Student Policies

Tobacco-Free Campus

Tobacco-Free Campus LogoOn January 1, 2007, Western Technical College campuses became tobacco-free. This initiative was brought forth by Student Government in response to requests by the student body. Western is joining other area businesses, healthcare providers, and educational institutions in promoting a tobacco-free environment. This change is designed to create a healthier environment for everyone who comes to Western Technical College to study, work, or visit.
Lean more about Western's Tobacco-Free policy

Academic Standing

(Revised 8/1/05)
Western Technical College expects each student to maintain a level of academic achievement consistent with the college’s academic standards and to make reasonable progress. The Academic Standing policy applies to students enrolled in technical diploma and associate’s degree level courses, but does not apply to students enrolled in GOAL developmental courses.

Students having difficulty maintaining good academic standing are encouraged to seek early assistance from their instructor(s), academic advisor, the Academic Success Center, Instructional Support Services, and/or the Counseling Center.

Good Standing

A student achieving a semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher at the end of a semester of enrollment.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation if less than a 2.0 grade point average is earned at the end of that semester of enrollment. A student will be reinstated to good standing when the student achieves a 2.0 or higher grade point average at the end of a semester of enrollment.

While on academic probation, should a student earn less than a 2.0 grade point average at the end of the semester, the student will be placed on academic suspension.

Academic Suspension

A student placed on academic suspension will be notified in writing and informed of the academic suspension appeal process. If pre-registered for the upcoming semester, the enrollment for the classes will be canceled. The student on academic suspension must make an appointment to meet with Academic Suspension Appeals Committee prior to returning to the college. The committee usually meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month, however there are restrictions on some months.

A success plan will be developed by the Appeals Committee after meeting with the student. Successful completion of the plan should result in the student attaining good standing.

Student Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes. Students may be dropped due to nonattendance as defined by an instructor. In case of absence because of sickness or other excusable cause, it is the responsibility of the student to justify the absence to the instructor, preferably before the class meeting the student will miss, and to arrange for completion of the class work. Arrangements to make up work for absence due to trips with athletic teams and field trips should be made in advance.

Notices for Unsatisfactory Work

If you are doing unsatisfactory work in a course, you may receive a mid-semester notice. This notice is sent so you will seek help from your advisor, instructor, or counselor.

Incomplete Courses

You may be given an incomplete grade only if your instructor agrees there are extenuating circumstances. It is then your responsibility to complete the requirements for the course within the first four weeks of the following semester.

Incomplete grades for classes taken during the fall semester must be completed within the first four weeks of the following spring semester. Incomplete grades for classes taken during the spring and summer semesters must be completed within the first four weeks of the following fall semester.

If you do not follow the procedure, the grade will be changed to an F and you will have to register for the course again.

When you have an incomplete grade in a prerequisite course, the prerequisite must be completed before you can enroll in the advanced course.

Program/Course Withdrawal

Students are encouraged to contact their program advisor when withdrawing from a program. The student must drop a program or courses in which the student has chosen not to continue. In addition, students may wish to:

  • Communicate with their instructor(s) and respective division offices (if withdrawing from a program or from college).
  • Contact a college counselor to consider alternative options.

If a student does process an official drop from classes:

  • The permanent record will reflect a withdrawal grade (W).
  • The student may or may not be eligible for future financial aid.
  • The student may receive a refund of fees paid (if within the stipulated allowable time frame). Any reduction in fees paid will be refunded to the appropriate funding institution, as mandated by federal guidelines, or to the student.If fees have not been paid in full, a credit will be posted to the student’s account.

If a student does not process an official withdrawal:

  • The permanent record will reflect a failing grade (F).
  • The student may or may not be eligible for future financial aid.

An official withdrawal within the first 10% of the class will be classified as a registration adjustment and the withdrawal will not be recorded on the student’s permanent records. If a student officially withdraws from school after the first 10% of a semester but prior to the last 25% of the term, the student will receive a “W” grade. To maintain a standard in each program, no student is permitted to officially withdraw from school during the last 25% of the semester.

In addition, instructors may drop students for non-attendance. Faculty may not drop a student for non-attendance within the last 25% of the semester.

Changing Your Program

You may change from one program to another if admission standards are met and space is available in the program. Contact Admissions, Room 129, Coleman Center.

Returning to College

If your attendance is interrupted for a semester or more (excluding summer), you must file a reentry form for admission, available in Coleman Center, Room 129. When you return, you will have to meet the program requirements in effect at the time you are admitted to the program.

Using the Western Computer Network

All credit students will be required to login to the network from classroom and computer lab computers with their own credentials. If students are unable to login from a classroom, they should notify the instructor and Computer Services will be contacted.
Read the full Computer Network policy

Printing Policy and Printing Account

Students will be given a $3.00 credit their first semester for their printing needs. Balances may be checked at: http://printing.westerntc.edu

To add to your printing balance during normal business hours, you need to go to the Business Office in C-131. You may pay by cash, credit card or check, to add a minimum of $3.00 to the printing balance. To add to your printing balance between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays, you may do so in the Academic Computing Lab in C-218, or in the Library Computing Lab in R-201. You may pay by check while in the labs. If you have questions, please contact PC Services at pcservices@westerntc.edu or at 608.789.6266.

