Academic Policies and Procedures Relating to Students

Effective Catalog Policy

A student’s effective catalog is the catalog in effect at the time of the student’s initial enrollment at Florida SouthWestern State College or any catalog in effect through five years from initial enrollment. Graduation requirements refer to the specific combination of general education courses, required core courses, elective courses, and any other completion requirements such as passing scores on exams or completion of capstone projects. If the prerequisite requirements for any course change since the student’s time of initial enrollment, the student must meet the prerequisites in effect during the term that the student registers for the course.

A student whose enrollment was interrupted for more than one year must meet the graduation requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of readmission or any catalog in effect through five years following reenrollment.

Exceptions to the effective catalog procedure may be necessary if degree requirements change as a result of changes in statute, accreditation requirements, or requirements of other regulatory agencies to which Florida SouthWestern State College is subject.

Although Florida SouthWestern faculty, staff and administrators assist students in meeting the requirements for a degree or certificate, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to meet those requirements. Florida SouthWestern does not award a degree or certificate until all requirements and obligations have been met.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all class periods of the courses for which they are registered. Absence from several meetings of a course may result in a lower grade. The determination of what constitutes excessive absence in any course rests with the professor conducting that course. Attendance requirements for a given course are to be found in the course syllabus.

Students must attend each class at least once during the first week of class to be eligible to receive a financial aid disbursement. Failure to attend courses for which a student is enrolled will result in a loss or reduction of financial aid awards.

Only those persons enrolled in a class, or those persons who have authorization to be in attendance for a particular class, will be permitted to attend the class. Authorized persons include

1. Individuals who have enrolled and paid for the class;
2. Individuals identified by the Office of Adaptive Services that attend a course to assist an enrolled student who has a documented disability; and
3. Guest speakers invited by the College or the instructor.

If an unauthorized visitor refuses to leave a classroom or laboratory, assistance should be sought from the Department Chair, Dean’s Office, and/or Public Safety.

Class Cancellations

Florida SouthWestern State College attempts to honor its commitment to provide the classes scheduled for a given term. However, at times, usually due to low enrollment, it may be necessary to cancel a class. In such cases every effort will be made to find an appropriate alternate class for the student.

Religious Observance

Per Fla. Stat. §1006.53, the Florida SouthWestern State College policy on observance of religious holy days provides that students shall, upon notifying their instructor, be excused from class to observe religious holy days of their faith. The student will be held responsible for any material covered during the excused absence, but will be permitted a reasonable amount of time to complete any work missed. Students who feel this policy has been improperly applied may have their grievance addressed through the general academic appeals process.

Common Course Syllabus

The common course syllabus provides students with information such as the description of the course, prerequisites, major topics to be covered in the course, and the skills to be mastered as a result of taking the course. This information is the same for all sections of the course. The common course syllabus also includes such information as the schedule of class meetings, assignments, attendance policies, course materials, and scheduled test dates.

Final Examinations

The final examination schedule is published online at www.fsw.edu. It is each student’s responsibility to know when and where his or her final examinations are scheduled.

Grading Point System

The student’s grade point average is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of semester hours attempted. Grades earned in college preparatory classes do count in the computation of the overall grade point average, but are not considered in determining eligibility for graduation and/or the Dean’s list. Satisfactory, Pass, Withdrawals, Incompletes, and Audits do not receive grade points and do not have an effect on the GPA.

Maximum Course Attempts

In accordance with State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.0301, students may attempt the same course a maximum of three times at Florida SouthWestern State College. Enrollment in a course beyond the last day to drop with a refund counts as an attempt for the purposes of this rule. Upon the third attempt, the student is not permitted to withdraw from the course and will receive a grade for the course. Course withdrawals and earned grades count toward the maximum attempts.

