Academic Standing Committee

First Year Seminar (FYS) Enrollment Policy (approved by Senate June 2025)

1. Beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, new first-time students must enroll in FYS in their first semester when scheduling nine or more equated credits. They can include the course in either Session I or Session II.
2. All new transfer students must enroll in FYS in the first semester regardless of credits.
3. New part-time students registered for eight or fewer equated credits should consider registering for FYS in their first semester; if not, they must enroll in the subsequent semester in which they would reach their ninth cumulative credit.
   • New students who are required to but do not register for FYS in the first semester will have an advising hold placed on their account for next semester registration; they can register for the semester but must complete a one-time postponement request detailing their reason for not registering for FYS in the first semester. Academic Affairs administrators will ask Program Directors to review prior to the add/drop deadline and will then notify students if the waiver postponement is granted. Students must meet with an advisor to register for the following semester and include FYS in their schedule.
4. Students who change majors after successfully completing an FYS course for their previous major do not have to re-take FYS for their new major.

Emergency Distance Learning Policy (approved by Senate June 2025)

In the event of an emergency* campus closure when the determination is made that campus operations are to be remote, we recommend the following considerations be made for scheduled in-person classes:

• It would be reasonable, if not preferable, to cancel class entirely. Online learning done in an emergency fashion should not be considered a default fallback option available at a moment’s notice. Careful planning by the instructor is vital if a switch in modality is to be effectively achieved.
• Transition to a synchronous online session should not happen without 12 hours notice. For example, students/faculty who are on campus at the time of a sudden closure will need time to return to a safe location where they can attend an online class.
• Provisions for switching from in-person to an online synchronous modality should be mentioned in the syllabus/Learning Management System prior to the emergency, and the requirements for students should be made clear and not require technology other than that already specified by the required modality. Example wording:
  • Emergency zoom link: If there is an emergency and we need to pivot to online, we will use this zoom link to meet on the day and time that class is scheduled. This will be to check in and discuss next steps. For students that cannot attend the online session, a recording will be posted.

Alternatives to an online synchronous session could include:

• A recorded online synchronous session that students may attend if they can. Students who are unable to attend can be provided access to the recording to serve as a substitute form of instruction. An opt-out from recording option for students attending the synchronous session should be offered.
• An independent learning activity that can be completed by the student at their own time.
• A video recorded by the instructor and posted for everyone.

The Online Learning Committee is happy to work with programs, departments, and faculty to help craft sample wording and syllabus design options for instructors who would like to include an online provision for their classes in the event of an emergency. Please contact the Chairs of the Committee for such help.

*Emergency: Emergency in this case refers to the LaGuardia/CUNY authorized cancellation of classes for a day or part of a day.

Academic Integrity Policy (approved by Senate February 2025): See policy linked here.

Visiting/Non-Degree Student Policy (underlined revisions approved by Senate June 2024): A visiting / non-degree student is defined as a non-matriculated student who enrolls for individual courses, but is not enrolled in a specific curriculum or major.

Therefore, the student is not working toward a degree. Visiting / non-degree registration is on a space available basis each semester, and students are not eligible for financial aid. Students can apply four times a year; Fall and Spring sessions I and II (see enhanced semester calendar – inside front cover.) The application fee of $65 will only be charged if you have successfully registered for a class.

Apply online and learn what documents are required to process the non-degree application. Obtain information about immigration status, residency status and restrictions on registering for certain courses: laguardia.edu/admissions/non-degree-students/

Students are required to meet all pre- and co-requisites for all courses for which they register unless they receive a waiver from the appropriate academic chairperson.

Online Learning Policy (approved by Senate March 2024): The college has set minimum requirements for each modality:

• Fully Online Synchronous:
  • Requirements for enrolling in this class: computer, working camera and microphone, reliable broadband internet; be visible on camera during class.
• Fully Online Asynchronous:
  • Requirements for enrolling in this class: computer and reliable broadband internet.
• Hybrid Synchronous/online mix/hyflex/hyfield:
  • Requirements for enrolling in these classes: computer, working camera and microphone, reliable broadband internet; be visible on camera during class.
• Hybrid Asynchronous:
  • Requirements for enrolling in this class: computer and reliable broadband internet.

**Faculty can choose a cameras off policy for an individual class, but the default policy is cameras on.

Academic Forgiveness Policy (underlined revisions approved by Senate January 2024): Students who have been dismissed from, or have not been in attendance at, the College for a period of at least three years and whose GPA is below 2.0 are able to be reinstated under the Academic Forgiveness Policy. For students reinstated under this policy, past grades of F, FIN or WU will remain on their transcripts but will not be calculated in their grade point averages. This policy gives students a second chance to complete their studies. Your eligibility for Financial Aid is determined by Student Financial Services in accordance with Federal and State Financial Aid regulations. The Academic Forgiveness Policy does not override financial aid regulations. Please speak to a Financial Aid Specialist regarding your eligibility for aid.

Note: Admission or readmission into the “Clinical Phase” of Allied Health Programs is not guaranteed under the Academic Forgiveness Policy, regardless of the student’s prior status in that program. Students must contact individual program offices for specific readmission policies.

