I - Incomplete, a neutral mark. The I is given at the discretion of a teacher with approval of the Vice President of Academic Affairs when, for a legitimate reason, a student is not able to complete course requirements within a given semester. Typical instances might be absence from a final because of illness or inability to complete a project because of extenuating circumstances.

A student may qualify for a maximum of four incompletes during his or her enrollment at Yellowstone Baptist College.

A student may apply for only one incomplete during a semester, unless some extraordinary circumstance deems it fitting to grant more than one.

3. A student must request permission from the teacher to apply for an incomplete in that class; if permission is granted, s/he must next go to the Vice President of Academic Affairs to request the proper application. A conference will then be set up between the student, the teacher of the class, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs to determine the legitimacy of the application. The application for an incomplete will be granted only if both the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the teacher agree to the incomplete.

All work for the incomplete must be finished within four (4) weeks from the date of the final exam of the class in question; otherwise the grade will be changed to a failing grade (F) on the transcript.

Following the granting of an incomplete, the student shall be advised to take less course hours the following semester. Following the granting of incompletes any two consecutive semesters, the student will be required to reduce the academic load for the next semester.

All conditions and requirements for finishing the incomplete will be set down in writing as achievable objectives in an I-contract signed by the teacher and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

A student who is receiving financial aid may receive an incomplete, but that incomplete must be finished according to the above guidelines or the student will be required to reimburse the College for financial aid received for that course.

 ACADEMIC PROBATION, SUSPENSION, DISCIPLINARY PROBATION

Students are expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA, which is the minimum required for graduation. If a student falls below a GPA of 2.0 for any semester, s/he will be placed on academic probation for the following semester and notified in writing by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. If a student falls below a 2.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters, s/he will be placed on academic suspension from the College for the following (spring or fall term) semester. Any student who is subject to suspension under the guidelines for academic probation and suspension will be informed in writing by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The student has ten days from the date of the letter to provide the VPAA with relevant information (change of grade, verifiable medical condition, or other extenuating circumstances) that might affect the Vice President of Academic Affairs’ decision. After reviewing the student’s academic records and other relevant information supplied to the Vice President of Academic Affairs by the student or by others, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, in Academic Committee, will decide whether to place the student on academic suspension or to extend the student’s period of academic probation. The student will be notified in writing of the decision.

If a student is on academic probation for two consecutive semesters, he or she will be suspended from the college. Students under academic suspension may apply to the Office of Academic Affairs for reinstatement. Reinstatement is not automatic but depends on the quality of evidence submitted to the Academic Dean to justify belief that normal progress may be made toward satisfaction of degree requirements. If reinstated, students must pass all courses attempted for each succeeding semester or the student will be dismissed from the college.

Students under academic suspension may apply to the Office of Academic Affairs for reinstatement. Reinstatement is not automatic but depends on the quality of evidence submitted to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, in writing and in personal interview, to justify belief that normal progress may be made toward satisfaction of degree requirements. A student who is reinstated following his/her first academic suspension is on academic probation and must meet the terms of academic probation to avoid a second academic suspension. A student who is reinstated following his/her second academic suspension is on academic probation and must meet the terms of academic probation to avoid dismissal from Yellowstone Baptist College.

If a student is placed on disciplinary probation for a current semester, the disciplinary probation applies through the next semester and can only be removed upon recommendation and approval of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, based on acceptable change in behavior. Two consecutive semesters of disciplinary probation will result in the student being placed on academic suspension from the college for the following semester. 

1. A student on probation may not represent the College in activities for which s/he is not registered for credit.

2. A student on probation is not eligible for grants or scholarships administered by the College.

3. A student on probation may not hold any office in student organizations.

4. A student on probation may take no more than 13 semester hours during one semester.
   
   

 CLASS STANDING

Students who have earned fewer than 24 semester hours are classified as freshmen; 24-55 semester hours, sophomores; 56-87 semester hours, juniors; 88 semester hours and over, seniors.

 SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Special recognition is given for academic excellence in the following rosters:

• The President's List - composed of students completing at least 12 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.75 and no grade lower than a B.
• The Dean's List - composed of students completing at least 12 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.45 and no grade lower than a C.
• Part-time students may be listed on a Special Honor Roll if they complete 6-11 hours in one semester and meet the above criteria.
  
  

• 3.50-3.66 cum laude (with honors)
• 3.67-3.83 magna cum laude (with high honors)
• 3.84-4.00 summa cum laude (with highest honors)
  
  

 SPECIAL STUDIES

The College may offer independent study on a limited basis. The student requesting the independent study will be charged, in addition to the course per hour charge, an additional $100. for each independent study. Only juniors and seniors with a 3.0 or higher GPA are eligible for independent study, and no more than three credit hours of independent study may be taken per semester. The request for independent study must first be initiated with the Registrar; approval of the independent study rests with the teacher and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

 ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS

Students are expected to be faithful in class attendance. Persistent failure to attend class will be reported by teachers to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the student may be requested to withdraw from the College. When a student fails to attend class for any reason for as much as 20 percent of the total number of class meetings/hours of instruction (the teacher may round percentages to the next whole number), the student may be given a grade of F in the course regardless of the quality of his/her work. Other penalties for class absences may be assessed at the discretion of the teacher.

  EXAMINATION POLICY

Students are expected to take all scheduled tests, mid-term exams, and final exams at the time and on the day specified by the teacher and coordinated by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. A final exam schedule will be posted by the Vice President of Academic Affairs early in the semester. The teacher’s prerogative determines whether or not a student will be allowed to re-schedule or make up an exam.

If a student is unable to continue with a course, it is imperative that the student withdraw from the class. A drop card may be obtained from the Registrar's Office. Refunds will be made according to the refund schedule posted by the Business Office. See "Grading Standards" for grade assignment under this condition. If a student must withdraw from all classes, s/he must write a letter to the Vice President of Academic Affairs requesting that the complete withdrawal be processed.

The effective date of withdrawal is the postmark date if mailed. See “Grading Standards” for grade assignment under this condition. Students who leave the College without following proper withdrawal procedure will receive grades of F in all courses, be responsible for all charges incurred, and will not be considered for readmission.

  REGISTRATION

Yellowstone Baptist College operates on a semester calendar with a four-month fall semester, a four-month spring semester, and optional January and summer terms. Each student is responsible for monitoring his/her own course of study toward a college degree. An academic advisor assigned by the Registrar is available for counsel.

All students are expected to register during the designated registration periods. A $25 late fee is charged for registration after the designated time. No registration will be accepted after the deadlines designated in the official academic calendar. All registrations must conform to the policies in force at the time of registration in order for any course work to be credited toward fulfillment of degree requirements.

  ORIENTATION

Orientation is an important part of college life and participation is mandatory for all new and all transfer students. This program assists students in successfully adjusting to college community life and study.

All students, new and returning, must participate in the scheduled registration process. Semester registration involves final enrollment for the semester, any needed financial actions, purchasing of texts, and any needed training/planning for work-study students. Also included in the registration schedule are social activities designed to enhance networking among students, faculty, and staff. Participation in fall semester orientation is required of all YBC students. Failure to participate will result in a monetary fine. (See Student Handbook, page 30)

 PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

English Skills Requirement:
Students taking College Composition (ENG 101) are required to earn a grade of at least a C; those students earning a grade of D or below must re-take College Composition the next semester it is offered.