Multiple Attempt Course Surcharge

Florida Statutes require that any student enrolled more than two times in the same state-funded undergraduate course, including college preparatory courses, be assessed an additional fee per credit hour. Students are assessed the additional fee on the third and subsequent attempt. Any coursework taken prior to the Fall 1997 semester does not count as an attempt when determining course attempts. Only coursework repeated at Florida SouthWestern State College counts in attempts. Transfer coursework does not count in the repeat calculation.

Florida Statutes also provide a one-time exception to the surcharge based on extenuating circumstances or financial hardship. Any student who withdrew from or failed a college preparatory or college credit course due to a major extenuating circumstance may submit a Petition for Exception to Maximum Course Attempts and be granted a one-time exception, per course, to the maximum course attempts and/or 100 percent of the full cost of instruction fee (please see Petitions in the Student Records section  for more information).

Course Withdrawal Policy

A student can withdraw without academic penalty from any course in a term by the mid-point of that term. Withdrawals after that date may be granted only through established institutional procedures. The Academic Calendar provides information on important dates for each semester, such as the last day to withdraw from courses without a penalty.

Students may request a withdrawal for extenuating circumstances after the published deadline by submitting a “Late Withdrawal Form.” This request can be secured in Academic Advising, Registration, or online and be turned in at the Registrar’s Office. The Late Withdrawal Form does not alter or waive a student’s responsibility from paying tuition and other fees. Students who stop attending courses without officially withdrawing and without an approved late withdrawal form will receive an “F” grade in the computation of the Florida SouthWestern State College GPA.

Students who officially withdraw from a class or classes any time prior to the date listed in the Academic Calendar will receive a grade of “W.” Course(s) receiving a grade of “W” are included in attempted courses when determining a standard of academic progress. A student will be limited to two withdrawals per course. Upon the third attempt, the student will not be permitted to withdraw, and will receive a grade for that course.

Incomplete Grade

A grade of “I” is given only when the student has successfully completed most of the course in question and, in the judgment of the professor, is able to make up any deficit within the assigned time frame. A student who receives an “I” must make up the deficiency and have the change of grade recorded in the Office of the Registrar no later than last day to remove incomplete grades as published in the College Catalog. After that, the grade defaults to an “F.” The responsibility for making the necessary arrangements with a professor for the removal of an “I” rests with the student. A student may not register for a class in which they have an “I” grade. An incomplete grade may delay graduation if requirements have not been met by the end of the term.

If a professor awarding an “I” is not going to be available the following term, it is the responsibility of the professor awarding an “I” to make arrangements for the student to deliver the necessary completed coursework to a fellow faculty member or the professor’s supervisor for a change of grade. In such a case, it is the professor’s responsibility to inform the faculty member or supervisor and the student, in writing, what needs to be completed in order for the “I” to be changed. The professor should provide a copy of the student’s grades to date, and describe the student’s remaining work and final grading procedure.

In extreme cases where circumstances prevent a professor from assigning a grade, final responsibility for the grade change rests with the supervisor.

Grade Corrections

The responsibility for the evaluation of student coursework and the assignment of final grades rests with the professor who has been assigned to teach that course. A student who believes that an error was made in the assignment of their final grade must contact his or her professor by the 28th calendar day after the start of classes in the following semester. For example, the student must request the review of a grade that was assigned in the Fall semester by the 28th calendar day after the start of Spring classes.

The professor who assigned the final grade must initiate a Change of Grade. The Change of Grade Form must be approved by the appropriate Academic Dean and forwarded to the Office of the Registrar.

As a matter of practice, a grade is corrected only in the instance where an error was made in the recording of a grade. Under no circumstances will an Academic Dean change a student’s grade. In rare cases under compelling extenuating circumstances, an Academic Dean may ask a professor to consider changing a grade if it is deemed appropriate to do so.

During the semester professors will communicate directly with those students who are doing unsatisfactory work. Students with unsatisfactory performance are encouraged to meet with their professors with a view toward improving their work.

