Academic Catalog - Student Affairs
Admission
How to Apply
Otero’s admission policy reflects a belief that everyone should be given the opportunity to engage appropriate courses.
Students at least 16 years of age will in most cases be automatically admitted to Otero. Students who do not meet these requirements must first take a test to demonstrate their ability to benefit from college work.
Admission to the college does not assure that students will be admitted to the program they choose. Some instructional programs are limited to a certain number of students each semester. The college has established a priority system to assure that program applicants will be selected impartially.
New Students
Students should first submit an Application for Admission which is available online at
www.otero.edu by clicking on My Otero and then clicking on Apply to Otero, located near the bottom of the page. Applying early improves choices and makes entry into college smoother.
Re-admit Students
Students are required to re-submit an application for admission if enrollment at the college is interrupted for two or more semesters (including the summer term). Students may submit their application for admission online at www.otero.edu by clicking on Future Students and Apply to Otero today!
Pre-College Program and Orientation
Pre-college program students are encouraged to attend an orientation session prior to enrollment. Orientation provides general information on topics such as registration, advising, financial aid, support services, and campus activities; a campus tour is included.
Call 719-384-6857 to schedule a session.
Immunization
Colorado law requires first-time college students to provide proof of adequate immunization against measles. If born on or after January 1, 1957, or if living in the residence hall, students need to submit proof of two MMR shots (measles, mumps, rubella), one given on or after the first birthday and a second dose 30 days later. If the second measles dose came before July 1, 1992, the second mumps and rubella may be waived. In addition, all students living in campus housing must receive the Meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine or sign a waiver against it. Students should contact Student Services for more information.
Otero College requires students to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or receive an exemption, to access in-person learning and support services, live in the residence halls, participate on college athletic teams, or to participate in designated health sciences programs. The COVID-19 vaccination is not required as a condition of enrollment at Otero for students who are solely enrolled in online courses.
The COVID-19 immunization record or exemption must be received before the first day of the initial term of enrollment at Otero. The COVID-19 immunization record must reflect any second dose necessary for full immunization. Any of the following may be used as proof of vaccination:
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- COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or World Health Organization Yellow Card) which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and dates of last doses administered.
- A photo of a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or immunization record obtained from the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) as a separate document.
- A photo of a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or immunization record obtained from CIIS, either directly or through the MyColorado application or another health application, stored on a phone or electronic device; or
- Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination from a health care provider.
COVID-19 immunization records can be submitted by email to otero-admissions@otero.edu or in-person at the Student Services office at 1802 Colorado Avenue, La Junta, CO 81050.
Services for Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability and feel that you may benefit from accommodations while attending Otero College, please contact Accessibility Services at otero-accessibility@otero.edu or you can call (719) 384 6963 to set up an intake appointment. Accessibility Services is a free service that is here to support you in all your educational endeavors and help promote your independence and self-advocacy.
Accessibility Services strives to provide a supportive, accessible, non-discriminatory learning and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities. The vision of Accessibility Services is that individuals with disabilities have full access to education, services, events, and activities Otero College has to offer.
Transfer Students
Students wanting to transfer to Otero should have their previous official college transcript sent to the Otero Registrar (otero-admissions@otero.edu) as soon as possible. Unofficial transcripts are not accepted and an official transcript must come directly from all colleges attended. Once an evaluation has taken place, the students will be sent an evaluation of the credits that are transferable to Otero. This process usually takes three weeks. Transfer students should be aware of Otero College policy information.
Only Otero College coursework will be used in computing grade point averages for graduation and for any academic honors. Students must be in an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of General Studies degree program. Transfer of academic credit to the college is governed by the following policies and procedures: Otero College may examine credits to ensure that the content is not outdated or obsolete; Otero College accepts credit from postsecondary institutions that are accredited by one of the approved six regional accrediting associations or by specified articulation agreements; credit may be awarded for courses in which a grade of “D” was received. However, certain programs may exclude the use of coursework in which the “D” grade was received.
Following is the Colorado transfer appeals process. Contact the Vice President of Student Affairs if you have any questions.
Transfer dispute appeals process for Colorado public colleges and universities
1. Otero College shall adhere to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education policy and general procedures for solution of transfer disputes.
2. Students must file an appeal within 15 days of receiving their transcript evaluation by writing the Registrar at the receiving institution. The decisions made in the transcript review will be binding if the student fails to file a complaint within this time. Upon receipt of the student’s written appeal, the receiving institution will have 15 days to respond in writing to the student.
3. If the dispute cannot be resolved between the student and the staff of the receiving institution, the student may appeal in writing to the sending institution. The campus presidents from the sending and receiving institution will attempt to resolve the dispute within 30 days from the receipt by the sending institution of the student appeal. Agreement between the sending and receiving institution will constitute a final and binding decision which the receiving institution will communicate to the student.