Academic Dishonesty policy

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: plagiarizing; cheating on tests or examinations; turning in counterfeit reports, tests, and papers; stealing tests or other academic material; knowingly falsifying academic records or documents of the institution; accessing a student's confidential academic records without authorization; disclosing confidential academic information without authorization; and turning in the same work to more than one class without informing the instructors involved. Read more.

Student Code of Conduct

Western Technical College provides education and training to the residents of the Western district. As a learning organization, Western monitors student conduct and encourages positive behaviors in support of a positive teaching and learning environment. In the classroom and in all aspects of college life, our goal is to provide the best opportunity for student success for all. The College will take action to prevent and stop any negative behavior that inhibits learning as a result of:

  1. 1. Physical or verbal abuse of any person.
  2. 2. Disruption of the normal operation of the College.
  3. 3. Endangerment of the health, safety or rights of any person.
  4. 4. Theft or damage to College property or property of any person on campus.
  5. 5. Unauthorized entry or use of a College facility.
  6. 6. Use, possession, or distribution of drugs, firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals, etc., or illegal use of alcohol.
  7. 7. Academic dishonesty such as plagiarism or cheating. (See Academic Dishonesty Definition)
  8. 8. Unethical or immoral use of technology in the District.

Should violations of the Student Code of Conduct arise, a hearing procedure will be followed in accordance with the College disciplinary guidelines and/or the Nonacademic Student Suspension or Dismissal Procedure. Action taken may range from referral for counseling support in situations where students need support services to suspension from the College in situations where serious violations arise. In keeping with the mission of the College, any action taken will reflect an opportunity for the student to learn conduct that is more conducive to a positive learning environment.

Student Rights

In concert with the mission statement for Western Technical College, students who attend classes or enroll in programs at the College hold certain rights which are inherent to quality educational experiences. These rights include: the right to an education in an environment of academic integrity and intellectual freedom; the right to expect that the college will uphold all applicable federal and state statutes and directives; the right to review college policies particularly applicable to students; the right to review College policies particularly those applicable to student life and services in accord with Wisconsin Statutes 38.145; the right to voice concerns about the College in an orderly fashion; the right to expect that the College will take measures to provide a safe secure campus environment in which to carry out educational pursuits; and the right to a hearing, in accord with College procedures, should any serious disciplinary matters arise.

Western Technical College confers these rights with the expectation that students will understand and exercise their rights, fulfill their responsibilities and respect the rights of others.

Non-Academic Code of Conduct Hearing Procedure

When the College believes that a student has engaged in misconduct which could lead to suspension or dismissal, the student shall be informed of the possible violations specific to the Student Code of Conduct, and the place and time of a hearing to review the violation. The student will be informed by mail or personal delivery thereof.

A hearing panel will be assembled by the Vice President of College Relations and Student Services and will be composed of a dean or associate dean from the division area of concern and two additional non-biased staff members. The hearing shall commence no less than 48 hours nor more than seven (7) calendar days from the date the student receives the above notice.

At the hearing before the panel, the student shall have the right to present testimony on his or her behalf, call witnesses, and be represented in an advisory capacity by legal counsel if the student chooses.

Based on the information presented, the hearing panel will determine whether or not the student violated the Student Code of Conduct. If it is determined that a violation did occur, the panel will decide as to what, if any, sanctions, suspensions and/or dismissals should be imposed. The panel will issue a written statement to the student informing him or her of the decision.

A student shall not be suspended or dismissed prior to the written statement of the panel except by order of one of the Vice Presidents of the College or his or her designee. Immediate suspension, pending the hearing, may be authorized for the safety of the student or for the protection of other students, faculty, or college property.

No appeal shall be permitted unless specific allegations are set forth in the appeal alleging a lack of due process or other specific error or omission. The appeal is limited to issues that were raised at the hearing. No new evidence shall be introduced for the first time on appeal. A record of the hearing (tape recording or stenographer's notes, etc.) shall be provided by the College to the parties in the event of an appeal.

The appealing party shall file with the Office of the President a written appeal, setting forth with specificity the grounds on which the appeal is based. The written appeal shall bear the original signature of the appealing party.

The appeal shall be filed with the Office of the President within ten (10) calendar days of the date the suspension or dismissal order was personally delivered or was postmarked if served by mail. Otherwise the appeal shall not be heard and is barred.

The appeal shall be decided by the President or his or her designee no later than thirty (30) days after the appeal has been filed with the Office of the President. If, during the thirty-day period, the President or his or her designee determines that a hearing would be beneficial, then he or she shall give written notice to the Vice President of College Relations and Student Services and to the appealing party.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

You have certain rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) concerning your school records. This law permits the college to release “directory” information about students.

  • Name
  • City
  • State
  • Date of birth
  • Dates of attendance
  • Credit load
  • Previous colleges and schools attended
  • Program of study
  • Awards, honors, and degrees conferred including dates
  • Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities

Currently-enrolled students can withhold directory information by filing a form available in the Registrar’s Office by the end of the first week of the semester or summer session. This request is valid until you notify the Registrar’s Office in writing that it is invalid. Students have the right to inspect and review their records. All requests must be made in writing. All requests will be responded to within 45 days. Contact the Registrar’s Office in Coleman Center, Room 129.

Upon request, the College may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.