Grade Forgiveness Policy

The Grade Forgiveness Policy permits students to repeat a course in an attempt to improve a grade of “D” or “F.” A student will be limited to two repeats per course, or a total of three attempts. Upon the third attempt, the student is not permitted to withdraw from the course and the grade assigned is the final grade for the course. Course withdrawals and earned grades count toward the maximum attempts.

Grade forgiveness is automatic, beginning Summer B, 1995, for all students who have repeated courses at Florida SouthWestern State College. Students must complete a Grade Forgiveness Form only if both the original and the forgiven grades were awarded in terms or semesters previous to Summer B, 1995, or if both courses were transferred to Florida SouthWestern State College from other institutions. Students should be aware that some colleges or universities may not accept the grade of a repeated course, or may compute grade point averages incorporating the grade originally assigned.

NOTE: Students receiving financial aid of any type are cautioned to check with the Financial Aid Office to ensure that the repeated courses will count toward their financial aid award.

Only the last grade earned in a repeated course will be computed into the grade point average at Florida SouthWestern State College, provided that the last assigned grade is not a “W” or an “X” (Audit). However, all grades will appear on the transcript. Students may not repeat a course to improve a grade point average after the awarding of the associate degree.

This policy applies to courses that are repeated for grade forgiveness purposes. It does not apply to courses designated as repeatable.

Academic Second Chance

The Academic Second Chance Policy allows a student who is transferring to or seeking readmission to Florida SouthWestern State College a one-time, non-reversible opportunity to have coursework that is five calendar years or older excluded when computing the grade point average for graduation. To be eligible for Academic Second Chance, the student must complete all admissions requirements and be admitted to a degree or certificate program. Courses that receive amnesty will still count for the Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policy with regard to attempted/earned credits.

The student must submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar. For the request to be considered, transfer or readmitted students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours at Florida SouthWestern State College within two consecutive semesters while maintaining a term GPA of 2.0 or better. ESL/ENS and remedial courses are not applicable.

When the request is approved, the following statement will be added to the student’s transcript: “Academic Second Chance policy has been applied.” The grade(s) and course(s) will remain on the transcript and the approved course(s) will be marked with a notation indicating that the grade(s) was not used to compute the student’s GPA and/or to determine graduation status. The Academic Second Chance Policy does not apply once a certificate or a degree has been earned.

Standards of Academic Progress

To complete degree and certificate program requirements, students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. When a student is no longer considered in Good Academic Standing, written notification will be sent to the student’s FSW email. The email notification will provide an explanation of his or her academic standing and instructions on the appeal process if the student is on Academic Suspension or Dismissal. It is a student’s responsibility to know his or her academic standing. Evaluated transfer coursework contributes to the cumulative GPA. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor if they left prior institutions in poor Academic Standing.

Good Academic Standing

Students are considered in Good Academic Standing if they maintain a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA.

Academic Warning

When a student’s overall GPA has fallen below a 2.0 for the first time, the student is placed on Academic Warning for one semester (e.g., Fall, Spring, Summer). A student on Academic Warning should meet with an Academic Advisor prior to future registration. Academic Warning limits a student’s academic load to 12 credits in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. All students on Academic Warning will be placed on Academic Probation in the subsequent semester if they fail to earn a 2.0 overall GPA.

Academic Probation

Students who failed to raise their overall GPA to a 2.0 or higher while on Academic Warning will be placed on Academic Probation for one semester (e.g., Fall, Spring, Summer). These students are required to meet with an Academic Advisor to develop strategies intended to improve academic progress . Academic Probation limits a student to nine credits in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Students on Academic Probation could jeopardize their financial aid eligibility, scholarship eligibility, veterans benefits, or other situations requiring full-time enrollment. Students on Academic Probation are placed on suspension if they fail to earn a 2.0 term GPA in the following semester.

