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    Northwest Vista College
   
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
Northwest Vista College Schedule/Catalog 2016-2017 
    
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Northwest Vista College Schedule/Catalog 2016-2017 [Archived Catalog]

College Lingo (Glossary)


COLLEGE LINGO (GLOSSARY)

2 + 2

A plan that lists the courses students should take their freshman and sophomore level years, and the courses to take at a four-year institution the junior and senior years.

3-PEAT

Third attempt tuition  charge. Due to state legislation, the Alamo Colleges District is no longer reimbursed by the state for courses taken by students who have attempted the same course three or more times  previously (which includes courses taken that results in a grade of “W”). Therefore, the tuition for such a “three-peat” course will be the current cost for out of state tuition.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Allegations that include, but are not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Punitive actions and sanctions may be imposed.  The academic integrity procedure is outlined in  F.4.2.2 (Procedure) Academic Integrity Disciplinary and Appeal Process.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

Status of a student  not allowed to enter classes for at least one regular semester. Academic Dismissal results when a student on Academic Probation during a semester fails to meet minimum academic standards prescribed by the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

Applied to a student  whose grades are below minimum per­formance standards at the end of a semester. Removal from probation is accomplished by meeting the standards while on probation. Failure to meet the standards while on probation for two successive regular semesters results in Academic Dismissal.

ACADEMIC YEAR

From August 1 to July 31, including fall and spring semesters and summer sessions.

ACES

ACES is a secure web-based portal provides students, staff, and faculty with access to various applications using a single sign-on. Features include access to registration, financial aid information, email, announcements, library materials, and access to online course materials.

ACOL

Alamo Colleges District Online (ACOL) is dedicated to quality in teaching and learning in the online environment. You can complete certificates or associate degrees in many high demand programs that are fully online. 

ADD

Enrollment in a course after initial registration.

ADVISOR

Assists students in following a degree plan, selecting appropriate classes, and registering during group advisement sessions.

APPEAL

A student request for reconsideration or review of a decision affecting financial aid suspension, dismissal, grade change, prerequisite challenge, disciplinary ac­tion, etc.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

Granted by two-year colleges and offered at the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District; usually 60 semester hours of credit.

  • Associate of Art
  • Associate of Science
  • Associate of Applied Science
  • Associate of Arts in Teaching

AUDIT

Registration in a course for non-credit status. A grade of “AU ” is assigned to auditing students. An additional audit fee is required.

“BASICS”

Courses that satisfy general education core curriculum requirements for a degree. Caution: Courses may differ based upon major, field of study, transfer institution, or catalog year.

BASIC SKILL LEVELS

Students must test out or complete a certain course or courses to demonstrate the appropriate skill level to enter the next higher-level course. Basic skills prerequisites for classes are listed with the course descriptions in the online college catalogs.

BURSAR

The business office where students may pay bills.

CAMPUS ACCESS FEE

A Campus Access Fee, included with the tuition and fees, gives access to campus facilities, including open parking areas. Tobin Lofts residents must pay an additional fee for a decal that allows parking in the reserved resident parking area at Tobin Lofts.

CATALOG/BULLETIN

Publications that give college information, degrees/programs, admissions and graduation requirements, etc.

CENSUS DATE

The date on which the college certifies enrollment to the state. Courses dropped by students on or prior to the Census Date will not appear on permanent records and will not affect the three attempt rule.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

A technical program designed for entry-level employment or for upgrading skills and knowledge within an occupation.  Certificate programs typically serve as building blocks within Associate of Applied Science program.

COLLEGE LEVEL

Courses that require college level skills, particularly in the areas of reading, mathematics, and writing, usually based upon the results of college entry tests and/or previous academic records.

COLLUSION

The unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing any course­work/assignment.

CO-LISTED CLASSES

Classes that may be taken either for credit or non-credit (continu­ing education).

CORE CURRICULUM

All degrees at all Texas public institutions require a “general education core.” All of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District require the same core curriculum, and upon completion it will be transferable to any Texas public institution of higher education. Some majors at transfer universities may specify a specific course(s) within the core. Students are encouraged to verify with the transfer institution of choice if a specific course is designated.

CO-REQUISITE

A course that has to be taken at the same time as another course.

CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Provides a variety of quality, relevant and essential traditional and non-traditional educational programs to individuals, businesses, and the community to help fulfill employer training needs, as well as career and/or personal training aspirations. Also referred to as Continuing Education.

COUNSELOR

Provides services that may include academic, transfer, career, personal and crisis counseling. Counselors also teach student development courses.

COURSE NUMBER

All credit courses are identified by a four-digit number. The first number identifies the level of the course:

0 - Developmental

1 - Freshman

2 - Sophomore

The second number indicates the semester credit hour (SCH) value of the course. The third and fourth numbers distinguish the courses within a program area.

CURRICULUM

Set of courses or program of study outlined in a degree plan, or lessons taught in a course.

DEAN’S LIST

Students who earn a 3.5 or higher grade point average at the home/primary and/or one of the other colleges in the Alamo Colleges District are included in the Dean’s List. Students may be enrolled part-time (6-11) semester hours or full-time (12 or more) semester hours.

DEGREES

  • Associate - Granted by two-year colleges; usually 60 semester hours of credit.
  • Bachelor’s - Granted by four-year colleges or universities; usually 120 semester hours of credit.
  • Master’s - Granted by some colleges and most universities; usually 36+ semes­ter hours of graduate-level courses beyond the bachelor’s degree, plus a major research paper (thesis).
  • Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D, etc.) - Granted by a few colleges and some universi­ties; usually 45+ semester hours of graduate-level courses beyond the master’s degree, plus extensive research and intensive written report (dissertation).

DEGREE PLAN

An education road map for successful completion of a certificate, associate’s degree, or transfer to a four-year institution.

DEPARTMENT CHAIR

The head person of an academic department.

DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES

Courses designed for students whose records indicate that they need preparation for entering college level courses.

DISCIPLINE

Related courses in a given subject area, such as history.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

Courses offered through a variety of instructional modes. De­livery systems include Internet courses, telecourses, and hybrid courses.

DROP

Voluntary or involuntary official withdrawal from a course.

DROP-SLIP

In order to officially withdraw from a course the form “Notice of Change” must be submitted to the Admissions and Records office. Ask your instructor for “drop” procedures applicable at various times of each semester.

ELECTIVE

A course a student chooses to take that is not a required part of the regular cur­riculum.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Activities that occur outside the classroom during the student’s personal time.

EXTRAMURALS

Competitive activities through tournaments and leagues. To be eligible to participate, participants must be enrolled in at least 6 college credit hours and maintain a minimum 2.0 institution GPA at the college offering the extramural activity. These requirements are verified and monitored during the semester.

FACULTY

College and university faculty are ranked (lowest to highest) as adjunct, lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, associate professor or full professor.

FACULTY MENTOR

Assists students with particular requirements for each department’s programs of study and assesses what courses are needed to complete the degree plan.

FLEX CLASS

Courses that are only 8 weeks long . Flex I constitutes the first eight weeks of the semester. Flex II constitutes the second eight weeks of the semester.

FINALS

Final examinations. End-of-semester course examinations in each subject of about 2-1⁄2 hours’ duration. Refer to the Schedule of Classes for the final exam schedule.

FINANCIAL AID

Various forms of student financial assistance including grants, schol­arships, student loans, and work-study.  Federal Pell grants are the most common form of financial aid.

FRESHMAN

A student with less than 30 semester hours of college level credit.

FULL-TIME STUDENT

Students taking 12 or more credit hours in a semester/term across the colleges. Some grants, loans, or scholarships may require full-time student status.

GPA (GRADE POINT AVERAGE)

Numerical grade average  calculated on completed courses. The minimum overall institution GPA for Good Standing is 2.0.

GRADE/QUALITY POINTS

Quality points are number values assigned to the letter grades, e.g., A=4 points, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.

GRADUATE

A student who has satisfied the minimum requirements for a degree program with a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.0.

GRANTS

Federal and state financial aid funds that do not have to be paid back. Students are required to apply once per year.

GRIEVANCE POLICY

The Academic Grievance Policy is a process through which students may elect to resolve conflicts where there is clear and convincing evidence that the student has been treated unfairly or abusive­ly by faculty or college personnel. 

