Policy 4.1.1 —
Role of Curriculum Personnel in Academic GovernancePolicy 4.1.2 —
Academic ProgramsProcedure 4.1.2.1 —
Continuing Education Accountability PlanProcedure 4.1.2.2 —
Self-Supporting ClassesProcedure 4.1.2.3 —
Customized Training ProgramsProcedure 4.1.2.4 —
Program ReviewPolicy 4.1.3 —
Curriculum DevelopmentProcedure 4.1.3.1 —
Curriculum DevelopmentPolicy 4.1.4 —
Instructional Service AgreementsPolicy 4.1.5 —
Academic AdvisingPolicy 4.1.6 —
Academic TermsPolicy 4.1.7 —
FTE ReportingPolicy 4.1.8 —
Class SizePolicy 4.1.9 —
Making-up Cancelled ClassesThe College’s faculty, in partnership with the administration and consistent with the College’s mission, ensure the overall effectiveness of the educational programs. Additionally, faculty are involved in the College’s decision-making processes in the following ways:
1. Have primary responsibility for the content, quality, integrity and effectiveness of the curriculum.
2. Participate in program/division level decisions and activities.
3. Participate in College committees based on the President or designee’s appointment.
4. Participate in governance bodies, as established, which are designed to provide broad based participation in the College’s planning process, educational issues and other related issues.
5. Faculty are generally responsible for ensuring the achievement of appropriate student learning and academic program outcomes. As a result, faculty leaders are responsible for developing initial recommendations concerning changes to existing academic programs. Additionally, faculty shall be given the opportunity to be actively engaged in the study and creation of all new academic programs.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
The College is authorized to provide the following academic programs:
A. Curriculum Programs. Curriculum Programs are organized sequences of courses leading to an associate degree, a diploma or a certificate. All Curriculum Programs are designed to provide education, training, or retraining for the work force.
B. Continuing Education Programs. Continuing Education Programs provide education and training opportunities. Courses are non-credit, short-term, and are offered in a variety of instructional delivery modes and locations. Included within continuing education programs are:
1. Occupational Extension Courses. Occupational Extension Courses consist of single courses for the specific purposes of training an individual for full or part-time employment, upgrading the skills of persons presently employed and retraining others for new employment in occupational fields.
2. Community Service. Community Service Courses consist of single courses that focus on an individual’s personal or leisure needs rather than occupational or professional employment.
3. Self-Supporting Programs. Self-Supporting Programs are specific courses of interest requested by the community or which serve a special need for the community and College.
4. Basic Skills Programs. Basic Skills Programs provide courses for students seeking a high school diploma equivalency, general education development, or other specific types of education services including adult basic education, English as a second language and compensatory education.
5. Customized Training Programs. Customized Training Programs address company-specific training customized for job growth, technology investment or productivity enhancement.
6. Human Resources Development Programs. Human Resources Development Programs provide skill assessment services, employ-ability skills training and career counseling to unemployed and underemployed adults.
7. Learning Laboratory Programs. Learning Laboratory Programs consist of self-instruction using programmed texts, audio visual equipment and other self-instructional materials.
8. The Small Business Center Program provides training, counseling and referral services especially designed in context and delivery modes for existing and prospective small businesses.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
Legal Citation: 1D SBCCC 200.3
The College has developed an Accountability and Integrity Plan for Workforce Continuing Education (the “Plan”). The Plan reviews the programs provided to ensure that occupational training is relevant to the workforce, responsive to training needs and is responsible for state funds.
The Plan is monitored and reviewed at least once per year and as needed by the Continuing Education Accountability and Integrity Team. Results of the annual review will be shared with the Board at the January Board Meeting. The Board will review and approve the Plan every three (3) years or sooner if revisions are made to the currently approved Plan. The Continuing Education Division will share class visitation reports with the Board each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer).
I. On-Site Visits to Each Class
A. The instructor’s supervisor, or a designated representative as approved in writing by the senior continuing education administrator, will make at least one visit each semester to fifty (50) percent of all off-campus and distance education (defined in C below) continuing education classes (excluding self-supported and community
service classes) and will maintain written documentation for such visits. These visits will be unannounced.
1. Classes which meet twelve (12) hours or less may be excluded from a visit by a college representative.
2. Twenty-five (25) percent of the on-campus classes require visitation and documentation as noted above.
B. The senior continuing education administrator or his/her designee will visit a ten percent (10%) sample of randomly selected off-campus continuing education classes each semester with no pre-notification of these visits and will maintain written documentation of each visit. The designee must be approved in writing by the College President. The registration period will not count as an official visit.
