Original Date: 3/29/2005 * Last Revision Effective: 12/12/23
Policy Contact: Chief Academic Officer
Purpose
The college places high importance on student academic success and in helping students achieve their academic and career goals. To ensure that students know about and have access to support services that can assist them in reaching their goals, the college has developed these academic standing procedures to provide progressive interventions for students who struggle academically. The college takes into consideration students’ overall academic progress, which includes grade point average (GPA), number of withdrawals, number of course repeats, and the ratio of attempted credits (credits students register for) versus completed credits (credits in which a student received a C or better), when considering appeals or exceptions to the academic standing policy and procedures.
Except where noted, this procedure applies to all students. The levels of academic standing outlined below apply to a student’s transcript record for the four (4) calendar years (16 quarters) prior to the quarter in which an action is taken.
Procedures
Level 1: Academic Concern
Academic concern is an informational step designed to help students understand that the college is concerned about their academic progress, and to provide information regarding campus resources that are available to support students in reaching their academic and career goals. The college places students on academic concern at the end of the first quarter in which their cumulative GPA falls below a C average (2.0).
The college does not allow an appeal process for the academic concern level.
Level 2: Academic Intervention
Academic intervention requires students to complete a workshop, class or other specified academic intervention related to student success strategies. Students may not register for an upcoming quarter until the required intervention is completed. The college places students on academic intervention at the end of the second quarter in which their cumulative or quarterly GPA falls below a C average (2.0).
The college does not allow an appeal process for the academic intervention level.
Level 3: Academic Credit Restriction
Academic credit restriction prevents students from registering for more than eight (8) credits per quarter until their cumulative GPA is at least a C average (2.0). The college places students on academic credit restriction at the end of their third quarter in which their cumulative or quarterly GPA falls below a C average (2.0).
In addition to the limit on the number of credits a student can register for, the college may also require students to complete academic success interventions, which include, but are not limited to the following:
- Mandatory meetings with an academic advisor or counselor.
- Development of an education plan.
- Registration in a student success course.
Academic Credit Restriction Appeal
Students on academic credit restriction may ask that the restriction be removed or the credits increased by following the appeal process outlined below:
- Students can access the appeal form using the link on the Online Services: Appeal Request Processes webpage. Instructions for the submission of the appeal and the timeline for review are indicated on the form.
- Appeals are accepted only after a student has completed two consecutive quarters earning a quarterly cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students who are approved to register for an increased number of credits are limited to ten credits until their cumulative GPA is at least a 2.0.
Academic Credit Restriction Exemptions
Some students participating in specific programs are required to register as full-time students. These students may appeal the academic credit restriction prior to completing two quarters, but may be required to participate in specified academic success interventions and submit an education plan signed by an advisor.
Level 4: Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissal prevents students from registering for classes for a period of one-year (four consecutive quarters). The college places students on academic dismissal at the end of the fourth quarter in which their cumulative or quarterly GPA falls below 2.0.
Students returning to the college after academic dismissal must take the following steps:
- Meet with an academic advisor or counselor to develop an education plan.
- The plan must outline the courses to be taken and needed to make progress towards degree, certificate, or academic goal completion for the next four quarters.
- The advisor must sign the education plan.
- The education plan must also include a strategy for how students will raise their GPA to at least a C average (2.0) (academic renewal, repeating classes, etc.).
- Students returning after academic dismissal are placed on Level 3: Academic Credit Restriction, and are limited to taking eight credits for at least the first two quarters.
- Submit an Academic Dismissal Appeal (see process below) indicating the intent to return to the college after an absence of at least one year (four consecutive quarters).
Academic Dismissal Appeal
Students who are notified of academic dismissal may appeal this action prior to a one-year absence from the college by following the process outlined below:
- Students can access the appeal form using the link on the Online Services: Appeal Request Processes webpage. Instructions for the submission of the appeal and the timeline for review are indicated on the form.
- Provide documentation of the circumstances that prevented successful completion of coursework.
- Outline a plan for how GPA will improve to at least a C average (2.0) over the next four quarters.
- Submit an education plan signed by an advisor or counselor documenting the classes to be taken during the next four quarters.
At this point in the Academic Standing process, the cumulative GPA is not the only criteria looked at when considering an appeal. During the appeal process the college reviews a student’s overall academic progress, which includes rate of completion for all attempted credits, the number of withdrawals, the number of repeated classes, and the quarterly GPA for each quarter. All quarters of a student’s previous attendance are taken into consideration.
Academic Dismissal Exemptions
Some college programs exempt their students from the academic dismissal level, as these programs have strict academic requirements related to participation in those programs. These programs include, but are not limited to, International Education, Financial Aid, Running Start, and Career Education Options (CEO).
Relevant Laws and Other Resources
RCW 28B.10.695
Revision History
Original 3/29/2005
Revisions 5/21/2009; 9/11/2012; 4/6/2015; 3/29/2016; 12/5/2018; 10/19/2020; 12/07/2021; 12/12/23
Approved By
President’s Cabinet
Last Updated March 5, 2024