Please read each course syllabus carefully for your professors’ specific policies on topics like grades, late work, extensions, and participation.
Your professors may also have additional expectations for each of the policies below listed in the course syllabus.
For details about all Hesston College policies, see:
HESSTON COLLEGE POLICIES
Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating, will not be tolerated. Students are responsible for knowing what constitutes these offenses--or asking the professor for more information if they do not know--and must not engage in them in their work. Any student committing such offenses will be referred to the Academic Dean and reported to the Vice President of Academics. Penalties for such activities include: a zero for the assignment (first offense) and F for the course to dismissal from Hesston College for subsequent offenses. For further information regarding the Academic Integrity Policy, refer to the Hesston College Course Catalog.
Hesston College is committed to providing an educational environment that is respectful of all and free from harassment and hostility, where all members of the Community may enjoy academic freedom in their quests for knowledge. While Hesston College encourages expression of ideas and convictions, these must be shared in a manner that is in accordance with the values of the College; in other words, civil conduct is expected in all academic settings.
Faculty are encouraged to attempt to resolve behavioral issues by addressing them promptly. This may involve asking the student to cease the offensive behavior, leave the academic setting, or a meeting with the student after class to discuss the issue. Should the issue remain unresolved, or if any individual believes that they were treated in an uncivil manner in any academic setting, the incident should be reported to the Academic Dean for further inquiry.
Individuals who fail repeatedly to uphold the standards of respect in the academic environment are subject to disciplinary action, which may include removal from the class or dismissal from the College. Disciplinary actions will be determined by the professor of the class and the Academic Dean. For further information, see the Student Handbook.
Midterm and final exams are not administered early except under serious extenuating circumstances. The consent of the Academic Dean and the instructor is required and a fee is charged.
Students are expected to attend all required synchronously-scheduled events, complete and submit assignments punctually, and behave appropriately for a college classroom. A student who repeatedly fails to complete assignments, disrupts class, and/or is chronically absent from synchronous work may be administratively withdrawn from the course by the Academic Dean upon the request of the professor and in consultation with the academic advisor, the financial aid office, and, if necessary, the Dean of Global Engagement. This action may occur at any point during the term. The student will be notified prior to such action.
Students missing 20 percent or more of the scheduled meetings for a course, regardless of the number of excused/unexcused absences, may be subject to administrative course withdrawal. The grade assigned will be a W prior to the withdrawal deadline or a F after the withdrawal deadline. Instructors are responsible for documenting individual attendance records, online, warning students with excessive absences and communicating actions with the Academic Dean.
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and amended in 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), prohibits excluding or denying individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. By law, Hesston College is required to provide reasonable accommodations in the academic environment for otherwise qualified students with disabilities. Students must provide documentation of their disability from a qualified, licensed professional in order to receive accommodations. Common accommodations include extended time or a quiet location to take exams, books in electronic format, or note taking services.
Students who wish to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Whitney Douglas, at whitney.douglas@hesston.edu. Further information is located in the Student Handbook.
Hesston College celebrates diversity in background and cultures and makes every effort to learn from each other. In accordance with our values, we act with compassion and honesty, extending dignity and respect to all. As such, Hesston College is committed to providing a safe, respectful educational and work environment that is free from harassment or intimidation.
As professors, one of our responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. We also are considered responsible employees under the College’s Equity and Accountability policy (including Title IX). It is our goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. We will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible. However, we are required to share with the Title IX coordinator information about an incident of discrimination, harassment, or assault on the basis of sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy, or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, national or ethnic origin, or other protected characteristic that may have occurred while at Hesston College.
Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting our Confidential Resources: campus counselor, campus pastors, and SafeHope survivor advocate. Students may also choose to self-report to the Title IX coordinator or to report a case anonymously. If you need support in understanding your options, confidential resources are a great first step. All follow up steps will be entirely up to you. You can contact Safehope, an advocacy organization in Newton that can be reached 24 hours a day at (800) 487-0510 or (316) 283-0350. Further information on keeping our campus safe can be found on the Hesston College website. Anonymous reports can be filed via a form available at the Hesston College Campus Safety webpage.
Our library includes ample online resources, including books and databases that house hundreds of academic journals. You can find an online tour of the library and its resources on our Moodle page.
Online students are responsible for securing and maintaining their own computers, but your professors and IT can help you use your computer effectively. If you have a question about a technological aspect of your course, review the orientation materials in your Moodle class to see if your question is addressed there. If not, you can ask your professor for help, though it may be even faster to ask a classmate, just like you would ask them for help if you were in a physical classroom together. You can also send a request for help to the IT desk by emailing helpdesk@hesston.edu.
The ACCESS lab offers in-person and online one-on-one and small group tutoring. You can request a tutor online. Contact Heather Garrison at heather.garrison@hesston.edu for additional information and support.
Good writers know that they always need someone else to read their work. You can get help improving your writing by workshopping your writing with a Writing Assistant. Make an appointment here.
Hesston College is committed to fostering the whole student, including students’ mental health. Students may make an appointment with campus counselor Jose Gloria. The following hotlines may also be helpful to students:
Local Crisis Hotline: 800-362-0180
National Suicide Prevention: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)
Crisis Text Line: 741-741
Trevor Project Lifeline (LGBTQIA): 866-273-8255
Safehope (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault): 316-283-0350