Current High School Students/Post Secondary Options Act Students
The Post Secondary Options Act allows current students at Colorado high schools to enroll in courses offered by Otero. These courses will appear on an Otero transcript and credit for courses successfully completed may be applied toward a certificate or degree at Otero. High school students must complete an application for admission, provide an immunization record and complete the appropriate registration form. These forms are available from the Office of Student Affairs or from your local high school counselor. High school students are not eligible for financial aid.
For more information contact your high school counselor or call Otero Student Services at 719-384-6800.
International Students
International students will have a quality experience at Otero College. Students from other cultures enrich learning and campus life for everyone. The College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students with current visas. These students are classified as international students and will pay the published non-resident student tuition rate.
An international student is any non-immigrant individual in the United States for the purpose of study at an American college or university. The student will hold an F, J or M non-immigrant visa. The term – international student – includes only those on an F-1, M-1 or J-1 student category, visa. International students must follow the general policies of the institution established for all students; however, some specific policies reflect rules and regulations of the USCIS (U.S. Customs & Immigration Services).
International Student Application Packet Forms
Applicants who wish to be admitted as international students (as defined above) must submit the following documents in order to complete the application process. An application packet can be obtained from Student Services, Otero College, 1802 Colorado Ave., La Junta, CO 81050, online at https://otero.edu/futurestudents/futureinternational/prointapplication.aspx or by submitting an email request to international@otero.edu
Forms Include:
1) International Student Application Form. Supporting documents to include with this form:
i. Copy of the identification page of the student passport.
ii. Official secondary school record indicating date of graduation, courses taken and grades earned with the official seal of the institution issuing the documents; with translation if the transcripts are in a language other than English.
iii. TOEFL score of 500 PBT, 60 iBT or better; IELTS score of 5.5 or better or other; Step EIKEN of 2nd Grade A; PTE Academic of 44 or better, GTEC CBT of 1050 are all acceptable proof of language ability. Native English speakers’ secondary school records will be used to verify that English was the primary language of instruction at your secondary school.
2) International Student Financial Support Form. Supporting documents to include with this form:
i. An official financial statement bearing a bank’s seal or other notarized document showing adequate resources to support the applicant’s needs for a period of one year is needed.
ii. Affidavit of support form signed and notarized for financial resources other than student’s personal funds or governmental scholarship.
3) Transfer Request Form (for students transferring from U.S. based institutions ONLY).
Supporting documents to include with this form:
i. Copy of current and all former student visas to the United States
ii. Copy of current and all former I-20 documents
iii. Official copy of transcripts from all former institutions
Upon acceptance students will need to submit the following:
1) Arrival information form (in Welcome Packet included with the I-20 immigration document)
2) Medical History form
3) Copy of the student’s immunization record and English translation if not in English
4) Housing Application with a $100.00 deposit
5) Accuplacer test of proficiency before registration. Students will be required to follow course placement in English, mathematics and reading as indicated by their test results. International students will take the Accuplacer and register for courses as a part of International Orientation at the beginning of each term. Since all documents become the property of Otero College, it is recommended that applicants submit official or certified versions of the document attesting that the document is a true copy of the official version.
Requirements to maintain status include:
1) Maintaining enrollment of at least 12 credit hours (a minimum of 9 credit hours must be on-campus to qualify/maintain F-1/M-1 student status) as per USCIS guidelines.
2) Make progress toward the completion of the student’s educational objectives within a reasonable period of time.
3) Pay balance on the student’s Otero account at time of registration or by the deadline established by the Business Office.
4) Verification of health insurance is mandatory and may be obtained through the college or the applicant’s home country. It must be noted that, if the health insurance policy has been written in the student’s home country, some doctors may insist on payment at the time of treatment. The student would have the responsibility to collect from their insurance by submitting receipts for payment of services.
5) Non-compliance with any USCIS guidelines will result in probation or suspension.
For more information contact Director of International Programs:
719-384-6805 or email otero-international@otero.edu
Basic Skills Assessment
Assessment
Assessment
The Testing Center is located in McBride Hall Student Services Center. The phone number is: 719-384-6948,
FAX: 719-384-6933.
Assessment Test
Otero College uses Multiple Measures to direct students into appropriate English, reading and mathematics courses and to advise students in the selection of other courses.
The purpose of using Multiple Measures is to assist students in achieving their academic goals by placing them into courses appropriate to their academic skill level. Students will be advised to enroll into appropriate English, math, or reading courses based upon multiple measures.
