Academic Policies and Requirements

  1. Academic Year

The academic year is divided into two semesters with 18 weeks each. The registration is done during the week prior to the opening of classes. There is at least a two-week vacation between semesters.

 2.  Class Attendance

Students are required to attend all scheduled classes in which they are enrolled.

  1. Prompt and regular attendance in all classes is required of all students.
  2. A student is marked tardy if she/he arrives after the first 5 minutes of the class period.
  3. Three tardy marks are equivalent to one absence.
  4. A student is marked absent if she/he arrives after the first 30 minutes of the class period.
  5. A student who leaves the classroom without permission shall be marked absent.
  6. Absences due to extra-curricular activities are not excused, unless officially approved by the Academic Dean.
  7. An absence may be excused if it is due to illness, calamity, or death in the family.
  8. In case of illness, a boarding student who has been absent must secure a re-admittance slip from the Dormitory Matron and certified by the School Nurse. Students who did not stay in the dormitory during the time of illness must submit a medical certificate or certification from the parents or guardian. The Dormitory Matron and School Nurse shall then verify and indicate whether the student is excused or not.
  9. A non-boarding student who has been absent from her/his class/es must present a letter to the Academic Dean, signed by parents or guardians, indicating the day/s and reason/s for absence before she/he will be readmitted to the class. In case of illness, the student shall also attach a medical certificate to be verified by the School Nurse. The Academic Dean shall indicate in the letter whether the absence is excused or not.
  10. The re-admittance slip must be presented to the teacher at the next class session in order to be readmitted.
  11. In all classes, a student who has incurred unexcused absences equivalent to 20% or more of all class sessions shall be withdrawn from the roll with a grade of “W” if passing, or “F” if failing.
  12. For a 3-hour class that meets twice a week, a student is allowed 7 absences.
  13. For a 1-hour or a 30-minute class that meets once a week, a student is allowed 4 unexcused absences.
  14. For a 3-hour class that meets once a week, a student is allowed 4 unexcused absences.

 

  1. Examinations

There are three periodic examinations during the semester: the preliminary, midterm, and final examinations. Before taking an examination, a student must secure a permit from the Business Office. A final examination permit clears the student of financial obligations to the school and class.

The preliminary and midterm examinations are administered during regular class hours. Final examinations are given to all courses. A two-hour examination is given for each three-unit course. The instructor may, however, substitute another requirement for the final examinations. All students must take the final examination.

A student caught cheating is immediately reported by the instructor to the Hearing Committee. If proven guilty, the student will be excluded from the school.

 

  1. Grading system

 

Letter Grade Numeric Equivalent Quality Point Description
A 97 – 100 4.0 Excellent
A- 94 – 96 3.5 Superior
B+ 91 – 93 3.0 Very Good
B 88 – 90 2.5 Good
B- 85 – 87 2.0 Fair
C+ 82 – 84 1.5 Average
C 79 – 81 1.0 Poor
C- 75 – 78 0.5 Very Poor
D 70 – 74 0.0 Conditional
F 69 below Failure

 

    

5.  Incomplete

a.  A student who, because of illness or other legitimate reason, has not completed all class requirements by the end of the semester is given a grade of “incomplete.” An “incomplete” grade not removed within a year automatically becomes an “F.” All Seniors must have completed their incompletes before the beginning of the Senior Year.

b.  Students will be charged P500.00/subject as completion fee. 70% of the amount will be given to the teacher, while 30% will be given to the school.

 6.Dropping Period & Withdrawal

A student may drop a course up to the fourth week of classes upon the approval of the Academic Dean. A student who drops a course while passing is given a grade of “W.” A student who drops a course while failing is given a grade of “F.” A student who drops a course without the written consent of the Academic Dean will be given a grade of “F.”

7.Selective Retention Policy

Harris endeavors to maintain a high standard of academic excellence. A student who falls short of this standard will be informed of her/his status by the   Academic Dean.

A student who is evaluated with a cumulative GPA lower than 1.5 (82) will be given a warning.

A student will be put on probation status if she/he:

  1. receives one “F”
  2. has a GPA below 1.0 (80) during her/his 1st semester of enrollment.
  3. has a GPA below 1.50 (82) in any semester for up per years .
  4. receives 3 incompletes in any semester.

A student will be dismissed if she/he:

  1. has a cumulative GPA below 1.0 (80)at the end of the Freshman year.
  2. has, in the upper years, a cumulative GPA below 1.50 (82) despite having received a maximum of 2 warnings.
  3. receives two grades of “F” in 3-unit courses in one semester.
  4. receives two grades of “F” in the same courses of more than one unit.
  5. receives a total of 3 grades of “F” in 3-unit courses or 4 grades of “F” in 1- or 2-unit courses at the end of  the Sophomore year.

 

  1. Academic Probation

A freshman student with a grade point average below 1.0 (80) during her/his 1st semester of enrolment shall be put on probation, and may not carry an excess of 15 units in the second semester. If, at the end of the freshman year, the cumulative GPA is still below 1.0 (80), the student is dismissed.

If the cumulative GPA is between 1.5 to 1.75 (82-84), a student will remain in the 4- to 5-year degree program, but may not carry an excess of 15 units in any semester unless the cumulative GPA rises to 1.75 (84) or higher. This policy implies that a student may spend more than four or five years at the college.

Students with 3 incompletes in any semester will not be allowed to take more than 15 units in the following semester.

  1. Overload, Underload and Shifting

A student must file a written request and have it approved by the Academic dean before being allowed to have an overload, underload or to shift to another program or major.

  1. Leave of Absence

An old student who cannot enroll for valid reasons in a given semester is required to apply for a Leave of Absence. Any student who fails to apply for an LOA will undergo a readmission process.

  A student may apply for a Leave of Absence until the third week after the start of classes.

 

  1. Graduation Requirements

Only students who successfully completed all the courses required in their curricula are                        recommended to the Board of Trustees and are eligible for graduation. Students will not be allowed to participate in the Baccalaureate Service and Commencement Exercises unless all the curricular requirements are completed and all financial obligations are settled.