Student Handbook

By becoming members of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College community, students assume the responsibility to observe and help maintain standards of personal behavior that make a positive contribution to the College community. As a Pennsylvania Highlands student, you are expected to:

1. Respect the College's commitment to academic integrity and uphold the values of honesty and responsibility that preserve our community;
2. Behave in a manner that is temperate, civil, and respectful of the rights of others;
3. Behave in a manner that recognizes and respects individual differences, supporting an appreciation for diversity as well as inclusiveness;
4. Do no harm and help to maintain the safety and welfare of the campus community by reporting unusual or dangerous behavior;
5. Recognize that you are a part of the Pennsylvania Highlands community, and demonstrate civic and social engagement and responsibility;
6. Accept personal responsibility for your learning, behavior, and future success

Transportation to and from Pennsylvania Highlands sites may be obtained through the Cambria County Transit Authority. Discounted bus passes may be purchased by full-time students at the Student Accounts Office or by presenting a Pennsylvania Highlands Student ID card at the Bus Stop Shop at the downtown Johnstown Transit Center. Additional information regarding bus service and schedules may be obtained by contacting the Cambria County Transit Authority at 1-877-535-2BUS.

Any time a student’s Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below a 2.0, the student is said to be “NOT in Good Academic Standing.”

The College will monitor a student's grades and issue notices of warning, probation, or suspension based upon the criteria found within the Student Handbook and College Catalog.

Students who have extenuating circumstances during the term in question, or specific grounds to appeal either their grades or their academic standing may do so as outlined in the Academic Grievance Procedure found in the Student Handbook and College Catalog.

Standards For Academic Standing

Warning

This status serves to inform students that their performance is below the level required for successful completion of an academic program. Students in this status are strongly urged to seek academic support and assistance. Students who fail to meet the standards for academic standing at the completion of an academic semester or summer session will be placed on academic warning. While on academic warning, students should consider limiting the amount of credits they take during any subsequent semester. Students are removed from warning only when the cumulative GPA is a 2.0 or higher.

Probation

Students whose grades place them in more serious academic jeopardy will be placed on Probation. While on Academic Probation, a student may schedule no more than twelve credits per semester. Students on Probation are strongly urged to meet with their faculty advisor and/or Student Success Center staff to assess their educational goals, learning strategies and styles, priorities, time management, and other needs.

Suspension

Students whose grades are significantly below 2.0 will be suspended. Students who are suspended may not matriculate at Pennsylvania Highlands for a period of one semester. Students who are on suspension may enroll in classes as non-matriculated students and receive tutoring services during their suspension.

First semester students at the College whose grades are significantly below 2.0 will be placed on first-year probation. Those students will have one semester to rehabilitate their grade point average prior to suspension.

Reinstatement following Academic Suspension

A suspended student wishing to be readmitted to the College as a matriculated (degree-seeking) student following a period of suspension must complete an application for reinstatement to the College along with the regular College admission application. The Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee will review the student's academic record, including high school and college transcripts, placement test scores, along with information provided on the Reinstatement Application and make an admission decision or recommendation to admit or not admit based on his/her assessment of the student's ability to benefit from a return to matriculated status. Students who are reinstated following Academic Suspension will be reinstated on Academic Probation.

The College has adopted a grievance procedure, which provides for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability in any program.  Any students, employees, or third parties shall have the right to file a complaint regarding alleged violations of Section 504 and/or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Such complaints will be addressed through this grievance procedure.

To view this procedure on the college website, please click this link.

If you require a printed copy of this grievance procedure, please contact:

• Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services
  Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
  101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904 
  814.262.3841
  tcorle@pennhighlands.edu

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College retains the right to photograph and/or video-record students, faculty, staff, and guests while on College property or during College-sponsored functions. The images, video, and audio obtained may be used by Pennsylvania Highlands for promotional purposes, including use in any media advertising, College publication, press release, College-affiliated website or social media channel, and all other appropriate materials. Anyone wishing not to participate is advised to either inform the photographer/videographer or the Marketing & Communications Department to remove him or herself from the area in question. Contact the College’s Marketing & Communications Department at 814.262.3816 or marketing@pennhighlands.edu for further information.