Academic Policies

All students should review Trinity College's academic policies, described in this section. For additional academic policies for Weekend College and the Graduate Programs, refer to those sections in this catalog.

Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

There are three specific requirements to graduate and receive a bachelor's degree: successful completion of 128 semester credit hours, fulfillment of the College's Foundation for Leadership Curriculum (FLC) or Core Curriculum, and the conclusion of a major program's course of study. A minimum of 128 semester hours is required for graduation. The cumulative GPA required to graduate must be 2.0 or greater.

Curriculum requirements are discussed in the sections describing the Foundation for Leadership Curriculum (see: The Trinity Curriculum) and the Core Curriculum (see: Weekend College), while information about individual majors is listed in the Undergraduate Degrees and Majors section. 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.

Academic Degrees

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science

The requirements for a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree include the accumulation of at least 128 semester hours, the fulfillment of the Foundation for Leadership Curriculum or Core Curriculum, and the completion of the specific studies of a major program. Completion of degree requirements includes a Senior Assessment.

Bachelor of Science

Business Administration Majors - Weekday and Weekend College

A Bachelor of Science degree in business administration is available to both weekday and Weekend College students. (See Business Program.)

Science Majors - Weekday

A Bachelor of Science degree is available to students enrolled in the Weekday Program. To qualify for the Bachelor of Science degree in the sciences, students must meet all the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree including 90 or more semester hours in the division of mathematics and natural science.

Weekend College

The Weekend College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree. Please review the Weekend College section of this catalog for a listing of applicable majors and minors.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A graduate of any accredited college, including Trinity College, may earn a second baccalaureate degree at Trinity College by completing an additional 32 hours at the College, provided the work when completed fulfills all general requirements for graduation from Trinity, as well as all of the specific requirements in the major subject of the second degree as specified in the College catalog in effect at that time.

BA/MAT Teacher Preparation Programs

In response to national trends and the pressure for increasing the scope of material used in preparing teaching professionals, Trinity College initiated a BA/MAT plan for students in its teacher preparation programs. 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 enters a 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 (i.e., science and English education).

Advanced Standing for R.N.s

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

Declaration or Change of Major

Students must declare a major before the end of their second academic year, or at the completion of 56 credit hours. 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 submits the appropriate forms for the declaration or change to the Office of the Registrar. In the case of a change of major, she should also inform the director of the program she has left. Students should retain a copy of the official form obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Interdisciplinary Majors

Interdisciplinary majors are designed and administered by more than one program. They are available in the following fields:

Environmental Science (Weekday Only)
Human Relations
International Studies
Language and Cultural Studies (Weekday Only)
Physical Science
Public Affairs (Weekend Only)

Please review the Undergraduate Programs of Study section of this catalog for a discussion of the specific requirements for receiving a degree in an interdisciplinary major.

Minors and Areas

Students may elect to complete a minor area of study. The requirements for a minor in a particular area of study are listed in the Undergraduate Programs of Study section.

Students can develop a specialty within their major field by completing selected courses within the major.

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 academic transcript will be updated to reflect the minor.

Second Language Waiver

A student whose first language is not English may apply to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees for a waiver of the second language requirement if:

The student can demonstrate competency in her first language. Proof can be submitted in the form of a high school or college transcript, official documentation from an expert, or approval by a Trinity College language faculty member.

Change of Advisor

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

Student Status

Weekday

A full-time student registers for 12 to 18 credit hours in a semester. A normal full-time course load consists of 15 to 18 hours each semester.

Part-time students must register for no more than eight semester hours.

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 application forms with the Admissions staff.

Weekend

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

Academic Standing

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

Grading System

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		D-	0.7
C+	2.3		F	0.0

Designations not carrying any quality points include:

P = Pass
NP = No Pass
I = Incomplete
IP = In Progress (for Graduate Programs Only)
W = Withdrawal
WP = Withdrawal Passing
WF = Withdrawal Failing

Minimum Grade Point Average for Major

A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in a major. Specific policies regarding "Ds" will be determined by the major programs.

Registration

During registration week near the end of each semester, each matriculated student registers for courses she plans to take during the following semester. Before registering, a student meets with her advisor to help her select courses and to explain to the advisor how projected courses relate to academic goals.

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

Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Grading Option

With advisor approval, students may take one course per academic year on a Pass/No Pass (P/NP) basis. The quality of work 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 use the P/NP option only four times while completing her undergraduate degree; classes that may only be graded P/NP are not considered part of the four.