C. An off-campus class is defined as any class not to be held in college owned or leased property or held in a center which is not under the supervision of a resident supervisor or director who is on-site during the entire period the instruction is taking place. A distance education class is defined as a class that is offered through distance education technology (including information highway, Internet, and telecourses) and which does not physically meet on campus for at least half of the time scheduled. For Internet courses for which it is not possible to physically visit the class, visitation should be conducted electronically, using a system that allows the instructor’s supervisor and senior continuing education officers to log on and check the activity in the class. System Office Program Auditors must also have access to this system so that they may do unannounced class visits for these classes as well.
D. For those classes identified as distance education or nontraditional delivery, student attendance in class or in an orientation session, or the submission of a written assignment, examination, or project is the basis for determination of class membership at the ten percent (10%) point of the class.
II. Student Membership Verification
A. Each individual student upon enrollment in any continuing education class will sign the class registration form, roster receipt form or attendance sheet. Any registration or roster receipt forms that, by necessity, have the participants listed by the instructor must include the student’s mark (X) and be counter-signed by the instructor. Continuing Education office personnel will review these forms and check on any problem or questionable situations.
B. In situations where the class does not meet physically (such as Internet or other distance education courses), one of the following two criteria is required for student membership verification:
1. Evidence of payment of the applicable registration fee by the student. This evidence must link a specific student’s payment to the specific class paid for.
2. In cases where no registration fee is paid electronic certification by the student, such as an electronic signature on an email, will be required for student membership verification in the course.
III. Instructor Verification
A. A random selection of continuing education instructors being paid during a designated month each semester (the month will be designated at random by the Business Office) will come to the Business Office and personally sign for and receive their checks. Exception: Any instructor whose home is fifty (50) or more miles from the main campus may be verified by visual check by the Business Office when filling out initial contracts and other business office paperwork.
B. In instances when the above verification process is not practical, the Business Office will telephone the instructor to verify his/her teaching the course, correctness of address and correctness of social security number.
C. Documentation is kept on file in the Business Office.
IV. Institutional Approval Processes for Conducting a Continuing Education Class
A. The senior continuing education administrator shall be responsible for approving the establishment/offering of all continuing education classes. No class may start without prior approval.
B. All classes will be evaluated by the senior continuing education administrator or his/her designee to ensure that they contain educational objectives consistent with the role and mission of the North Carolina Community College System and the College.
C. The President may further document the validity of continuing education classes. No class may operate without the approval of the President indicated on individual contracts signed by the President or his/her designee.
V. Institutional Responsibility for Accuracy in Reporting Practices in Continuing Education Programs
A. The senior continuing education administrator will report each semester/session’s internal audit results to the Vice President of Instruction during the subsequent semester/session. The Vice President will make internal checks to determine that all classes being offered are legitimate educational experiences and the internal audit procedures are being followed. The Vice President will report this information to the College President and Board.
B. An up-to-date master schedule, including days, times, and locations, will be maintained for all continuing education classes. Directions to all off-campus classes will be on file in the Continuing Education office.
C. The President shall report to the Board the results of each audit report submitted by the state program auditor.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
Legal Citation: 1D SBCCC 300.4(a)(1)-(4)
The College recognizes that some courses requested by the community, or which serve a special need, are not supported by state revenues and membership hours produced from the classes are not counted towards full-time equivalent calculations. When these circumstances exist, it may be necessary to offer certain classes on a self-supporting basis. Therefore, the College shall develop guidelines for appropriate self-supporting classes that meet the standards of the State Board of Community Colleges and the College’s mission. Guidelines for the establishment and use of self supporting fees are in Policy 6.1.3.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
Legal Citation: 1D SBCCC 200.3(2)(c)
The College shall provide customized training programs for businesses experiencing job growth, productivity enhancement needs, or creating technology investment to support the community and State’s economic development. The College shall administer the training program with consultation and assistance from the North Carolina Community College System Office Economic Development staff.
