Addendum for MCC Course Syllabi

Statement on Student Assessment and Accreditation

Muskegon Community College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission located in Chicago. The College is currently seeking reaccreditation by completing a two-year process called a self-study. Accreditation helps ensure students that they are receiving a quality education and can transfer to other colleges and universities with ease and confidence. MCC is committed to an essential part of the reaccreditation process: assessing student learning. You may be asked to participate in assessing student academic achievement this semester by doing such things as:

• Evaluate your class and your instructor by completing a Student Opinion Survey, usually given toward the end of the semester.
• In some classes, you will find that one hour of class time may be devoted to completing a test of your general knowledge. Your performance on this test will not affect your grade in this course or your status in the College.
• You may also be asked to be part of a group of students who will be interviewed or surveyed about their views of the College's strengths and weaknesses.

If you have any comments you would like to make about the quality of education at MCC, please email the College's assessment coordinator at studentscount@muskegoncc.edu

Statement on MCC Email

All email communication originating from MCC to students will be via their email account. CHECK YOUR MCC EMAIL FREQUENTLY.

Statement on Student Behavior

Muskegon Community College is a community of scholars whose members include administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Mutual respect and civility are expected in the classroom or other college academic settings, as well as, in any communication.

• MCC has the duty of providing students with privileges, opportunities, and protections that best promote learning;
• Students have the right to a non-threatening learning environment;
• Students have the responsibility to refrain from infringing on the right of others to learn or the right of teachers to teach; and
• Any student whose behavior disrupts learning may be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Muskegon Community College Student Handbook/Planner.

Academic Integrity Policy

Muskegon Community College expects that all faculty and students will adhere to high standards of personal and academic honesty. This means that all academic work will be done by the student to whom it is assigned without unauthorized aid of any kind. Faculty members, for their part, will exercise care in the planning and supervision of academic work so that honest effort will be positively encouraged.

Academic dishonesty consists of, but is not limited to:

• Cheating. Cheating is defined as using or attempting to use, giving or attempting to give, and obtaining or attempting to obtain, materials or information, including computer material pertaining to a quiz, examination, or other work that a student is expected to do alone.
• Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another's words or ideas without acknowledgement.

Penalties for violation of these standards of conduct may result in sanctions of up to and including suspension or expulsion from MCC.

Statement on Dispute Resolution Process

Should a student not agree with a faculty member's decision or actions as they may relate to this policy, the following steps shall be followed:

1. A student suspected of academic dishonesty shall be notified in writing within two school days of the time the violation is discovered. Copies of the written notification shall also be filed with the department chair and Vice President of Student Services.
2. The student should try to reach resolution of the matter through direct discussion with the involved faculty member within three (3) school days of the written notification.
3. If the matter is not resolved in Step 2, the student shall bring the matter to the attention of the department chairperson of the involved faculty member.
4. If the matter is not resolved at the department chairperson level, the student shall bring the matter to the attention of the Vice President for Academic Affairs who shall render a decision within five school days of the receipt of the dispute information.
5. If a satisfactory solution is not reached at the Step 4 level, the student may file a written request with the Vice President of Student Services for a hearing before the disciplinary board. This meeting shall be held not more than 20 days following the written request. A student may request a hearing before the disciplinary board. The disciplinary and judicial procedures are outlined in the Muskegon Community College Student Handbook/Planner.