Online Education Policies

The following policies apply to the Distance Education department. In addition, we've created Online Best Practices.

• SLCC’s Attendance Policy
• E-learning Component for Attendance

Students are expected to participate in all required instructional activities in their online courses. Student attendance in online courses is defined as active participation in the course as described in the course syllabus. Online courses will, at a minimum, have weekly mechanisms for student participation, which can be documented by any or all of the following methods:

• Completion of tests or quizzes
• Discussion forums
• Submission/completion of assignments
• Communication with the instructor
• Or other course participation

Students are required to log in to each online course by the second day during the week in which the course officially begins, or the day enrolled during late registration to complete the initial introductory postings required in the course. The student is solely responsible for checking updates related to the course.  Note: nonattendance may affect financial aid. In the case of an anticipated absence, such as military deployment, the student should contact the instructor in advance and make arrangements to complete the required assignments. In case of an emergency (illness/accident or death in family), a student should contact the instructor as soon as possible providing documentation supporting the need for any late submission of a graded event.

Instructors are required to monitor student attendance and report students who are not attending class during designated reporting periods.  Instructors are also required, in the majority of courses within the College, to state in writing and explain to their students their expectations in regard to both class performance and makeup work due to all absences prior to the close of the first week of classes during a regular semester and the third day of classes during a summer session. To be counted as actively participating, it is not sufficient to log in and view the course.  The student must be submitting work as described in the course syllabus. 

• Foundations Course Policy

Foundations courses are not available online. If a student is placed in Foundations of English or Math, he or she must take those classes in a traditional lecture format. All other course requirements can be satisfied in a 100% online format.

Chain of Command for online students

• Talk to your instructor – When you have questions or concerns, contact your instructor first.
• Contact the Director of Distance Education – When online students have a question or concern about an instructor, or beyond what the instructor can assist with, they should contact Dr. Stasia Herbert-McZeal at stasia.herbert@solacc.edu.
• File a complaint with NC-SARA.