Evaluation of Student Performance
Academic achievement in each course is evaluated at midterm for advising purposes. A final grade is assigned by the instructor at the end of each term/subterm. The final grade becomes a part of the student’s permanent academic record. Reports of both midterm and final grades are available through my.Hesston.edu to the student, their advisor and, with the student’s permission, to their parent, guardian or spouse.
The student evaluation system at Hesston College is based on letter grades. Quality points are assigned as follows:
A. . . . .(excellent). . . . .4 quality points
B. . . . .(good, high average). . . . .3 quality points
C. . . . .(low average). . . . .2 quality points
D. . . . .(poor, but passing). . . . .1 quality point
F. . . . .(no credit; failed to meet course requirements). . . . .0 quality points
W. . . . .(withdrew). . . . .0 (not figured in GPA)
AU. . . . .(audit). . . . .0 (not figured in GPA)
CR. . . . .(credit; passing). . . . .0 (not figured in GPA)
P. . . . .(passed). . . . .0 (not figured in GPA)
I. . . . .(incomplete)
A grade of I (incomplete) is used if a student has completed at least 60% of a course but is unable to complete all requirements due to circumstances beyond their control. At the end of the term, the instructor submits both an I and the grade the student has earned to date. The instructor may grant the student up to the end of the next semester to complete the missing work. If the student is successful, the instructor submits a new final grade. If the student is unsuccessful, the alternate grade originally submitted automatically becomes the final grade. In cases where the conditions are outside the student’s control (weather, extreme illness, etc.) a one-time semester extension may be considered. Incompletes must be finished within one calendar year of their assignment. While the I is on the record, the incompleted hours are not included in cumulative hours and GPA calculations and cannot be used to satisfy any requirements regarding eligibility for varsity athletics, academic honors or satisfactory academic progress.
Academic Honors
Each semester, students who complete exemplary work are recognized by inclusion on the dean’s list or honor roll. The dean’s list is made up of students who are enrolled full-time at Hesston College and have achieved a semester GPA of at least 3.90. The honor roll lists full-time students with a semester GPA of at least 3.50. Students are not eligible for academic honors while one or more courses from that semester are incomplete. At graduation, students who have completed all degree requirements and have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher are awarded an honors cord and are announced during commencement.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
All students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress as defined below. All courses taken at Hesston College are considered, including developmental courses, the most recent attempt of repeated courses and courses from which a student withdraws. Courses transferred to Hesston College are not included in calculating grade point average (GPA). A student must pass a minimum of 67% (two-thirds) of all courses attempted. This is calculated by dividing the number of hours earned by the number of hours attempted.
Grade Point Average Standard
A student must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 regardless of the number of hours earned.
Maximum Time Frame Standard
A student may use no more than three years of full-time study or the equivalent to complete an associate degree. A student may use no more than six years of full-time study or the equivalent to complete a bachelor’s degree. A student seeking to complete a Hesston College degree after a break from attending Hesston College for five or more years will be required to complete that degree according to current catalog requirements.
Academic Warning
A student who does not meet the satisfactory academic progress standards as described above may be placed on academic warning in certain circumstances for the following semester in which they attend Hesston College. A student on academic warning is required to meet regularly with their advisor and additional expectations may be established by the academic dean to address the factors which led to inadequate performance during the previous semester.
A student who meets the standards for academic progress at the end of the academic warning semester will be removed from academic warning and reinstated to full academic eligibility. A student who does not meet the standards for academic progress by the end of the academic warning semester will be dismissed.
Appeal of Dismissal
A student may appeal a dismissal if there are extenuating circumstances which contributed to the student’s failure to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress. An appeal letter that addresses the following should be submitted to the academic dean:
- An explanation of the mitigating circumstances which led to the unsatisfactory academic progress.
- Changes in the situation which will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress in the future.
The academic dean, in consultation with other pertinent college personnel, will review the appeal letter and make the appropriate determination.
If the appeal is successful, the student will be allowed to return to Hesston College on academic warning as described above for the following semester.
Academic Eligibility for Athletics
Hesston College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and follows NJCAA requirements for eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Eligibility questions should be directed to the athletic director.
A student athlete who does not maintain satisfactory academic progress or who is placed on academic warning may be deemed ineligible to participate in their sport by the academic dean in consultation with the athletic director and the team coach, until such time as the student returns to satisfactory academic progress.
A student athlete who enters Hesston College on academic contractual acceptance (ACA) will be eligible to participate in their sport, but continuing eligibility is contingent upon meeting the requirements of the ACA term.
Catalog 2023-24