Academics
Interact
See the Quick Reference for a list of contacts relavent to the Parent Handbook.Academic Support Services
Academic Support Services are designed to assist students in developing and improving study skills and habits that will enhance their academic success. The Academic Support Services director serves as a liaison between students and staff/faculty regarding learning issues and skills, learning disabilities, attention disorders and other areas that might affect academic success. The director is available to work individually with students to develop a plan for improving academic performance. Such a plan might include use of the Counseling and/or Career Resource Centers and workshops on a variety of learning issues, including time management, test and note-taking strategies, dealing with stress and math anxiety. Peer tutors in the College Writing Center can help students in all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming topics and organizing thoughts to revising and editing drafts. Many academic departments also offer individual or peer group tutoring, and faculty members keep regularly scheduled office hours which are posted on their doors and in class syllabi.
Attendance Policy
Each instructor at Warren Wilson sets class attendance policies at the beginning of each course and includes a written attendance policy in the course syllabus. Instructors decide what kinds of absences, if any, are excused and determine the appropriate penalties for non-attendance. It is the student's responsibility to know and follow the attendance policy for each course. To increase the chances of academic success and to emphasize the need for class participation in effective learning, class attendance is required for all students classified by the Registrar's Office as freshmen. Students who are on athletic teams must receive permission from their instructors and work supervisors to miss class and/or work.
Grades and Grade Reporting
Like other colleges and universities, Warren Wilson is subject to a federal law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which sets privacy standards for student educational records. Examples of student records protected under FERPA include grade reports, transcripts and some disciplinary files. Warren Wilson College cannot release educational records to third parties without the student's consent, unless the student is a dependent as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Under FERPA, paying educational expenses does not give a parent or guardian access to educational records and is not considered an exception to the privacy standards. Final grades are sent to the students' permanent address at the close of each semester. Students in academic difficulty are notified by letter at midsemester. Parents can view certain areas of student information through CampusWEB. For a parent or guardian to access their student's information, the student must log into CampusWEB using their student ID and password, choose the My Parent Access feature, and assign a parent password. To view student information online, go to http://campusweb.warren-wilson.edu. Choose "Student/Faculty Login" and use the student's ID and assigned password. The Scholastic Standards Committee encourages and maintains the high academic standards of the College. When a student's QPA (quality point average) falls below the 2.00 required for graduation, the committee reviews the student's record and makes recommendations for academic warnings, probation or suspension.
Good Standing
Students are in good standing when not on academic, work, or disciplinary probation. Students on any of these probations may not serve on College boards, participate in student government, travel with the Worldwide program, play varsity sports, or work over breaks. Work crew assignments and certain academic programs, including internships and student teaching, may be affected by probationary status. Suspended students may reapply to the College after a semester away from school. Conditions such as counseling, reduced course load, and a learning contract may be required of readmitted students.
Withdrawing from Warren Wilson College
The Warren Wilson College Withdrawal and Refund Policies are established to provide fair and equitable treatment to finances of both the student and the College. Since Warren Wilson makes financial commitments on behalf of each student at the time of enrollment, those costs will be shared with the student. These policies will be applicable for official or unofficial withdrawals including suspension or expulsion for academic, work or disciplinary reasons. You can find more information on the College's refund policy in the College's catalog.
Students begin the process of an official withdrawal by contacting the Dean of Students. The date of withdrawal will be the date that the College is notified of "an intent" to withdraw. This may be verbal notification, but written notice is preferred. If there are extenuating circumstances determined to be beyond the student's control, such as illness, accident, or grievous personal loss, the Dean can, prior to the last day of classes, set a withdrawal date based upon the last documented date of attendance at an academically-related activity. The Dean of Students notifies the Registrar's Office of an official withdrawal. The Registrar will inform instructors and the academic advisor.
When illness, injury, or psychological/psychiatric disorders occur while a student is enrolled, a student or guardian may request, or the College may require, a medical withdrawal. The Dean of Students and either the Director of the Health Center or the Director of Counseling must approve all medical withdrawals. Documentation of the medical condition from a licensed professional is required prior to this approval. The Registrar informs the student's instructors and academic advisor and records W grades in all courses for students who are granted medical withdrawals. Regular refund policies apply. Students who have withdrawn officially for medical reasons may reapply through the Admission Office.
Academic Load
Although there are two terms in each semester, registration is for the semester as a unit. The normal number of hours carried during a semester is 16, with a range from 12 to 18. A student must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours a semester to be classified as a full-time student, to live in residence halls, to participate in the Work Program and to receive financial aid. Satisfactory academic performance is also necessary to maintain eligibility for financial aid. A student must maintain an average of 16 credit hours each semester in order to accumulate a total of 128 credit hours required for graduation in eight semesters. First year students are assigned advisors, and transfers are assigned a faculty member from their area of interest to help navigate registration and plan courses.
WorldWide Program
The WorldWide Program offers every qualified student the opportunity to study off-campus on a cross-cultural educational field experience. WorldWide Program qualification is based on credit hours, residency, good standing, and acceptance of program rules, regulations, and orientations. A full-time, regular student who has acquired 60 credit hours from Warren Wilson College and has met residency and other conditions may take full advantage of the program and begin formal application for the program in a prescribed manner. The WorldWide Program offers stated program options and identifies specific international sites as part of the program. These options and sites change from year to year, depending upon the academic interests of the faculty leaders, staff, and students. Application and program fees are required. Program fees vary depending on the distance of the international location and the time to be spent in the field, but all WorldWide programs are supported predominantly through College funding. Transfer students should inquire about their status and the associated fees for enrolling in the program. No student is required to participate.
Computing Services and Labs
The Computing Services staff and crew provide computing and networking support to the campus community. The College has one public computer lab and four computer classrooms that are Internet-enabled with software applications and printers available for students. High-speed Ethernet access is available from all residence halls and campus buildings, with wireless connections in Schafer and EcoDorm residence halls, Bannerman and the library. Students can connect their personal computers to the campus wide network via Ethernet provided the computer meets certain minimum specifications. Every student has a free email account [username@warren-wilson.edu]. If you have any questions about what equipment your student needs, email helpdesk@warren-wilson.edu.