Physical Education Credit for Athletics

Trinity students may choose to receive up to a maximum of three physical education credits for 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:

1. Only three credit hours of physical education may be applied toward a Trinity degree.

2. Students must decide whether or not to receive physical education credit for a sport by the end of the first two weeks of the season.

3. Before the end of the first two weeks, students must register for the credits.

4. Coaches will organize individual meetings with students in which students submit a statement of goal(s) to be achieved for the season.

5. Athletes are required to submit weekly logs, including personal comments regarding goal achievements. Other requirements include a summary of her log (general obstacles she confronted and goals that were achieved) that is submitted at the end of the season.

6. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. Students who decide to withdraw from the athletic credit option must drop the physical education credits by the withdrawal deadline, as is the case with other academic credits, or a grade of "F" will be assigned.

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 her advisor. An auditor must register for the course and attend class meetings regularly. Credit is not awarded for an audited course. Any full-time (12 credits or more) student may audit a course free of charge. Part-time students auditing weekday, weekend, evening, or graduate classes must pay a fee of $205.00 per credit hour.

Course Changes

Students may add or drop courses without academic penalty during the designated 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.

After the schedule adjustment deadline (listed in the Academic Calendar), changes in course registration may not be made except for extraordinary reasons. Formal application must be made through the Vice President for Academic Affairs to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees. After the end of the first quarter, no course may be removed from a student's record. Students who fail to officially withdraw, or meet course requirements, are liable to receive a failing ("F") grade.

Withdrawal From a Course

Once the schedule adjustment period has passed, a student may not have a course removed from her record. Students may withdraw from courses at any time up until the semester deadline. (See Academic Calendar.) A designation of "WP" (Withdrawal Pass) or "WF" (Withdrawal Fail) will appear on the student's transcript. In unusual circumstances the designation "W" may be used. Furthermore, students are responsible for the partial or full tuition payment for courses from which they have withdrawn. The withdrawal/refund schedules are discussed in the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Withdrawal from a course after the course change period is a serious academic matter and should be considered only in exceptional circumstances. Forms for course withdrawal are available from the Office of the Registrar; they must be signed by the course instructor and the student's academic advisor before formal approval may be requested from the appropriate Academic Dean. Instructors will designate the student's academic status at the time of withdrawal as "WP," "WF," or "W." This will be recorded on the withdrawal form and the final grade sheet.

Repeating Courses

If a student repeats a course, the more desirable grade will be calculated when determining GPA and total credits. A notation will appear on the transcript indicating that the course has been repeated.

Incomplete Grade

A grade of "Incomplete" is recorded only in cases judged sufficiently serious by the instructor. In all cases, the student and instructor must fill out and sign a Contract for Incomplete form, 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. Forms are available from the Office of the Registrar.

Resolution of the "Incomplete" 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 "I" contract 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 "Incomplete" to "F."

Courses at Other 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 to the Trinity degree. Transfer courses will be transcripted "TR" unless the course was completed at a Consortium school.

Students 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 Consortium, full-time weekday degree students at Trinity can participate in special programs and take courses offered by other member institutions. Enrollment is subject to the regulations of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (available from the Office of the Registrar) and Trinity regulations. Students should confer with the Registrar, who is the Consortium Coordinator.

Trinity Consortium regulations are listed below:

1. Trinity students may take Consortium courses only if the courses will not be available at Trinity during the semester.

2. Only full-time degree students are eligible for Consortium privileges. Exceptions require approval by Trinity's Consortium Coordinator. First-year, first semester students are ineligible to participate.

3. 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.

4. Before advisor approval is given, the student must obtain approval from the appropriate Trinity program chair in the subject area involved (or the Trinity Consortium Coordinator for courses in subjects without corresponding programs at Trinity).

5. 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.

6. Students wishing to take more than two Consortium courses in any given semester must obtain approval from Trinity's Consortium Coordinator.

7. All registrations for Consortium courses must receive final approval from the appropriate Academic Dean.

8. The final grade received in a Consortium course is recorded on the Trinity transcript and calculated into the student's grade point average (GPA).

9. 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.

Transcripting Consortium Grades

While Trinity College is not responsible for delays in the reporting of grades from visited institutions, the grades of courses taken through Trinity approved Consortium or programs, such as the Council for International Education Exchange (CIEE), are recorded on the transcript and calculated into the student's grade point average (GPA).

