Academic Advising
Although students are responsible for completing all graduation requirements, advisors provide necessary guidance regarding prerequisites, scheduling, work load, etc. At this time the Dean of the Weekend College acts as the advisor to weekend college students. Appointments can be scheduled free of charge in the mornings, afternoons or evenings by calling the Admissions Office or Advising Center. The person answering the phone can set up the appointment; you do not need to talk to the individual counselor to set up the advising appointment.

Appointments should be scheduled at least once a year to insure that the student is working toward the completion of requirements for her/his program. At the appointment the advisor and student can discuss courses completed, courses remaining, prerequisites and scheduling. Prerequisites are courses that need to be taken prior to another course. Prerequisites insure that the student has the necessary preparation for the work to be done in the course.

All students are required to declare a major, the particular area a student wishes to study. Students may choose to declare a minor, a shorter group of courses in an area. Students are not required to have a minor.

Academic Probation
A student whose grade point average is below 2.00 is placed on academic probation. Weekend College students have three terms in which to raise the cumulative grade point average to a 2.00. While on probation, it is expected that there will be scholastic improvement each term. That is, the cumulative grade point average will be slightly higher than the previous term. If the student is not off probation by the end of three terms, the student may be declared academically ineligible to return to Notre Dame College of Ohio.

Attendance
Due to the accelerated nature of Weekend College, attendance at each class meeting is expected. Missing one WECO class is like missing two weeks of a regular semester course. Individual instructors, however, set up the specific attendance policies for each course. The policy should be on the course syllabus given out at the first class. Absences may result in a lowered grade or even failure of the course. If absent, the student must arrange to make up the work missed. The instructor should always be informed of any absence. If you cannot reach the instructor, call the WECO Office. We will leave a note for the instructor.

Catalog and Manual
The Notre Dame College Catalog contains information about the college and its programs as they affect current students. Weekend College students follow the same academic requirements as semester students. Familiarize yourself with the contents of the catalog in effect when you begin your career at Notre Dame. There you will find the policies governing your progress. It is wise, therefore, to KEEP A COPY OF YOUR CATALOG until studies are completed.

Should the catalog be changed (usually every two years) during your years from matriculation (entering) to graduation, you have the right to remain for ten years in the catalog in effect when you started as long as you are a continuous student. An absence of a year or more would require readmission under the catalog in effect at the time of your return.

Students may request permission to switch to a new catalog when program changes occur that the student believes are more advantageous to her/his academic program. Approval is given by the student's academic advisor.

THE WECO STUDENT MANUAL applies to policies and procedures specific to attendance in the Weekend College (WECO). It presupposes a knowledge of the Notre Dame College catalog. In general, WECO students are governed by the same rules, regulations, policies and procedures as semester students. Students should read the catalog AND this manual carefully and ask questions about the unclear areas.

Cancellation of WECO Classes/Inclement Weather Policy
WEEKEND COLLEGE CLASSES ARE NOT CANCELLED UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Every attempt will be made to hold WECO classes. It is too difficult to reschedule class meetings and they must be held. Notre Dame will not cancel classes except for severe weather conditions in South Euclid. The College recognizes, however, that students, particularly weekenders, commute from a wide geographic area and that road conditions vary greatly. Common sense and good judgment should guide students as to whether they can safely get to their classes. Students are strongly advised to inform the WECO Office of absences due to weather. The cancellation of classes because of snow or other inclement weather will be announced on local TV and radio stations.

Every effort will be made to announce closings by 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and on WECO Saturdays. Cancellation of evening classes will be announced by 4:30 p.m. On WECO Saturdays do not call the office before 8:00 a.m. as there is no one available to take the call. Voice mail messages can be left at extensions 5283 or 5355 at any time.

Credit Options/ Life Experience Credits
Notre Dame College recognizes that not all learning occurs in a classroom setting. Many students have meaningful life and work experiences that may equate to college level learning. To receive credit for learning that has taken place outside of an accredited college program, students have several options:

CLEP TESTING: National standardized tests in various college courses. Test scores must be sent directly to Notre Dame from the testing service. If the score is at or above that required by Notre Dame, credit is given for the equivalent course. If there is no equivalent course, elective credit may be given. CLEP materials, which include sample questions, can be found in bookstores or the reference section of area libraries. There are fees for these tests.

TESTING OUT of a Notre Dame course: Students who feel that they know the material taught in a course request permission from the department or instructor to do a departmental test in that subject area. The department MAY OR MAY NOT grant this request. In some cases the department may prefer portfolio documentation. The Business Department has regularly scheduled test-outs for BU220 Introduction to Computers and BU260 Microcomputer Applications in Business. Dates are published in the WECO newsletter. Guidelines and study guides for these test-outs are available in the WECO office.

PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT: The process by which students document their learning through the development of a portfolio. The portfolio includes a cover letter, a resume and supporting materials showing what the student has learned, how it was learned, letters or certificates supporting the successful completion of tasks, workshops, etc. The department may not be willing to accept a portfolio for courses that are very theoretical. Students may wish to scan textbooks in the appropriate subject to see what areas are covered in a college course and, therefore, should be included in the portfolio. Notre Dame College will accept portfolios only for courses in the NDC catalog.

Dean's List
In recognition of academic excellence, a Dean's List is compiled each WECO term. To qualify, a student must have an average of 3.50 or greater and must have taken a graded course in each time slot of that term. An incomplete grade precludes such recognition.

