2025-2026 MELA Minutes

(1) In accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement(MOA), all participating colleges must adhere to the annual MSVCC calendar. (2) The calendar establishes common statewide dates for fall, spring, and summer semesters, including mini-term sessions: (a) Last date to enroll (b) Add, drop, and withdrawal dates. (c) Grades due (i) Grades are now due on Fridays at noon on the last day of the term. This was established and practice during the fall 2025 semester. (d) The MSVCC calendar is approved two years in advance. iii) Other Key Factors within the P&P are: (1) Grades changes are submitted to CELO. (2) Midterm grades for 8-week and 15-week courses (a) Some schools, for example, MGCCC, are also requiring their local online courses to submit midterm grades for three and four-week courses. This is due to the efforts of the Retention and Success Analysis, which showed student success when midterm grades are reported. This position was established through a grant. (b) Faculty Credentials-Please ensure that the correct credential files are signed and uploaded for your institution. We are finding the faculty may go back and earn additional hours, but the credential file aren’t being updated. We also need to ensure that the proper transcripts and course syllabi are uploaded. This helps ensure SACSCOC compliance. (c) Course Evaluations-ensure that course evaluations are being conducted at your local institution. Each college is obliation to sign Quality Letters that are signed by the college’s Chief Academic Officer and provided to MCCB by October 31 st of each year. (d) Proctored Exams (i) Verification of student identity and testing integrity: 1. Exams are locked with a password, which is included within Register Blast for test security. 2. Students must show a photo ID if taking a proctored exam through an assessment center or via a virtual proctor. 3. Helps with ghost students. MGCCC requires a video submission during the first week of class to remove potential ghost students. Ghost students will not participate in video assignments. (ii) Minimum/Maximum number of exams: 1. A minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) exams are allowed for terms of 6 weeks or more for a three-credit hour choruse. 2. A minimum of one (1) and a maximum of four (4) exams are allowed for terms of 6 weeks or more for a four-credit hour course. 3. A minimum of one (1) and a maximum of two (2) exams are allowed for terms of 5 weeks or less. (iii)All proctored exams are conducted electronically through the LMS or applicable third-party site (MyMathLabs, SAM, etc). (e) Criteria for State Reimbursement Reminders: (i) Adhere to MSVCC Calendar 1. Includes attendance completion (ii) Notifications of closures should be made by noon on Wednesday before the course start date. (iii)The host college will ensure that faculty credentials, transcripts, and syllabi up-to date.