  • Academic Grievance Policy F.4.6 (Policy)  
  • Non-academic Grievance Policy and Procedures F.4.7 (Policy) and F.4.7.1 (Procedure)

HYBRID COURSE

Combines traditional lecture, discussion or lab sections with online or other computer-based learning. Hybrid courses move a significant part of the course work to the computer or Internet, which reduces the amount of time spent in a classroom setting.

HOLD

Prevents registration and indicates the action that students need to take before they can register for classes. Examples include outstanding parking tickets or library fines, missing transcripts , or academic progress issues.

INSTITUTIONAL GPA

Numerical grade point average calculated on completed courses at the student’s home/primary college. The institution GPA is used for Academic Standing.

INTERNET COURSE

Students participate in the class by using the internet for all or part of the coursework. The instructor posts a webpage that contains course information and assignments. Communication between students and instructors occurs by e-mail.

INTRAMURALS

Provides students, staff, and faculty the opportunity to participate in activities that are fun, promote wellness, and en­courage socialization. In order to be eligible, participants must be currently enrolled students or currently employed faculty/staff.

JOINT ADMISSIONS

Agreements between the community college and universities that allow a smooth transfer process for students by identifying courses for transfer. Joint admissions pro­grams give students access to university resources, such as a libraries, before they even begin taking classes.

LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER/LIBRARY

Campus resource center offering on-site library materials, in­formation technologies, and instructional services necessary to support and supplement the teaching-learning process.

MAYMESTER

Three week session  offered between the Spring and first Summer session. A full-time student is enrolled in 3-4 semester hours.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION (NSO)

NSO offers students the opportunity to engage with college representatives and other students for academic advising and to learn about valuable resources supporting student success.

ORIENTATION

An informational meeting or activity required for most courses taught over the Internet or television.

OVERALL GPA

Numerical grade point average calculated on completed courses at all of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District.

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (PIN)

Students will use PIN processing at critical advising touchpoints to meet with assigned advisors when they complete 15 hours, 30 hours and 45 hours of coursework.

PAYMENT PLAN

Students may elect to utilize the payment plan to pay tuition. Half of tuition balance is due by the payment deadline and the remaining half is divided into two payments. This plan is available only during the Fall and Spring semesters. An additional fee is required for the Payment Plan.

PERMANENT RECORD

A student’s permanent record, part of the official archives of the college, contains personal data, test scores, summary of transfer and admissions infor­mation, courses attempted, grades, grade points and scholastic status.

PLAGIARISM

In college, plagiarism generally means copying and submitting for course credit a sentence, paragraph, or article, without identifying or crediting the source. Plagia­rism usually results in a failing grade.

PRE-MAJOR

Students wishing to transfer for a 4-year degree will designate the major they plan to pursue upon transfer.

PRE-REQUISITE

A course that must be satisfactorily completed prior to taking another course.

PRESIDENT’S LIST

Students who earn a 4.0 grade point average at one or more of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District. Students may be enrolled part-time (6-11) semester hours or full-time (12 or more) semester hours.

PRIORITY REGISTRATION/TIME TICKETING

Date and time of registration when current students are scheduled to register earlier than newly admitted students.

RECRUITER

A person who provides outreach and support for area high schools, busi­nesses, and community organizations. Support may include testing, admissions and fi­nancial aid information.

REPEATED COURSES/GRADE RECALCULATION

If a student repeats a course, the higher grade earned is considered in assigning grade points. It is the student’s responsibil­ity to fill out a recalculation form at Admissions and Records for this consideration. Other colleges and universities may not follow this practice.

STUDENT ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a federal requirement that students must meet to receive both federal & state financial aid. In addition to the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, students must comply with the Alamo Colleges District’s SAP Policy in order to be eligible to receive financial aid including student loans.  

SB1231 (6 DROP RULE)

Students are limited to a total of six course drops  during their undergraduate career, including courses dropped at another institution as defined in Section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code, which limits the number of courses that may be dropped under certain circumstances.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

Publication that provides instructions for reg­istration and enrollment information; courses offered, course num­bers and course instructors; and times and locations. A Schedule of Classes is published before each semester and is available online.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Eligibility criteria varies, and financial aid awards made on competitive ba­sis. Funds awarded are not required to be repaid.

