Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Student Progress Policy developed?
The Washington State Legislature passed legislation in 2003 requiring all of the
state's public colleges and universities to develop policies to ensure that students
complete degree and certificate programs in a timely manner.
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What does the policy say?
Briefly, the Student Progress Policy (Board Policy 4.40.02) says that students are
expected to make satisfactory academic progress while enrolled at the Community
Colleges of Spokane. Satisfactory progress means that students are passing and completing
their coursework and educational programs. The policy is posted for SCC, SFCC and
the IEL on the Board of Trustees policies website, Student Progress
Policy (Board Policy 4.40.02).
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What happens if a student does not make satisfactory academic progress?
Students enrolled at the Community Colleges of Spokane who meet any of the following
criteria will be contacted by college personnel:
-
Minimum Grade Point Average Students who do not maintain a 2.0
grade point average.
-
Credits Earned/Credits Attempted Students who have a pattern
of not successfully completing at least 75% of their courses each quarter.
- Degree/Certificate Completion Students who have taken more
than 125% of the number of required credits for their associate's degree or certificate
program but have not yet completed the program.
College personnel will work with students to develop an educational plan and identify
strategies and resources tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
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Which students do the Student Progress Policy and Procedures affect?
The policy to maintain a minimum grade point average applies to all students. The
other two policies (credits earned/credits attempted and degree/certificate completion)
apply to students enrolled in degree or certificate programs.
Students who are enrolled in special enrollment programs such as High School Completion,
Running Start, certain vocational programs, international students, veterans, and
students receiving financial aid may have different and/or additional academic standard
requirements and appeal processes. Students in these programs should work with their
program counselor or advisor to plan effectively and minimize these impacts as concerns
Student Progress policies.
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How will a student know if (s)he is in violation of a student progress
standard?
Students who are in violation of one or more student progress standards will receive
a letter from the college; it will be sent to the home address that is on record
with the college Registrar's office. The letter will explain what the student needs
to do and resources that are available to help the student meet the student progress
standards in the future.
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What procedure is followed if a student does not maintain a 2.0
grade point average?
-
First Warning - Academic Alert – At SFCC, students whose cumulative grade point
average (GPA) drops below 2.0 for the first time will be placed on "Academic Warning."
They will be sent a letter that encourages them to meet with a faculty advisor,
academic advisor, counselor, or specific program advisor/coordinator. The letter
provides information on support services and explains consequences of continued
low scholarship.
-
Second Warning - Academic Probation -- Students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0
for the past two quarters attended and who do not achieve a 2.0 GPA for the current
quarter are placed on "academic probation". Student are sent a letter notifying
them that a hold has been placed on their registration pending a meeting and the
development of a student success plan with a faculty advisor, academic advisor,
counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator. The letter provides information
on support services and explains consequences of continued low scholarship, including
potential suspension.
- Third Warning - Academic Suspension -- Students whose cumulative GPA is below
2.0 for the past three quarters attended and who do not achieve a 2.0 GPA for the
current quarter are suspended for at least one quarter. Students are sent a letter
notifying them of the terms of their suspension and the appeal process. A hold is
placed on their registration. Students who have already registered will have their
registration cancelled and their tuition and fees refunded. A student may appeal
the suspension through the Academic Appeals Committee. A student may apply for readmission
for the quarter following the suspension period.
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What grades affect the determination of whether a student has successfully
completed a course?
Grades that are considered as evidence of "non-completion" are:
-
I Incomplete
-
Z No Credit
-
W Official Withdrawal
- 0.0 Unsatisfactory
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What does "successfully completing at least 75% of courses each
quarter" mean?
This standard means that a student has not received a grade of 0.7 or above for
75% or more of the credits taken that quarter. For example, if a student signs up
for 15 credits in a quarter and receives a grade of 0.7 or above for all of the
credits, the student would have successfully completed 100% of courses taken that
quarter.
However, if a student signs up for 15 credits in a quarter and receives an I, z,
W or 0.0 for five of those credits, the student would have successfully completed
67% of courses taken that quarter. This student’s performance does not meet the
Student Progress Policy standard.
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What procedure is followed if a student fails to complete at least
75% of their credits each quarter?
-
1st Occurrence -- The first time the student fails to complete 75% of the credits
attempted (Credits Earned/Credits Attempted [Standard II]), a notation is placed
on the student record. No punitive action will result.
