Limitations on Course Loads
A student cannot take more than 19 semester hours without the written permission of the student’s academic advisor and the Dean of Academic Affairs. Generally, this permission is not granted to a student who does not have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.
Audit Policy
To audit a course, students must register by contacting the Office of Records and Registration. Those who audit do so only to peruse a class; they may not have the privilege of participation in class discussions, laboratory work, or fieldwork. Auditing is limited to credit courses. A list of courses appropriate for audit is available in the Office of the Provost. Auditing will not be permitted if a class is filled.
Auditors do not take tests, submit term papers, or receive grades, nor do they have the privilege of receiving peer tutoring. Auditors will not receive college credit or a grade for the course; however, a notation of the audit will be made on the student’s permanent record. Library privileges are available under this status.
Changing from audit to credit or credit to audit will be permitted only during the designated add period at the beginning of each semester (only during the first week of classes). Credit for audited courses cannot be established at a later date except by enrolling in the course for credit in a subsequent semester and satisfying all course requirements at that time.
Students who audit a class will pay full tuition and fees for the course. A certificate of residence is also required.
Older Adult Audit
Adults 60 or older may audit credit courses on a space-available basis at no charge (see above audit policy for details). Anyone interested should contact the Office of Records and Registration. Proof of age may be required.
Cross Registration of Full-Time Students
Full-time matriculated students can enter into a cross registration arrangement with other SUNY campuses. Students may cross register for 3 credits of college-level courses each semester. Students must be matriculated, have a GPA of 2.0, be in good academic standing, and be registered for at least 12 combined credits. Approval from both the home and host institution is required. Anyone interested should contact the Office of Records and Registration for further information and guidelines.
Waiver of Requirements
Institutional degree requirements for associate degree programs at Columbia-Greene Community College, on file with the New York State Education Department and the State University of New York, and found on page 70, should not be waived. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Waived courses do not decrease the number of credit hours required for graduation.
Course Substitutions
Academic advisors must provide written approval for all course substitutions. Substitutions may only be made with equivalent courses within the same division’s offerings.
Division chairs must provide written approval for any substitution which uses courses from divisions other than their own.
Dropping a Course
Students may drop a course until the census date, which may vary for individual courses (check with the Office of Records and Registration for specific details). Census date is defined as 20 percent of the full semester. After officially dropping a course, it will not appear on the student’s transcript. However, there may be a financial liability for originally registering for this course. Refer to the refund policy on page 69 for further information.
A student may also be dropped from a course if he or she has been reported by the instructor as never attending.
To Drop One or More Courses
Students wishing to drop courses may do so through Banner Self-Service. All students are advised to check with their academic advisor and the Bursar’s Office to determine the impact a drop will have on degree completion and financial liability. Students receiving financial aid should also contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss any possible impact on financial aid eligibility.
Students wishing to drop or withdraw from all courses must contact the Office of Records and Registration.
Adding a Course
Students may add a course until the end of the first week of classes without special permission. After the first week of classes, special consideration will be determined by the Dean of Academic Affairs after consultation with the instructor. The last day to add courses that are special dated is determined on a per-course, per-semester basis. Check with the Records and Registration Office for details.
Withdrawing from a Course
The withdrawal period begins after census date. A student may withdraw from a class after the census date, typically 20 percent of the full semester, but this may vary for individual courses. Please check with the Office of Records and Registration for specific details. The student will receive a grade of W for the withdrawn course on their transcript. Failure to attend class or an informal notification to instructors will not be considered official notice of withdrawal.
To Withdraw from One or More Courses
Students who wish to withdraw from courses may do so through Banner Self-Service unless they are withdrawing from all courses. Any student who wishes to withdraw from all courses must complete a withdrawal form, which is available from the student’s academic advisor or from the Office of Records and Registration. Signatures must be obtained from the student's academic advisor as well as the Financial Aid Office before submitting this form to the Office of Records and Registration. Forms must be submitted by the deadline established in the college catalog.
Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal
A student can request a medical/ compassionate withdrawal where extreme illness, injury, or other significant situation prevents them from completing classes. The circumstances for the student request would generally involve death in the student’s immediate family, unforeseen physical or mental health difficulties, or an unexpected family illness that requires the student’s presence and prohibits the completion of the course.
Withdrawals may result in a recalculation of financial aid eligibility. Students receiving financial aid should discuss the implications with the financial aid office before requesting a withdrawal.
Requests for a medical/compassionate withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Student Development. Supporting documentation must be included and received by the last day of classes for the semester in order for the appeal to be accepted and approved. The student will receive notice of the decision.
Matriculated students who withdraw from all courses may enroll for courses in a subsequent semester without having to apply for readmission. If, however, matriculated students withdraw from all courses and do not continue their enrollment in a subsequent semester, they must apply for readmission and meet any new curriculum requirements in effect at the date of readmission.
Independent Study
Independent study is a form of learning whereby a faculty member and the student cooperatively design a written contract equivalent to college-level study within a specific discipline.
- Students must have completed at least 12 semester hours from an accredited college and possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher as of the date of the written contract for independent study.
- Transfer students must supply official transcripts to verify grade point average.
- Independent study will be under the supervision of a faculty member affiliated with Columbia-Greene Community College.
- An independent study cannot be substituted for a course in the catalog. It will appear on the transcript with a course title and code identifying it as an independent study.
- A student may take only one independent study per semester and a maximum of three at Columbia-Greene.
- Each hour of credit should reflect a minimum of 45 hours of work.
- To register, a student must hand in a completed contract approved and signed in the following order: the student, the faculty, the registrar, the division chairperson, and the Dean of Academic Affairs.
- Deadline for registration and completion of projects will follow the regular college calendar as published in the current catalog.
- Independent study contract forms and regulations are available in the Office of the Provost.