Academic Policies and Procedures

Attendance

The faculty and administration of Baltimore International College are fully committed to the goal that all students successfully complete all courses at BIC. It has been recognized that most students who do not successfully complete a course often fail to do so because of absenteeism. Baltimore International College recognizes that emergency situations and other incidences may arise. These will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. BIC upholds the following attendance policy:

• Students are expected to attend all classes and to be on time.
• A missed class does not relieve a student from any of the information, work, and assignments pertaining to that class. BIC will assist students with make-up opportunities when absences are unavoidable.
• Make-up work, if permitted by the School Director, serves only to offset the student's grade for the day(s) missed (skill points, quizzes, tests, etc.). It does not erase the absence.
• Students who miss five consecutive days of classes, in every course, will be notified by the Director of Academic Counseling that they will be withdrawn from BIC unless an appointment is made with an academic counselor to discuss the situation.

Early Leave

Students are not to leave class early except when a prior arrangement has been made, or at the direction of the instructor in the case of an emergency. A student's record will reflect the time of departure, and the early departure will be reflected as tardiness.

Tardiness

A student entering class late must report to the instructor, and the student's record will reflect the time absent.

Participation

Class participation policies for each individual class may vary, and will be reviewed by each instructor on the first day of class. Each individual instructor's policy will differ on the importance of participation, although all students are encouraged to participate, regardless of the instructor's policies.

Leaves of Absence

Leaves of absence are considered when a student is advised by a doctor or healthcare professional that such action is in the best interest of his/her health, when an emergency arises, or when military obligations require the student to be away from school. In the case of medical or military leave, the reason must be verified before the leave is granted. Requests for leaves of absence must be submitted in writing to the BIC Registrar's Office with appropriate documentation attached. Leaves of absence may be granted for up to one full semester, based upon the following conditions:
For medical conditions:

• Medical leave request form is completed.
• Medical certification of inability to attend and physician's estimate of length of time of recuperation is verified by physician in writing.
• Enrollment change form is completed.

For military obligations:

• A notice from the branch office of the military to document the leave.
• Enrollment change form is completed.

Perfect Attendance

In a very competitive job market, grades and a degree or certificate may not be enough. A person's dependability may also be of great importance to many employers. Baltimore International College has decided to recognize those students who complete their studies while maintaining 100% perfect attendance. Students who maintain perfect attendance in all of their culinary arts or hospitality business and management courses will be issued a Certificate of Perfect Attendance at the BIC commencement ceremony. These certificates help prove a graduate's commitment to the industry and his/her profession.

Satisfactory Progress

In order to achieve satisfactory progress, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average each semester, as specified below, and complete the program within a specific maximum time frame.

Grading and Evaluation

Course grades reflect the student's mastery of the material and skills presented in any given course, as well as the student's class attendance. The weighting of the individual components that determine a student's grade is based on the nature of the course (lab and/or lecture), and is delineated by the instructor on the first day of class.

While a minimum of D is considered passing in any one course, a student must achieve/maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average each semester, as specified below. Students who do not achieve the specified grade point average within the time allocated will be placed on academic probation.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average Requirements

Freshmen and Sophomores
1st Semester       1.0
2nd Semester      1.75
3rd Semester       2.0
4th Semester       2.0

Juniors and Seniors
5th Semester       2.0
6th Semester       2.0
7th Semester       2.0
8th Semester       2.0

Certificate Programs
1st Semester       2.0
2nd Semester      2.0

Course Incompletes

A student must complete any incomplete coursework as soon as possible after returning to the class, and the coursework must be completed no later than six weeks following the end of the class. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor to make up incomplete work or exams. If the work is not completed and approved by the instructor within this six-week period, the incomplete I is then changed to an F, and no further opportunities for completion are offered. The course must be repeated if the final grade is not a passing one.

Course Withdrawal

Students who drop a course in the first week of a semester will not be charged to repeat the course, and will not be credited as having attempted the course. Students who drop a course after the first week will be charged the full amount for that course upon repeating the course.

All withdrawals from Baltimore International College or from individual courses must be requested by the student through the Registrar. At that time, students will be given a form that outlines the consequences of withdrawing from a course, including cost, effect on schedule and effect on length of program completion.

Students may withdraw from a course prior to two-thirds completion of that course. A student who withdraws from a course prior to this deadline will receive a "WX" in place of a grade, and the course must be repeated. A course-repeat fee will be assessed. Students may not drop a course after the deadline (two-thirds completion) has passed.

A student who withdraws from BIC will receive a "W' for all courses in which the student was enrolled but did not complete. The student will receive grades for any completed courses. Students who re-enter BIC must repeat courses in which they received a "W."