Attendance Policy
The nature of the programs at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - is such that it is necessary for every student to attend regularly. Excessive interruptions due to absences will have an adverse effect on student progress. The daily attendance of a student becomes a part of the student’s permanent file and is reflected on their transcript.
The attendance policy is intended to promote dependability and positive worker characteristics essential to success in the workforce. Students are expected to be punctual and attend class each day. The purpose of the attendance policy is to provide those students with extenuating circumstances or emergencies beyond their control an exception to perfect attendance. Discretionary hours or personal time away from school is not considered appropriate absences. On occasions where a student must be absent from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology -, they are required to call in to their instructor to inform them of that fact. All students must attend at least 90.3 % of their scheduled hours to maintain satisfactory attendance.
Full-Time Students
- After a full-time student has been absent for a total of 5.5% of the total hours for which he/she enrolled for the term, the student will receive written communication from their program instructor and will be counsel led about their attendance pattern, alerting the student to the number of hours of permitted absences for the remaining portion of the term without suspension for non-compliance with the attendance policy.
- When a student accumulates absences more than 9.7% of the hours for which he/she enrolled for the term, the student will receive written notification of suspension. The student may appeal the suspension within three days of notification of the suspension. Should the student decide to appeal, an Attendance Appeal Committee will review the student’s attendance record and any student provided absence documentation and make a recommendation to the President regarding whether a miscalculation of attendance has occurred or whether an extenuating circumstance exists to merit an exception to the attendance policy. A student appealing suspension of attendance may remain in class until the suspension has been reviewed and a decision made.
A student is considered tardy if not in the classroom at the designated time for class to start. Students arriving late to school will be charged for absences due to tardiness as follows:
- 1 to 30 minutes will be counted as 30 minutes
- 31 to 60 minutes will be counted as one hour, etc.
- Multiple tardies will result in the following action(s),
- 5 tardies-student will be given a documented warning by instructor,
- 6 tardies-student will be placed on probation by the Student Services Office,
- 7 tardies-student will be referred to President and may be suspended,
- A student absent three consecutive days with no notification of absences will be automatically terminated from the program. See the Withdrawal Policy found on page __ of this handbook.
To re-enroll, following a suspension for an attendance policy violation, the student must complete and file an application for readmission. Students terminated for attendance violations must wait one full term before re-enrolling. Re-admission requires a new application and following standard admissions processes.
Make-Up Hours
Make-up hours are not permitted except as a reasonable accommodation permitted pursuant to procedures applicable in specific situations, e.g. pregnant students, or certain documented disabilities.
Exempt Absences
Students who are members of the Reserve or National Guard and who are required to serve two weeks active duty each year will be permitted to do so. In such cases, the student will be granted leave for the period of active duty. VA certifications for such students will be adjusted accordingly. These students should advise the school of their military schedule at the beginning of the term their active duty tour is scheduled. The student must provide the College with a copy of the official orders.
A student will be excused from classes for jury duty; however, a copy of the summons must be provided to the College as well as an excuse for each day from the court clerk.
Reporting Absences
All absences and tardiness must be recorded on the progress report, which is kept in the student’s permanent record. When returning to class following an absence, the student should report to the instructor and complete the absence report. Students leaving class without authorization will be counted absent and may result in disciplinary action. The student should report to the instructor before leaving. False information pertaining to reasons for absences will be grounds for discipline.
Changes in Enrollment Status
It is sometimes necessary for a student to change status or alter his/her attendance schedule. A change of status could be an increase or decrease in scheduled hours to attend. One change of status per term is permitted prior to the census date for the term; however, after the census date, students will normally not be allowed to change status. Additional circumstances where change of status is permitted are:
- Students may change status between terms; however, approval for the change in status must be granted prior to registration for the subsequent term.
- A student may be allowed to change status from full-time to part-time or from part-time to full-time during the term only when there are documented medical or personal reasons. Such medical or personal reasons shall include, but not be limited to, serious extended illness of the student, serious or extended illness, death of an immediate family member, or other extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the student’s control where continued enrollment would create a substantial hardship.
