School Policies

The Administrative Committee formulates policy in matters pertaining to quality of work and standards of performance in the School. It deals with the awarding of diplomas, rules of conduct, and student appeals. In these matters communication with the Committee should be made through the Director. Student progress in academic and practical work is measured by grades and other evaluations; all students will receive progress reports on their work.

I. Academic Policies

All students must pass all required academic courses in order to graduate. All students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 1.7 during the first quarter of enrollment and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in subsequent quarters. Failure to do so will place the student in academic probation for the next quarter. If the student does not improve his/her performance by the next semester, he/she will be suspended from the school.

B. Examinations
(course finals, skills testing, and plant ID examination)

Re-examinations: Plant ID and/or skills testing students who have failed the Plant ID and/or the skills tests will not graduate with their classmates. Re-examinations will be required when the next class is scheduled to take the examination.

Course Final: If the course instructor approves, the Director agrees, and the student’s overall class review is favorable, a retest option is possible. The student MUST achieve a C or better on the retest. The decision to allow one retest only per student is made on a case-by-case basis and is not available for every required academic course.

C. Time limit on program completion
In specific cases (e.g. prolonged absence due to sickness), students have up to three years after the graduation date to complete all School requirements. If the student does not fulfill all requirements as outlined on the School agreement three years after graduation, the diploma will be nullified.

D. Attendance Policy
Attendance is required at all classes, work assignments, field trips and other School
sponsored activities. Unexcused tardiness and absences are not accepted; excused tardiness
and absences will be evaluated on a case-bycase basis. Make up quizzes and exams must be requested by student and will be scheduled at the instructor’s convenience.

Deficiency in any required work resulting from absence from class must be made up to the satisfaction of the instructor. A student who is absent from a course without adequate reason may be assigned a failing grade. A pattern of excessive absence or lateness will result in disciplinary action and may
result in suspension. Any absence must be fully explained to the Director and will be excused only for
sufficient cause. Absences due to serious illness or death within a student's family are recognized
as excused absences. To validate such absences, the student should present evidence to the Director, who will then provide a letter of verification to all of the student's instructors for the term.

Any student who is absent more than 15 percent of the total number of instructional hours offered during each marking period of the student's program, excluding approved leaves of absence, and who has not maintained satisfactory academic progress, shall be dismissed or placed on academic probation. Any student who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress at the end of any marking
dismissed or placed on academic probation. Satisfactory progress means a cumulative average of 2.0 (grade of C) for the curriculum or course, unless otherwise approved by the Director.

E. Tardiness Policy
Students are expected to be in class, on plant walks, field trips, work rotations and all School events on time and ready to perform the duties of that position. Education relies on the dependability of students being at work, on time, and prepared to perform the duties of their position. Any student who is tardy more than three times shall be subject to progressive discipline. Tardiness is defined as a student failing to report for any event at the time scheduled and/or failing to return to duty promptly at any point during his/her normal schedule.

F. Leave of Absence Policy
In the case of a prolonged illness or accident, death in the family, or other special circumstances
that make attendance impossible or impractical, a leave of absence may be granted to the student if requested in writing by the student or his/her designee to the School Director for approval. No monetary charges or accumulated absences may be assessed to the student during a leave of absence. When a student returns from an approved leave of absence, the student shall be placed in the instructional program at the point commensurate with the skill level retained by the student at the time of his or her return in accordance with the following:

(1) for leaves of absence less than 30 calendar days, the School shall assess the student's retention level either through a counseling session with the student or by employing a written or oral evaluation instrument designed to measure a student's level of retention in the instructional program; or (2) for leaves of absence 30 calendar days or longer, the School shall assess a student's retention level either through a written or oral evaluation instrument designed to measure a student's level of retention in the curriculum; and documentation that such evaluation took place.

E. Course Exemptions
POLICY: A student may qualify for course exemption by completion of any of the following:

• College courses taken for degree credit from an accredited college or university.
• Evaluated non-collegiate sponsored instruction.
• Proficiency examinations.

PROCEDURE: Students who wish to be granted exemption from a required course should apply to the Director. Students must complete the Course Exemption Request form and present evidence of satisfactory completion of a substantially equivalent course of study. The School will then evaluate
these credentials and make a decision on course exemption. If a student is exempted from the courses, he/she is required to take an equal number of hours of approved hours of personal enrichment courses to complete the diploma.

