstructionmissedandnotmadeupwillaffectthegrade, regardlessofthereasonfortheabsence.Thispolicyallowsthefacultytojudgethe proprietyofanabsence.Whilethefacultymay“excuse”aparticularnecessaryabsence, studentsshouldunderstandthatVHCCdoesnotadheretoa“freecut”policy.
X. Emergency Statement –Thisinformationisspecificallyapplicableifyouaretakingclasseson VHCC’scampus.
Intheeventofacollege-wideemergency,courserequirements,classes,deadlines,andgrading schemesaresubjecttochangesthatmayincludealternativedeliverymethods;alternativemethods ofinteractionwiththeinstructor,classmaterials,and/orclassmates;arevisedattendancepolicy; andarevisedsemestercalendarand\orgradingscheme.Formoregeneralinformationabout college-wideemergencysituations,pleasereferto:
College Website (www.vhcc.edu)
VHCC Alert System (https://alert.vhcc.edu)
XI. Academic Conduct Policy –AllconditionscontainedinVHCCCollegeCatalogandStudent HandbookpertaintoeachVHCCcourse. Inadditiontoreadingeachcoursesyllabus,youmust familiarizeyourselfwiththeVHCCCollegeCatalogandStudentHandbook.
Aprofessormayalsospecifyhisorherindividualpoliciesoncheatingorplagiarisminthesyllabus. Thecoursesyllabusmayalsocontainthefollowinginformation:
• Course Schedule –Thisisageneraloutlineofspecificcourseassignmentsanddeadlines. Thismaybeatentativeschedulethatcanbeadjustedbytheprofessoraccordingtothe needsofthestudentsinthecourse.
• Email Reply Statement -CheckyourVHCCstudentemailfrequently!Anyemail communicationwillalwaysbesenttoyourstudentaccount.Duetoconfidentialityissues, facultyandstaffareonlyallowedtocommunicatewithyouthroughyourVHCCemail account.Thesyllabuswillexplainwhenyoucanexpectareplytoemailfromyour instructor.
Resource Description Location & Phone Number
VHCC Main Number & Address
Dual Enrollment
PeopleSoft (SIS)
Generalinformation,school closings,registration information,andcollege events (276) 739-2400
PhysicalAddress 100VHCCDrive Abingdon,VA 24210
MailingAddress POBox828 Abingdon,VA 24212-0828
MaincontactnumberforDual EnrollmentSpecialist ADM110 (276) 739-2480
Automatedenrollment, schedules,gradesand unofficialtranscriptsfor currentstudents
Gotowww.vhcc.eduand selectthe“MyVHCC” navigationtab (Requires a username & password)
Admissions and Records
Arts Array
Campus Connection Center
Canvas
Bookstore
Business Office
Career Services
Computer Labs
Financial Aid
Help Desk
LearningPlus+
Library
Mentoring
Police and Security
Student Accommodations
Student Activities
Testing Center
Webapplication,domicileresidencyform,official transcriptinformation
Informationaboutforeignand independentfilms,concerts, lectures,museumexhibits,and otherculturaleventsinthe community
ISC128 (276) 739-2461
OTC216 (276) 739-2540
MEC114 (276) 739-2454
Registration,scheduling, advising,transferadvising ISC133 (276) 739-2438
Onlinecoursecontentand classannouncements Gotowww.vhcc.eduand selectthe“MyVHCC” navigationtab (Requires a username & password)
Textbooksandsupplies
OTC117 (276) 739-2505 www.vhccbookstore.com
Payforclassesandplacement tests ADM121 (276) 739-2501
Informationoncareer counseling,workshops,online careerassessments,job seeking ISC101 (276) 739-2547
Opencomputerlabsforuseby allstudents
LRC133,223,224,233,234 (276) 739-2500
Financialaidquestions,FAFSA assistance,scholarship information ISC128D (276) 739-2412
ITHelp(M-F,8:00a.m.–5:00 p.m.) (276) 739-2500
Softskilldevelopment, experientiallearning opportunities
Libraryservicesandother resources(Student ID’s)
Mentoringandtutoring resources
LRC118 (276) 739-2462
LRC121 (276) 739-2472
LRC121 (276) 739-2535
Campussafetyandsecurity ISC151 (276) 739-2448
Servicesforstudentswith learning,psychological,or physicaldisabilities ISC120 (276) 739-2561
Informationaboutstudent events ISC100C (276) 739-2434
Placementtests,abilityto benefit,andmake-uptesting
LRC121B (276) 739-2475
VHCC Dual Enrollment Contacts
Position
President
Vice President, Instruction & Student Services
Dean, Professional & Technical Studies
Dean, Arts & Sciences
Dean, Health Sciences
Dean of Enrollment and Management Services
Coordinator of Dual Enrollment and High School Programs
College Navigator, Abingdon High School
College Navigator, Chilhowie High School
College Navigator, Holston High School
College Navigator, John S. Battle High School
College Navigator, Northwood High School
College Navigator, Patrick Henry High School
College Navigator, Smyth Career & Technical School
College Navigator, Virginia High School
Acknowledgements
Dr.AdamHutchison (276)739-2421
Dr.DerekWhisman (276)739-2429
LeeHunt (276)739-2401
BarbaraManuel (276)739-2432
BrigitteCasteel (276)739-2440
MichaelMcBride (276)739-2402
TraciMitchell (276)739-2480
KarenReid (276)739-3204
SongiaWidener (276)646-8966
KathleenButtolph (276)739-4003
MaressaMonk (276)642-5313
SongiaWidener (276)496-7751
KathleenButtolph (276)739-3705
SongiaWidener (276)739-4003
JoHutton (276)821-5850
Wewouldliketothankthefollowingresourcesfortheiruseinthismanual:
College and Student Handbook www.vhcc.edu/catalog College Website www.vhcc.edu U.S. Department of Education www.ed.gov
Transfer Virginia https://tinyurl.com/Transfer-DE-Guide