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FIVE

Undergraduate Academic Policies

Student Degree and Nondegree Status

Degree or matriculated students have been formally admitted to a degree program at Trinity College.

Nondegree or special students have not been admitted to a degree program; they enroll for a limited period, often with the intent to transfer credit earned at Trinity to another institution. Nondegree students must complete appropriate application forms with the Office of Admissions.

Weekday Students

A full-time student registers for 12 to 18 credits in a semester. A normal full-time course load consists of 15 to 18 credits each semester. A fee is charged for each credit over and above the 18-credit maximum for a semester.

A part-time student registers for 11 credits or less in a semester, but to be considered eligible for Federal financial aid, a part-time student must register for a minimum of six credits in a semester. A normal part-time load consists of six to nine credits.

Weekend College Students

A full-time student registers for 9 to 12 credits in a semester. Qualified students may take additional courses in the college's Weekday Program with the approval of their advisor.

A part-time student registers for eight credits or less in a semester, but to be considered eligible for Federal financial aid, a part-time student must register for a minimum of six credits in a semester.

Class Standing

The number of completed credits determines a student's class standing. For admission to full sophomore status, a student must have completed 24 credits that can be counted toward a degree. For full junior status, 56 credits are required; for full senior status, 92 credits are required.

Cap and Gown Ceremony

To earn the privilege of wearing the cap and gown, a student must have earned at least 92 credits prior to the ceremony and be in good academic standing. A student who is on probation for the semester of the ceremony may not wear the academic regalia since her eligibility as a degree student is under question.

Commencement Participation

Students who have completed at least 119 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better at the time of commencement are eligible to participate in commencement activities and Senior Week.

Eligible students are welcome to participate in Senior Week, the Senior Ball, the Baccalaureate Mass, and in all festivities that begin prior to commencement. However, participation in the actual commencement exercises will be limited; nongraduating participants will not wear the hood, their names will not appear in the program, and they will not be called forth to receive a diploma. All students expected to complete degree requirements by the following August will have their names read and be recognized as a group.

Attendance, Examinations, and Withdrawal from the College

Attendance

Students are responsible for attending all class meetings unless they have made specific arrangements with the instructor. Unforeseen emergencies should be reported immediately to the Dean of Student Services or the Registrar, who will inform instructors. Advance notice should be given if possible, and students are responsible for meeting with instructors to determine how all work will be completed. Only in an emergency may a student be absent during an assigned test or evaluation. Students are responsible for reviewing the attendance policy for each instructor as listed on the course syllabus. Faculty have the right to monitor attendance. Absence in any course amounting to at least one-third of the class periods is liable to loss of one credit or a grade of "F" at the discretion of the instructor.

Examinations and Final Assessments

Course examinations or final assessments are required at the end of each semester. Final examination dates are listed in the official Academic Calendar, and students' travel plans must not conflict with dates of scheduled exams. No student may reschedule a final examination in order to leave to travel early.

In accordance with the Honor System, Trinity's semester examinations are not proctored. Students can resolve conflicts during the exam period (such as two exams scheduled at the same time or three exams on the same day) by filling out an Examination Conflict Resolution Request Form available through the Office of the Registrar. If a conflict exists, one exam can be rescheduled to the Conflict Resolution Day with the approval of the instructor.

Leave of Absence

A student may request a leave of absence for a semester or a year. Requests must be endorsed by her major program and approved by the Subcommittee on Special Cases of the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees. Forms are available from the Dean of Student Services, the Office of the Registrar, and the Advising Center.

Vacation Periods

No student may change a class or section in order to leave before the scheduled beginning of a vacation or the conclusion of scheduled exams. Any vacation or travel must take place during the vacation periods listed on the official Academic Calendar.

Withdrawal from the College

A student who withdraws from Trinity College concludes her enrollment on her own initiative; withdrawal from the college should not be confused with withdrawing from a specific course during the semester. Withdrawal from the college becomes a matter of record only after the student has filed a notice of intention to withdraw with the Registrar. Such notification should be given before April 1 of the academic year preceding the withdrawal. Students who withdraw for the college should schedule an exit interview with the Office of Financial Services.

Students who withdraw from the college and later wish to return must reapply through the Office of Admissions for admission with advanced standing. Forms for withdrawal are available from the Office of the Registrar and the Advising Center.