Academic Suspension

Students who failed to achieve a 2.0 term GPA while on Academic Probation are suspended for one semester (e.g., Fall, Spring, Summer). Students may petition their suspension to continue their enrollment by completing an Academic Reinstatement Petition obtained from the Florida SouthWestern State College website at www.fsw.edu (refer to Reinstatement Petition on the Advising webpage). Students approved for continuation of enrollment through petition will be placed on Continued Probation after Academic Suspension status.

Probation after Academic Suspension

Students who reenter Florida SouthWestern State following Academic Suspension are required to work closely with an Academic Advisor to develop an appropriate plan to improve their academic record. Such measures could be, but are not limited to, learning contracts, enrollment in College Success Skills (SLS 1101 ), attendance at Academic Success Services workshops, and/or submission of academic progress reports. Probation after Academic Suspension limits a student to nine credits in the Fall, Spring and full Summer semesters or limits a student to three credits in mini A and mini B semesters. Students under Probation after Academic Suspension could jeopardize their financial aid eligibility, scholarship eligibility, veterans benefits, or other situations requiring full-time enrollment. Students who fail to maintain or improve their current cumulative GPAs and fail to achieve a 2.0 GPA in their most recent semester are dismissed for one full academic year.

Academic Dismissal

Students who have been on Probation after Academic Suspension and have failed to achieve a 2.0 term GPA or failed to maintain or improve their current cumulative GPA are dismissed for one full academic year. Students may petition their dismissal to continue their enrollment. The student will need to work with an academic advisor to begin the process of a reinstatement appeal. Any requests to be reinstated will be reviewed by the Standards of Academic Progress Committee.

Probation after Academic Dismissal

Students approved for continuation of enrollment by the Standards of Academic Progress Committee will be placed on Probation after Academic Dismissal status. Probation after Academic Dismissal limits a student to nine credit hours in the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters or limits a student to three credits in a mini A or mini B semester. Students under Probation after Academic Dismissal could jeopardize their financial aid eligibility, scholarship eligibility, veteran benefits, or other situations requiring full-time enrollment.

Students who reenter Florida SouthWestern State College following Academic Dismissal are required to work closely with an Academic Advisor to develop an appropriate plan to improve their academic record. Such measures could be, but are not limited to, learning contracts, enrollment in SLS classes (SLS 1101  or SLS 1515 ), attendance at Academic Success Services workshops, and/or submission of academic progress reports.

Other Academic Policies

Course Substitutions

Florida SouthWestern State College’s Operating Procedure, COP 06-0217, on Course Substitutions defines a Course Substitution as the process through which a student petitions the College for a replacement of a required course with a course that meets a minimum of 70% of the course learning outcomes. The course must be completed at an accredited post-secondary institution with evidence of common content and learning outcomes. Students are required to complete a Course Substitution Request and include all of the documentation to support the request. Once a student submits a complete Course Substitution Request, the request is reviewed and approved or denied by the Credit Review Committee; the Office of the Registrar will notify students of the status of a Course Substitution request via their FSW email account.

Dean’s List

At the conclusion of the Fall and Spring semesters only, the Office of the Registrar will generate a list of students completing 12 or more credits that semester whose grade point average is 3.5 or above and who did not receive any grade below a “C”. The list is published after the period allowed for students to make up “Incompletes.” The Dean’s List will be posted on the Office of Registrar’s webpage (www.fsw.edu/registrar), and each student on this list will receive an email containing a Dean’s List Certificate noting the accomplishment, signed by the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs. A notation of this accomplishment will be made on the transcript of each student so honored. Such students can request a personalized Dean’s list letter, if desired. Please note: College Preparatory Courses and courses beginning with the prefixes EAP, PEL, PEM, PEN, and SLS are not considered in calculating Dean’s List eligibility.

