SA-1 Academic Standards & Progress

Policy Type: Student Affairs
Policy Title: Academic Standards and Progress Policy
Policy Number: SA-01

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Purpose:

In 2003, the Legislature of the State of Washington established a law requiring colleges to develop policies “to ensure that undergraduate students complete degree and certificate programs in a timely manner in order to make the most efficient use of instructional resources and provide capacity within the institution for additional students.”

This legislation (RCW 28B.10.695) requires that student academic progress policies address:

1. Excessive Credits: Students who accumulate more than 125% of the number of credits required to complete their degree or certificate programs;
2. Credit Completion: Students who drop more than 25% of their course load before the grading period for the quarter, which prevents efficient use of instructional resources; and
3. Academic Standards: Students who remain on academic probation for more than one quarter.

Every student who enrolls at Green River College becomes a partner with the college and the State of Washington with shared responsibilities for student progress and goal completion. As part of the College’s responsibility to each student and to the State that helps to fund each student’s college education, Green River has established minimum expectations of student progress and academic performance.

The college has drafted the Academic Standards and Progress Policy to support student success.

Scope:

All enrolled students at Green River College enrolled in credit courses. Only applies to credits earned through Green River College.

Definitions:

GPA: Grade point average

Excessive Credits: Students who accumulate more than 125% of the number of credits required to complete their degree or certificate programs.

Progress: Students completing at least 75% of their course load on or after the grading period for the quarter, which ensures efficient use of instructional resources.

Academic Standards: Quarterly and cumulative GPA of at least 2.0; at least 75% credit completion.

Academic Caution: Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled.

Academic Intervention: Cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for the second consecutive quarter OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled for the second consecutive quarter.

Academic Restriction: One (1) Quarter Credit Reduction or One Quarter Leave: Cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for the third consecutive quarter OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled for the third consecutive quarter.

Academic Dismissal: One (1) Quarter Dismissal: Cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled for any four quarters in a six quarter period of attendance.

Consecutive quarter: the next quarter of enrollment, whenever that might occur.

Policy:

Academic Standards and Progress

Students enrolling at Green River College must comply with all of the following criteria to meet or exceed Green River College’s academic standards and progress policy:

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 quarterly GPA, AND
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, AND
• Complete 75% of attempted credits every quarter

Failing to meet all of the above is considered insufficient to meet Green River College’s academic standards and progress policy. In such cases, the College may determine that a student is not benefiting from continued enrollment and will intervene with progressively restrictive strategies designed to increase the likelihood of student success, as outlined in the Procedure section below.

Excessive Credits

Students enrolled in a degree or certificate program shall make every effort to complete their coursework prior to accumulating more than 125% of the number of credits required to complete their degree or certificate programs. Only college-level credits will be monitored. To assist students in meeting this standard, the college will monitor degree progress at three stages, and provide appropriate intervention as outlined in the Procedure section below.

Interventions shall be made at the discretion of the College; only dismissal interventions may be appealed following the appeals process outlined in the Procedure section below.

Procedure:

Academic Standards and Progress

The academic standing of each Green River student is carefully monitored to support the full development of each student’s academic potential. The faculty and staff are committed to student success and academic progress. The Academic Standards Committee, comprised of faculty, educational planners, and Student Affairs staff, is a representative committee charged with reviewing and monitoring the Academic Standards and Progress policy and making determinations on submitted dismissal appeals.
Following the grading period for each quarter, the College will review the quarterly GPA, cumulative GPA, and credit completions for all students registered for classes in the quarter in review. The following progressive interventions will occur and are contingent on each student’s standing:

Academic Caution: Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled.

• Minimum interventions:
  • Students are sent a letter to their Green River student e-mail address informing them they have been placed on Academic Caution. The letter outlines the Academic Standards process.
  • Students are informed of the tutoring resources available on campus and encouraged to utilize them as well as meet with their faculty advisor or an educational planner to discuss how to access campus resources and develop strategies to increase successful outcomes in the classroom.
• Possible interventions:
  • Students may be contacted via phone and/or email by an educational planner to create strategies for improving academic performance.

Academic Intervention: For the second consecutive quarter, cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 quarter OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled for the second consecutive quarter.

• Minimum interventions:
  • Students are sent a letter to their Green River student e-mail address informing them they have been placed on Academic Intervention. The letter outlines the Academic Standards process.
  • Students are no longer able to self-register for classes and are required to meet with an educational planner to complete an academic success plan and register for classes. Students are encouraged to have this meeting before their registration access time in order to have the best availability for class selection.
    • Within this meeting, students must acknowledge that they have read and do fully understand the college’s Academic Standards Policy.
  • Students are contacted via phone and/or email by an educational planner to create strategies for improving academic performance.
• Possible interventions:
  • Students may be required to attend a student success workshop or register for another specific course to substitute for the workshop as determined by the advisor.
  • Students may be required to reduce their credit load or comply with other prescribed conditional enrollment recommendations.
  • Students may be required to receive mid-quarter progress reports from instructors.