Enrollment and Registration

Registration

During the registration week near the end of each semester, matriculated students register for courses they plan to take during the following semester. Before registering, students meet with their advisor to help select courses and to discuss how selected courses fit into their degree program.

Each semester, all students register with the Office of the Registrar or Enrollment Services. No student may register until she or he has first received financial clearance from the Business Office. Registrations will not be processed until all financial holds are cleared.

Auditing Classes

Students are encouraged to visit other classes. No formal permission is needed, but good judgment should be used when considering the class size and the planned activities of a given class meeting.

For formal audit (i.e., one recorded on the student's transcript), a student must have the permission of the instructor as well as that of the academic advisor. An auditor must register for the course, attend class meetings regularly, and participate fully in the class. Credit is not awarded for an audited course. Any Weekday full-time student (enrolled in 12 or more credits) may audit a course free of charge. Weekend College students and part-time students auditing weekday, weekend, evening, or graduate classes must pay a fee for auditing classes (see Undergraduate Admission and Fees section of this catalog).

Course Schedule Adjustments

Students may add or drop courses without academic penalty during the designated Course Schedule Adjustment Period at the start of each semester. During this period students may also change to or from the "P/NP" (Pass/No Pass) grading option, change to or from a formal audit, or alter their credit status in courses carrying variable credit. A financial obligation due to a course change must be paid before the change will be processed.

Withdrawal from a Course

Once the Course Schedule Adjustment Period has passed, a course may not be removed from a student's academic record for any reason. Students may still withdraw from a course at any time up to and including one week after the midpoint of any term or semester (exact dates are listed in the Academic calendar). This policy is not applicable to Winter and May terms or other short sessions; in such cases withdrawal is not allowed after the published Course Schedule Adjustment Period. To withdraw from a course, a student must fill out a withdrawal form (available from the Office of the Registrar) and obtain the signatures of her or his academic advisor, the course instructor, and the appropriate academic dean. A designation of "WP" (Withdrawal Pass) or "WF" (Withdrawal Fail) will appear on the student's transcript. In unusual circumstances, a "W" may be used. Students are responsible for the partial or full payment for courses from which they have withdrawn. Students who fail to withdraw officially or meet course requirements are liable to receive a grade of "F" (Fail).

Late Withdrawal from a Course

Withdrawing from a course after the midpoint of a term or semester constitutes a late withdrawal; late withdrawal is a serious academic matter and an application for late withdrawal will be considered only in exceptional circumstances. To initiate the process of late withdrawal, a student must fill out a withdrawal form (available from the Office of the Registrar) and obtain the signatures of her or his academic advisor and the course instructor. Instructors will designate the student's academic status at the time of withdrawal as "WP," "WF," or "W." This grade will be recorded on the withdrawal form and the final grade sheet, pending final approval of the late withdrawal. Once the student has collected the required signatures, she or he must then make formal written application for late withdrawal through the Vice President of Academic Affairs to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees (SS&D). The Subcommittee on Special Cases of the SS&D Committee will consider the merits of the request and will make the final determination whether or not to allow the late withdrawal.

Repeating Courses

A student may repeat a course. Her or his transcript will indicate all semesters in which the course was taken, but only the more favorable grade will be reported and used to calculate GPA. In place of the less favorable grade, a notation will appear on the transcript to indicate that the course has been repeated.

Change of Advisor

A student wishing to change advisors should obtain the proper forms from the Office of the Registrar. All arrangements for changing advisors should be made between the student and the advisor. Students are encouraged to select faculty advisors best suited to assisting their planning for academic work and career goals.

Transfer Policies

Student Transfer and Matriculation

Students transferring to Trinity from another accredited institution for a bachelor's degree must earn a minimum of 32 credits through course work at Trinity, excluding credits for experiential learning. Additionally, students will be expected to satisfy the Weekday Foundation for Leadership Curriculum or Weekend College Core Curriculum requirements, as well as meeting all requirements of their major field(s) through application of Trinity or transferred credits. As with all Trinity undergraduate students, transfer students must successfully complete the Senior Assessment.

Transfer Credits Satisfying Degree Requirements

Courses eligible for transfer must meet the following requirements:

The course must have been completed at a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional higher education accrediting association.
The course must have been completed with a final grade of "C" or better, although certain academic programs require higher grades to count towards major or minor requirements.
The course must be applicable to Trinity's liberal arts program.