Faculty Office Hours

Full-time professors are required to schedule a minimum of 10 hours per week of office hours, during which time they will be physically present on campus and available to assist students. The scheduling of these office hours is subject to the approval of the professor’s supervisor, but ideally should be distributed over the five working days each week. Office hours will be posted on or near faculty office doors. Additional office hours beyond the required 10 hours may be scheduled, and students may also be seen by appointment. Faculty teaching online courses have the same requirements for holding office hours but may hold a portion of their office hours online.

Part-time professors are required each semester to make themselves available for student consultation before or after class. They may also make themselves available by appointment, phone, voice mail, or email. Availability to students should be appropriately noted in the class syllabus.

Foreign Language Competency

In accordance with Florida Statute 1007.25, students initially entering a Florida College System Institution in 2014-2015 and thereafter must demonstrate competency in foreign language pursuant to guidelines set in Florida Statute 1007.262 for the Associate in Arts degree.

Florida SouthWestern State College does not require completion of foreign language for admission into its baccalaureate degree programs. However, students must have completed Florida’s foreign language competency requirement prior to the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Students may meet this competency in three ways:

The Foreign Language Competency Requirement may be met by:

• 2 years of the same High School Foreign Language, or
• 2 semesters of the same College Level Foreign Language (level II proficiency), or
• Documented foreign language proficiency through testing (for example, CLEP)

Student Review of Instruction and Course Evaluations

In order to improve the teaching/learning process, further course and program development, and encourage faculty professional development, it is necessary to gather information regarding instructional practices and procedures. Among relevant kinds of information is the student’s opinion regarding classes he/she is taking. Student Review of Instruction and Course Evaluation Forms are distributed after mid-term examinations. The professor arranges for a student in the class to administer the survey and is not to be present while the survey is completed. Written comments regarding any aspect of instruction in the survey are encouraged. Students are encouraged to be as candid and as accurate as possible. Written comments should focus on elements that the student thinks can be improved or on elements that were particularly effective or satisfying so that these may be retained.

The person administering the survey should remain in the room for questions, collect the survey and materials, seal responses in the envelope provided, and return the envelope to the designated office. The survey and the envelope should be checked to verify the semester, year, course number, section and professor’s name. For those enrolled in distance learning, the survey is given to the student by the test proctor when the student takes the last proctored exam of the semester. Copies of these directions may be obtained from any instructional administrator’s office. Class averages, other survey results, and comments are reviewed by the appropriate instructional supervisor. Surveys will be forwarded to the professor after the term is completed so the professor may benefit from students’ opinions regarding instruction.

Student Surveys

Florida SouthWestern State College will periodically distribute surveys to students in order to obtain information useful in evaluating education programs, student services and many other aspects of the College and its mission. These surveys may be sent by mail, administered over the phone, administered by a link to a website sent by email or administered in the classroom. They may be administered to a cross-section of students, to graduates of particular programs, or to students enrolled for a short time. Results of student surveys are shared with administrators, faculty, the Board of Trustees and with students. Findings are reported as summaries of all responses, without identifying any particular student. The information is used to identify ways to improve programs and services and to plan future activities. Student participation in surveys ensures that the information gathered provides an accurate basis for decision-making.

Textbook Selection Process

It is the practice of Florida SouthWestern State College to encourage selection of the same textbooks for all sections of a particular course. This ensures some consistency in the content covered in each course section. The College anticipates that, except in unusual circumstances, course materials will be adopted for at least one year. Committees will meet each year to review materials currently in use and to make decisions regarding the continued use of course textbooks and materials or the adoption of new materials.

Word-Processing or Typing Policy

Students are expected to type or word-process papers presented in courses taken for credit. Florida SouthWestern State College’s basic composition course, ENC 1101 , requires students to demonstrate competence in the basic use of computers, including word processing. The word processing of papers is regarded as the norm and is considered good practice for students transferring to upper-division colleges and universities. Students who cannot type are urged to enroll in a keyboarding class or to seek assistance through various options available in Academic Support Programs.

