Pine Technical College
Policy and Procedure

Policy Number: 317 REV 1
Date: 12/6/05 Revision Date: 2/25/07
Division/Department: Student Affairs
Author: Nancy Mach, Kathy Arola, Robert Baker, Gloria Baker
Revisions: Nancy Mach, Kathy Arola, Robert Baker, Gloria Baker

Subject: Admissions

Authorities:

MnSCU Board Policy 3.4

Purpose
To provide guidelines for an open and fair admissions process, regardless of an applicants religious affiliation, race, ethnic heritage, gender, age, sexual orientation, or physical ability.

Policy
Pine Technical College is committed to open admissions for students meeting one of the following requirements:
1. A high school diploma or GED (General Equivalency Diploma) or
2. Current high school students who meet requirements for Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program or
3. Applicants without a high school diploma, or GED who take the “New Student Assessment” and meet the federal financial aid “Ability to Benefit” standards.

Exceptions:
1. Students who have been suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons from another postsecondary institution may be denied admission to Pine Technical College.
2. Students who have been suspended or expelled for academic reasons from any postsecondary institution will be denied admission to Pine Technical College, until an appeal can be considered by the Petition Committee. Students granted admittance will be placed on academic probation.
3. Students who enter on academic probation (as defined by policy 310R) from another postsecondary institution will be placed on academic probation at Pine Technical College.

Procedure
I. Admissions procedures
A. All applicants must submit:
1. Pine Technical College or MnSCU standard application form (either the paper or online form).
2. A one-time non-refundable $20 application fee paid before the application is processed.
3. High School transcript, or copy of high school diploma, or a copy of the GED Completion Certificate with graduation dates noted.
4. High school transcript exceptions:
• Student has completed an AAS, AA, AS or higher degree from a higher education institution or
• Student has completed 16 semester credits of general education college courses
 Students who are unable to submit a high school transcript or a copy of high school diploma must meet “Ability to Benefit”
assessment standards
6. Additional documentation required
• Official transcripts from each institution of higher education attended. All transcripts must arrive in a sealed envelope directly from the institution attended or delivered unopened with the registrar’s seal intact. Note: This is a financial aid requirement.
• Documentation of Immunization as per Minnesota State Statute (M.S.135A.14) must be received no later than 45 class days after the semester begins. If documentation is not received a registration hold will be placed on the student’s record.

B. International students.
1. Additional requirements for admission.
a. Contact the Dean of Student Affairs for specific requirements, including SEVIS documentation and others, as needed.
2. Academic Preparation and English Proficiency
a. International students shall be eligible for admission if their academic preparation is judged to be equivalent to the admission requirements at Pine Technical College.
b. International students may be required to submit high school or other transcripts to an evaluation service. Cost of the evaluation shall be borne by the student.
c. International students who are not native speakers of English shall be required to demonstrate proficiency in English on a standardized test. An international student may be admitted as a regular student if the student attains a score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or its equivalent. Students scoring lower than 500 on the TOEFL will be referred to a college intensive English as a Second Language Program.
3. Economic Self-Sufficiency.
a. Prior to being admitted to Pine Technical College, an international student must demonstrate economic self-sufficiency to be able to afford the costs of tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and any other costs necessary for the completion of the academic year.
b. International students must purchase the system-approved student health insurance, or demonstrate equivalent coverage including repatriation and medical evacuation expenses.

C. High school students.
1. High school students seeking admission under the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program must satisfy additional requirements for admissions. (See Policy 208R).

D. Special Student Status (Part-time Application)
1. Students may enroll in courses using the Pine Technical College Part Time Application. This form may be used for students who are not candidates for diplomas, certificates or degrees and are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
2. No more than six (6) credits may be accumulated using this form, after which the student must complete the regular application process.
3. Students enrolling in courses that require college level reading, writing, and/or math must take the college’s assessment test unless they provide documentation of previous college level course work.
II. General Provisions
A. Appeals
1. Students who are denied admission on the basis of the published requirements may appeal the decision by submitting a petition (available in Student Affairs) to the Dean of Students.
2. Students who are denied admission based on their academic standing at a previously attended institution may submit a Suspension Appeal (available from the Counselor) for consideration by the Appeal Committee.
B. Documentation
1. Applicants who are unable to present traditional documentation of required admissions items shall be individually evaluated by the Dean of Students on the basis of the guidelines consistent with the institution’s identity and mission.
C. Program Admissions Requirements
1. Admission to Pine Technical College does not guarantee admission to a specific program or qualify a student for all courses at the college; some programs and/or course offerings have special pre-requisites.
2. Academic, fiscal, and facilities considerations may also limit admission to particular programs.
3. Qualified applicants should be aware that program class sizes are limited, which may delay acceptance into a program after the pre-requisites are completed.
a. Pre-requisites and other program entrance requirements include but are not limited to: GPA, specific coursework, background checks, and/or drug/alcohol testing. Check with individual program for specific policies.
b. Procedures for programs with wait-lists are handled by the specific department.

D. Re-admission
1. No application fee is charged for students requesting re-admission, including students who were previously enrolled in the PSEO program.
2. Former Pine Technical College students, who have been away from the college for a period of one semester or longer must re-submit an updated application with official copies of transcripts from other colleges attended since their departure from Pine Technical College. These students must re-enroll under the program plan of the current academic year unless a waiver or petition is granted.
3. Current Pine Technical College students who have completed one or more programs and wish to begin a second or subsequent Pine Technical College program must re-submit an updated application to the college.
4. Former PSEO students, who continue or return after an absence, must submit an updated regular application.

E. Partnership Programs
1. Students applying for admission to a partnership program offered in cooperation with another college or university are subject to all admissions requirements at both institutions.
2. Students will be required to pay only one application fee for partnership programs.

Responsibilities
The Dean of Students oversees and makes final decisions on Admissions procedures.

Dissemination
Pine Technical College Catalog, Student Handbook, Intranet/Policies, and www.pinetech.edu/Admissions.

Reviewed by Leadership Team: 1-9-06
Reviewed by Faculty Shared Governance Council: 2-14-06

Revision Reviewed by Leadership Team: 3-05-07
Revision Reviewed by Faculty Shared Governance Council: 4-11-07

Approved: __________________________________ Date: 4-11-07
Robert L. Musgrove, Ph.D., President