The Transfer Evaluation Coordinator at Trinity will determine the compatibility of transfer course work with the Foundation for Leadership Curriculum or Core Curriculum requirements.

Credit satisfying major or minor field requirements will be determined by the appropriate program chairs. Disputed cases will be reviewed by the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees.

Courses at Other Institutions

While enrolled at Trinity College, a student may earn credits on a limited basis at other accredited institutions. Students planning to take courses at another institution (during any semester or summer months) should first obtain approval from their faculty advisor and from the program chair for the proposed area of study before the end of the semester prior to the semester they plan to take the course(s). A student who does not follow these procedures has no guarantee that the credits earned will apply toward the Trinity degree. Transfer courses will appear on a student's transcript as "TR" unless the course was completed at a Consortium school.

A student may normally transfer no more than six credits from a single summer session and no more than 12 credits over an entire summer. Exceptions require approval by the Subcommittee on Special Cases of the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees.

Washington Consortium Regulations

Through the Washington Consortium, full-time Weekday degree students at Trinity can participate in special programs and take courses offered by other member institutions during fall and spring semesters only. Enrollment is subject to the regulations of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (available from the Office of the Registrar) as well as Trinity regulations. Students should confer with the Registrar, who serves as the Consortium Coordinator. The following policies govern the participation of Trinity students in the Consortium:

Trinity students may take Consortium courses only if the courses are not available at Trinity during the semester.
Only full-time degree students are eligible for Consortium privileges. Exceptions require approval by Trinity's Consortium Coordinator. First-year students in their first semester are ineligible to participate.
Seniors in their last semester are discouraged from taking courses through the Consortium. Delays in reporting Consortium grades may prevent a student from graduating and/or participating in commencement activities.
Students must demonstrate the relevance of proposed Consortium course(s) to their academic and post-college goals. This rationale must be submitted with the registration form.
Before receiving advisor approval, students must obtain approval from the appropriate Trinity program chair in the subject area involved (or from the Trinity Consortium Coordinator for courses in subjects without corresponding programs at Trinity).
Students on probation or carrying a grade of "Incomplete" should take Consortium courses only in extraordinary circumstances; approval is required from Trinity's Consortium Coordinator.
Students wishing to take more than two Consortium courses in any given semester must obtain approval from Trinity's Consortium Coordinator.
All registrations for Consortium courses must receive final approval from the appropriate academic dean.
The final grade received in a Consortium course is recorded on the Trinity transcript and calculated into the student's grade point average (GPA).
Students participating in Consortium courses or programs must arrange for their own transportation.

Consortium Policy on Incomplete ("I") Grades

Students who arrange grades of Incomplete at a visited institution should note that the time limits for making up the incomplete are not to exceed those of the home institution. However, a faculty member at the visited institution may require an earlier deadline.

Delays in Reporting Consortium Grades

Trinity College is not responsible for delays in the reporting of grades from Consortium institutions. Grades for graduating Seniors must be reported at least 10 days prior to the date of commencement; all grades must be recorded by the Registrar for a student to be eligible to receive the diploma. Students are responsible for checking with instructors at Consortium institutions to assure the timely report of grades to Trinity.

Advanced Standing for R.N.s

Students who have earned the R.N. degree from an accredited school of nursing may be awarded a maximum of 32 credits for their clinical work in addition to any other transfer, CLEP, or advanced placement credit. Any applied credits of this type must be in addition to the minimum 32 Trinity College credits required for the Trinity degree. For specific information concerning advanced standing, students should consult with the Transfer Counselor in the Office of Admissions.

Credit Through Examination or Experiential Learning

A maximum of 30 credits earned through any combination of approved examinations or college-level experiential learning may be applied toward the completion of a Trinity degree. Any applied credits of this type must be in addition to the minimum 32 credits taken at Trinity College. Credit satisfying major field requirements will be determined by the appropriate program chair(s).

Credit Through Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

Students who successfully complete an Advanced Placement course at the high school level and who have earned a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination will be awarded three credits.

Credit Through CLEP and DANTES

Trinity College will accept certain approved examinations for credit based on the scores recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). These exams include but are not limited to CLEP and DANTES subject examinations approved by the faculty. Students may elect to apply entry-level credit earned by examination toward fulfillment of Core Curriculum or Foundation Leadership Curriculum requirements. Students for whom English is not a first language will be granted CLEP or DANTES credit only for intermediate level work in their native language.