Academic Grievance Procedure

The Florida SouthWestern State College Academic Grievance Procedure is designed to provide resolution to legitimate academic issues. State Board Rules and College Policies are not subject to academic grievance; only the application or interpretation of rules or policies may be grieved. To facilitate an efficient and timely resolution process, Florida SouthWestern State College has an Ombudsperson to assist students through informal and formal grievance procedures. The College also maintains a clear chain of escalation for grievances.

The Academic Grievance Procedure is based on the assumption that academic disagreements should be resolved by student and faculty interaction via an informal process. The formal grievance procedures are intended to provide all Florida SouthWestern State College students with opportunities for objective review of facts and events that are related to the cause of a grievance when the involved faculty members and students are not able to resolve a dispute on their own. These reviews will be accomplished in a collegial, non-judicial atmosphere. All parties are expected to behave in a civil manner.

When a student feels that an error has been made in the assignment of a course grade, it is the responsibility of the student to first meet with the faculty member to try to resolve the issue. The Academic Dean or designee in the appropriate school may be consulted if necessary. Grades are assigned solely by the faculty member of record. This assignment of grades is not subject to change through the Formal Academic Grievance Process. The decision of the faculty member is binding, except in cases where a grade can be shown to have been arbitrary, capricious, and/or retaliatory in nature.

Time Limits

A grievance must be filed in a timely fashion. Formal written grievances must involve a specific event or incident occurring within 30 days of filing. The student must participate in an Informal Grievance Procedure before filing a formal written grievance. Grievances will generally be resolved within 30 days.
If more time is required to reach a resolution, all parties involved must agree in writing to the extension. If agreement cannot be reached, the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs will make the final time determination.

Informal Grievance Procedure

The aggrieved student feels that published College policies or procedures have been violated and that this has negatively affected his/her academic status.

1. The student shall meet with the faculty member and both shall make an effort to reach a mutual resolution. The syllabus will be the guiding document. Every effort should be made to resolve the problem at this level.
2. If the grievance remains unresolved, the Academic Dean or designee shall be consulted, and a second attempt will be made to solve the grievance informally.
3. If resolution is not successful, then the student may move to place a formal grievance. The formal grievance must be submitted within five working days of denial of the informal grievance.

Formal Grievance Procedure

The aggrieved student should submit a request in writing to the Academic Dean for a formal student grievance hearing.

A formal written grievance is distinguished from an informal grievance in the following manner:

1. The grievance must be in writing, and must be dated and signed by the student making the grievance.
2. The grievance must clearly identify the department(s) and issue(s) involved.
3. The grievance must indicate that the student has attempted to resolve the issue with the involved staff member prior to the date of the grievance.

The Academic Dean shall appoint an ad hoc grievance committee consisting of the faculty Department Chair (or faculty designee), and two other members: one regular, full-time administrative employee and one member of the Student Government Association Board. The Department Chair will serve as the chairperson.

1. The Dean or his/her designee will serve as recording secretary to the committee, but shall have no vote.
2. The committee shall, within seven working days of being constituted, meet to hear the grievance, review documentation, and interview all witnesses deemed pertinent to the matter.
3. The committee shall, within four working days after the close of the hearing, report its findings, and make a recommendation for resolution of the matter.
4. The Academic Dean will report the finding to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for a final decision. That decision is binding. There are no further appeals within the College.
5. When the grievance has been resolved, all paperwork shall be forwarded to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for archiving.

Student Administrative Grievance Procedure (Non-Academic Issues)

A grievance is a student complaint regarding a violation, interpretation, or application of a college policy or college operating procedure. The written grievance procedure is based on the assumption that grievances, disagreements, and complaints should be resolved by direct interaction among students and staff. To facilitate an efficient and timely resolution process, Florida SouthWestern State College has an Ombudsperson to assist students through informal and formal grievance procedures. The College also maintains a clear chain of escalation for grievances.

