Consumer Information

The College is authorized to award the Associate in Science, Associate in Occupational Technologies, and Associate in Applied Science degrees as well as certificates in occupationally specific areas. These degrees and certificates are obtained by students successfully completing a series of courses called a “program” of study.

The Academic Division at Southern Union State Community College offers the Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. Students may also earn Certificates in some curriculum areas. Academic Division departments include Business, Child Development, Fine Arts, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Science. The SUSCC Learning Resource Centers are also part of the Academic Division.

Since the College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the College’s academic courses, dependent upon an individual’s program of study, are transferable to other colleges and universities. All academic courses are taught by fully qualified instructors with a low student to teacher ratio. Through an articulation agreement between Alabama two- and four-year colleges and universities, two-year college students completing a planned university parallel program in Areas I - IV of the Associate in Science degree plus Area V courses that are appropriate to their major and/or degree program are guaranteed junior status upon transferring to the upper division college.

Class Scheduling

Class Schedules 
Class schedules are distributed prior to registration dates. These schedules provide students with information they need in registering for the subsequent term. The College reserves the right to cancel any course listed in the schedule of classes or to change instructors as conditions necessitate.

Registration Procedures
Students must follow the registration procedures established by the College to register initially for a course or to change their program after initial registration.

Courses
Courses are offered at Southern Union to fulfill degree and certificate requirements. With exception for specialized training programs, course numbers and descriptions are chosen from     the Common Course Guide which is required system wide by the Department of Postsecondary Education for all Alabama College System colleges.

Course Load
Course work at Southern Union is measured in terms of “semester hours.” The semester hour in the academic division represents one hour of lecture or other standard classroom instruction or two hours of experimental laboratory per week for one semester of approximately fifteen weeks. The semester hour in the technical and health sciences divisions represents one hour of theory, two hours of experimental laboratory, three hours of clinical practice/manipulative laboratory.

Course Overload Special approval from the appropriate instructional dean is required for students who desire to register for more than 19 credit hours. Students may not register for more than 24 credit hours during any term. A cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher is required for consideration.

Schedule Adjustments 
All changes in student schedules shall be made during the drop and add period (see College Calendar).

Withdrawal from a Single Course 
A student who wishes to drop a single course may do so by obtaining a “Drop/Add Form” from the Records Office or Campus Administrative Office and by processing the form. Prior to the deadline date specified in the college calendar, the student will receive a grade of “W” for any course dropped. Withdrawal after the date specified in the calendar is permitted only under extenuating circumstances and requires the approval of the appropriate instructional dean. A grade of “W” is assigned if the student is doing satisfactory work and approval is given. Otherwise, a grade of “F” is assigned. Courses in which a final grade has been earned may not be dropped. A student may also drop a single course via the internet.

Withdrawal from the College 
A student may withdraw from the College at any time during the term by obtaining a “Withdrawal Request Form” from the Admissions Office or Campus Administrative Office and having it processed. Any withdrawal before the deadline specified in the calendar will result in a grade of “W” in all courses. After the date specified in the calendar, a grade of “W” (withdrawn not failing) will be assigned only if the student is doing satisfactory work at the time of withdrawal and extenuating circumstances apply. A grade of “F” will be assigned if the student is not doing passing work at the time of withdrawal or if s/he fails to follow the above procedure. Students may also completely withdraw from college via the internet.

Administrative Withdrawal or Drop from a Course or from College
A student may be dropped administratively from any course for (1) failure to complete college registration properly; (2) failure to fulfill conditions of registration in those cases when a student may have been allowed to register on a conditional basis; (3) falsification of application and/or records (4) failure to fulfill other conditions of admissions and/or registration; (5) failure to comply with student Southern Union State Community College conduct standards; (6) failure to attend class(es); and (7) failure to comply with “Standards of Practice” as established by the Alabama Board of Nursing, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or other regulatory or licensing agencies for programs of study in the Health Sciences Division.