Academic Restriction: One (1) Quarter Credit Reduction or One Quarter Leave: For the third consecutive quarter, cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for the third consecutive quarter OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled.

• Minimum interventions:
  • Students are contacted via phone and/or email by an educational planner to create strategies for improving academic performance.
  • Students are sent a letter to their Green River student e-mail address informing them they have been placed on Academic Restriction. The letter outlines the Academic Standards process.
  • Students are no longer able to self-register for classes and are required to meet with an educational planner to complete an academic success plan and register for classes. Students are encouraged to have this meeting before their registration access time in order to have the best availability for class selection.
  • Students are required to meet with an educational planner to update and review an academic success plan and register for classes. Students are encouraged to have this meeting before their registration access time in order to have the best availability for class selection.
  • Any of the following may also be selected:
    • Reduce their credit load or comply with other prescribed conditional enrollment recommendations, or
    • Take a one quarter leave from the college may reenroll at any time without requesting formal reinstatement and will be reduced to Academic Intervention status, or
    • Comply with other prescribed conditional enrollment recommendations
  • Possible interventions:
    • Students may be required to attend a student success workshop or register for another specific course to substitute for the group workshop as determine
    • Students may be required to receive mid-quarter progress reports from instructors
    • Per program-specific requirements, students may be dismissed at this level. See program advisor for details

Academic Dismissal: One (1) Quarter Dismissal: Cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 OR quarterly GPA is less than 2.0 OR students have failed to complete at least 75% of credits enrolled for any four quarters in a six quarter period of attendance.

• Students are administratively withdrawn (if possible, before the first day of classes).
• Students receive information on how to return to the college after their dismissal. To return after a dismissal, students must meet a member of the Academic Standards Committee prior to the start of the quarter for which they wish to return. The student must complete and return the Request for Reinstatement form to the member of the Academic Standards Committee prior to their appointment. If the student fails to meet a member of the Academic Standards Committee, they must wait an additional quarter before requesting to be reinstated.

Any conditions for the student’s return to the college will be set forth at the meeting with the student. Once the plan is finalized, the student will be approved and reinstated to the college and placed on Academic Intervention.

If a student’s cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 but their quarterly GPA is 2.0 or better, the student will remain at their currently assigned academic standards level until their cumulative GPA is at least 2.0.

Excessive Credits

To assist students in the timely completion of their degree and/or certificate program, the college will monitor degree progress at three stages, and provide the following interventions:

Stage 1: When students reach 70% of the number of credits required for their degree/certificate, they will receive direct notification.

• Students will be encouraged to meet with their assigned advisor to review and update an educational plan that assures completion of remaining requirements in a timely manner. Students may also be provided information about preparing for completion of their program of study, graduation, etc.
• Students will receive direct notification providing information about academic standards and progress expectations, and explaining possible consequences of exceeding 125% of the college-level credits required for their degree/certificate.

Stage 2: When students reach 125% of the number of credits required for their degree/certificate, they will receive direct notification.

• Students will be required to meet with their assigned advisor to review and update an educational plan that assures completion of remaining requirements in a timely manner.
• Students will not be allowed to register until this review and update to the educational plan has been completed, after which the registration block will be removed.

Stage 3: When students reach 150% of the number of credits required for their degree/certificate, they will receive direct notification.

• At this 150% tracking point, student’s registration will be blocked on an ongoing basis. Students will need to register in person.
• Registration will be restricted to courses relevant to the student’s educational plan. Students will only be allowed to register for approved courses identified by way of an advisor signature form indicating the courses are required for program completion.
• If the student fails to appeal, or the appeal is denied, and the student petitions to continue their studies at GRC, an additional tuition surcharge could be added to their tuition.

Dismissal Appeal

Dismissal appeals are considered on a case by case basis. Students appealing a dismissal are required to submit a copy of their current degree audit and a copy of their current educational plan (reviewed by their advisor) to the director of advising in their program (e.g., International Programs, Youth Re-Engagement, Running Start, TRiO Student Support Services, Disability Support Service, and/or Career and Advising Center). Additionally, students must submit a statement in writing which a) demonstrates or articulates extenuating circumstances leading up to the dismissal, and b) articulates a plan for success in their future academic pursuits. Students wishing to appeal must contact the director of advising in their program (International Programs, Youth Re-Engagement, Running Start, Career and Advising); appeals will be considered by the Academic Standards Committee.

The Academic Standards Committee may grant the appeal, may allow the student to continue under certain conditions, or may deny the appeal. Students will be notified within 5 business days of a decision. Decisions made by the Academic Standards Committee are final.

Specific Authority:

RCW 28B.10.695

Law Implemented:

2003

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History of Policy or Procedure:

Current Draft: January 16, 2019
First Adopted: April 5, 2005
Revised: August 24, 2012, June 10, 2017, January 16, 2019
Reviewed by: Academic Standards Committee, Student Senate, Student Affairs, President’s Staff
Contact: Director of Career and Advising, ext. 2641
President’s Staff Sponsor: Dr. Deborah Casey, Vice President of Student Affairs, ext. 3328