Glossary of Advising and General Terms

Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center (ASC) provides students with additional supports via one-on-one tutoring, writing and math labs (no appointments needed) and e-tutoring online, at no charge. Be sure to provide your MCC ID card or Banner ID number.

AA Degree

AA stands for an associate in art degree. Typically, the degree is for art-related fields, and students either enter the workforce or transfer to another institution of higher learning. Programs offering this degree have published sequences wherein students complete approximately 60-64 credit hours of required 100- and 200-level coursework.

AS Degree

AS stands for an associate in science degree. Typically, students who earn this degree intend to transfer to a college or university and pursue a bachelor’s degree. Programs offering this degree have published sequences wherein students complete approximately 60-64 credit hours of required 100- and 200-level coursework.

AA versus AS

AA degrees are of a more general nature and can help students further their education or enter various occupational fields. AS degrees are more narrowly focused and may require students to take additional courses when they wish to expand their studies.

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar contains important dates that students need to know each semester. Dates such as the last day to drop a class, the withdrawal deadlines, and final exam week are published in the academic calendar. The calendars for the full CSCU system are also available online.

Academic Coaching

A service provided by Guided Pathways Advising to help students stay on track toward graduation. Suspended and probation students are required to participate in the academic coaching program, where they are paired up with a staff/faculty member and meet on a regular basis throughout the semester to address any issues that come up.

Academic Standing

The current academic status of a student at any given time. Every semester, a student’s academic standing changes depending on academic performance. Options include warning, probation and suspension.

Add/Drop

A designated timeframe where students may change their original class choices by dropping a course and/or adding a new one. Dropped courses will not appear on an academic transcript. This is generally the first week of classes, and exact dates can be found on the academic calendar.

Adjunct Faculty

A highly qualified (master’s or higher-level degree earned) teaching faculty member who is employed by the college on a part-time basis. Many adjuncts are currently or formerly employed experts in the fields in which they teach.

Alumni

Students who have graduated from MCC or who have earned at least nine credits at the college.

Appeal

Students have the option to file an appeal if they believe the situation warrants it. Types of appeals at MCC include grade appeals (filed with Academic Affairs); SAP appeals (filed with Financial Aid); refund Appeals (filed with Student Affairs), reinstatements, academic standing, Fresh Start, and the 3X retake (filed with Guided Pathways Advising).

Audit

Taking a course without credit and without a grade. Students do not have to take the examinations. Any student may audit a course with permission of the instructor – if seats are available the first day of classes – by filling out the appropriate audit form and returning it to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the add/drop period. Full tuition is required, and the course will appear on transcripts with a grade of Au.

Assessments

Tests, such as Accuplacer and other measures given to students to assess their proficiency and/or competency with course learning outcomes or to identify levels and/or course placement for English and math.

Asynchronous

Asynchronous classes offer students the flexibility to study in a self-paced manner. While most asynchronous classes still have submission deadlines, students can connect with materials, peers and instructors on their own schedules, often over an extended period of time.

Bachelor’s Degree

The next level of education after graduating from Manchester Community College. Often referred to as a four-year degree, it is very similar to associate degrees in that students may pursue a bachelor of art or science. Courses taken for this degree are generally 200-400-level courses. MCC does not offer bachelor’s degree programs.

Banner

MCC’s student information system that integrates student, finance and financial aid data.

Banner ID Number

A student’s permanent, official college student ID number in the Banner system.

Blackboard Learn

The course management system used to support web-based teaching and learning.

Certificate

A required set of MCC courses that students complete to earn a certificate (usually between 15–30 credit hours) geared toward employment in a specific field. Although it is not a degree, it is a credential in that discipline.

Class Schedule

The list of courses being taught during any designated semester. The schedule can be accessed via the course search on the MCC website or from myCommNet, the college’s student information portal.

College and Career Success (CCS 101)

College and Career Success (CCS 101) is a course designed to help students successfully transition into the college environment. Students who successfully complete the CCS 101 course earn three credits.

Co-requisite

Two or more courses in which students must co-enroll so they are taken together. Co-requisite courses might include a reading class with a composition class or a support course with a credit course.

