Developmental Studies

The Developmental Studies (DVS) program is a central part of the college’s comprehensive program to help students succeed. Often students need to brush up on basic skills before pursuing a career program. Others may not be prepared for college-level work at college or program entry and need time to prepare academically.

The college’s placement test is given to all students in an effort to identify the academic needs of each student. Once assessment scores are determined, each student is counseled about the courses needed to reach the student’s ultimate goal.

This is where the DVS program becomes crucial to students’ success. The program offers basic college preparatory courses in English, reading, writing and mathematics. These courses allow students to concentrate on their needs and gain skills for academic success. In addition, DVS offers courses to help students develop college coping skills. Classes such as COL 102, COL 103, COL 104, COL 105, COL 106, COL 109, IDS 102, IDS 201 and HSS 100 provide students with personal and academic skills that create a foundation for successful college work.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Disability Services

(See Counseling and Career Services.)

Return to Student Handbook Page

Dishonored Checks and Online Returned Items

A dishonored check is one that is returned to the college as unpaid. These checks include stop payments, insufficient funds, refer to maker, account closed and any other reason for unpaid funds. A $30 fee will be assessed for each dishonored check. Student account holders will be notified via campus e-mail to contact the Finance and Accounting office before the item is turned over for prosecution.  If restitution is not made, the returned item will be forwarded to the local solicitor’s office for collection.  At this point, the college cannot accept payment from the student.  The solicitor’s office will be responsible for collecting payment.  Once warrants are issued they cannot be withdrawn by the college.  Future payments to the college cannot be made by check – only payments by cash, credit card or money order will be accepted.  Students will not be allowed to register or receive transcripts until the dishonored check is paid in full.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Dress Code

All students are encouraged to dress in a manner that supports the college policy on campus environment. In the interest of health and safety, shoes that cover the length of the foot and shirts that cover the chest are required of all students. Some academic programs require specific dress or uniforms, consistent with employment practices in the field of study. This information will be included in academic program guides or on class syllabi.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Drop/Add

During the specified times of regular registration through late registration and the published schedule change days, students may add courses provided the course is available, the student meets course prerequisites, and the advisor’s approval is secured or the course is contained within the student’s program plan approved by the student’s advisor. Withdrawals through the fifth day of a full term, third day of summer semester or the second day of mini-sessions is considered a drop and will not show on the official transcript. Withdrawals after these days through midterm will result in a grade of “W.” Students who withdraw after midterm will receive a grade of “W” if passing the course at the time of withdrawal or a grade of “WF” if failing the course on the date last attended. The last day to withdraw from a course is five days before the beginning of exams for that course.

Procedures

  1. Obtain a Drop/Add/Withdrawal form from the Scheduling Centers or the Student Records Office. Submit the completed form to the Student Records Office for processing, and then take the processed form to the Cashier. Refunds will be provided according to the normal refund schedule.

  2. Students approved for web registration may drop and add courses through MyMTC during the scheduled registration and schedule change days. Course prerequisites must be met.

Refunds will be processed according to the normal refund schedule.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Educational Opportunity Center

The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to begin or continue a college education. EOC also provides in-depth college financial assistance information and help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The MTC EOC program is designed to assist approximately 1,000 participants above the age of 19 who reside in Fairfield or Lexington County. MTC partners with the University of South Carolina TRIO Programs (803-777-5127) to provide services to persons residing in Richland County.

To learn about EOC Services offered by EOC include, but are not limited to: academic assistance, career workshops, information on post-secondary educational opportunities, assistance completing applications for college admission and financial assistance, and financial literacy.  Outreach Sites, or to request an application for Educational Opportunity Center, call (803) 822-3749 or browse www.midlandstech.edu/eoc. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Midlands-Technical-College-Educational-Opportunity-CenterEOC/131608243565896

Return to Student Handbook Page

Educational Talent Search

The Educational Talent Search (ETS) program encourages limited-income and prospective first-generation college students to consider college opportunities. The MTC ETS program is designed to annually assist 850 participants between the ages of 11 and 18 residing in Fairfield or Lexington counties. MTC partners with the University of South Carolina TRIO Programs (803-777-5217) to provide services to persons residing in Richland County.

The program provides educational support to motivate students to complete high school and enter a post-secondary educational institution. Services include: academic counseling, advisement on course selection, career exploration and planning, assistance with college financial aid and admission applications, assistance registering for college entrance/placement exams, technology skills development, personal counseling, tutorial services, workshops for parents/guardians, and a wide array of other related services to help participants achieve their educational and career goals.

An individual may be eligible for participation in Educational Talent Search if he/she is currently in grades 6 through 12 at a designated target school, is between the ages of 11 and 18, and meets the established federal educational and economic guidelines.