Financial Policies
Part-time students, those enrolled in 1-11 credits, pay tuition on a fixed rate per credit basis. The rate will be determined by the Board of Trustees. Notre Dame College reserves the right to change any fees. Students enrolled in 12-19 credits (WECO I/ Semester I) will be charged the full-time flat-rate tuition.

It is the policy of Notre Dame College that tuition and fees for a given term are to be paid in full prior to the beginning of a term. Those unable to pay in full at the beginning of a term may use an off-campus payment option. Additional information is available from a Weekend College staff member. There is an enrollment fee for the time-payment option.

Payments may be made by check. However, it is the policy of Notre Dame College that if a check is returned because of insufficient funds, future payments must be made in cash, money order or bank check. The fee for returned checks is $30.00.

Students who have outstanding balances at the end of a term will not be issued report cards or transcripts and will not be allowed to attend subsequent terms.

If the account is not paid in full within two weeks after the end of the term, the account will be turned over to General Revenue Corporation Collection Agency, and the college's entire cost of collection will be added to the account upon the return of the student to the College.

Grading
Grading in the Weekend College follows the Notre Dame College guidelines as listed in the Catalog. Failure to complete course requirements may result in a lowered or failing grade. Grade disputes in WECO are resolved as directed under the grade appeal process found in the catalog.

Graduation with Honors
To be eligible for graduation with honors, "cum laude", a student must earn a grade point average of 3.50; for graduation "magna cum laude", she must earn an average of 3.75; for "summa cum laude", she must earn an average of 3.90. Furthermore, the student must have earned at least 128 semester credits, including 64 from Notre Dame College. A grade of D+, D, or F at anytime or institution preclude graduation with honors at Notre Dame. However, any student with D+, D, or F grades from NDC or another institution can petition the Educational Policy and Planning Committee for consideration to graduate with honors. The appeal must be made before the end of January in the year the student plans to graduate.

Incomplete
An incomplete for a course is given only for extenuating circumstances. The possibility of an incomplete must be discussed with the instructor. Failure to turn in work on time or failure to take the final exam does not constitute grounds for an incomplete. An incomplete cannot be given when the student has missed major portions of the course; it is simply a short extension of time to do the work that could not be done on time due to unusual circumstances in the student's life.

All incompletes must be made up within two weeks of the end of the session in which the incomplete was given.

If an extended incomplete is necessary, the request for an extension must be made in writing to the instructor with copies to Student Records and the Dean of the Weekend College before the two week deadline in which the work has to be completed.

Preassignment
The Weekend College is built on the premise that adult students are highly motivated and capable of assuming a significant amount of independent study. With only six meetings for the course, students are expected to do a major part of their work outside the classroom. Students are expected to come to class, including the first, having done the readings and assignments. Work assigned for the very first class is called the PREASSIGNMENT. Preassignments are available in the WECO Office two weeks before the start of each term. Every course has a preassignment—some are listed on the MASTER SHEET; some are handouts.

President's List
In recognition of a superior level of academic achievement, a President's List is compiled at the end of WECO Term III. To qualify, a student must have an average of 4.00 for each of the first three WECO terms in a given academic year and must have taken a graded course in each time slot in each of the three terms.

Transfer Credit
Notre Dame College accepts course work from other regionally accredited colleges or universities in courses that the student received a grade of C (not C-) or better. Credits may go toward meeting requirements in the core, the major or towards electives. If the course given credit is equivalent to a requirement, the student does not need to take the course at NDC. An academic advisor can discuss how transferred credits fit into the Notre Dame program. PLEASE NOTE: only 64 semester credits from two-year institutions may be applied toward the 128 semester credits required for graduation. Therefore, some students may graduate with more than 128 credits.

Transient
Occasionally a degree-seeking student at Notre Dame may need to or wish to take a course at another local institution. Permission to do so must be given by the Dean of Weekend College prior to the student registering at the other institution. It is recommended that the student speak to the academic advisor before making any decisions so that the course will be the correct one for the student's purpose. If the course is appropriate, a TRANSIENT STUDENT FORM will be typed and given to the student to take to the other college. A copy is kept in the student's file here. Without prior permission and the transient form, Notre Dame is not required to accept those credits for transfer. A grade of C must be earned to transfer course credit.

WECO Student Advisory Board
The student advisory board acts as a liaison between students and college administration. The Board usually meets once or twice a term over the Saturday lunch hour to discuss various issues and concerns of WECO students. Anyone interested in Board membership should contact the Dean of Weekend College.

This manual has been developed to provide answers to questions that WECO students may have regarding Weekend College and its policies and procedures. If you need additional information or clarification about WECO, please contact the dean in person on WECO weekends or schedule an appointment, by phone (216-373-5283) or by email (mlcurrivan@ndc.edu).

Withdrawal
Failure to attend the first class or subsequent class meetings does not constitute official withdrawal. To be official, notification of withdrawal must be made in writing. The withdrawal form can be obtained in the Student Records office or the WECO office. Students may choose to write a letter of withdrawal rather than complete the form. Any tuition refund is based on the date the office receives the official written notice of withdrawal. A letter of withdrawal must contain the student's name, social security number, names of courses dropped and signature.

A student may withdraw without penalty prior to the first meeting of the course.

Withdrawal after the first class meeting but before the second meeting will carry a 30% tuition charge. A refund of 70% will be made. The charge and refund are based on full tuition charges.

All withdrawals must be made before the fourth class meeting to show a "W" on the report card. Failure to withdraw, along with failure to complete course requirements, will result in a grade of "F." If the "F" is in a required course, it must be repeated. Full tuition is charged for repeated courses.

The grade and financial policies regarding withdrawal hold even if the student never attended a class session.