The process by which a student and college advisor meet together to determine course selection, establish an educational plan, and identify key resources that will enable the student to accomplish their academic and personal goals at WCC.

A long-term plan of study designed to assist a student in reaching educational goals and degree/certificate requirements.

Part of the system that ensures that students continue to make satisfactory academic progress. A student on academic probation must meet with an advisor to enroll in classes, and is encouraged to seek assistance from college resources.

An official college policy outlining the requirements for satisfactory academic progress. A student who maintains a quarterly and cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher stays in good academic standing.

Part of the system that ensures that students continue to make satisfactory academic progress. A student on academic suspension must meet with an advisor to enroll and is restricted to enrolling in one class equal to 5 credits or less. 

Part of the system that ensures that students continue to make satisfactory academic progress. In this stage, a student who has not made satisfactory progress is alerted and encouraged to seek assistance from college resources.

A student may change their schedule by adding or dropping classes before the quarter starts and during the first three days of the quarter.

A part-time instructor.

The process of applying and being accepted for enrollment at WCC.

A self-governing body that represents the interests of all students on various issues at the college and state levels.

Enrollment in a class for which a student does not receive credit nor a grade. The student must still pay tuition.

A program typically scheduled around finals weeks when the Campus Store buys back used textbooks at reduced rates.

WCC's official Learning Management System used to access the courses you are enrolled in.

A book of WCC information published each year, including degree and certificate requirements, course descriptions, student rights and responsibilities, and more. The catalog serves as the college’s contract with students and is available on WCC's website.

A student resource that offers employment information, job search assistance, career assessment, and labor market information to assist students in making thoughtful career/ educational decisions.

A course taken more than one time.

A few courses are repeatable for credit. If they are, it will say so in the course description.

For other courses, a student may repeat a course twice (three times in all). Credit is awarded only once. All attempts will appear on the student's transcript, but only the highest grade will be used to compute the student's GPA.

Course repeats may not be funded by financial aid. See a financial aid representative in Orca Central for more information. 

Credits, also called units, tell you how much time you will spend in the class. Each credit represents one 50-minute period of class time each week for the duration of the quarter. For example, a 5-credit class meets 5 times x 50 minutes, or 250 minutes of class time per week.

The student records management system that students and college employees use to access information and carry out tasks such as enrollment. ctcLink is used across all 34 community and technical colleges in the state of Washington.

Quick advising designed to answer questions, problem-solve current issues, or learn about resources without making an appointment.

A process in which a student is administratively removed from classes because tuition and/or fees were not paid.

A student success system in which faculty identify students who are having difficulties with academics or attendance in class. Students receive email notifications and personalized support through phone calls and advising or coaching appointments.

Academic and career advisors are located in Orca Central. You can make appointments for in-person or virtual meetings.

Advising appointments in which students and WCC advisors design tentative long-term plans and/or plan for university transfer. 

Courses that fulfill degree or certificate requirements while also giving you flexibility in choosing what to take. Different degrees and certificates have different allowances and restrictions for elective credits.

Full-time or part-time WCC instructor. This word is also used to refer to all the instructors as a group.

A federal law that protects the privacy of students’ academic information.

Federal, state or local funding for students with financial need that typically does not need to be repaid. (Example: Pell Grant)

Need-based funding awarded to students, usually at a low interest rate, that you pay back after you leave college. (Example: Subsidized loan) 

Online federal form that must be completed in order to apply for federal financial aid.

A student enrolled in 12-18 credits per quarter. To earn an associate's degree in two years, you must average 15 credits per quarter of 100- and 200-level courses. For financial aid purposes, you must enroll in at least 12 credits to be considered full-time.

A measurement of your overall academic performance. A to F grades are assigned point levels (4.0 for A, down to 0.0 for F). Grade point averages are calculated by dividing grade points earned by the credit hours attempted.

The Honors Program is a supplemental program designed to recognize academically talented students and to provide them with a variety of challenging opportunities. A student who completes the program's requirements will have their participation noted on their transcript.

A group of services in the Learning Commons offering tutoring and academic support with drop-in tutoring for math and writing, plus one-to-one and group tutoring by request for some college subjects. Tutoring is free to enrolled students. Online tutoring is an option.

Carefully selected courses within a transfer degree that build a foundation for your intended university major. Students planning to transfer to a four-year university in Washington state should complete their transfer degree with major preparation while at WCC.

Find resources and information on student network accounts, printing balances, and opting in for WCC texts.

The Office of Student Life & Development provides student growth opportunities while meeting the needs of the campus community through student leadership, clubs, activities, athletics, and more. Its office is in Syre Student Center.

Your one-stop for services and support, located in Heiner Center.

Departments with people in Orca Central to help you: Academic Advising & Career Services, Financial Aid, Running Start, Student Support Coaching, and TRIO Student Support Services.

A campus facility that promotes health and wellness through exercise. Available to current students free of charge with their Orca student ID card.

The official honor society for two-year colleges. Students with a high GPA are invited to join the WCC chapter of the national organization.

Math and English courses are required for nearly all degrees and certificates. To find your starting point in math and English, complete the placement process using one of the methods available at whatcom.edu/placement-info 

A course you're required to take before you can enroll in the next course.

WCC’s academic year is divided into four quarters/terms: fall, winter, spring and summer. Fall, winter, and spring quarters are approximately 11 weeks, while summer is generally 8 weeks.

Academic advising that occurs during course registration periods with the primary goal of choosing class schedules for the upcoming quarter.

Registration, also called enrollment, is the official college process by which students sign up for classes. It can happen either online or in person.

A statewide program for high school juniors and seniors to earn tuition-free college credits at community and technical colleges.

Starfish is our student success platform that helps you succeed and graduate by connecting you to many resources that Whatcom Community College has to offer. 

• Schedule appointments with advisors, coaches, and some faculty
• Create an electronic degree plan
• Track your progress
• View kudos and flags raised by instructors during early alert progress surveys

Individual student computing accounts used to access computers, wireless internet, and other computing resources on campus. Usernames and passwords are personalized to each currently enrolled student.

A document students usually receive from faculty on the first day of class outlining the dates the class will meet, course topics, grading criteria, attendance policies, instructor office hours, and contact information. It also covers course expectations, textbook and reading requirements, assignments, due dates, and class-specific information.

Building in the central section of campus that houses the Campus Store, Orca Food Pantry, the Syre Auditorium, Office of Student Life, International Programs, and classrooms.

A service located in the Learning Commons that provides a variety of testing services to support students in their success at WCC, including faculty makeup exams and GED testing.

A student’s official academic record that includes all courses attempted, all credits/grades earned, and all degrees/certificates earned.

An application for Washington state financial aid, for students who are not able to, or do not wish to, apply for federal financial aid.

The process by which a student officially ends their enrollment in a class after the quarter has started, but by an established deadline. A “W” is posted to the student’s transcript. It is important that students talk with an advisor before withdrawing from a course.