Credit Through Trinity Experiential Lifelong Learning (TELL)

To receive credit through the TELL program, students must present documentation about the learning experience and evidence of the level at which learning occurred. Students wishing to receive TELL credits must adhere to the following procedure:

Successfully complete at least 12 credits at Trinity and a college-level English composition course before applying to the TELL program.
Attend a TELL orientation workshop.
Apply for the TELL program after attending the TELL workshop by completing an application and paying an application fee.
Register for and complete a portfolio preparation course (INT 300 TELL Seminar). The TELL Seminar and submission of portfolios must take place at least three semesters before graduation.

With faculty approval, a student may earn up to 16 experiential learning credits at the 200-level. Additional credits may be awarded for experiential learning evaluated at the 300-level or higher. For additional information about TELL, students should contact the Office of Enrollment Services

Waiver of FLC or Core Requirements

Certain requirements of the Foundation for Leadership Curriculum (FLC) in the Weekday program and the Core Curriculum in the Weekend College program may be waived by permission of the appropriate program chair after reviewing the student's credentials. Students wishing to have curriculum requirements waived must:

Consult with their advisor about which FLC requirements may be eligible to be waived.
Obtain permission in writing from the appropriate program chair to waive a requirement.
Complete the necessary paperwork with the Registrar.

Students should retain written records of all waivers of FLC or Core Curriculum requirements granted to them.

A waiver is not equivalent to completed credits

Physical Education Credit

A maximum of 4 credits of physical education may be counted toward the 128 credits necessary for graduation. These credits may be earned either by enrolling in physical education courses or by participating in approved athletic programs.

Credit through Physical Education Courses

Trinity's education department offers students a variety of one- and two-credit physical education courses. Information about physical education courses can be obtained from the athletics program.

Credit through Participation in Athletics

Of the 4 credits of physical education that may be counted towards the bachelor's degree, a maximum of 3 of these credits may be earned through participation in the U.S. Rowing Association, NCAA approved sports, or other athletic programs. All three credits cannot be earned in the same sport. The following guidelines apply to the awarding of physical education credits to students participating in sports activities:

Only three credits of athletics may be applied toward a Trinity degree.
A student must decide whether or not to receive physical education credit for a sport by the end of the first two weeks of the semester.
A student must register for the credits before the end of the Course Schedule Adjustment period.
A student must arrange individual meetings with the coach in which the student will submit a statement of goal(s) to be achieved for the season.
The student-athlete is required to submit weekly logs to the coach, including personal comments regarding goal achievements. Other requirements include a summary of a personal log (general obstacles she confronted and goals that were achieved) to be submitted at the end of the season.
Grading will be on a P/NP basis. A student who decides to withdraw from the athletic credit option must withdraw from the physical education credit(s) by the withdrawal deadline, as is the case with other academic credits, or a grade of "F" will be assigned.

Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

There are three general requirements to graduate and receive a bachelor's degree: successful completion of 128 semester credits, fulfillment of the College's Foundation for Leadership Curriculum (FLC) for Weekday students or Core Curriculum for Weekend College students, and the conclusion of a major program's course of study. The cumulative grade point average (GPA) required to graduate must be 2.0 or greater.

Curriculum requirements for the Foundation for Leadership Curriculum and the Core Curriculum are discussed in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog. Information about individual majors is listed with each academic program.

To receive a degree and graduate, it is important to select courses with the assistance of an advisor to ensure that all program requirements are satisfied.

The Bachelor of Arts Degree

The requirements to graduate from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) include the successful completion of:

A minimum of 128 credits.
All requirements of the Weekday Foundation Leadership Curriculum or the Weekend College Core Curriculum.
All specific course work required for a major program of study.
A Senior Assessment.

The Bachelor of Science Degree

The requirements to graduate from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in the sciences include the successful completion of:

A minimum of 128 credits.
A minimum of 90 of these credits must be in courses from the division of mathematics and natural sciences.
All requirements of the Weekday Foundation Leadership Curriculum.
All specific course work required for a major program of study in the division of mathematics and natural sciences.
A Senior Assessment.