-
First Warning -- Students who fail to meet Standard II for a second time within
a 12-quarter period are placed on "First Warning." Students are sent a letter that
provides information on support services and explains the consequences of not completing
75 percent of the credits attempted during a given quarter and encourages them to
meet with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator.
-
Second Warning -- Students who fail to meet Standard II for a third time are placed
on "Second Warning." Students are sent a letter notifying them that a hold has been
placed on their registration pending a meeting and the development of a student
success plan with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor or specific program
advisor/coordinator. The letter provides information on support services and explains
the consequences of not completing 75 percent of credits attempted during a given
quarter, including potential suspension.
- Third Warning - Suspension -- Students who fail to meet Standard II for a fourth
time within a 12-quarter period are suspended for one quarter. Students are sent
a letter notifying them of the terms of their suspension and that a hold has been
placed on their registration. Students who have already registered will have their
registration cancelled and their tuition and fees refunded. A student may appeal
the suspension through the Academic Appeals Committee. A student may apply for readmission
following the one-quarter-suspension period.
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What procedure is followed if students do not make sufficient progress
toward a degree of certificate?
-
Initial Notification -- Students who complete 85 percent of the credits required
for their degree or certificate program receive a letter regarding their progress
towards the completion. The letter encourages students to meet with a faculty advisor,
academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator to develop an
educational plan for completion and informs them of the district's degree/certificate
completion policy.
-
First Warning - Contract for Completion -- Students who complete 125 percent of
the credits required for their degree or certificate without receiving their degree/certificate
receive a letter notifying them that a hold has been placed on their registration
pending a meeting and development of a plan for completion with a faculty advisor,
academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator. The letter
includes information on the district’s policy on degree-certificate completion.
- Second Warning - Specific Action -- Students who complete 150 percent of the credits
required to complete their program will be barred from taking any courses other
than those required to complete their program.
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Where can students find out how many credits are required for their
degree or certificate program?
This information is available in the Community Colleges of Spokane catalog, which
is available online at spokanefalls.edu or in print form at the library or Admissions/Registration
office. Because program requirements can change, students are also encouraged to
confer with their program advisor/coordinator about required credits for their specific
program of study.
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How can students find out their current degree/certificate completion
rate?
If a student knows the number of credits for 100 level courses or above that they
have taken at SFCC and the number of credits required for their degree or certificate
program, they can calculate their completion rate by using the following formula:
|
Completion Rate = |
Credits for 100-level courses or above taken at (college) |
|
|
Credits required to complete a degree or certificate program |
In addition, students can complete a degree audit online or contact either the counseling
center or a program advisor/coordinator to learn how many credits they have earned
toward their degree or certificate program and how many additional credits are needed
for completion. To do an degree audit online, visit Online Services and choose "Do
your own Degree Audit" in the Records and Grades section.
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How many credits would a student have to take to exceed the 125%
degree/certificate completion rate?
The answer depends on the number of credits required for a student's degree or certificate
program. The credits have to have been earned for 100 level courses or above. For
example, the A.A. Degree program requires 90 credits. 125% of 90 = 112.5 credits.
Therefore anything above 112.5 credits exceeds the policy guidelines.
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Do the Student Progress Policy and procedures apply to grades and
credits that were transferred to SCC, SFCC or the IEL?
The Student Progress Policy and procedures only apply to grades and credits taken
at SCC, SFCC, or the IEL. They do not apply to credits taken at other colleges that
are transferred to SCC, SFCC, or the IEL.
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Do the Student Progress Policy and procedures apply to students
who receive multiple degrees or certificates from SCC, SFCC or the IEL?
Students who receive multiple degrees or certificates at SCC or SFCC will be reviewed
for exception. Questions about this issue should be directed to the Counseling Center
and/or their program advisor/coordinator.
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What services and resources are available for students to improve
their academic performance?
A wide array of services and resources is available, including
academic advising, tutoring,
career counseling, childcare
center, New Student Entry Center,
financial aid, and Learning Resource Center (SFCC). Students
are encouraged to contact the counseling or advising centers or their program advisor/coordinator
for assistance in determining which resources would improve their academic performance.
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Who should students contact if they think they might not be making
satisfactory academic progress or if they want assistance achieving their educational
goals?
Please contact the New Student Entry
Center, Counseling Center,
and/or your program advisor/coordinator.
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