Students who would like to review before testing may access free resources at:
FREE STUDY AP – https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org
STUDY GUIDE – https://otero.edu/become-a-student/placement-testing/
Students may be exempt from one or more of the tests if they meet one of the following criteria:
1. Submit proof of an Associate degree or higher degree.
2. Submit transcripts showing the successful completion of basic-skills instruction in reading, writing or mathematics from another institution.
3. Submit transcripts showing the successful completion (“C” or better or its equivalent) in a college-level course in English and/or math from another institution.
4. Submit minimum ACT scores of 17 in reading, 18 in English, and 23 in math, or SAT scores of 470 in verbal and 590 in math.
5. For math placement, submit high school transcripts, with grades of B or higher – completed within the last 12 months – for Algebra II, Geometry, or Pre-Calculus, and an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
6. For English placement, submit high school transcripts, with grades of B or higher – completed within the last 2 years – for junior or senior year English, and an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 of higher.
NOTE: Students must submit copies of their college transcript, high school transcript or ACT or SAT test scores to Otero College Student Services to receive an exemption from taking all or part of the assessment test.
To complete the assessment at a location other than Otero, out of state, or out of the country, students will need to contact the Otero Testing Center at 719-384-6948 and request a remote testing voucher.
Advising & Registration
Advising
Academic advising is recommended for all students. Through advising, students will learn which courses must be completed to achieve their educational goals. Advisors will use program requirements and information published in the current college catalog. Problems concerning course load or proper choice of courses should be discussed with Student Affairs.
When admitted, students will select an academic advising area. The area selected should be part of a degree or program objective. Advisors must review and approve programs before processing registration.
Credit for Prior Learning – Students can earn credit for prior learning through:
1. Standardized Exams: CLEP, AP, IB, DSST/DLPT, and UExcel Examinations
2. Institutional Challenge Exams
3. Local Industry and Workplace Credit: Faculty evaluate training in local business and industry to identify PLA opportunities for workers seeking higher level degrees or certification.
4. Portfolio Assessment: A compilation of verifiable artifacts and evidence that demonstrate the student’s mastery of CCNS course competencies. This evidence may include any of the other PLA Credit methods, individual skills demonstrations, and/or narratives documenting learning.
5. To learn more about Credit for Prior Learning, please contact Student Services at 719-384-6831.
Registration
After advisement and selection of classes, the next step is to register. This simply involves submitting an approved registration form for input into the records system. This step can be completed in the Student Services Center or online through MY Otero during the registration period, which begins several months before the new semester. Students can also register during the first week of classes of the new semester; however, class selection is limited at that time.
Residency Classification
Resident and Non-resident
For tuition purposes, students must be classified as either in-state or out-of-state when they are admitted. Classification for tuition purposes at state-supported colleges and universities is governed by Colorado statute. Before being entitled to in-state tuition, students must be domiciled in Colorado and fulfill specific citizen responsibilities for one full calendar year prior to registration. Those requirements state that a student 23 years of age and younger be required to provide proof of emancipation from their parents. Parents need to have entirely surrendered the right to their care, custody and earnings and make no provisions for their support. Emancipated minors who have been granted in-state tuition status are subject to reclassification as out-of-state if their parents resume support.
Students classified “non-resident” pay a higher tuition charge than those classified “resident.” However, students classified as non-residents who believe that they can qualify as residents may obtain a petition for In-State Tuition Classification and a copy of the Colorado statute from the Office of Student Affairs. Students must submit the petition plus required supporting documents to the Office of Student Affairs by the first day of classes for the term they wish to be considered for in-state status. Be aware that turning in a petition does not guarantee that residency status will be changed. If the petition is denied and students do not drop classes by the deadline, they must still pay the tuition and fees charged for nonresidents.
To challenge the ruling on the petition, students may appeal to the Tuition Classification Review Committee. Contact the Office of Student Affairs staff for more information. To access Colorado’s complete statute on residency qualifications go to: http://highered.colorado.gov/Finance/Residency/qualified.html
Residents of Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona and Washington qualify for a special tuition rate. States available for this rate may change each year. Check with the Vice President of Student Affairs for a current listing of states participating in the program. Contact the Office of Student Affairs at 719-384-6831 for additional information.
Colorado ASSET Students
Classification as a Colorado ASSET student allows eligible students without documentation to pay in-state tuition, rather than out-of state tuition, as well as receive the Colorado Opportunity Fund stipend at Otero College.
Requirements for ASSET status students:
1. Have attended high school for three years immediately before graduating from a Colorado high school
2. Be admitted to a participating college within 12 months of graduating from a Colorado high school
3. If the student is not legally present in the U.S., they much sign an affidavit saying they are currently seeking or will seek legal status as soon as they are eligible.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students
Classification as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) student allows eligible students without documentation to pay in-state tuition, rather than out-of-state tuition, as well as receive the Colorado Opportunity Fund stipend at Otero College.