Transfer Policy

Undergraduate Students

Students transferring to Trinity for a bachelor's degree must earn a minimum of 32 Trinity credit hours. Additionally, they will be expected to satisfy the Foundation for Leadership Curriculum or 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 students, they must successfully complete the Senior Assessment.

Courses eligible for transfer must have a grade of "C" or better, be applicable to Trinity's liberal arts program, and have been earned at a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional higher education accrediting association. 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 field requirements will be determined by the appropriate program chairs. Disputed cases will be reviewed by the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees.

Graduate Students

A maximum of six transfer credits may be granted for approved courses taken at other regionally accredited institutions. The following policies govern the acceptance of transfer credit at the graduate level:

1. Credits must have been earned in course work at the graduate level at a regionally accredited college or university.

2. Students must have received a grade of "B" or better in each course to be transferred.

3. Each course taken must have been completed no longer than seven years prior to the request for transfer.

4. Requests for transfer credit must be approved by the student's faculty advisor.

5. The maximum number of approved credits transferrable from workshops or professional development courses offered on or off campus is three credits.

Transfer of CLEP, AP, and Experiential Learning Credits

All Experiential, CLEP, and AP credits registered by an accredited institution will be accepted for transfer to the Trinity transcript, following normal guidelines. A maximum of 30 hours of experiential credit may be presented for transfer. Application of these credits to major programs is determined by the applicable program policies. For further discussion of this process refer to the Special Programs section of this catalog.

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 instructors. Advance notice should be given if possible, and students are responsible for meeting with faculty and determining 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 faculty member.

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 her 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 concludes her enrollment on her own initiative. This 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 and later wish to return must reapply through the Admissions Office for admission with advanced standing. Forms for withdrawal are available from the Office of the Registrar and the Advising Center.

Leave of Absence

A student may request a leave of absence for a semester or a year. Requests must be endorsed by her major department 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.

Examinations

Final Examinations/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 correspond with dates of scheduled exams. No student may reschedule a final examination in order to leave for vacation 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 will be rescheduled to the Conflict Resolution Day with the approval of the instructor.

Senior Assessment

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

A student must pass the Senior Assessment to be eligible for the degree. Students who expect degree completion in December take their Senior Assessment during the fall semester. Students who expect degree completion in May or August take their Senior Assessment during the spring semester. See the Undergraduate Programs section for specific details regarding major program Senior Assessment requirements.

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 (other special policies for Weekend College students are listed in the Weekend College section).

Full-time undergraduate students on academic probation are limited to four courses comprising a course load of 12 to 14 credit hours for the duration of the probation semester. Weekend and part-time students on academic probation may not register for more than six credit hours for the duration of the probation semester. Also, be advised that 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 standings of students at the end of each semester. A student will be dismissed if her cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 and she 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. The 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 apply, the student must offer evidence that the conditions contributing to the previous dismissal have been substantially modified. 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 credit hours 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 credit hours she will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation may not register for more than six credit hours. Thereafter, if the cumulative GPA falls or remains below 2.0 after attempting subsequent increments of nine credit hours, 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. The 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 that the conditions contributing to the previous dismissal have been substantially modified. Readmission under these conditions is normally provisional for one semester.

Cap and Gown Ceremony

To earn the privilege of wearing the cap and gown, a student must have earned at least 92 semester hours 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 credit hours 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; that is, 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.

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 10 class days. If the student asks the program chair to intervene, another 10 class days 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 days 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, but no later than four weeks after receiving results of the Senior Assessment.

To appeal a decision of the Subcommittee on Special Cases or of the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees, the student may submit, within 10 days of receiving notice of the prior decision, a written request to the full Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees. The committee shall decide whether or not to grant a reconsideration. 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 10 days of the incident.

Any other application for the redress of a student grievance based on the charge of discrimination because of gender, race, religion, age, national origin, or disability that relates to academic procedures or policies must be addressed to the Committee on Scholastic Standing and Degrees.

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 who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or above with no incomplete or failing grades.

Students registered in the Weekend College Program for a total of nine credit hours and who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or above with no incomplete or failing grades are eligible for the Dean's List.

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 credit hours at Trinity, excluding credits earned through examination or experiential learning. Latin honors are conferred on students who have achieved the following 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 semester hours 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 should not exceed 10% of the graduating seniors and may never exceed 15% of the number graduating.

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.

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.

Maintenance of Student Records

Trinity 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.

Disclosure of Student Information

The following categories of student information are designated as public or directory information. Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion.

Category I

Name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, class standing.

Category II

Previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors (includes Dean's List), 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.