The requirements to graduate from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in business administration include the successful completion of:

A minimum of 128 credits.
All requirements of the Weekday program Foundation Leadership Curriculum or the Weekend College Core Curriculum.
All specific course work required for the business administration major.
A Senior Assessment.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A graduate of Trinity College or other accredited institution may earn a second baccalaureate degree from Trinity College by meeting the following criteria:

Hold a baccalaureate from Trinity or other accredited institution at the time of matriculation at Trinity College.
Complete a minimum of 32 additional credits at Trinity.
Fulfill all requirements for graduation, including all specific major requirements and Senior Assessment for the second degree.

Note: A second baccalaureate should not be confused with a double major. See "Declaration or Change of Major" below.

The Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching Degree

In the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching (B.A./M.A.T.) teacher preparation program, students are required to major in the liberal arts and complete a structured and sequenced minor in education. Upon completion of the bachelor's degree, the student must apply and be admitted to the master's program in her area of specialization: early childhood, elementary, or special education. The program is also offered in selected areas of secondary education, such as science education and English education; details are listed in the Undergraduate Programs of Study section. Once admitted to the master's program, the student is governed by policies in the Graduate Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Senior Assessment

Trinity students are expected to achieve a sophisticated level of synthesis in their major field that reflects more than just mastery of course content. Each assessment is designed by the individual program to be the capstone experience for the major; the assessment is a requirement for the Trinity degree.

A student must pass the Senior Assessment to be eligible for the degree. The specific details of the Senior Assessment for each academic program are listed with other program information.

The Academic Major and Minor

Declaration or Change of Major

Students must declare a major before the end of their second academic year or no later than the completion of 56 credits. Official forms for declaration or change of major are available from academic advisors and the Office of the Registrar. To declare or change a major, a student must first obtain the approval of the chair of the program she plans to enter, and proceed through the process with an unofficial transcript when seeking the approval of her faculty advisor. The student should then submit the appropriate forms for the declaration or change to the Office of the Registrar. In the case of a change of major, a student should also inform the program director of her previous major. A student should retain a copy of the official form obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

A student must earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses applied toward her major(s). A student who opts to earn additional majors must satisfy the major requirements of the additional academic program(s).

Declaration or Change of Minor

Students may elect to complete a minor area of study. Requirements for minors are listed with other information for individual programs of study.

To declare a minor, a student must fill out the appropriate form with the signed approval of the program chair and present it to the Office of the Registrar. Upon receipt, the student's transcript will be updated to reflect the minor. The maximum number of minors a student may declare is two.

Grading System

A student's grade point average (GPA) is determined by the average of grade points earned in a semester. Trinity uses the following point system:

A 4.0 C 2.0
A- 3.7 C- 1.7
B+ 3.3 D+ 1.3
B 3.0 D 1.0
B- 2.7 F 0.0
C+ 2.3

Designations not carrying any quality points include:

P = Pass
NP = No Pass
I = Incomplete
TR = Transfer Credit
W = Withdrawal
WF = Withdrawal Failing
WP = Withdrawal Passing

Minimum Grade for Courses Applied Toward Major

A student must earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses applied toward her major(s).

Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Grading Option

With advisor approval, students may take a maximum of two courses on a "P/NP" (Pass/No Pass) basis during the first 64 credits at Trinity and a maximum of two courses on a "P/NP" basis during the second 64 credits at Trinity. Courses with "P/NP" as the only grading option are exempt from this policy.

The quality of work in all classes graded "P/NP" must be equivalent to a "D" to receive a passing grade, and a "P/NP" grade does not count in determining a student's GPA. A student may only change to or from the "P/NP" option during the Course Schedule Adjustment Period at the start of each semester. Courses taken "P/NP" do not count towards the fulfillment of major or minor requirements except when indicated by individual academic programs.

Incomplete Grades

A grade of "I" (Incomplete) is recorded only in cases judged sufficiently serious by the instructor. In all cases, even if the student is enrolled in a graduate course, the student and instructor must fill out and sign a Contract for Incomplete Form (available from the Office of the Registrar), no later than the end of the final examination period, stipulating the work to be done before the grade and credit for the course will be recorded.