Requirements for DACA status students:
1. Have graduated from a Colorado high school or have taken the GED in Colorado prior to September 1, 2013
2. Were not accepted or attending college within 12 months of graduation
3. Documented 18 months of being physically present in Colorado on a continuous basis
4. Provide at least two of the following document:
• If under the age of 23 and single, submit a copy of parent’s lease, rental agreement or deed to their home where you reside in Colo.
• Submit proof of employment such as a letter from an employer with dates of employment or submit two years of Colorado income taxes being filed
• Submit a copy of your Employment Authorization Card
• Submit a copy of your Colorado ID or Colorado driver’s licenses for the past 18 months
For assistance with tuition classification, please contact the Otero Financial Aid Office: 719-384-6834.
More information on ASSET or DACA student classifications can be found at: www.ciccoloradoasset.org
Other Information
Course Load
The average course load for students is 15 semester hours. To be considered full-time, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours. Students will not be allowed to take in excess of 18 semester hours unless they obtain permission or the curriculum chosen requires more hours. Students may be advised to take fewer hours than a curriculum requires which could extend the number of semesters of attendance. Permission to take more than the maximum 18 semester hours allowed must be obtained from the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Active Duty Military
Active-duty military personnel (and their dependents) whose permanent change of duty station is Colorado may qualify to pay in-state tuition by submitting written certification through their assigned base/ post Education Services Office.
Classification of Students
Students are classified according to the number of credit hours completed. Freshmen are those who have completed from 0-29 credit hours; sophomores are students who have completed 30 or more credit hours. Students who carry a class load of less than 12 semester hours are classified as part-time.
Adding/Dropping Classes
After the first five days of classes, all courses added must be approved by the instructor of each course added. Students may officially drop classes during the first 12 class days of the term. Failure to officially drop by the deadline does not negate any financial obligation. Students wishing to drop or add a course or withdraw from college must secure necessary forms from Student Services Center.
Administrative Withdrawals
The college reserves the right to withdraw students from classes at any time during any given semester. Generally, these withdrawals are initiated as a result of non-attendance of classes, nonpayment of tuition, or disciplinary problems. Such withdrawals do not negate any financial obligation on the part of the student.
Withdrawal from College
If a student withdraws from a course any time after the 12th class day until the end of the 12th week of the semester, the grade of “W” will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. A student who withdraws from the college before the end of the semester must obtain a withdrawal form from Student Services Center. Leaving school before financial obligations are cleared will cause the withholding of all credit earned at the college. Students attending college under the GI Bill® (GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) are required to notify the VA certifying official in Student Services Center and the Veterans Administration whenever there is a change in training status.
Records and Transcript of Credits
All grades reported to Student Affairs by instructors are entered upon permanent records. These grades will be changed only in the case of a grading or reporting error by the instructor. Grades and transcripts may be withheld in cases where the student has an indebtedness to the college. To protect the confidentiality of records, no transcript will be released without student’s written or electronic request. One week is customary for the processing and mailing of all transcript requests. The educational record maintained in Student Services Center usually contains the courses completed and grades earned, admissions application, previous educational record (high school or college transcript), health form, and an A.C.T. and/or S.A.T. score report if submitted.
Repetition of Courses
Students may repeat any course at Otero. Duplicate credit will not be granted; only the highest grade and quality points earned when the course is repeated will be counted in the cumulative grade point average. Although repeating a course helps a grade point average, some four year colleges average all courses attempted whether courses have been repeated or not. It is the responsibility of students to advise Student Affairs in writing when a course is repeated.
Student E-mail
All students are automatically issued a college student e-mail address once the student has enrolled. This address will be the preferred e-mail address inside the Banner system. Any existing personal student e-mails will remain in the Banner system, but will no longer be the preferred account. Students will have the ability to forward e-mail from the college-issued account to their personal account. It is very important that students go to www.otero.edu to activate their e-mail account. Once on Otero’s home page, students should click on “My Otero” located in the upper right corner of the homepage. When the site opens up, students enter their student number and password to log on. Instructions to activate the e-mail account can be found on the homepage. This e-mail address is the address that will be used for official correspondence from the college.
Public Information and Student Record Security
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the information in student files may only be released under specific conditions. Current or former students of Otero College have complete access to their records and may view them upon request at the Office of Student Affairs. If records contain errors, appeals in writing must be submitted to the Vice President of Student Affairs.