F. Dropping Courses
POLICY: All students who wish to drop a course must submit a written request to the Director at least ten working days ahead of the start date for that class. Failure to do so will result in the student incurring 75% of the fee for the class. Sufficient and reasonable excuse must be given. The Director will notify the registration office of the drop and a “W” will be placed on the transcript for withdrawal from the course.

G. Transcripts
Transcripts will be issued: First Year: June and November. Second Year: March and December. Final Transcript: March (Graduation). Students may contact the School assistant via phone, email or in person to get grade updates. To get a transcript copy, student must request in writing to the
School Assistant five days in advance.

II.Work Rotation Policies

A. Evaluations
Rotation Evaluations and Student Exit Survey
All students are evaluated while on work rotations. Students also evaluate their rotation through the Student Exit Survey. The Student Exit Survey and the Rotation Evaluation must be promptly handed in to the School upon completion of the rotation.

Students are evaluated on Professional Development, Quality of Work and Attitude (please see attached). All students are to maintain an average GPA of 2.0 “Good” at each rotation. Failure to do
so will place the student on probation for the next rotation. If the student does not improve his/her
performance by the next rotation, he/she will be suspended from school. Upon graduation, the student possessing the highest Work Rotation GPA will receive the Horticulture Book Prize.

Excellent: Performance at this level far exceeds the expectations of this rotation. Duties and responsibilities are exceptionally met and consistently exceeded.

Very Good: Performance is very good and the required skills are completed in an above average manner. Duties and responsibilities are well met and usually exceeded.

Good: Performance at this level is good and the required skills are completed. Duties and responsibilities are met consistently and in a satisfactory and acceptable manner. Performance is average.

Needs Improvement: Performance at this level is at the minimum of acceptable requirements for the rotation. Duties and responsibilities are marginally met. Student should spend more time in practicing the appropriate skills and/or re-evaluate his/her approach.

Needs Significant Improvement: Performance at this level is below the minimum level of acceptable requirements. Duties and responsibilities are not met in an acceptable manner. Student should re-evaluate his/her approach immediately and review skills mentioned with the guidance of the contact person.

Skills List Skills lists must be filled out and signed by the contact person upon the completion of each rotation. The skills list is to assist the student on work rotation. Students must carry and present the skills list to their contact person while on work rotation.

III. General Policies

A. Disciplinary Actions
Students are expected to establish good working relationships with their supervisor,
fellow students, and all other members of the Garden's staff.

It is the policy of the School to treat all students equitably, and to administer all policies, procedures, rules and regulations consistently. When a student’s performance is unsatisfactory (refer to academic policy), or when students violate the rules and regulations of the School, appropriate corrective disciplinary action may be taken.

Whenever a student’s actions, academic or work performances are unsatisfactory, the Director may administer the forms of discipline set forth below. Naturally the type of discipline selected will depend on the severity of the offense. Not all-improper conduct will be met with progressive discipline.
Where warranted, the Director may elect to impose a suspension or termination whether or not there has been prior disciplinary action.

• Oral Reprimand and/or Student Counseling
• A Written Reprimand
• A Final Written Reprimand
• Probation (one semester)
• Dismissal

A student who wishes to appeal may present his/her case to the administrative Committee. The School will not tolerate the following misconduct and students will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal: cheating, consumption of alcohol, dangerous conduct, disturbing the peace, harassment, physical abuse, plagiarism, property damage, sexual harassment and/or assault, starting fires, theft, unauthorized use of NYBG property, using or possessing fire arms. use and/or possession of drugs or drugrelated paraphernalia.

B. Holidays and Vacation Days
The School regularly observes the following twelve holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Thanksgiving Day, Veteran’s Day, and Christmas Day. The last two weeks of August
and December are class breaks. Work rotations are not scheduled on holidays.

C. Graduation Requirements
To qualify for graduation, students must:

• Successfully complete all required academic courses (minimum GPA of 2.0).
• Complete all rotation assignments (minimum GPA of 2.0 and 2,064 hours).
• Pass the skills tests and plant exams.Attend all scheduled horticultural activities and events such as lectures, field trips and plant identification walks.

D. Privacy
The School of Professional Horticulture complies with the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The following categories of information concerning individual students and former students may be made available to the general public: name, attendance dates, telephone listing, date and place
of birth, field of study, previous education institutions attended by the student. Any student may request that any of the above information not be released without his/her prior consent.