Resolution of an "I" must be reported to the Office of the Registrar within four weeks after the last day of the final examination period. During the summer session, resolution must be reported within four weeks after the last day of class. Students must submit work sufficiently in advance of these dates to allow instructors time for grading. Extensions of the Contract for Incomplete require the approval of the Subcommittee on Special Cases of the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees. Grades that are still incomplete after the deadline are changed from "I" to "F."

Grades for Withdrawals

A designation of "WP" (Withdrawal Pass) or "WF" (Withdrawal Fail) will appear on the student's transcript if the course has been dropped after the Course Schedule Adjustment deadline. In unusual circumstances the designation "W" may be used to signify withdrawal without a passing or failing grade. Withdrawals of any sort are not used to calculate a student's GPA. The process for withdrawing from a course is described above under "Enrollment and Registration."

Change of Grade

Faculty, at their discretion and only after serious consideration, may change a student's grade no later than one hundred twenty calendar days following the last day of the academic term in which the original grade was posted. After this period has expired, no grade may be changed for any reason.

Academic Honors

Dean's List

Students who show excellence in academic achievement receive recognition throughout their college career as well as at graduation. The Dean's List is published each semester and identifies full-time students in both Weekday and Weekend College who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or above with no incomplete or failing grades.

Latin Honors

Graduating seniors who meet the designated cumulative grade point averages are eligible to receive their degrees with distinction. To be eligible for Latin honors, a student must have earned a minimum of 64 credits at Trinity, excluding credits earned through examination or experiential learning. Latin honors are conferred on students who have achieved the following minimum cumulative grade point averages:

cum laude 3.5
magna cum laude 3.7
summa cum laude 3.9

Phi Beta Kappa

Since 1776, election to Phi Beta Kappa has been recognized as a distinct honor to those who meet the highest standards of achievement in the study of the liberal arts. The Epsilon Chapter at Trinity College, chartered in 1971, annually elects eligible juniors and seniors to membership based on their fulfillment of the requirements established by the Chapter and by Phi Beta Kappa.

Members-in-course are elected on the basis of scholarly achievement, broad intellectual interests, and good character. To be elected as a junior, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 in at least 75 credits of course work in the liberal arts, 45 of which must have been in residence at Trinity College. To be elected as a senior, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in at least 90 hours of course work in the liberal arts, 45 of which must have been in residence at Trinity College. All students must have demonstrated knowledge in mathematics and of a second language as appropriate to an education in the liberal arts. Course work in applied or professional studies and grades earned in such work cannot be counted toward the hours required in the liberal arts. All students must be nominated by a member of the faculty in order to be considered for election.

The number of graduates elected to Phi Beta Kappa from any class may never exceed 15% of the number of students receiving diplomas.

Alpha Sigma Lambda

The Epsilon Beta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, inaugurated at Trinity College in 1986, recognizes the special achievements of adults who demonstrate academic excellence while facing the competing interests of home and work. Students are eligible for membership if they meet the requirements established by Alpha Sigma Lambda and the Trinity Chapter.

Alpha Sigma Lambda strives to motivate adult students early in their academic career. For this reason, students may be considered for membership during their first year in college. Students who are elected to the society meet on a regular basis while enrolled at Trinity.

Academic Appeals

Student appeals for a change of the grade of "F," for a specific course or a Senior Assessment required for a degree, will only be considered when the student alleges that the grade does not reflect appropriate academic criteria (achievement and proficiency in the subject matter).

To request changing a final grade of "F" in a course, the student first discusses the matter with the course instructor in order to resolve the issue informally. If the matter is not resolved, the student may prevail upon the program chair to intervene in the dispute. The informal approach to changing a course grade of "F" must be initiated by the student no later than four weeks after the beginning of the semester following that in which the grade was assigned. The instructor will reply to the student within two weeks. If the student asks the program chair to intervene, another two weeks will be allowed for mediation.

If informal efforts fail to resolve the dispute, a student may request formal appeal to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees, but this appeal must be filed no later than eight weeks after the beginning of the next semester following that in which the grade was assigned.

To challenge a grade of "F" for a Senior Assessment the student must start informal procedures within two weeks of receiving the grade. The student should first approach the program chair who will act with the program faculty to resolve the dispute informally. If informal efforts to resolve the dispute fail to produce amicable results, the student may institute a formal appeal to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees no later than four weeks after receiving results of the Senior Assessment.