Repetition of Courses 
Any course for which a student has previously registered may be repeated. Each attempt that results in an official grade (A, B, C, D, and F) will be recorded on the student’s transcript, and each attempt resulting in an official grade will be used in computing the grade point average except in the case of implementation of the grade adjustment policy. No course in which the last grade received was an “F” may be counted toward graduation. Also, a course may be counted only once toward fulfillment of credit hours for graduation. The student should be aware that the last grade recorded may be regarded by a senior institution as the grade of record for transfer purposes. Institutional Scholarships will not pay for a repeat of successfully completed courses.

Course Forgiveness Policy
Any course for which the student has previously registered may be repeated. When a course is repeated one time, the last grade awarded (excluding grades of “W”) replaces the previous grade in the computation of the cumulative grade point average. The grade point average during the term in which the course was first attempted will not be affected. The official transcript will list the course and grade each time it is attempted. When a course is repeated more than once, all grades for the course – excluding the first grade- will be employed in computation of the cumulative grade point average. A course may be counted only once toward fulfillment of credit hours for graduation. This policy applies to Southern Union State Community College courses only.  Implementation of forgiveness does not guarantee that other institutions will approve such action. This determination will be made by the respective transfer institutions.   A student may request forgiveness by completing a “Request for Course Forgiveness” forms in Student Records. Southern Union transcripts will include two GPAs: a semester GPA and a cumulative GPA may not include grades for all courses attempted. Course Forgiveness will not be granted for terms prior to the initiation of this policy (Fall Term, 1998).

Transient Form (SU Students)
Southern Union students wishing to take courses at another postsecondary institution and receive transfer credit must receive a Transient Form. To apply for a transient form, a student must meet the following criteria:

          (a) In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, transient forms are provided upon the student’s written
               request.Requests must be done in person through an academic advisor.              
          (b) Students must be currently enrolled at Southern Union with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
          (c) Students must be planning to return to Southern Union the next term after the transient status.
          (d) Requests should be made at least one week prior to need.
          (e) Requests may be denied for students who have a financial or other obligation to the college.

It is the student’s responsibility to have an official transcript forwarded to the Admissions Office at Southern Union after completing courses at another institution.

Students are expected to attend each class session, to arrive on time, and to remain for the entire class session.  Faculty will record attendance from the first day of the semester.  Excessive absences, regardless of the reason or circumstance, may interfere with the student’s ability to successfully complete the requirements of the course.  In such cases, the student should withdraw from the class before the last date to drop with a grade of “W”.  Withdrawal from class may affect eligibility for federal financial aid.  Students should contact the Financial Aid Office for information.

When a student is absent from class, the student is responsible for all material covered in class and for any assignments made in class.  The instructor is not required to review with the student any material missed as a result of being absent, nor is the instructor required to notify a student if the student is in danger of a lowered grade due to any graded work missed.  The instructor is not required to provide an opportunity for makeup.  The instructor’s policies regarding makeup work shall be clearly defined in the syllabus to be distributed on the first day of class.

Attendance policies for Hybrid and Online courses are the same as other courses. Attendance requirements in programs that lead to board licensure or certification may differ from this policy.

*For additional information policies and procedures refer to academic policy in the college catalog.

General Policies

• Students must pay tuition and fees in full by the published due date in order to have their names placed on class rolls and to attend classes. Payment may be in any combination of cash, check, Visa or MasterCard, Discover Card, grants, and scholarships. Sponsored students, i.e., Vocational Rehabilitation Service, Alabama Veterans Affairs, etc., must have written authorization from the appropriate agency to complete registration.
• Students who fail to pay tuition and fees are not registered and should not attend class.
• Southern Union State Community College reserves the right to revise fees, price schedules and terms of payment, and other financial elements listed in this catalog at any time without notice.
• Tuition is waived for Alabamians age 60+ through the Senior Adult Scholarship Program if enrollees concur with program guidelines in course selection. Fees must be paid by the senior adult student.