College Catalog and Student Handbook

These references focus on college policies and procedures, as well as on campus resources, educational programs and requirements, and course descriptions. Both the catalog and handbook are available online.

Course Cancellations

A class may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Also, students who do not pay their tuition and fees by a specific date, or set up a payment plan, may have their schedule of classes cancelled for lack of payment. Students whose class(es) have been dropped will need to re-register if they plan to attend the semester’s classes and may not be able to register for the same courses if their original selections are filled.

Credit by Examination (CLEP)

Students may earn up to 36 semester hours of credit toward a degree through several types of examinations.

Credit Hour

The number of hours a class is scheduled to meet each week determines the number of credit hours students will receive for that course. For example, English Composition (ENG 101) involves three class hours each week and is worth three credit hours while Developmental English (ENG 096) meets six hours per week and is worth six hours, even though no credits are earned. However, the earned hours work toward a full or part-time student status.

Curriculum/Program of Study Sheet

A program of courses approved for a specific degree or certificate. To earn a degree or certificate in a specific program, students must complete the curriculum for that program. The curriculum is a contract between students and the college that lists course learning outcomes, course requirements and any degree-specific information, as well as any-related program policies. Students can access their curriculum/program of study sheet by accessing the Degree Works graduation auditing system via myCommNet.

Dean

The head of a division of the college.

Dean’s List

To make the Dean’s List, students must be matriculated in a program and have completed 12 or more credit hours with a grade-point average of 3.5 or better with no grades of “I” or “F”. Full-time students must complete the 12 credit hours during a semester while part-time students have one full year (Fall, Spring, Summer).

Degree Works

Degree Works is an online degree audit/advising system designed to help students achieve their academic goals efficiently. Degree Works tracks course and requirement completion efficiently; students and advisors can spend less time on record keeping and more time on program planning to achieve academic and career objectives.

Department Chair

The person who supervises the adjunct and full-time faculty in a department. The department chair hears legitimate complaints about a class after students have expressed their concerns to their professor(s).

Distance Learning

Various online course formats, such as completely online (ONLN), live online (LRON), hybrid (HYBD), etc. Instructor and students meet in a variety of instructional formats.

Electives

Courses of a student’s choice, which may be taken for credit toward a degree or certificate. They may be chosen from a wide variety of courses. Electives are categorized by the types of courses, such as social science, general science, humanities, etc. Some programs require specific course electives, so students need to make sure they are aware of the requirements of their major or program.

Email (Electronic Mail)

All students receive an MCC email address to access from a home computer or the on-campus computer labs. MCC uses email notify students of college-related business and important general information. Faculty can send students electronic messages and they can send messages to classmates, faculty and staff, as well as to any external email address. Email is the primary method of communication with the college, so it is important students read their email regularly. 

FAFSA

 FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Studen Aid, must be filled out every year, as soon as possible after students or their parents have filed their tax returns. Be sure to regularly check email as they often ask for additional documentation. Once approved, financial aid applies to the fall and spring of the upcoming academic year. Students with aid awards remaining from the fall/spring semesters, may use that aid for summer courses. Workshops to help fill out the FAFSA are offered regularly by the Financial Aid office.

Financial Aid Office

An office to help students obtain funds for their college education. There are various scholarships and financial aid awards for which students may be eligible.

First Generation

A student who is the first in their family to attend college, and whose parents have not completed a bachelor’s degree.

Fresh Start

A program for students who left the college in poor academic standing, have less than a 2.00 GPA, and have been away for two consecutive years are eligible for Fresh Start. This program allows the student to have their GPA wiped clean back to 0.00 while keeping any passing grades they previously earned toward degree requirements.

Full-Time Student

A student enrolled for twelve or more credit hours in a semester.

General Education Requirements

There are six general education knowledge areas that all students must complete to earn an associate degree. They are in the following subject areas: English, math, physical/natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, and humanities.

Grade

Student-earned value based on the a four-point scale: A = 4 grade points, B = 3 grade points, C = 2 grade points, D = 1 grade point, and F = 0 grade points. MCC includes + and – grades in its GPA calculations. A grade of B+ is higher than a grade of B-, and a C+ is higher than a grade of C or C-, etc. There are no A+, F+ or F- grades.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is an overall average from the grades and grade points received and the credits earned in all the courses a student has taken. Grade points range from 4.00 for an A to 0.00 for an F. Students must have at least a 2.00 (a C average) to graduate.