To appeal a decision of the Subcommittee on Special Cases of the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees, the student may submit a written request to the full Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees within two weeks of receiving notice of the prior decision. The committee shall decide whether or not to grant a reconsideration of the appeal. To appeal an action on the part of an academic administrator relating to academic matters, a student may submit a written request to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees within two weeks of the incident.

Any other application for the redress of a student grievance based on the charge of discrimination that relates to academic procedures or policies must be addressed to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

Weekday Full-time Students

A Weekday student who fails to achieve a GPA of 2.0 in any one semester of full-time study will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. Probation means that a student's eligibility to continue studies at Trinity is under question until a semester of satisfactory work is completed. The only exception is the first semester for first-year students, when the minimum GPA accepted is 1.75.

Full-time undergraduate students on academic probation are limited to four courses comprising a course load of 12 to 14 credits for the duration of the probation semester. Also, students whose GPA is below 2.0 will not be able to participate in intercollegiate sports.

A subcommittee of the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees reviews the academic standing of students at the end of each semester. A student will be dismissed if her cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 and has been placed on academic probation twice. A student may also be dismissed for very poor scholarship in any one semester or for disciplinary reasons. Trinity College reserves the right to require the withdrawal of students because of academic standing or unsatisfactory conduct. To appeal decisions regarding probation and dismissal, students may submit a written request to the Subcommittee on Special Cases of the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees.

A student dismissed for academic reasons may apply for readmission after one year. To do this, a student must offer evidence of earning a 2.5 GPA or better and demonstrated a serious commitment to academic life at another accredited institution to be eligible for readmission. Readmission under these conditions is normally provisional for one semester.

Weekend College Students and Weekday Part-time Students

A Weekend College student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 after attempting six credits will receive a warning letter from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the cumulative GPA falls or remains below 2.0 after attempting nine credits she will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation may not register for more than six credits. Thereafter, if the cumulative GPA falls or remains below 2.0 after attempting subsequent increments of nine credits, the academic probation will be continued for a second semester. Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 2.0 following the second academic probation will result in dismissal.

A student may also be dismissed for very poor scholarship in any one semester or for disciplinary reasons. Trinity College reserves the right to require students to withdraw because of academic standing or unsatisfactory conduct.

A student dismissed for academic reasons may apply for readmission after one year. To do this, a student must offer evidence of earning a 2.5 GPA or better and demonstrate a serious commitment to academic life at another accredited institution to be eligible for readmission. Readmission under these conditions is normally provisional for one semester.

Student Information, Records, and Transcripts Disclosure

The following categories of student information are designated as public or directory information. Information from Category I or Category II may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion. Category I information includes name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, and class standing. Category II information includes previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors (includes Dean's List), and degree(s) conferred.

Under the provision of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students may withhold disclosure of any category of information. To prohibit disclosure, students must provide the Office of the Registrar with written notification. Trinity College assumes that any student who does not specifically request the withholding of Category I or II directory information has indicated individual approval for disclosure.

Maintenance of Student Records

Trinity College protects the reputation of its students by carefully maintaining the confidentiality of their official college records. To preserve privacy, the records are safeguarded from unauthorized access and disclosure. Trinity College faculty, administrators, and staff are fully aware of the necessity to ensure integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality.

Accordingly, Trinity complies with the provisions set forth in Sec. 438 of the General Educational Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232 (g), entitled the Family Educational Provisions Act of 1974. This law guarantees the student's right to examine her or his official educational records, as well as her or his right to privacy pursuant to the release of such records to third parties.

Trinity's policy on the maintenance of student records is in accord with federal regulations. A copy of the policy is available from the Office of the Registrar, and this statement serves as notification of rights protected by law.

Students are responsible for informing the Registrar of their current address to ensure timely and accurate billing. Trinity College is not responsible for bills or other materials sent to an expired address.

Transcripts

Current and former students of Trinity College may request academic transcripts from the Office of the Registrar. Requests must be made in writing and include the student's social security number, most recent date of attendance or graduation, the full name and address of the party receiving the transcript, and the student's signature. A processing fee of $5.00 per copy is payable at the time of the request.

No transcript will be released if the student has failed to satisfy all financial obligations to the College. Transcripts will not be issued to a third party without written authorization of the student. The College does not fax transcripts, nor will a faxed transcript request be accepted. Transcripts are processed within 10 working days of receipt of the written request.