Before a business or industry becomes qualified to receive assistance under the customized training program, the President of the North Carolina Community College System shall determine that:
A. The business is making an appreciable capital investment;
B. The business is deploying new technology;
C. The business or individual is creating jobs, expanding an existing workforce or enhancing the productivity and profitability of operations within the State; and
D. The skills of the workers will be enhanced by the assistance.
College employees may not engage in the regular management, supervision or operation of a business receiving assistance under this policy during the hours the employee is employed for the instructional or educational purposes of the College.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
Revised: October 22, 2021
Legal Citation: N.C.G.S. § 115D-5.1; 1D SBCCC 500.98
The College shall monitor the quality and viability of all its programs and services. Each curriculum program, each program area within continuing education, including Basic Skills, occupational extension, and community service, and each service area shall be reviewed at least every five (5) years to determine program strengths and weaknesses and to identify areas for program improvement. The program review process shall be consistent with the requirements of the regional accrediting agency.
The College shall publish its data on all performance measures annually in its electronic catalog or on the internet and in its printed catalog each time the catalog is reprinted.
Legal Reference: 1B SBCCC 400.98
Adopted: September 9, 2019
The President shall determine the courses and programs of instruction needed to meet the educational needs of the people in the College’s service area and shall determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the programs and services in meeting these needs.
All new programs offered by the College must comply with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on general education requirements and be approved by the Board of Trustees, the North Carolina Community College System Office, and the State Board of Community Colleges. The College must include the North Carolina Community College System Office’s required components in the development of a curriculum program of study consistent with the provisions of the State Board Code.
All approved programs and courses should be contained in the College’s Catalog.
The continued operation of any curriculum program is dependent upon adequate state funds and sufficient enrollment in the program.
The President shall develop procedures for the implementation of this Policy.
Adopted:
Legal Reference: 1D SBCCC 400.10
Having updated and relevant curriculum courses and programs is critically important to the success of both the College and its students. For any curriculum issues not otherwise mandated by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges (“State Board”) or by another controlling entity, as it becomes necessary to introduce new courses and programs, the following Procedures shall be followed.
A. Instructional employees directly involved in teaching a particular class or within a particular program shall assist in the development of new curricula and in the review of anticipated changes to existing curricula.
Annual meetings shall be held in each academic division for recommending changes in the curricula within that academic division. Instructional employees directly involved with instruction in the curriculum are responsible for preparing written course descriptions and outlines for each new course offered as well as initial feasibility studies, and are encouraged to make requests to the Dean or designee for any new course or curriculum deemed useful to the College and its students.
B. The Vice President for Instruction and Student Services (“Vice President”) shall act as the coordinator for curriculum development and shall work with Dean or designee in conducting further feasibility studies, consulting with industry and business representatives concerning course content and length, as well as other activities necessary to develop a curriculum application.
C. After the Vice President has made an initial review, and after consultation with the Dean or designee, the Vice President may submit the request to the College’s Instruction and Student Services Committee, a group of College administrators and curriculum personnel appointed by the President. Upon review, the Committee shall present its recommendation to the Vice President. The Vice President shall determine if the requested change is substantive. If the requested change is minor (e.g., replacing a course in a program of study), the Vice President may make the necessary change. If the requested change is substantive, or if it involves a new program, the Vice President may present his/her recommendation to the President. Prior to making a recommendation to the President, the Vice President shall ensure that the State Board, all accreditation bodies, and the Board’s policies are followed in the development of a curriculum proposal including providing notice to other community colleges.
D. The President and Vice President of Instruction shall examine the fiscal aspects of proposed curricula or changes in existing curricula and ascertain that the budgetary requirements are within the College’s fiscal capabilities. All new curricula must be approved by the President before it is submitted to the Board.
E. The Vice President shall present the request to the Board or a Board committee regarding the nature of the request, the results of the feasibility study and any other pertinent information requested. The full Board must formally approve the request prior to submission to the North Carolina Community College System Office (“System Office”).
F. The College may officially offer the curriculum for credit after it has been approved by the State Board. The Vice President for Instruction is responsible for all reporting to the System Office and State Board and SACSCOC as required.
G. The continued operation of any curriculum at the College is dependent upon adequate state funds and a sufficient enrollment to make it financially feasible to continue. The College reserves the right to discontinue any program if sufficient funds are not available. In addition, the College shall terminate a curriculum program when there has been no enrollment for (3) three years. The College may request a one-year extension of a curriculum program upon justification of the potential for employment opportunities and student enrollment. The Vice President shall present the extension request to the Board or a Board committee regarding program termination. The full Board must formally approve the extension request prior to submission to the System Office. If the College plans on terminating a curriculum program, the President or designee shall inform the System Office President by submitting a termination notice. The System Office President shall have the program removed from the College’s program approval list.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
Legal Citation: 1D SBCCC 400.6
The College may enter into a written instructional service agreement with other community college within the North Carolina Community College System. The service agreement must be drawn in conformance with the State Board Code.