Graduation

Graduation status is confirmed by MCC’s graduation auditor once it is determined that students have met all required courses within a degree or certificate program. Commencement is a ceremony acknowledging students’ accomplishments of graduating from MCC.

Graduation Application

Students who are completing their degree or certificate programs, must complete and submit a Graduation Application during their final semester of study. 

Grievance

A process for students who strongly disagree with a grade they received and can provide compelling evidence that the grade is in error. The first step in the grievance process is to contact the professor and engage in a respectful conversation about the situation. If there is no satisfactory resolution, the next step is to contact the department chair and, if that conversation does not result in an acceptable outcome, the student may contact the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs. Filing a grievance is a very time-sensitive undertaking with several strict deadlines that must be met for the process to continue.

Hybrid

Hybrid courses are a combination of on-campus classroom and online instruction. In a hybrid course, a significant part of the learning takes place online and classroom time is reduced.

Incomplete

A contract between a professor and a student if there are extenuating circumstances preventing the student from completing the course on time. This is a rare occurrence, requiring a signature from the instructor, the student and the department chair, along with a document clearly outlining the work remaining in the course and the time left to complete it. The contract also includes an alternate grade the student will earn if the work is not completed as agreed upon.

Insight

MCC’s early alert system may be used by professors/instructors to send concerns about students, such as warning calls (prior to academic engagement non-participation) and Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) reports. Students are sent an email about the concern(s) to their college email address. Insight is the platform used for these communications. Also, students can use Insight to schedule advising appointments with advisors who have posted their availability in Insight. Students can opt-in (within Insight) for text reminders for these appointments. Students can also verify their official major(s). Questions about Insight can be sent to MA-MyGuide@manchestercc.edu.

Instructional Methods

There are several ways that professors/adjuncts/instructors offer their instructional methods, such as in classroom (traditional), online (ONLN), hybrid (HYBD), live online (LRON), etc.

Learning Objectives

An outcome statement that captures specifically what knowledge, skills and/or attitudes learners should be able to exhibit following instruction.

Long-Term Goals

A long-term goal is something you want to accomplish in the future. Log-term goals are important for a successful career. Long-term goals require time and planning. They are not something you can do this week or even this year.

Major Change

Students can change their majors/program of studies if they think that is the best thing for them. Students who wish to change their majors (curriculums), must complete an online Declare a Major/Change in Curriculum form. The change is not official until the process has been completed.

Matriculated Student

A student who has applied for and been formally accepted as a candidate for a degree in a specific degree/program of study. Students must be matriculated in a degree program before becoming eligible for a degree or certificate from MCC.

Module

A unit of study.

Multiculturalism/Inclusion

Accepting and respecting the ideas, feelings, behaviors and experiences of people different from oneself.

myCommNet

The myCommNet portal is the primary technology students, faculty and staff use to be able to access information on courses, transcripts, searching/registering for courses, academic standing, financial aid information, billing, and payment plans, etc.

Netiquette

Using common courtesy in online communication.

Next Step Advising

Next Step Advising (NSA) sessions are offered for continuing, returning and veteran students. Continuing, returning and veteran students must register online at www.manchestercc.edu/advising to be able to attend a scheduled session. Sessions are offered during a specific timeframe during the registration cycle in the fall (mid-October through second week of January) and spring semesters (mid-March through second week of August). NSA provides students with a brief overview of various registration tools, such as the course search, Degree Works (unofficial graduation audit software), and myCommNet, as well as assists students with their selection of program/certificate courses.

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation (NSO) assist new and transfer-in students with their transition to college life and is required. NSO, which is offered via Blackboard Learning , describes the requirements and opportunities specific to MCC along with academic advising assistance for first-semester courses based on students’ declared majors or certificates.

Non-Matriculated Student

A student who is taking courses to satisfy personal needs and interests without applying for candidacy for a degree. Non-matriculated students are not eligible to receive financial aid. The college reserves the right to require placement testing and/or high school transcript review for anyone wishing to register for classes. Non-matriculated students are required to take placement testing and must score at a satisfactory level to register.