The following is considered public information and may appear in college directories, publications, and news releases, or be disclosed to anyone inquiring:
• name • major field of study • dates of attendance • participation in officially recognized activities and sports • weight and height of athletic team members • degrees and awards received
Students may withhold disclosure of public information by filing a written request with Student Services. All other information in student records is considered private and not open to the public without written student consent. Only the following individuals, because of their official function, have access to this information:
Otero College officials; state or federal education authorities; officials evaluating application for financial aid; state and local officials requesting reporting data; organizations conducting studies for educational institutions or agencies; accrediting organizations; parents of dependent students (proof of dependency required); and Veterans Administration staff.
In case of judicial orders or emergencies in which information is needed to protect student safety, health or welfare or that of others, Otero may also release information without consent. To review the full Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, go to: https://otero.edu/academics/academicpolicies/ferpa.aspx
Guaranteed Transfer Courses and the 60 + 60 Agreement
For the AA/AS degree, the State Guaranteed General Education Transfer Courses and the Colorado Community College General Education Requirements have been incorporated into the degree.
Completion of the AA/AS degree with a grade of “C” or better in every course guarantees that the student can transfer to any Colorado public 4-year institution AND complete a liberal arts or science baccalaureate degree with an additional 60 credits taken at the 4-year institution.
NOTE: Variations to this guarantee apply to Degrees with Designation. See the descriptions of these special degrees in the Degree Program section of this catalog.
The Colorado Community College system has a communication requirement of either COM 1150 – Public Speaking or COM 1250 – Interpersonal Communication.
Students should understand that a “D” grade may fulfill Otero’s graduation requirements as an academic elective, but will negate the guarantee of the 60 + 60 transfer degree. Students should also understand that any Credit for Prior Learning, Advanced Placement, correspondence courses, CLEP, any credits transferred in from another college, or tested only courses, may not apply to the guaranteed 60 + 60 transfer degree.
Grading & Scholastic Standards
Grading Symbols |
|
|---|---|
| A | Distinguished achievement for superior work |
| B | Better than acceptable achievement |
| C | Acceptable achievement for advancement in the same or related studies |
| D | Less than acceptable achievement for advancement in the same or related studies (credit may not transfer or count toward some degrees or certificates) |
| F | Fail: Equivalent to a grade of D or F and is available only for certain pre-designated courses. “F” grades will count in attempted and earned credits and will be included in GPA calculations. A request for the P/F option must be submitted to the Student Records office prior to the course census date. The P/F option may not be appropriate for all courses. |
| AU | Audit: If you want to take a course without earning credit you can register to audit that course. You must pay full tuition and fees, and you will not receive the COF stipend for the course. You must declare your intention to audit no later than the course’s tuition refund date Once you have registered to audit a course, you cannot change your registration from auditing to earning credit for the course. The college will not award credit for any audited course. |
| W | Withdrawal: Students was withdrawn at their request after drop deadline, but prior to withdrawal deadline. |
| WX | Student was administratively withdrawn through appeal, no fault, etc |
| WD | Student was administratively withdrawn for cause. |
| I | Incomplete: If you are not able to complete the learning objectives before the end of a course because of verifiable extenuating circumstances, the instructor may request a grade of incomplete at the initiation of the student. Before you are eligible to receive an “I”, you must have completed a minimum of 75% of the course work with a grade of “C (or higher). Before the end of the course you are responsible for making arrangements with the instructor to complete an Incomplete Grade Contract. If you do not complete the course work by the agreed-upon deadline, the instructor will change the “I” grade to the letter grade stipulated in the contract. If no grade change is issued, the “I” will be changed to the letter grade indicated on the incomplete contract. |
| P | Pass: Equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher and is available only for certain pre-designated courses. “P” grades will count in attempted and earned credits but will not be included in GPA calculations. |
| F | Fail: Equivalent to a grade of “D” or “F” and is available only for certain pre-designated courses. “G” grades will count in attempted and earned credits and will be included in GPA calculations. |
| P/A, P/B, P/C | These are satisfactory grades awarded only for developmental courses. The “A”, “B”, and “C” indicate the level of satisfactory performance. These grades are not included in the GPA calculation. The course will not count for attempted and earned credits. |
| F/D, F/F | These are unsatisfactory grades awarded only for developmental courses. The “D” and “F” indicated the level of unsatisfactory performance. These grades are not included in the GPA calculation. The course will not count in attempted credits and will not carry earned credits. |
| I/F | Incomplete for developmental courses. |
| SP | Satisfactory Progress: Under the college’s continuous enrollment policy, certain courses have been designated open entry. You are eligible to receive an “SP” only if you are enrolled in an open-entry course. BY the end of the semester, you must have completed course work (prorated by your registration date) with a grade of “C” (or higher) before you can be eligible for an “SP”. Also, you can request an “SP” based on verifiable extenuating circumstances. Before the end of the semester, you are responsible for making arrangements with the instructor to sign an “SP” Grade Contract. If you do not complete the course work by the agreed-upon deadline, the instructor will change the “SP” to the letter grade stipulated in the contract. If no grade change is issued, the “SP” will be changed to and “F” at the end of the next full 15-week semester. |
| Z | Placeholder: Grade not yet reported. If no grade is issued, this placeholder will be changed to an “F” grade at the end of the next full semester. |
| Place Holder | |
| SP | Satisfactory Progress |
| Z | Grade not yet reported |
| R | Repeat Field |
| Only A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, and F’s are used to calculate grade-point averages | |
Grade Reports
Final grades will be posted to the student’s My Otero site at www.otero.edu about a week after classes end. Grades are not mailed to students.