Students must contact the Student Services Office to request a change in status. If a change in status is approved, the amount of any financial aid awards being received will be adjusted based on the revised scheduled hours for the term, therefore, students must review the change in status request with the Financial Aid Office. Any amount that the student owes for financial resources already received must be paid back prior to the effective date of the change. The institutional refund policy will be applied to determine if a refund is due. Additional procedures may apply for Wilder-Naifeh recipients when changing status. For students receiving the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant award only, the student may appeal a denial of a request for change in status is.
Classroom and Shop Maintenance
Good housekeeping practices should always be followed. Trash must be picked up on site; tools, equipment, etc. should be kept in appropriate places-not on benches, machines, and floors when not in use. As an integral part of instruction, each student is expected to participate in housekeeping and cleanup activities at the conclusion of each day to maintain efficient, high-level training programs. Instructors and students are responsible for cleanliness and orderliness of classroom work areas at all times. Each program will establish a daily routine for cleaning and students are expected to carry out duties as assigned.
Responsibility for Tools, Equipment and Property
Students are responsible for the proper use and care of tools, equipment, and other school property. Students responsible for loss of, or damage to, school property may be required to pay costs associated with that loss or damage. Students must report damaged equipment or facilities to the instructor as soon as detected.
Course Activities
Each training program has specific rules and class policies regarding conduct, dress, safety, break and lunch schedules, and course requirements. The instructor has charge of all course activities and will inform students of training expectations, including the purchase of books, supplies, tools, and uniforms.
Dress Policy
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is a vocational/technical training institution. Most employers will not employ persons with inappropriate appearance. Presenting a work-like and neatly dressed appearance makes the task of finding and securing employment much easier. The College’s aim is to make the educational experience as much like a well-managed industrial establishment as possible.
Appropriate attire must be worn that is representative of what industry requires in the workplace. Safety glasses are required in the shop areas, and loose clothing is prohibited when operating machinery. Appropriate dress is strongly encouraged and will be defined by your instructor. An important training goal for each student at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology is to develop a sense of personal pride in his or her appearance and chosen occupation. Students may be required to purchase certain prescribed clothing such as shop suits, steel-toe boots, pants, shirts, uniforms, etc., for their training area. Students must wear shoes and clothes suitable for the area enrolled and keep them neat. Provocative or offensive clothing is prohibited on campus.
The evaluation of student worker characteristics will include student appearance as it relates to occupational/job requirements. Work and dress habits are an important part of any skilled craft person, technician, or office worker.
Attitude
Students are expected and encouraged to develop proper work habits and to maintain a sincere, cooperative attitude at all times.
Program Transfer Policy
It is expected there will be very limited transfer between programs since every attempt is made to place the student into a suitable area at the time of initial enrollment. When a student who is currently enrolled needs to transfer to a new training program because of a change in career objectives, the Student Services Office will coordinate with the instructors and the student in making the transition to another program and in ensuring the change is appropriate to the student’s interests and qualifications. Students must have a passing average in the program they desire to transfer from before the transfer will be considered. When the transfer choice is made, the President must approve the transfer. It is expected that generally this will occur during the first term of the student’s training.
Transfer from One Tennessee College of Applied Technology to Another Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Those students who wish to transfer to another Tennessee College of Applied Technology will need to consult with the Student Services Office concerning the date they expect to enroll in their new Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Students transferring from Tennessee College of Applied Technology must follow the records policy to have their records sent to other institutions. Financial aid records do not automatically follow students; please see Financial Aid personnel for assistance.
Transfer of Student Records to Other Institutions
All transfer applicants are considered on an ongoing basis. Transcripts documenting clock hours of attendance, grades, and skills mastered are reviewed for credit, time, and placement. Transfer students are admitted when space is available and admission requirements are met.