Office Hours

Times that faculty are available for students to meet with them on campus or online. Full-time faculty members hold five office hours per week and post those times on their office doors/online and on course information sheets. Although not required to do so, many adjunct faculty hold office hours and/or make appointments to meet with students outside of class either on campus or online. Students are encouraged and welcomed to take advantage of their professors’ office hours.

Part-Time Student

A student taking up to eleven semester hours in an academic semester.

Pell Grant

A federal form of financial aid. Students must apply by filling out a FAFSA application to determine if they are eligible.

Plagiarism

Any student submitting material that in part or whole is not entirely his/her own work without attributing those same portions to their correct sources.

Prerequisite

A course or courses that must be completed prior to being able to get into other required courses.

Priority Registration

The earliest registration dates, usually a period of one week, at the beginning of each fall and spring registration cycles. Priority registration is reserved for currently enrolled students.

Probation

Students who are on academic probation have either not completed 50 percent of their coursework successfully or have had a GPA below a 2.00 for two consecutive semesters. These students are limited to registering for 11.99 credits.

Readmitted Student

A student who has stopped attending for a designated time, reapplied and has been reaccepted to the college.

Registration

Registration is the process of selecting courses via myCommNet.

Reinstatement

When a student has taken at least one 15-week semester off due to being on academic suspension, the student may then be re-instated and return to the college.

Retake Policy

A student may only attempt a course three times to obtain a higher grade. If the student successfully completes the course, the better grade will replace the old grade reflected in the GPA.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

MCC expects students to remain in good academic standing. MCC reviews satisfactory academic progress (SAP) by term. Students are expected to earn a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and maintain progress towards degree completion.

Short-term Goals

Short-term goals are small, manageable goals that often serve as steps towards achieving mid- and long-term goals. Short-term goals are achievable in the very near future (that day, week or month).

SMART

An acronym for setting specific (S), measurable (M), attainable (A), relevant (R) and time-bound (T) goals.

Semester

Fall and spring semesters at MCC are traditionally 15-weeks long. Summer sessions typically span four to six weeks while winter intersession lasts three weeks. Courses with compressed timeframes meet for the same number of hours regardless of the number of weeks. For example, a three-credit course always meets for a total of 45 hours, whether that equals three hours a week or fifteen.

Suspension

Students earn suspension status after being on probation and not successfully improving their academic progress. These students are required to take a full 15-week semester off from school to reassess their goals.

Syllabus

An instructor’s description and outline of a class, assignments, due dates, policies and required text(s).

Transcript

An official record of courses that have been completed and grades received. Students who wish to transfer to another institution will be required to obtain an official transcript and have it sent to the transfer institution for review and evaluation of potential transfer credits.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

An agreement between MCC and four-year colleges indicating they will accept MCC courses when students pursue a degree at their institution. Usually for specific programs, and only with specific schools.

Transfer Tickets

Transfer Tickets enable students to obtain an associate degree at Manchester Community College with a guarantee of admission at a participating four-year CT state university with full transfer credit and full junior status.

Warning

A student’s first notification that there is some form of academic challenge. Students are given the opportunity to improve the following semester before they are placed on probation. Students with a warning may register for up to 12 credits.

Web Browser

Software to navigate the Internet. At MCC, Google Chrome and Firefox are the best choices for using Blackboard Learn course management system.

Web Enhanced

Traditional face-to-face courses that are enriched with online activities.

Withdrawal from Courses

After the third week of classes and throughout the semester until the published withdrawal deadline (usually about week 12), students can withdraw from individual courses by completing a withdrawal form online or in-person. No refund is given, and a grade of W will appear on the academic transcript. After this date, students cannot withdraw from individual courses without the permission of the professor(s). It is up to the discretion of the professor(s) to grant a withdrawal after the withdrawal deadline. A withdrawal may affect a student’s financial aid status, so students are highly encouraged to check with a Financial Aid office staff member prior to withdrawing from a course(s).

Work Study

A financial aid award program which enables students to be employed on our campus. For more information, check with the Financial Aid Office and/or indicate interest on the FAFSA application.