Auditing Courses
Students must elect to audit a course within the first 12 class days of a term. Instructors must be notified of the intent to audit within this time limit, and this is indicated on the official class roster. Once a final grade of “AU” is officially reported by the instructor, the grade cannot be changed. Tuition for auditing is the same as it is for taking the course for credit, but audits are not eligible for use of College Opportunity Funds (COF).
Incomplete Grades
Incomplete (“I”) grades must be completed the semester immediately following the term the “I” was assigned, excluding summer term. “I” grades not completed the following term will be converted to an “F”.
President’s List
Students enrolled in 12 or more semester graded credit hours and earn a 4.0 grade point average are eligible for the President’s List. Students who receive a grade of F, I, or U will be ineligible for the President’s List.
Vice President’s List
Students enrolled in 12 or more semester graded credit hours and earn between a 3.75 and 3.99 grade point average are eligible for the Vice President’s List. Students who receive a grade of F, I, or U will be ineligible for the Vice President’s List.
Institutional Recognition List
Students enrolled in 12 or more semester graded credit hours and earn between a 3.50 and 3.749 grade point average are eligible for the Institutional Recognition List. Students who receive a grade of F, I, or U will be ineligible for the Institutional Recognition List.
Part-Time Students Honors List
Students enrolled in six to eleven semester graded credit hours and earn a 3.50 to 4.00 grade point average are eligible for the Part-Time Students Honors List. Students who receive a grade of F, I, or U will be ineligible for the Part-Time Students Honors List.
Permanent Record (Transcript)
All grades submitted to the records office by the instructor are entered upon permanent student records and will only be changed in case of an instructor reporting an error.
Academic Standing Policy
Applies to all students who have attempted 9 or more credits at a CCCS college, regardless of the number of term credits they attempt from that point forward. Academic Standing is determined following the posting of the majority of term grades for each semester. Students placed on probation or suspended will be notified of their status. Suspended students will not be allowed to attend any CCCS college in the subsequent semester/s unless an appeal is approved. Academic Standing status will be noted on the advising, official, and unofficial transcripts. The Academic Standing of a student is not specific or limited to the home institution; it does impact a student’s enrollment at other CCCS colleges.
Only college level classes will be used to calculate term and cumulative GPA’s. This includes summer term courses. Only courses taken “in residence” will be used for this procedure; “In residence” means taken at the student’s home institution. Courses taken elsewhere and transferred in do not apply.
The GPA calculations for this procedure may not match those used for financial aid purposes or athletic eligibility.
Cumulative Grade Point Average is abbreviated as CGPA. Term Grade Point Average is abbreviated as TGPA.
Initial Standing Student – has attempted fewer than 9 cumulative credit hours with a CGPA => 2.00 for all classes attempted.
Academic Alert Student – has attempted fewer than cumulative 9 credits with a CGPA < 2.00 for all classes attempted.
Good Standing Student – has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a CGPA => 2.00 for all classes attempted.
Probation Student – has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a CGPA < 2.00 for all classes attempted.
Returning to Good Standing By the conclusion of the Academic Probation term, the student must raise their CGPA to at least 2.0. If this condition is met, the student returns to Good Standing.
Probation (Continuing) – If a student on Academic Probation earns a TGPA of at least 2.00 for all classes attempted during the term, but fails to raise their CGPA to at least 2.0 for all classes attempted, the student will be allowed to attend the next term, but will remain on Academic Probation.
Suspension – If a student on Academic Probation earns a TGPA of less than 2.0 for all classes attempted, the student will be suspended and will not be allowed to enroll at any CCCS college for the next term, excluding summer term (as summer term may not be used as a “suspension term”).
Suspension Rules:
• Summer term may not be used as a “suspension term”.
• Summer term may be used to remediate (improve) the GPA. If a student wishes to enroll for summer term after being suspended, they will need to follow their home institution’s process.