The following Additional Fees are Charged When Applicable:

Late Registration Fee: $25.00 (incurred if registration is not completed on published regular registration date) Note: Students utilizing VA education benefits shall not be charged a penalty, including assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities or be required to burrow additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet their financial obligations due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Returned Check Fee: $30.00 for each returned check

Diploma Fee: $25.00 (nonrefundable) for diploma and cover. Cap and gown are rented for an additional fee from the bookstore.

ACCUPLACER Retest Fee: $8.00

PED Classes: Golf, bowling, and CrossFit are subject to fees payable to the facilities used in these classes. Heath Science and Technical Programs:  Various program fees are charged for liability insurance, assessment fees, lab fees, and drug testing fees, based on the individual program of study.

Online Fee: $20.00 Proctor U Fee (per online class)

In compliance with the drug-free workplace requirements of Public Law 100-690 for the recipients of Federal contracts and grants, the following policy is in effect for Southern Union State Community College.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against any qualified person regardless of his or her disability. The College strives to create a welcoming environment and will work in good faith to meet the needs of all populations. All reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified disabled students, applicants, or employees, will be met unless to do so would present an undue hardship to the College.

To request accommodations, students with disabilities should provide documentation of the disability to the ADA Coordinator on their campus. The documentation should address the specific accommodation and should be dated within three years of the enrollment date. Once the documentation is filed with the ADA Coordinator, the student’s instructors will be notified of the requested accommodation. Students should update their information with the ADA Coordinator by the courses for which they are seeking accommodations each semester.

Information on facilities and services for disabled students is outlined on the College web site. individuals may also contact the following Compliance Officers:

Opelika Campus:
 Gary Branch
   Phone: (334)745-6437 ext. 5139 Email: gbranch@suscc.edu
 Joseph Halsey
   Phone: (334)745-6437 ext. 5354 Email: jhalsey@suscc.edu

Valley Campus:
   Robin Brown
   Phone: (334)756-4151 ext. 5204 Email: rbrown@suscc.edu

Wadley Campus:
   Carol Howell
   Phone: (256)395-2211 ext. 5403 Email: chowell@suscc.edu

For additional information refer to the college faculty in the college catalog.

At the close of each term, an individual report showing the scholastic record of each student is accessible on-line through the "mySUSCC" web portal. These grades are a part of the student’s permanent record and will be recorded on his/her official transcript. At the option of the instructor, midterm progress reports may be sent to students who are in danger of failing a course. Midterm alerts are sent to the student’s Southern Union email account.

Each year, Southern Union State Community College prepares a Campus Security and Crime Report and distributes it to the College community. The report, which is issued by October 1, contains detailed information on campus police and security personnel, drug and alcohol abuse policies, sexual harassment policies, crime prevention, crime prevention tips, information on reporting criminal activity, and timely warnings regarding campus emergencies. The report also includes statistics concerning crimes on campus. For a complete copy of this report and to review additional information regarding campus.

Vaccination policy:

Southern Union State Community College does not have a policy regarding vaccinations; however, the College is concerned about the health and wellbeing of all members of the College community. Students admitted to Health Science programs may be required to be vaccinated to complete clinical hour requirements.

Emergency Preparedness Plan

Information regarding student rights and responsibilities is outlined in the Catalog and Student Handbook and are included in this document for review. Students have the right to know the following information regarding financial aid at Southern Union State Community College:

• Financial aid programs available.
• Educational programs and services available
• Cost of attendance for programs
• Application process for all financial aid programs, including deadlines
• How financial aid recipients are selected
• Procedures for appealing decisions made by Financial Aid staff members
• How the College determines financial need
• How and when students will receive financial aid funds

Southern Union Community College refund policy

Job description and rate of pay for any job assigned under the Federal Work-Study program

How the College determines if students are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if they are not.