Articulation
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is committed to helping our students achieve more advanced degrees. Students who have documented classroom hours or experience in technical areas offered by the Tennessee College of Applied Technology may receive advanced placement at subsequently attended institutions of higher education based on a competency-based test or a review of Tennessee College of Applied Technology transcripts. To receive more information on current articulation agreements please contact with the Student Services Office.
Procedure for Voluntary Termination of Training
Every student should talk with his/her instructor and the counselor before voluntarily terminating his/her training or withdrawing from enrollment at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. The procedure terminate/withdraw is:
- Talk with your instructor. Explain why you are leaving and what your plans are for the future.
- Complete an Exit Interview Form and turn your ID badge in at the Student Services Department.
- If a student fails to complete an Exit Interview Form, the Student Services staff will mail the form to the student. This information is very important for COE, U.S. Department of Education, and TBR reporting.
- Students may owe refunds for financial assistance program if they do not complete the hours scheduled during the term they terminate/withdraw. An interview with the Financial Aid Administrator is recommended prior to termination/withdrawal to determine any applicable financial penalties.
Involuntary Withdrawal Policy (Automatic)
Any student who is absent from class for three days without notification to the program instructor will be automatically withdrawn from class per TBR policy 2:03:01:05. On the day following the third no call no show absence, the instructor will fill out the required termination notification forms and forward them to the Student Services Office.
Student Services personnel will process the withdrawal forms, including determination of Return of Title IV Aid Calculation, TBR Refund Calculation and notification of withdrawal to required outside agencies. Should the student return to class after an automatic withdrawal has been processed, the student will be required to complete a re-admission form and a new application for enrollment.
Health and Accident Policy
All students enrolling in Tennessee College of Applied Technology are encouraged to complete a Medical Record form. This information will be treated as a confidential educational record and will only be utilized if a student requires immediate assistance due to an illness or injury on the College campus or training work site. Adherence to sound safety practices should prevent accidents. However, in the event of an injury or illness, the following procedures will be observed:
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology - staff may attempt to administer first aid.
- Instructors/staff members will inform campus administration of the injury or illness.
- If needed, Emergency services will be contacted, and the student may be transported to a medical facility as determined by responding emergency medical personnel. The Tennessee College of Applied Technology - will notify designated family members or contact persons as provided on the student’s Medical Record form if a student is transported to a medical facility or requires assistance to leave campus.
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology - personnel will complete an incident report as soon as possible after the event.
It is important that the medical information provided by students file be complete and that medical and contact information is up to date. Students with special health conditions should include that information when completing the medical information form and may inform the faculty about those special conditions if they believe it to be necessary.
Student Insurance
Nursing and Allied Health Liability Insurance
All nursing and allied health students are required by clinical affiliates to purchase special liability insurance applicable to their program. More information may be found through the Nursing Handbook.
TBR Student Health Insurance Exchange
Other Tennessee College of Applied Technology - students interested in obtaining health insurance coverage can access information about the TBR Student Health Insurance Exchange online at https://www.ahix.com/ or by calling 1-800-647-4104.
Graduation Requirements
Graduates of Tennessee College of Applied Technology are usually considered for entry-level employment in their respective occupations. Satisfactory completion may be achieved by demonstrating proficiency based on the occupational entry requirements.
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology - awards two (2) types of educational credentials. A certificate of completion may be awarded to any student who reaches a job proficiency level and to any supplemental student who completes objectives for upgrading necessary skills and knowledge within a program of study. A diploma may be awarded to students who demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in a complete course of study. (See each program area for those job titles designed as complete courses of study.)
Graduation Ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies are held each trimester. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in this occasion, when the student’s family and friends, as well as the College faculty and staff, are given the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our graduates. The Student Services Office will notify students of the graduation application procedure as well as all deadlines leading up to the event, including arrangements necessary to receive the cap and gown, as well as the appropriate credential(s).
Awards Issued Upon Program Completion
Awards and transcripts are typically issued within three to four weeks following completion of a program of study.