SECTION NUMBER

Identifies the specific section of a particular course. For example, there may be several classes of the course English 130. Each class, called a “section,” is denoted by digits appearing after the decimal: Eng.1301.001, Eng.1301.002, etc.

SEMESTERS AND COURSE LOAD

The colleges in the Alamo Colleges District offer courses in a variety of formats ranging from 3 to 16 weeks in duration. Students may take a maximum number of courses  as designated for the respective semester. No student may enroll for more than 18 semes­ter hours during Fall and Spring semesters or full-time during Maymester, Flex and Summer Sessions except by written authorization of the Vice President of Student Success or a designee.

SOBI

A behavioral awareness and intervention program that identifies and provides support and assistance for students who display concerning, disruptive or threatening behaviors.  The Strategies of Behavioral Intervention (SOBI) team offers consultation, education, and support to faculty, staff, and administration in assisting students, recommends appropriate intervention strategies and connects students with needed campus and community resources. Students may submit Behavior Incident Report named or anonymously at https://publicdocs.maxient.com/incidentreport.php?AlamoColleges or call the ethics hotline at 1-866-294-3696 or online at http://www.ethicspoint.com.

SMART START

A success initiative to support students in being ready for class and actively engaged in learning on the first day and throughout the semester.

F.6.1.5 (Procedure) Student Success: Comprehensive Monitoring/Advising System

SOPHOMORE

A student who has 30 to 59 semester hours of college level credit.

STUDENT ADVISOR

A guide to help you plan your educational career. A student advisor will review your degree plan, monitor your academic progress, assist with transfer planning, and provide general information.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Outlines acceptable and unacceptable conduct on cam­pus and the consequences for student’s actions.

STUDENT EMAIL

Email services are provided to students of the Alamo Colleges District in support of the educational, training and outreach mission of the colleges and the administrative functions to carry out that mission. Your college-assigned student email account is considered an official channel for communication between the colleges and you.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Outlines Alamo Colleges District’s students’ rights and responsibilities .

STUDENT LOANS

Short-term loans - Offered during registration to cover the cost of tuition, short-term loans are only awarded to students guaranteed to receive grant funds and must be repaid within 30 days.

Long-term loans - Amount borrowed that has been determined by student financial need. Repayment begins 6 months after graduation or withdrawal from school.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

F.6.2 (Policy) Student Responsibility for Success

The Alamo Colleges District’s students are expected to assume responsibility for contributing to their own development and learning. Academic success is directly tied to the effort students put into their studies, the degree to which they interact with faculty and peers, and the extent to which students integrate into the campus life.

SUMMER SESSION

Five, eight and ten week sessions  are offered June-August, the length varying by class. A full-time student is enrolled in 6 or more credit hours. A part-time student is enrolled in fewer than 6 semester credit hours.

SYLLABUS

An overview of the assignments and activities to be included in a course, which essentially constitutes a contract between student and instructor.

TELECOURSE

Prerecorded video programs that are broadcast through Time Warner Cable and Grande Cable. Telecourse tapes and DVDs can also be purchased in the college book­stores.

TRANSCRIPT

A permanent record of the courses attempted and grades received, the transcript also includes courses withdrawn after the Census Date. An official transcript includes the college’s seal and the registrar’s signature. Transfer institutions require an official transcript from each college attended. The transcript from the colleges of the Alamo Colleges District includes the courses completed at the home/primary college with courses taken at the other colleges as transfer courses.

TRANSFER CREDIT

Courses that another college or university will accept to meet its requirements.

TRANSFER PLAN

An education road map for successful transfer to a four-year institution. A Transfer Plan alone may not lead to a degree from one of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District.

UNDERGRADUATE

Classification applied to any student with less than a bachelor’s de­gree.

VIRTUAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS

A consortium of Texas community colleges making online courses available to students when the courses are not offered at the local college. Students receive instruction provide by other colleges while remaining enrolled in and receiving services from the local community colleges.

WEB ADVISING

Available online or via e-mail for students who have questions or concerns about registration, academic needs and available student support services.

WORK-STUDY

Student employment on campus, work-study is only available to students receiving Pell grants.