Academic Policy

PROBATION/DISMISSAL

Standards for Probation

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Definitions:

(A)       Units attempted: for probation, subject to dismissal, and dismissal purposes only, all units of credit in which the student is enrolled at College of the Canyons.

(B)       Units enrolled: All units of credit for which the student is enrolled after the first four weeks or 30 percent of the time the class is scheduled to meet, whichever is less, at the College.

(C)       Consecutive Semesters: Enrollment in two semesters (fall and spring) or enrollment in one semester, followed by a break, then enrollment in another full semester.  Summer sessions and intersessions shall not be considered when calculating consecutive semesters.

Standards for Progress Probation

Progress Probation: A College student shall be placed on progress probation if the student has enrolled in a total of at least 12 units and the percentage of all units in which a student has enrolled for which entries of W (Withdrawal), I (Incomplete), and NC (No Credit) are recorded reaches or exceeds fifty percent.

Removal of Probation

(A)       Academic probation: A student on academic probation for a grade-point deficiency shall be removed from probation when the student's cumulative grade-point average is 2.0 or higher.

(B)       Progress probation: A student on progress probation, because of excess units for which entries of W (Withdrawal), I (Incomplete), and NC (No Credit) are recorded, shall be removed from probation when the percentage of units in this category drops below fifty percent.

Subject to Dismissal

A student shall be subject to dismissal for academic performance after being placed on probation and having earned a cumulative grade-point average of below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters.

A student shall be subject to dismissal for progress after two consecutive semesters of progress probation as defined above.

Standards for Dismissal

A student shall be dismissed under the following conditions:

(1)        Academic dismissal:  When the student has earned a cumulative grade-point average of less than 2.0 in all units attempted for three consecutive semesters.

(2)        Progress dismissal:  When the cumulative percentage of units in which the student has been enrolled for which entries of W, I, and NC are recorded in at least three consecutive semesters reaches or exceeds fifty percent.

Exceptions to Dismissal

A student who is dismissed may be continued in subject-to-dismissal status under the following conditions:

(1)        Academic:  When, in the most recent semester of enrollment, the student enrolled in at least six new units and earned a semester grade-point average of 2.25 or higher.

(2)        Progress:  When, in the most recent semester, the student completes more than 75 percent of the units in which the student enrolled.

Appeal of Dismissal

A student who has been dismissed and wishes to continue the next semester may submit a written appeal in compliance with the following College procedures: To appeal a dismissal a student may request an appointment with a counselor (or in the case of repeated dismissal, a designated administrator) to review the mitigating circumstances which may have led to the student’s dismissal.

Appeals should be based on the following:

            1.         Evidence, based on the academic record, that subject-to-dismissal status does not reflect the student's usual level of performance.

            2.         Circumstances beyond the control of the student, for example, accident or illness.

            3.         Evidence that the student has enrolled in a prescribed corrective program designed to assist him/her in improving academic skills.

Continuation may be granted, denied, or postponed subject to fulfillment of conditions prescribed by the College. Students are continued in subject-to-dismissal status in accordance with policy 536.7.

Appeal of Probation, Subject to Dismissal, and/or Dismissal

A student, who has been placed on probation, is subject to dismissal, or dismissed may submit a written appeal in compliance with college procedures. Dismissal may be postponed and the student continued subject to dismissal if the student presents evidence of extenuating circumstances or shows significant improvement in academic achievement but has not been able to achieve to a level that would meet the requirements for removal from probation or subject to dismissal status.

Appeals should be based on:

            1.         Evidence, based on the academic record, that subject to dismissal status does not reflect the student's usual level of performance.

            2.         Circumstances beyond the control of the students, for example: accident or illness.

            3.         Evidence that the student has enrolled in a prescribed corrective program designed to assist him/her in improving academic skills.

Re-admission after Dismissal

A student who has been dismissed may request reinstatement after one semester has elapsed (excluding summer sessions and intersessions).  The student shall consult with a counselor, prior to the start of the semester, to formulate a corrective educational plan and to obtain approval to enroll. Students with multiple dismissals may be referred to a designated administrator for a case review.

Re-admission may be granted, denied, or postponed subject to fulfillment of conditions prescribed by the College. Readmitted students are returned in subject-to-dismissal status in accordance with policy 536.7.