Exclusions

Grievances pertaining to the following matters shall not be processed under this rule:

1. Disciplinary actions taken under the Florida SouthWestern State College Student Code of Conduct.
2. The professional judgment exercised by an instructor in assigning a grade.
3. Complaints involving discrimination, harassment, or violations of Title IX.

Time Limits

A grievance must be filed in a timely fashion. Formal written grievances must involve a specific event or incident occurring within 30 days of filing. The student must participate in an informal grievance resolution before filing a formal written grievance. Grievances will generally be resolved within 30 days.
If more time is required to reach a resolution, all parties involved must agree in writing to the extension. If agreement cannot be reached, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management will make the final time determination.

Note Concerning Discrimination, Harassment and Title IX Complaints:

Florida SouthWestern State College maintains a separate set of procedures to address complaints that entail accusations dealing with violations of Title IX, discrimination, or harassment. These types of complaints are addressed through Florida SouthWestern State College Board Policy 6Hx6:2.03 and College Operating Procedure 05- 0107. Students should notify the Campus Chief Student affairs Officer, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, or the Director of Human Resources for assistance in resolving any discrimination or harassment issue.

Informal Grievance Resolution

The student must first attempt to resolve a grievance informally by meeting with the staff member who is alleged to have caused the grievance. If the grievance cannot be resolved at this level, the student is encouraged to continue informal resolution presenting the problem orally through appropriate administrative channels up to, but not including, the Office of the Vice President in whose area the grievance has occurred. If an informal resolution still cannot be reached, then the student may initiate the formal grievance procedure. All formal written grievances should be submitted to the Chief Student Affairs Officer on each campus.

Formal Grievance Resolution

A formal written grievance is distinguished from an informal grievance in the following manner:

1. The grievance must be in writing, and must be dated and signed by the student making the grievance.
2. The grievance must clearly identify the department(s) and issue(s) involved.
3. The grievance must indicate that the student has attempted to resolve the issue with the involved staff member prior to the date of the grievance.

Once a formal grievance has been submitted to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, the following process is engaged:

1. The Chief Student Affairs Officer will route the grievance to the appropriate employee within the department where the issue resides. This employee will initiate an investigation of the issues identified in the grievance.
2. Within 10 business days of receiving the grievance, the employee will provide the student with a written response to the grievance; the written response will contain a description of any findings and decisions made regarding the grievance. The employee will send the Chief Student Affairs Officer a copy of the written response for documentation purposes.
3. If the student feels the response does not address the grievance properly, the student may request that it be referred to the next higher administrative level.
4. At each administrative level, the administrator will be given 10 business days to investigate the issue and provide the student with a written response. The administrator at each level will send the Chief Student Affairs Officer a copy of the written response for documentation purposes.
5. The determination of the Vice President in whose area the grievance has occurred will be the final decision. There are no further appeals within the College. The Vice President will send the Chief Student Affairs Officer a copy of the final determination for documentation purposes.

Academic Support Centers

First-Year Experience (FYE)

Florida SouthWestern State College values student success and is committed to creating a foundation for students. By encouraging the development of critical thinking skills and making the acquisition of knowledge relevant to their lives, FSW provides students with strategies to succeed in life and opportunities to apply their learning in and outside of college life.

Florida SouthWestern State College has created a First-Year Experience (FYE) Program to connect students with the resources, tools, and programs that are essential for their success in the first year and beyond. The FYE Program facilitates the development of critical thinking skills and self-reliant learning among first-time-in-college students. The FYE Program provides opportunities for students to develop a sense of belonging by integrating them into the community of Florida SouthWestern State College through the Cornerstone Experience course (SLS 1515 ), academic and co-curricular workshops, engagement with peer leaders, and community service opportunities.

Academic Centers

Each campus and center of Florida SouthWestern State College has established Academic Centers whose mission is to provide programs and services that support students in achieving their academic and professional goals. Each Center is unique to its location but all provide a highly supportive environment for student academic engagement. The Math Center, the Writing Center, the Oral Communication Center, and the Peer Tutoring Center facilitate learning and academic achievement by using individual and small group tutoring sessions.