• Initial suspension is for one term, excluding summer term.
• A second suspension is for two terms, excluding summer term.
• If a student, who has served the suspension time for initial suspension or second suspension, wishes to return, the student will be allowed to re-enroll only after meeting with an academic advisor at the CCCS college that the student wishes to attend. The student will be placed on Academic Probation.
• A third suspension is for two full years, or 4 academic terms excluding summers.
• If a student, who has served the third suspension time of two years, wishes to return, the student must meet with an advisor from the CCCS college the student wishes to attend in order to get their suspension hold removed.
Suspension Appeals:
• Students may appeal their suspension based on procedures developed by their home college or the CCCS college they wish to attend. At a maximum, students may appeal to their home college and to one other CCCS college of their choice.
• If the student’s suspension appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Academic Probation.
• If the student’s suspension appeal is not approved, the student may be dropped from all courses registered for in upcoming terms at their home college. Students are ultimately responsible for their enrollment and need to check their enrollment schedule for accuracy.
• The student needs to check with their home college regarding enrolling for summer term classes.
Credit Completion Progress Policy
For students who have attempted fewer than 9 credit hours, the college will monitor credit completion through an Alert process. These students are not subject to the Credit Completion Progress guideline.
Credit Completion Progress standards apply to all students who have attempted 9 or more credits at a CCCS college, regardless of the number of term credits they attempt from that point forward. Credit Completion Progress is determined following the posting of the majority of term grades for each semester. Students placed on warning 1, warning 2 or warning 3 will be notified of their status. Credit Completion Progress status will be noted on the advising and unofficial transcripts only.
It will not be noted on the official transcript. The Credit Completion Progress status of a student is specific to the home institution and does not impact a student’s enrollment at other CCCS colleges.
Credit Completion Progress: Will include all credit bearing classes (developmental and college level) will be used to calculate the percent of attempted credits passed. This includes summer term courses. Only courses taken “in residence” will be used for this calculation; “In residence” means taken at the students home institution. Courses taken elsewhere and transferred in do not apply. The credit completion rate for this procedure will not necessarily match those used for financial aid purposes or athletic eligibility. Grades considered to be passing when computing the percent of attempted credits passed are as follows:
A, B, C, D, S/A, S/B, S/C, and S. Grades considered to be failing when computing the percent of attempted credits passed are as follows: I, F, U/D, U/F, W, and AW.
Course Completion Rate is calculated by dividing the total attempted credits by the number of credits successfully completed as per the definitions above.
Initial Standing – Student has attempted fewer than 9 cumulative credit hours will not be assessed for credit completion.
Good Standing – Student has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative course completion rate of at least 50%.
Warning 1 – Student has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative course completion rate of less than 50% for the first time. Students on Warning 1 will receive a communication regarding their credit completion status and will be given information on resources, best practices, etc.
Warning 2 – Student has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative course completion rate of less than 50% for the second time. Students on Warning 2 will receive a communication regarding their credit completion status and will have a credit completion hold (which will impact registration) placed on their student account at their home college. The student will not be able to make any changes to their student account until they meet with an advisor.
If a student on Credit Completion Probation passes 50% or more of their attempted term credits, but fails to raise their cumulative completion rate to 50%, they will be allowed to continue the next term, but will remain on Credit Completion Warning.
Warning 3 – Student has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative course completion rate of less than 50% for the third time. Students on Warning 3 will receive a communication regarding their credit completion status and will have a credit completion hold (which will impact registration) placed on their student account at their home college. The student will not be able to make any changes to their student account until they meet with an advisor. The college reserves the right to limit the number of credit hours that the student may take when a student is on Warning 3 status
Graduation
Degrees & Certificates
Degree – Associate of Arts
The A.A. degree is awarded to students choosing to satisfy the general education requirements outlined in the Degree Programs section of this catalog and plan to transfer into a four-year institution.
Degree – Associate of Science
The A.S. degree is awarded when students satisfy the general education requirements outlined in the Degree Programs section of this catalog and plan to transfer into a four-year institution.
Degree – Associate of General Studies
The A.G.S. degree is awarded to students choosing to satisfy the degree requirements outlined in the Degree Programs section of this catalog.
Degree – Associate of Applied Science
The A.A.S. degree is awarded to students choosing a two-year occupational program designed for immediate employment.
Certificates
Several programs are offered that can be completed from one semester to two years. Students satisfactorily completing requirements in these programs receive certificates.
How to Apply for Graduation
During the semester immediately preceding program completion, an Application for Graduation must be filed with Student Services. Students are responsible for submitting this application by the end of the first week of spring semester. Students must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours at Otero. Prospective graduates must also pay the cap, gown, and diploma fee no later than March 1.
