If you are having difficulty in a class, go to the course instructor when you receive your first grade lower than a "C”.  Other academic support can be received from the advisor or program director.  Remember that Counseling Services provides free academic counseling for study skills, test-taking skills, test anxiety or writing papers.  Students can make an appointment to see an academic counselor by calling (540) 985-8513.
Tutoring is available for a limited number of General Education courses including Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry and English.  Excellent students who have completed the course serve as tutors.  Students who are interested in getting a tutor should see the secretary in the Math and Science Department (room 210).  All tutoring services at JCHS are free.

A request for accommodation is deemed reasonable if it:

• is based on current individual documentation (within the last 3 years);
• allows the most integrated experience possible;
• does not compromise essential requirements of a course or program;
• does not pose a threat to personal or public safety;
• does not impose undue financial or administrative burden on JCHS;
• is not of a personal nature (i.e. hiring of personal care attendants).

It is the student's responsibility in the accommodation process to:

• Self-identify as having a disability to a Counselor, or to a faculty, or staff member.  Students may voluntarily contact Counseling Services to self-identify prior to the completion of the admissions process for the purpose of providing information concerning their disability,
• Provide appropriate documentation from a physician, psychologist or other individual qualified to diagnose the disabling condition.

The Admissions acceptance packet provides an opportunity for students with disabilities to self-identify. It is important to note that it is not necessary for a student to disclose his or her disability when making application to the College.  Responses are addressed directly to Counseling Services, kept confidential, and only used to assist in planning reasonable accommodations;

Students may elect to contact the Counseling Services Department for formal identification at any time during their enrollment.  The point in time at which a student chooses to identify a disability remains at the student"s discretion.  However, the College is not responsible for making retroactive accommodations; or pay for current (not more than 3 years old), appropriate documentation of the disability from a medical or other licensed professional qualified to diagnose the disabling condition.

Students must attend the first meeting of each course in order to ensure enrollment.  Students who do not attend the first class or notify the instructor are automatically dropped from the class.
When an absence from any course becomes necessary, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor prior to the absence.  If a student cannot take a test or final examination at the scheduled time, the instructor should be contacted prior to the day of the test. 
Students assume the full responsibility for advising professors of their absences and for initiating the procedure for making up any work missed.

The only exceptions that would allow a parent access to their student's records, disciplinary proceedings or progress in class are: 

• if the student signs and dates a release of information stating that his or her grades or other academic information can be disclosed to the parents, or
• if there is proof that the student is financially dependent according to the definition found in the College"s Financial Aid Department. 
  
  If a student signs a consent to release information, it must be delivered to the Registrar with a copy to the Director of Student Services.  The student is allowed to revoke the consent at any time.

One of the only exceptions to parental notification regarding a student’s status is if you sustain a significant or life-threatening injury or illness.  Students should see the College’s Emergency Notification Policy listed in the JCHS Student Handbook for further information.

How and when will my parents be notified of my grades?

Parents are not given access to their students’ grades because Jefferson College honors the Federal Educational Right to Privacy Act of 1974.
The only exception to this is if the student signs and dates a release of information stating that his or her grades can be disclosed to the parents.  This consent must be delivered to the Registrar with copies to the Director of Student Services and the faculty member in question.  The student is allowed to revoke the consent at any time.
At the end of each semester, grade reports are mailed to your student at their home.  Mid-term grades are also mailed or put in student mailboxes at JCHS to inform them of their progress.  

What is the Parental Notification Policy regarding alcohol use or abuse?
The use of alcohol or illegal drugs on College property is strictly prohibited.  However, students don’t always make good choices in their use or abuse of these drugs.  As part of a large-scale national effort to eliminate high-risk and illegal drinking and substance abuse on today’s campuses, JCHS has adopted a parental notification policy for student alcohol and drug abuse violations.  The Higher Education Reauthorization Act of 1998 provides Virginia universities with the authority to disclose such information if the student found in violation is under 21 years of age.  Notification is intended to help reinforce, through parental involvement and partnership, JCHS’s commitment to, and concern for, the health and academic and personal success of its students. 
This policy is specific to alcohol and drug-related violations only.  Written or verbal disclosure will be limited to only a student’s parent(s)/legal guardian, and will not occur until after his/her disciplinary hearing appeal period has expired.

Policy Statement
The Office of the Director of Student Services will notify parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of students under 21 years of age when a student is found responsible for

(1)  a violation of the College Illegal Drugs or Prescription Drugs Policies,

(2)           a second violation of the College Alcohol Policy, 

(3)  the first category II or category III violation of the College Alcohol Policy, or

(4)            when one or more of the following occurs:

• the student demonstrates a reckless disregard for his or her personal safety or the safety of others;
• the student exhibits disorderly conduct including but not limited to grabbing, shoving, pushing, fighting or challenging others to fight;
• medical attention to any person, including the student, is required as a result of the student’s alcohol related behavior;
• there is property damage;
• the student operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol;
• the incident involves another serious violation of the rules or regulations found in the College Catalog or College Student Handbook;
• the incident involves the distribution or use of illegal drugs, any mind-altering substance or use or distribution of any drug by any person other than the person for whom the drug is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner
• the incident negatively impacts the learning environment for the student and/or other students.