College Policies

A college campus is almost like a small town or country unto itself. The campus has its own police force, government, stores, ID cards, parking rules, and so on. Colleges also have their own policies regarding many types of activities and behaviors. It is important to become familiar with the college’s policies, so you know your rights and responsibilities as a student.

To foster a safe and healthy learning environment, colleges have policies about academic honesty, alcohol and drug use, sexual harassment, hazing, hate crimes, and other areas. Residence halls have policies about noise limits, visitors, hours, structural and cosmetic alterations of college property, and smoking, to name a few. The Registrar and Bursar Offices have policies about course add and drop dates, payment schedules, refunds, and the like. Such policies are designed to ensure that all students have the same access to a quality education.

Here are items that you can learn more about by reading the WCC Student Handbook, which gives you information on everything from student conduct rules to student rights. Please note that the full Student Handbook is available on the College website.

• WCC Student Handbook Addresses the Following Topics and More:
  • Academic Dishonesty
  • Computer Use Policy
  • Students’ Rights as Consumers
  • Procedure for Appealing a Final Grade
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Academic Standing
  • Childcare
  • Services for Students with Disabilities
  • Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Smoking, Vaping, and Tobacco Use
  • Students’ Rights and Responsibilities in the Classroom

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Westchester Community College expects students to remain in good academic standing, and WC reviews satisfactory academic progress (SAP) by term (fall, spring, summer). Students are expected to earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher and maintain progress towards degree completion. Cumulative GPA is defined as the average of a student’s course history at WCC and only includes credit-bearing course work. When reviewing academic progress, however, transfer credit and non-credit classes as well as repeated courses are included. A student who falls below satisfactory academic progress standards and/or does not complete the required percentage of courses for the term, will be placed on Academic Warning. Persistent SAP concerns will result in students being placed on Academic Restriction. Students who appeal may be placed on Academic Probation. The following are the three requirements WCC expects from students to meet satisfactory academic progress:

• Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, including transfer credit, non-credit, and repeated courses.
• Students’ credit completion must equal 67% of attempted credits in the current term.
• Students must complete their educational program in no longer than 150% of the published length of the educational program.

College Resources

To be successful in college, students need to be fully informed and make wise decisions about enrolling in appropriate courses, following college policies, and accessing additional resources. Always remember that your college wants you to succeed. If you have any questions or are experiencing difficulties, there are college resources available to help you find answers or assistance. This is true of both academic and personal issues that could potentially disrupt your college experience. Never hesitate to ask for help.

The College Catalog and Student Handbook has already been mentioned as a great source of many kinds of information. You should know where to find it online and the kinds of information it contains.

The College’s website is the second place to look for help. Students are often surprised to see how much information is available online, including information about college programs, offices, special assistance initiatives, and helpful information such as suggestions for study, personal health, financial help, and other resources. Take some time to explore your college’s website and learn what is available so you’re prepared for any issues that may arise in the future.

The following are some of the resources at Westchester Community College:

• Center for Academic Counseling and Student Success: Valhalla, Main Campus Student Center, Room 219. This office helps students choose courses each semester based on their programs or degrees.
• Bookstore: Valhalla, Main Campus, Student Center, 1st floor. In addition to required textbooks, the Bookstores sell paperbacks and magazines, calculators, school and stationary supplies, software, sportswear, candy, greeting cards and other items.
• Career Services: Valhalla, Main Campus Student Center, Room 290. This center can help you find a student job or internship, plan for your career after graduation, and receive career counseling.
• Child Care Center: Valhalla, Main Campus. The Virginia Marx Children’s Center provides a nurturing environment that is safe and healthy. The teachers are decided to respond to the needs of each child individually and acknowledge their uniqueness and diversity.
• Personal Counseling: Valhalla, Main Campus Student Center, Rooms 225 & 226. The Personal Counseling Department at Westchester Community College knows that the stress of being a college student often reaches beyond the classroom. The staff provides all students with support, resources, and compassion they need to deal with life’s challenges that are interfering with personal and academic growth and success.
• STEM Scholars Program: Valhalla, Main Campus Technology Building, Room 119B. Become a STEM Scholar and earn your associate’s at Westchester Community College and then transfer to Mercy College to earn your bachelor’s in biology, psychology, computer information systems, cybersecurity, computer-science or mathematics. This exciting new opportunity includes targeted mentorship and research experiences to help students succeed in STEM both at Westchester Community College and Mercy College.
• Disability Services: Valhalla, Main Campus Library Ground Floor, Room 51. Services for Students with Disabilities parallels the mission of Westchester Community College: to be accessible, community centered, comprehensive, adaptable and dedicated to lifelong learning and student success. Full participation for students with disabilities is encouraged.
• EOP (Educational Opportunity Program): Valhalla, Main Campus Gateway Center room 132. EOP is for NYS residents who are academically and economically disadvantaged.  Available to primarily full-time, matriculated students, the program supports students throughout their college career with services such as a summer program, counseling, and tutoring. Priority is given to students from historically disadvantage backgrounds.
• Financial Aid Office: Valhalla, Main Campus, Admissions Building, Room 120. The Office of Student Financial Assistance plays a major role in providing access to post-secondary education for students by assisting them in receiving grants, work, loans and scholarships to finance their higher education.
• Fitness Center: Valhalla, Main Campus, Physical Education Building, 1st floor. Students, faculty, and staff have access to weights and exercise equipment.
• International Students Affairs: Valhalla, Main Campus Administration Building, Room 111. This office educates and informs the F-1 international population of the regulations governing the enrollment of international students and provides programs and services that facilitate the international student’s academic transition to and from Westchester Community College.
• Lost and Found: Valhalla, Main Campus, Security office Student Center, Room 118. Students who lose property on campus, go to the lost and found office or call (914) 606 -6911. Students who find unattended property, should turn it in to the office or call the Dispatcher at 606-6911.
• Harold L. Drimmer Library: Valhalla, Main Campus. The library’s highest priority is student success proving support in the following areas: citations, textbooks, interlibrary loans, tutorials, research guides and more.
• Black Hispanic Male Initiative (BHMI): Valhalla, Main Campus Classroom Building, Room 02. BHMI is a leadership program for men of color which information on academic scholarships, assistance in transferring to a four-year college, and support services such as mentoring, tutoring, and counseling.
• Viking ROADS: Valhalla Main Campus Administrative Building, Room 111.  Viking ROADS is an opportunity program that helps motivated students graduate with an Associate Degree in three years or less. In exchange for full-time study and fulfilling program requirements, students will receive personalized advising, financial, and academic support. Viking ROADS is also part of a research study.  Only students who are eligible for the program and agree to be part of the study will have the opportunity to participate in Viking ROADS. If you are eligible and sign up for the study, you will be entered into a lottery to be selected to participate in Viking ROADS. (Space is limited).
• Bursars Office/Payment: Valhalla, Main Campus Administrative Building, 1st floor.  Students make tuition and fee payments at this office.
• Student Health Services: Valhalla, Main Campus Student Center, Room 181. Health Services facilitates the educational success of our students by offering services and resources to promote physical, social and emotional health and well-being.  In addition, Health Services seek to protect the health of the college community through enforcement of all New York State Immunization Laws and public health mandates. Health Services is open to all students, staff and faculty free of charge.  All visits are kept confidential.
• Department of Student Involvement (Clubs/Organizations): Valhalla, Main Campus Student Center, Room 108. The Department of Student Involvement is committed to providing comprehensive and meaningful educational experiences for students in the co-curriculum. Through the creation of intentional learning environments, the Department of Student Involvement helps students acquire leadership and other transferable skills that can be utilized throughout their academic and professional careers.
• Transfer Services: Valhalla, Main Campus Student Center, Room 290. Office of Transfer Services where we provide extensive transfer counseling and information on the various opportunities available at four-year institutions. We offer individualized counseling, transfer workshops, and special events such as Transfer Day in the fall, the Spring Transfer Fair, On-Site Admission Days, campus visits, and university representatives on campus throughout the semester.
• Tutoring and Academic Support: Valhalla, Main Campus, Library Ground Floor room . The goal of the Academic Support Center is to help students become successful, confident, independent learners. The ASC provides ongoing tutorial assistance for students taking remedial/developmental and college courses in Math, Reading, ESL, Science, Physics, Computer Science, and Writing.
• Student Support Services: Valhalla, Main Campus, Student Center, Basement Room 13.  The Student Support Services Office can connect students and their families with resources to help relieve or even eliminate these challenges. They will meet with students; get to know them and their life circumstances in a safe, affirming, private, and friendly environment.
• Veteran Services: Valhalla, Main Campus Student Center, Basement, Room 13. The Veterans Resource Office at Westchester Community College is committed to providing veterans and Reserve component personnel, as well as active duty, family members, and dependents, the support they need through a variety of programs and services, intended to make a seamless transition into the college environment.
• Your instructors: It never hurts to ask an instructor if he or she knows of any additional college resources you haven’t yet discovered. There may be a brand new program on campus, or a certain department may offer a service not widely promoted through the college website.

Remember that all the resources at WCC were designed with your success as a student in mind. They were created for you, so don’t hesitate to use them. If you’re not sure where to find the help you need, talk to your FYS instructor, an instructor in one of your other classes, or a staff member at any resource location.