The Board hereby delegates to the President the authority to approve and sign Level I and II service agreements. The Board shall approve any Level III service agreements and they shall be signed by the Board Chair.
Notification of termination of an agreement shall be sent to the System Office prior to the effective termination date.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
Legal Citation: 1D SBCCC 400.7
The Vice President for Instruction1 shall supervise the College’s academic advisory system. Academic advisors are College employees who help students plan and complete their academic goals. Academic advisors shall assist students with course selection and requirements for the program of study.
Academic advisors can offer students opportunities to enhance their education by making them aware of the various resources available to them throughout the College community. Academic advisors play an important role in the educational progress of advisees, by continually monitoring and evaluating their progression, as well as helping them clarify their educational goals and values.
Academic advisors shall be familiar with the Board’s policies and procedures as well as other academic issues including, but not limited to: grading, course pre-requisites and the College’s academic program offerings.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
1 Or another appropriate administrator.
I. Academic Terms
The curriculum calendar year is divided into three academic terms:
A. Spring Term: January 1 – May 15
B. Summer Term: May 16 – August 14
C. Fall Term: August 15 – December 31
II. Beginning and End Date for Academic Terms
The Board of Trustees (“Board”) shall approve the beginning and end date for each academic term within the time frames set forth in Section I, unless an exception is granted by the System Office President. The System Office President may grant an exception if it does not result in an overlap with another academic term, the ten percent (10%) point of all course sections falls within the corresponding academic term reporting period, and the exception does not negatively impact the College’s ability to meet data reporting requirements.
The academic semester for credit courses shall be designed so that classes may be scheduled to include the number of instructional hours shown in the College catalog and the approved curriculum program of study compliance document, and reported for FTE purposes. Instructional hours include scheduled class, laboratory and clinical sessions. Length of semesters or courses may vary as long as credit and membership hours are assigned consistent with requirements contained in the State Board Code. If necessary to meet the needs of particular constituents (e.g., courses provided at high schools, military bases, prisons, or at the specific request of business), without an exception by the System President, the College may schedule curriculum course sections that fall outside the academic term beginning and end dates, as defined by the Board. If such course sections cross academic term reporting periods, FTE enrollment shall be reported consistent with the provisions of the State Board Code.
Adopted September 9, 2019
Legal Citation: 1G SBCCC 100.1, 200.93; CC17-017
The College shall follow the requirements and provisions for calculating and reporting FTEs for curriculum, continuing education and other applicable classes/programs, as prescribed in the State Board Code.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
Legal Citation: SBCC, Title 1, Chapter G, Subchapter 100; CC17-017.
The College will endeavor to offer programs that meet the needs of the local community. When possible, all courses will enroll numbers of students adequate to maintain overall fiscally sound program support. This statement does not imply that all classes will have break-even numbers but that the average of all occupational programs will be sufficient to maintain the College’s prevailing fiscal stability. When the inability to maintain sound funding is caused by lack of enrollment, program adjustments will be made.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
College classes that are missed or not held for any reason, including inclement weather, natural disasters or other emergencies, should be rescheduled or the instruction should be made-up by some other alternative. Alternatives include: extra class sessions, extended class sessions, online session, individual conferences or others approved by the Vice President of Instruction. The Vice President of Instruction may schedule make-up days whenever the College is closed beyond four (4) days/evenings due to inclement weather, natural disasters or other emergencies. Instructors will be responsible for making-up instruction by an approved alternative for the first four (4) days.
Instructors who miss class because of educational leave, College business, illness, or other personal emergencies shall make arrangements for class instruction with their appropriate supervisor. Instruction should be made up by an approved alternative.
Instruction made-up by an approved alternative for reasons of inclement weather, natural disasters, or other emergencies, illness, personal emergency leave, or educational leave assignments, must be approved by the Vice President of Instruction (or designee) and documented on the instructors’ Class Attendance Report to be turned in at the end of the term. Instruction should be made up at a time convenient to the majority of students. No punitive action may be taken against students who are unable to attend make up sessions for legitimate reasons. Students enrolled in dual-enrollment/innovative high school programs shall be excused from classes and offered appropriate alternative assignments when public schools are not in session.
All Continuing Education classes will be rescheduled and documented on the Class Attendance Report. Classes should be made up when convenient to the majority of students. There are no approved alternative methods to make up Continuing Education classes.
Adopted: September 9, 2019