In the Academic Centers, students will find a supportive environment that provides them with essential resources and services that range from daily study skills workshops to individualized attention. Free workshops cover a variety of life management skills that pertain to academic success. Workshops are scheduled during day and evening hours to meet the needs of all students. All services in the Centers are available to registered Florida SouthWestern State College students.

Developmental Studies

As per Florida Statute 1008.30:

A student who entered 9th grade in a Florida public school in the 2003-2004 school year, or any year thereafter, and earned a Florida standard high school diploma or a student who is serving as an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Services shall not be required to take the common placement test and shall not be required to enroll in developmental education instruction in a Florida College System institution. However, a student who is not required to take the common placement test and is not required to enroll in developmental education under this paragraph may opt to be assessed and to enroll in developmental education instruction, and the college shall provide such assessment and instruction upon the student’s request.

A student who takes the common placement test and whose score on the test indicates a need for developmental education must be advised of all the developmental education options offered at the institution and, after advisement, shall be allowed to enroll in the developmental education option of his or her choice.

A student who demonstrates readiness by achieving or exceeding the test scores established by the state board and enrolls in a Florida College System institution within 2 years after achieving such scores shall not be required to retest or complete developmental education when admitted to any Florida College System institution.

Students who must enroll in the same College Success course a third time shall pay fees at 100 percent of the full cost of instruction. Students who withdraw or fail a class due to extenuating circumstances, or who have a financial hardship, may be granted an exception to the 100 percent full cost of instruction (please see “Petitions” in the Student Records section  for more information). Students must provide written documentation of financial hardship, disability, or extenuating circumstances that resulted in the withdrawal or failure. Such documentation shall be submitted to the College Registrar for consideration.

Students are permitted to enroll in Developmental instruction concurrently with credit instruction in courses for which they are qualified. Non-Exempt students testing into remedial courses may not enroll in the following categories of college credit courses while completing their College Success coursework:

1. Non-exempt students who are deficient in mathematics may not enroll in any college-level mathematics course or courses that require mathematics skills beyond the skill level of the student.
2. Non-exempt students who are deficient in English and/or reading skills may not enroll in English or humanities courses that meet the Gordon Rule requirements or any courses that require communication skills beyond the skill level of the student.
3. Non-exempt students who are deficient in all three areas may enroll in college-level courses such as orientation courses, college success courses, or courses that are not dependent on college-level computation and communication skills.
4. College Success instruction is provided in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Reading for College Success instruction includes the recognition of main ideas, supporting details, meanings of words in context, author’s purpose, tone, valid arguments, explicit and implicit relationships within and between sentences, and the ability to detect bias, to distinguish fact from opinion, and to draw logical inferences and conclusion.

Writing for College Success instruction includes grammatical concepts and usage, punctuation, word choice, and paragraph and essay development.

Mathematics for College Success instruction includes arithmetic and introductory algebra including real numbers and their properties and basic operations, linear expressions, factoring of algebraic expressions, solutions of linear equations and inequalities, graphing, and quadratic equations.

All Developmental classes are 3 credit/4 contact hours. There may be a required lab component that must be completed in the Academic Centers. The hours of the Academic Centers are posted every semester. The student’s lab component can be completed any time the Centers are open.

Developmental Mathematics Sequence
MAT 0057 - Mathematics for College Success -Modularized
OR
MAT 0057 - Mathematics for College Success -Compressed

Developmental Reading Sequence
REA 0019 - Reading for College Success (*) -Modularized
OR
REA 0019 - Reading for College Success (*) -Compressed
OR
REA 0019 - Reading for College Success (*) -Contextualized

Developmental Writing Sequence
ENC 0022 - Writing for College Success (*) -Modularized
OR
ENC 0022 - Writing for College Success (*) -Compressed