To learn more about Educational Talent Search, call (803) 822-3628, send an email to ets@midlandstech.edu, or browse to www.midlandstech.edu/ets.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Emergencies

(Also see Health Services.)

Emergency Locator Service

Locator service is not normally provided except in emergencies. When an emergency exists, MTC security personnel will attempt to deliver a message to a student. Students are strongly encouraged to leave a copy of their class schedule with relatives to save time if an emergency arises.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Emergency Protocol

Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Police at 738-7199. In the event of an emergency, student and employee protocol is to immediately call Campus Police or local 911. If an emergency occurs, the college will use a variety of methods to communicate additional information and instructions including the MTC Information Centers, text messaging, campus loud speakers, MTCVNN, voice mail, email, college intranet, and the MTC website homepage. In addition, MTC has placed emergency call boxes in campus parking lots to provide immediate communication to Campus Police in the event of an emergency.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with federal law, including the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992, Midlands Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin or ethnic group, color, age, religion, disability or military service in its administration of education policies, programs, activities or services; its admission policies; scholarship and loan programs; or employment. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to Dr. Ronald L. Rhames, Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and Compliance Officer for Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, Sexual Harassment and Disability Action, at (803) 822-3261.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Excused Absences

Students are responsible for work covered from the first day of classes. Any classes missed are counted as absences.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Financial Aid

(See Student Financial Services.)

Return to Student Handbook Page

Food Service

Vending machines are available for snack foods and drinks at all MTC campuses.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Goals for Students

Through programs, services, facilities and interaction with students, Midlands Technical College faculty and staff seek to affirm the worth and dignity of each individual student to:

Return to Student Handbook Page

Grades and Grade Changes

Students can access grades and unofficial transcripts via their student account in MyMTC. If an error is suspected in the reported grades, students must notify the faculty member(s) involved within one term after the term for which the grades were issued. Students who need an official grade report may submit a request to the Student Records Office. Request forms are available on the college website.

Grade Point Average (GPA) – A student’s grade point average (GPA) can be calculated in the following way: (1) Assign grade points to each letter grade. (2) Multiply credit hours times grade points. This equals quality points. (3) Add credit hours, then add quality points. (4) Divide quality points by credit hours. This will equal the GPA.

1.  Grade   Grade Points   Grade   Grade Points
  A = 4   D = 1
  B = 3   F = 0
  C = 2   WF = 0

 

2-3.   Credit   Grade   Quality
  Course Hours Grade Points   Points
  ECO 253 3.0 B 3 (3.0 x 3)

9.0

  ENG 101 3.0 C 2 (3.0 x 2)

  6.0

    6.0      

15.0

 

4. Quality Points ÷ Credit Hours = GPA
  15.0 ÷ 6.0 = 2.5 GPA

 

Students also have the option of the online GPA calculator on the Student Records web page at www.midlandstech.edu/records.

Repeat Grade Policy

When a course is repeated, all grades will be entered on the student’s permanent academic record. For 100- 200 level courses, the higher of the two grades will be included in the grade point average. If the repeated course has a different prefix and/or number the student must complete a Repeat Course form, which is available from the Student Records Office under GPA recalculation for repeated courses or online at www.midlandstech.edu/records/addinfo4.html.

Certain departmental requirements may limit the number of times a course may be repeated.

Students who plan to transfer must realize the receiving college may recalculate grade point averages, including repeat grades, according to that college’s policies.

Students receiving financial aid should know that all coursework attempted will be calculated in assessment of academic progress standards for student financial aid purposes.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Grading System

The Registrar maintains a record of all course work attempted. Students can access grades and unofficial transcript information via their student account at MyMTC once grades are posted.

Midlands Technical College’s grading system is as follows:

A

Superior — (4 quality points)

B

Above Average — (3 quality points)

C

Average — (2 quality points)

D

Below Average — (1 quality point)

F

Failure — (computed in grade point average as zero [0] quality points)

W

Withdrew (not computed in grade point average)

WF

Withdrew Failing — (computed in grade point average as zero [0] quality points)

NC

No Credit — (designated courses only; not computed in GPA)

I

Incomplete — (must be made up within one term)

AU

Audit — (no credit; not computed in GPA)

E

Exempted the course (earns credit hours, generates no grade points)

TR

Transfer — (earns credit hours, generates no grade points)

Grades of A, B, C, D and F earned in Developmental Studies zero level courses are not calculated into students’ overall GPAs and are not used in determining honors.

Return to Student Handbook Page

Graduation

(See Degree/Diploma/Certificate Requirements.)

Return to Student Handbook Page