The Office of College Community Standards (OCCS) coordinates and facilitates the review of students’ academic performance at the end of each academic quarter. This review is performed by the Academic Review Committee, composed of faculty members and staff within the Office of the Dean of Students in the College. Review starts as soon as grades become available and the Academic Review Committee can make an informed, individualized assessment of each student's record.
Students are identified for academic review by an automated process based on the number of courses taken and completed on time, as well as the grades received. In rendering its decision regarding a student's academic standing status, the Committee focuses on the student's academic performance from that quarter; the Committee may also consider other factors such as the student's previous academic performance, progress toward degree, and additional context from instructors, academic advisers, or other Dean of Students staff, when available.
The Understanding Academic Standing Guidance for Students guide is intended to help students better understand academic standing, the academic standing review process, eligibility for academic probation and academic suspension, and the significance of an academic standing change.
In each quarter of enrollment, students must complete, on time (i.e., by the end of the quarter), 300 units of course credit with passing grades with a minimum GPA for that quarter of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing. Incomplete and NGR grades are not considered sufficient for course completion; W grades neither confer credit nor impact GPA. Academic standing is determined by the student's academic performance in each quarter of enrollment for Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Summer Quarters and quarters of non-enrollment (e.g., leaves of absence, disciplinary suspension) do not affect academic standing, whether positively or negatively.
Students on academic probation are not considered to be in good academic standing. A student previously in good standing who misses only one of the criteria for good standing will ordinarily be placed on academic probation for the following quarter. Academic probation is recorded in the student's record but is not notated on the official transcript.
Students who are on academic probation are expected to meet the criteria for good academic standing in the subsequent quarter. Students on academic probation who meet the minimum expectations will be returned to good standing at the end of the quarter.
Students on academic probation who miss any of the criteria for good academic standing will be considered for suspension during academic review at the conclusion of the subsequent quarter. Please note that Incompletes are not sufficient for course completion. Students who are placed on academic probation due to incomplete or outstanding grades in a particular quarter, who later receive quality grades in those courses such that they have 300 credits and a GPA of 2.0 or higher in that quarter, may contact OCCS to request changing their academic standing determination.
For the purpose of determining eligibility to participate in varsity sports, all students eligible to register are considered to be in good standing, regardless of their academic probation status.
Academic suspension is a period of time away from the College, ordinarily for at least two quarters. Students on academic suspension are not considered to be in good academic standing. A student who misses both the GPA and credit criteria in a quarter is eligible for academic suspension, even if their previous record was satisfactory and they began the quarter in good academic standing. A student who begins the quarter on academic probation and who misses at least one of the criteria is eligible for academic suspension.
Academic suspensions provide an opportunity for struggling students to take steps that will enable them to be successful at the College upon their return. It is important that students get support during times of transition. Students placed on academic suspension receive guidance related to wellness, financial aid, housing, and the steps required to return to their studies. That information can also be found in this document.
During their academic suspension, students may not participate in any University activities, including student groups and athletic teams, or hold work-study positions, internships, or campus jobs that are provided or supported by the University. Students may not occupy on-campus housing during their suspension. Students who are on academic suspension are not permitted to transfer in coursework from another institution taken during the period of suspension.
Academic suspension is recorded in the student's record and is permanently notated on the official transcript. Students returning to the College following an academic suspension are automatically placed on academic probation for the quarter in which they re-enroll.
Ordinarily students are expected to successfully complete 1800 units of course work, or the equivalent, by the end of their second year in the College; and to complete 3000 units of course work, or the equivalent, by the end of their third year in the College.
Students who fail to earn the expected units on schedule are considered "behind rate." Students who are behind rate are expected to take four courses in each subsequent quarter, complete pre-approved transfer courses or take courses in the Summer Session so that they may return to a satisfactory completion rate. Students' progress toward their degree may be considered during academic review if the student is eligible for suspension.
Students on financial aid who fail to meet the completion rate (70 percent of registered courses) and GPA requirements, and/or fail to complete nine courses over the academic year, lose their eligibility for financial aid. See the Office of College Aid.
For the purpose of determining eligibility to participate in varsity sports, all students eligible to register are considered to be in good standing.