WNC Protects Student Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects student privacy. Personally identifiable information is not released without student consent and signature. To review or pick up academic records in person, a valid photo ID that includes signature is mandatory. Web-REG requires students to create a PIN to access their WNC account. The PIN is considered the equivalent of a signature.
Student Right to Inspect Records
Students have a right to inspect and review information in his/her education records, the right to seek to amend education records and the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from education records. WNC is not required to provide copies of such records to students. If a student disagrees with some information in his/her educational records, he/she may challenge that information. If the situation is not resolved to the student's satisfaction, the student may request a hearing. If the student disagrees with the results of that hearing, he/she may submit explanation statements for inclusions in his/her file. Contact Admissions and Records for additional information.
Release Of Transcripts From Other Institutions
When a transcript from another institution is received by Admissions and Records, the transcript becomes the official property of Western Nevada College. Admissions and Records does not release or provide copies of a student's official transcript from another institution to third parties or to the students.
Upon request, students may view their transcript from another institution and take notes in regards to classes, semester, and grades, but may not have a copy. Exceptions to the policy are at the discretion of the Registrar, and are only granted in extreme cases, such as 1) the institution housing the original records has been destroyed and WNC has the only known existing transcript, or 2) international transcripts that the student is unable to obtain.
Enrollment Status
Full-time students are defined as those who are enrolled in 12 or more credits (6 or more credits for summer); three-quarter time students are enrolled in 9-11 credits; half-time students are enrolled in 6-8 credits. Enrollment verifications may be accessed through the National Student Clearinghouse by accessing Web-REG and clicking on enrollment verification. Only courses for which the student is enrolled for credit will apply towards enrollment status verifications; audit or withdrawals do not apply.
Enrollment Verification
The National Student Clearinghouse is the authorized agent for WNC for providing enrollment and degree verifications. Students may access the clearinghouse for degree verifications through Web-REG. Employers or background screening firms requesting degree verifications may contact the National Student Clearinghouse at www.degreeverify.com or by calling 703-742-4200.
Auditing a Class
Auditing is a process by which the student pays all the regular fees, attends class sessions, receives all the instruction, and generally does the same assignments and work of a regularly enrolled student, but does NOT receive a grade or credits for the class. Auditors are not required to take exams. The last semester date to change credit to audit, or audit to credit for full term classes is the Friday of the eighth week of the semester (fourth week for summer semester). Changes are processed by submitting a Special Enrollment Authorization from to Admissions and Records.
Course Withdrawal
Classes dropped after the 100 percent refund period that are not "even exchanged" will remain on a student transcript with a grade of "W".
Even Exchanges
Even exchanges are allowed during the first two weeks of the semester. Students who want to drop and add full-term classes for the same amount of credits may request an even exchange of credits by submitting a special enrollment authorization form to Admissions and Records. Students requesting an even exchange during this period should not add or drop classes through Web-REG. Dropped courses approved for even exchange will be removed from a student transcript. Note: During the second week of instruction, a signature is required from the instructor(s) of course(s) a student wishes to add.
Student Responsibility
Students are encouraged to read the college catalog and schedule for important policy, procedure, and deadline information. Students are responsible to add and drop courses through Web-REG, ensure they have fulfilled all course prerequisites, verify the accuracy of their enrollment, keep their address and phone number current in Web-REG and pay for classes by the published deadline. Unpaid students may be removed from class rosters throughout the semester and will not receive a final grade or credits regardless of attendance and completion of course work.
