The Open Door Policy
All branches of the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges operate under an “open door” admission policy. This means that any person, whether a high school graduate or non-graduate, who is 18 years old or older and who is able to profit from further formal education will be served by the institution. The exception to this rule is that Randolph Community College may refuse admission to any applicant who has been suspended or expelled from any other educational entity.
The “open door” policy does not mean that there are no restrictions on admission to specific programs. It does mean that these restrictions are flexible enough to allow students opportunities to improve their educational status by eliminating deficiencies through remedial work. New students seeking admission to a specific program must provide appropriate transcripts and participate in placement testing to meet prerequisites/corequisites. When new students are able to meet the specific admission requirements for a given curriculum, they may then be enrolled in that curriculum and remain in the program as long as they make satisfactory progress and remain enrolled on a continuous basis as required by their curriculum. (For students transferring to RCC, see Transfer Student Admissions).
Although the College follows an “open door” policy, there will be no compromise with academic standards set by the State Board of Trustees.
The college offers curriculum programs for current high school students within the parameters set by the State Board of Community Colleges.
The College reserves the right to limit enrollment in a curriculum to a number that can be accommodated by the resources of the College. The vice president for student services is designated as the admissions officer for the College. (Specific admission requirements are enumerated in the College Catalog.)
Undocumented Student Admissions Policy
The State Board of Community Colleges’ rule 23 N.C.A.C. 02C .0301 “Admission to Colleges,” effective July 10, 2010, implements a consistent admissions policy for undocumented immigrants throughout public higher education in North Carolina. Under this rule, North Carolina community colleges will admit undocumented immigrants if three requirements are met: 1. Must be a graduate of a U.S. public high school, private high school, or home school that operates in compliance with state or local law (undocumented immigrants with a GED are not eligible to be admitted to a community college); 2. Must pay out-of-state tuition, meaning no cost to N.C. taxpayers; and 3. May not displace a North Carolina citizen or U.S. citizen.
Basic Skills Programs Referral Policy
RCC offers two levels of remedial instruction. In addition to Developmental Studies, the College offers Basic Skills. Following College placement testing, the RCC admissions counselors will advise students who would be better served in Basic Skills. Basic Skills staff will administer the CASAS placement test, and students who show need below the ninth grade level may work in Adult Basic Education. After working in ABE, these students will enter the Developmental Studies program as needed and will take other curriculum courses as may be appropriate. There is no charge for instruction in Basic Skills Programs.