Students have the following responsibilities:

• Completing applications correctly and on time
• Reading and understanding all materials sent from the Office of Financial Aid and other agencies
• Keeping copies of all documents submitted to the Office of Financial Aid
• Knowing and complying with the rules governing financial aid received
• Providing all documentation and information requested by the Office of Financial Aid
• Registering for the number of hours required for financial aid disbursement
• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress
• Using financial aid only for expenses related to attending Southern Union State Community College
• Checking College student e-mail account for financial aid information
• Keeping e-mail and mailing addresses up to date with the College and other financial aid agencies
• Informing the Office of Financial Aid of all colleges attending or previously attended.

On November 5, 2000, Congress passed the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act to enhance protection against fraud in student financial assistance. According to the Federal Trade Commission, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use luring lines to sell their scholarship services. Students should avoid any scholarship service or website which asserts any of the following statements:

• "This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."
• "You can't get this information anywhere else."
• "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."
• "We'll do all the work."
• "This scholarship will cost some money."
• "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

If you believe you have been the victim of scholarship fraud and wish to file a complaint, or want more information, call 1-877-FTC-HELP, 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit the Web site at www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.

Student demographic information is published each year in the Southern Union Community College Fact Book. Information is also reported to the National Center for Educational Statistics through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). 

A Quick Facts sheet is also available here: Quick Facts 2021-2022

Graduation, Transfer-Out and Retention Rates

The Southern Union State Community College maintains annual information regarding its graduation, transfer-out and retention rates for first-time full-time entering freshmen. While many students enter the College with varying educational goals, the College is required to disclose information for first-time full-time entering freshmen who are certificate or degree- seeking undergraduates and have completed their programs within 150% of the normal time for graduation. Graduation, transfer-out and retention rates are reported to the Department of Education through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data regarding the College’s graduation, transfer-out and retention rates are here. Students may also request a copy of the report by contacting Southern Union State Community College at (256) 395-2211.

Graduation and Retention Rates for Student Athletes

Information regarding student demographics for athletes must be provided to potential student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when an athletically related student aid offer is made. For information, contact the Athletic Department, (256) 395-2211.

Athletic Program Participation and Financial Support

As part of The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on annual participation rates and financing of men's and women's sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available upon request to students and the general public. For additional information or to receive a paper copy of the report, contact the Athletic Department, (256) 395-2211.

Employment and Graduates

According to institutional data, 62% of the graduates who completed their programs of study during the 2008-2009 academic years are employed in their field or a related

Official Transcript Request: 

Official Transcripts are now available through Credentials Solutions by clicking the following link: Official Transcript Request. Once on the website, use the following instructions:

1. Choose either "Order PDF Transcripts" or "Order Paper Hard-Copy Transcripts."
2. Complete the information including your Student "A" Number (student ID) or your Social Security Number if you do not know your "A" Number.
3. If you are a current student and wish to include the current semester's grades, be sure to select the hold for grades option when completing the request. 
4. The cost for a transcript is $5. Payments can be made with debit/credit cards. 

You can also access the transcript request system through your mySUSCC account:

1. Login to mySUSCC
2. Select the "Student" Tab
3. Select "Student Records"
4. Select "Order Official Transcript"
5. Follow the instructions for ordering. 

Please note that any outstanding balances owed to the college must be paid before any official transcripts can be released. Beginning on December 15, 2020, no other form of transcript request can be accepted. 

Unofficial Transcripts 
Unofficial transcripts can be printed from the mySUSCC web portal by selecting the "Student" tab, then "Student Records," and then "Unofficial Academic Transcript."

Additional Information
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@suscc.edu. 

*For additional information refer to transcript policy in the college catalog.
  Policy Regarding Transfer of Credit-Update College handbook link 21/22 and registrar ext 5183.

Alabama: To register to vote in the State of Alabama, students may complete an online registration at https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/register-to-vote.

Georgia: register to vote electronically in the State of Georgia, students may complete an online registration form at https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcome.do#no-back-button.          

Below is the voter’s registration link for students that live in other states:

https://vote.gov/