AGC Policies

Atlantic Gateway College has established a comprehensive set of policies to ensure that the institution operates with integrity, safety, and effectiveness. AGC Policies are the guidelines and rules that govern various aspects of academic and campus (virtual campus) life, reflecting our commitment to fairness, transparency, and excellence. These policies are documented in detail in our Student Handbook and Policy & Procedure manuals, which are available to all community members. Below is an overview of key policy areas and what they mean for you:

Health, Safety, and Well-Being: Even as an online college, we prioritize the well-being of our students and employees. Our policies ensure a learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and supportive. AGC’s policies and related documents explain our intentions and directions in various areas of operation to ensure the health and safety of our students and employees and the proper operation of the College​.

For example, we have:

• Mental Health and Wellness Policy: Recognizing the importance of mental health, this policy outlines resources available (like counseling referrals) and how we proactively promote student wellness.
• Harassment and Discrimination Policy: A zero-tolerance stance on any form of harassment or discrimination is clearly defined. This policy ensures that if any student or staff faces bullying, hate speech, or any discriminatory behavior, they have a channel to report it and AGC will take prompt action. It aligns with our core value of respect and inclusiveness.

Academic Policies: These govern the academic standards and procedures:

• Academic Integrity Policy: This outlines what constitutes academic misconduct (plagiarism, cheating, etc.) and the repercussions if such instances occur. We use plagiarism detection tools and emphasize education on citing sources properly to uphold integrity. Consequences for violations are clearly laid out (warnings, failing grades, or even dismissal for repeated offenses) to ensure fairness.
• Grading and Assessment Policy: Here we describe how grades are awarded, the grading scale, and the process for appealing a grade if a student believes there’s been an error or unfair assessment. It ensures transparency in how your performance translates to grades.
• Attendance and Participation Policy: Even online, participation can be tracked (through logins, assignment submissions, forum contributions). This policy sets expectations for student engagement and what happens if a student is inactive for extended periods. For instance, a student must maintain regular participation or communicate with faculty if circumstances arise; otherwise, they might receive academic warnings.
• Credit Transfer and Recognition Policy: Since AGC accepts credit transfers from other institutions (subject to assessment) and also sends students onward, we outline the criteria and process for evaluating prior learning. If you studied elsewhere, this policy explains how to apply for credit recognition at AGC.
  

Administrative and Financial Policies: These deal with the non-academic side:

• Admission Policy: Lays out the criteria and process for admission to our programs, including required documents, English proficiency standards, and how we evaluate applications. This ensures transparency in how students are selected.
• Tuition and Fees Policy: Details all costs, payment due dates, and refund policies. For example, it will state the refund schedule if a student withdraws from a course within a certain timeframe. It also covers any administrative fees (like application fees​,graduation fees, etc.), so there are no hidden surprises.

• Privacy Policy: As an online institution, data privacy is paramount. This policy describes how AGC collects, uses, and protects personal information of students and staff. It adheres to relevant privacy legislation. Students have rights regarding their data, and we commit to not sharing personal details without consent, except as required by law.

Technology Use Policy: Since our platform is our campus, we have guidelines on using it:

• Acceptable Use of IT Resources: Students must adhere to rules when using our learning management system, email, forums, etc. This includes not engaging in cyberbullying, not sharing inappropriate content, and not misusing access (like attempting to hack systems or share copyrighted course materials illegally).
• Proctoring and Exam Policy: If we conduct proctored online exams, this policy covers the software/tools we use and the requirements (such as having a webcam, not using unauthorized materials during an exam).

Student Rights and Responsibilities: AGC policies also clearly outline what students can expect from us and what we expect from students:

• Students have the right to a quality education, to be treated with respect, to access support services, and to appeal decisions they find unjust (like a grade appeal or disciplinary action appeal process).
• Students have the responsibility to uphold AGC’s values, meet academic requirements, respect faculty and peers, and follow all college policies.

Continuous Policy Improvement: We view our policies as living documents. We review them regularly (often annually or when new situations demand updates). Sometimes, policy changes happen – for instance, if there’s a new piece of legislation or a new challenge (like shifting to entirely remote proctoring methods). When policies are updated, AGC communicates changes to all students and staff via official communications (email and University News announcements), ensuring everyone is aware of the current rules. We also welcome suggestions for improvement or reports of problems in our policies, as indicated (students can email info@atlanticgatewaycollege.com with suggestions or issues regarding policies​

Access to Policies: All these policies are accessible through the Student Services or Information section of our website. Key documents include:

• Student Handbook (2024) – which compiles academic and student life policies in a student-friendly format.
• Policy and Procedure Manual – which may include more detailed administrative policies and procedures for reference.

Every student is encouraged to read these documents upon joining AGC. During orientation, we highlight critical policies to ensure everyone starts with a clear understanding of expectations.

In conclusion, AGC’s policies ensure a fair, safe, and excellence-driven academic environment. They protect the integrity of our programs and the rights of our community. Adhering to these policies is a shared responsibility – it allows us all to focus on learning and growth with mutual trust. If you ever have questions about a policy or where to find information, the Student Services office (or the online equivalent) is ready to help clarify. Familiarizing yourself with our policies is an important part of being an informed, responsible member of the AGC family.