New Exemption Credit Policy (in effect Fall 2023): “Exemption credit from any credit-bearing course offered at LaGuardia may be granted on the basis of an examination or a project equivalent to the final requirement of the course. Equivalencies are determined by the faculty of the appropriate academic department and must be approved by the chairperson. Exemption credit may not include credit for prior coursework, which falls under transfer credit. Exemption credit must be earned at LaGuardia, either through examination, project, or portfolio review.The maximum number of exemption credits that can be counted towards LaGuardia’s 30-credit residency requirement for a degree is 10. A maximum of 6 exemption credits may be applied toward the residency requirement for a certificate.

NOTE: Only degree students and students enrolled in the Early College High School program are eligible to earn exemption credits.

New Attendance Policy (in effect Fall 2023) – Class attendance and participation play a crucial role in the learning process and directly impact students’ overall academic achievement. Therefore, students are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions regardless of modality. Departments or degree programs shall establish specific attendance requirements and those will appear on the course syllabus. Students must review individual course requirements in order to understand the effect their absences may have on the grade in a course.

• Sample Syllabus with Schedule for Online Asynchronous Course In the Liberal Arts
• Sample Syllabus for an In-Person Course in the Liberal Arts
• Syllabus – Fall I 2017

LaGuardia’s Attendance Policy: Class attendance and participation play a crucial role in the learning process and directly impact students’ overall academic achievement. Therefore, students are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions regardless of modality. Departments or degree programs shall establish specific attendance requirements and those will appear on the course syllabus. Students must review individual course requirements in order to understand the effect their absences may have on the grade in a course.

Verification of Enrollment: Verification of Enrollment is a mandatory CUNY requirement. It is important that rosters be certified for each one of the course offerings as it affects compliance with federal regulations and students receiving financial aid. During the verification of enrollment (VOE) period, instructors are required to verify that all students listed are actually attending class. For any student who has never attended a class and there is no documented evidence of the student’s participation in the course (such as a completed assignment, e-mail response, or signature on a roster), select the “No, never attended” radio button.

• Business Department Attendance Policy
• Community Health and Wellness Department Attendance Policy
• Education and Language Acquisition Department Attendance Policy
• English Department Attendance Policy
• Health Sciences Attendance Policy
• Humanities Department Attendance Policy
• Liberal Arts Department Attendance Policy
• Library Department Attendance Policy
• Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science Department Attendance Policy
• Natural Sciences Department Attendance Policy
• Social Science Department Attendance Policy

LaGuardia Community College follows CUNY’s Academic Integrity Policy. Here is the link to the policy.

Academic Integrity Complaint Form

1. Use Blackboard Safe Assign and turnitin.com for assignments
   • Make the assignment unplagarizable (staged assignments, specific instructions)
   • Provide information on plagiarism, instructions on proper citation.
   • Include a paragraph of the academic integrity policy on the assignment.
2. If students are caught plagiarizing, faculty should always fill out an Academic Integrity Complaint Form. It protects both students and faculty members.
3. The Academic Integrity violation information is not reflected on the student’s transcript.
4. The Academic appeals committee is a subcommittee of the Academic Standing Committee. They meet twice a month and review 30 appeals (academic, not financial) per month. Appeals must be filed in a timely manner. Students have only one semester to file the appeal.

Academic Appeals Form

• CUNY Uniform Grading Policy
• Request an Incomplete (INC) Grade.

What is academic integrity?
Academic integrity is defined as honestly doing one’s own academic work in compliance with assignment requirements and guidelines. Examples of academic dishonesty include cheating, plagiarism, Internet plagiarism, obtaining an unfair advantage, falsification of records or any official documents, and misconduct on internships.

What constitutes cheating?
Cheating is the unauthorized use or attempted use of material, information, notes, study aids, devices or communication during an academic exercise.

What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research or writings as your own.

What is Internet plagiarism?
Internet plagiarism is plagiarism that includes the submission of downloaded term papers or parts of term papers as your own work, paraphrasing or copying information from the Internet without citing the source and includes other forms of “cutting and pasting.”

What is an unfair advantage?
An unfair advantage is any activity that intentionally or unintentionally gives you an unfair academic advantage over other students.

What constitutes falsification of records and official documents?
Falsification of records and official documents includes forging signatures or authorization, providing false information on academic records or official documents such as grade reports, drop/add forms, ID cards or other college documents.

What behavior constitutes misconduct?
Misconduct on internships constitutes behavior which is inappropriate to a professional setting or in violation of the rules established by either the College or the internship site. Misconduct also includes non-compliance with local, state and federal laws while on internship.

What can be appealed?
Grades assigned by teaching faculty can be appealed with appropriate documentation as outlined on the Academic Appeals Form.

What is the first step in an appeal?
The first step in the appeal process involves arranging to meet with a counselor to discuss the appeal and the process of submitting an appeal.

What happens after I submit an appeal?
After an appeal is submitted, the Appeals Subcommittee of Academic Standing reviews documents submitted with the appeal. After review, the Appeals Subcommittee reaches a decision about whether to grant or deny the appeal.

When will my grade change appear on my college records if I am granted an appeal?
If an appeal is granted, a change of grade will be registered with the Registrar and noted on your college transcript within 72 hours after a final decision is made. If the appeal is not granted, the original grade remains in effect.

How will I be notified of final appeal decisions?
Notification of final decisions of the Appeals Subcommittee is issued by the Academic Appeals Subcommittee in a letter to you.

Who notifies me of sanction/penalties imposed for violation of academic integrity?
You are notified of sanctions/penalties for a violation of academic integrity by the Student Judiciary Officer.