Commencement
Graduation occurs immediately after the end of classes for spring semester. There is no fall graduation ceremony. Students meeting graduation requirements during any other semester of the academic year may participate in the commencement exercises or graduate in absentia.
All spring semester degree students are required to attend commencement exercises following spring semester.
Persons unable to attend the Commencement exercises must obtain permission from the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Graduation With Honors
Students graduating with honors must have at least 30 credit hours at Otero. Only credits earned at Otero will be used for calculating academic honors. Students must be enrolled in an associate degree program to qualify for honors. Students with 4.00 grade point averages are graduated SUMMA CUM LAUDE. Students are graduated MAGNA CUM LAUDE if they have maintained a grade point average of 3.75 to 3.99 and CUM LAUDE with a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74.
Note: Honors recognition at commencement are based on cumulative GPA through the fall semester.
Other Services
Food Court and Rattlers’ Den
The Otero College Food Court and Rattlers’ Den is located in the Student Center and is operated by Sodexo Campus Services. During the academic school year, the cafeteria is open for three meals a day Monday through Friday and two meals on weekends. Students living in the dormitory are required to purchase a meal plan. Commuter students, faculty and staff may purchase meals a la carte or purchase a discount cash card that provides both convenience and savings. Campus guest may also purchase all you-can-eat buffet meal tickets.
The Venom Pit Coffee Shop
The Venom Pit Coffee Shop is located inside the Learning Commons and is operated by Sodexo Campus Services. Students and guests can purchase Starbucks beverages, FANS smoothies, bottled and canned beverages, freshly baked muffins and cookies, and a variety of salads and sandwiches. Hours of service include:
Computer Use Policy
In support of its mission of teaching and community service, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) provides access to computing and information resources for students, faculty and staff within institutional priorities and financial capabilities. The computer Use Procedure contains the governing philosophy for regulating faculty, student and staff use of the System’s computing resources. It spells out the general principles regarding appropriate use of equipment, software, networks and data. In addition to this policy, all members of the CCCS community are also bound by local, state and federal laws relating to copyrights, security and other statutes regarding electronic media.
To protect themselves and the confidentiality of data, users are prohibited from disclosing their passwords to others.
The complete Computer Use Policy can be found at:
http://www.cccs.edu/SBCCOE/Policies/SP/PDF/SP3-125c.pdf
Emergency Information Alert System
The Otero Alert System consists of student and staff notification via email, phone, cell phone, and text messaging in the case of an emergency or notification of important information. An emergency message phone line is also maintained to inform students and staff of school closures or other important information. To access the number, dial: 719-384-6993.
Library Services
Wheeler Library, part of Otero’s Learning Commons, offers students a full service library. The library is open over 70 hours a week during the semester with many of the services available electronically through the website home page: https://cccs.libguides.com/otero. A student ID card is required to borrow materials from Wheeler Library and needed to borrow electronic equipment. For more information, see the Instructional Services section of this catalog.
Bookstore
All books or material required for courses are ordered through a virtual bookstore online site. Students can buy new or used books, rent books or purchase E-books from the virtual bookstore site. The books and materials will be delivered to the student’s home or specific mailing address, including their Otero dorm address.
The virtual books is accessed online at: ecampus.com or through the “Bookstore” link on Otero’s website.
If a student intends to use financial aid for his or her books, that student must visit Otero’s financial aid office for consultation and approval. Upon approval they will have access to their financial aid money on the virtual bookstore to pay for their books online.
MyOtero Portal
MyOtero Portal is a single sign-on portal which allows users to access the latest events, announcements, student records, financial information, email, classes, employment records, and forms, all in one easy and convenient location. MyOtero Portal serves students, faculty and staff. The link to access the portal is located on the website home page (www.otero.edu) in the upper left hand corner (MyOtero) of the page. Students, faculty and staff will need their Student ID number and unique password to sign on.
Online Registration and Student Record Information
Students can access MyOtero from the homepage of the Otero College website at www.otero.edu. From this site students can register, add or drop classes, look up classes, view schedules, billing statements and withdrawal information. Students are also able to view holds, midterm grades, final grades, transcripts, and request an official transcript.
Student ID Cards
Student ID cards are available at Student Services Center for all enrolled students. The ID card is needed for checking out materials at Wheeler Library, accessing tutoring services through the Student Success Center, entry into student events on campus and using the Fitness Center. For students living on campus, the ID card serves as identification for food service. There is no charge for student ID cards. A $10.00 fee will be charged to replace lost ID cards.
Tutor Services
Students can access tutorial services in the Math Center, Writing Lab, PLUS Sessions, or in the Academic Success Center by appointment. For more information see the Instructional Services section of this catalog.