Academic Standards

Attendance

Policy: Student Responsibility for Success

Academic success is directly tied to the effort students put into their studies, the degree to which they interact with faculty and peers, and the extent to which they integrate into the campus life. Attendance has a significant impact on performance, and attendance during the first week is integral to success. Regular and punctual attendance in all classes and laboratories is required.

SmartStart. Student absences will be recorded from the first day the class meets, and beginning Fall 2014, students who do not attend the first scheduled class meeting or contact the instructor will be dropped. Students should verify the drop is completed. 

For fully online courses, an attendance verification activity is assigned and must be completed by the 3rd class day.

Ongoing Attendance. Course instructors establish policy with regard to attendance in their respective syllabi and may drop a student for excessive absences.  Absences may be considered excessive when more than 12.5 percent of the total contact hours of instruction in a semester, including lecture and lab, are missed.  For example, in a three-credit-hour lecture class, students may be dropped after more than six contact hours of absences. In a four-credit-hour lecture/lab class, students may be dropped after more than eight contact hours of absences.  Absences are counted regardless of whether they occur consecutively. In special programs with additional accreditation or certification standards, additional attendance requirements may be enforced but faculty must clearly explain these policies in their syllabi.

Students who are absent for any reason should always consult with their instructors. Also, both tardiness and early departure from class may be considered forms of absenteeism. In all cases, students will be held responsible for completion of course requirements covered in their absence. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to drop a course if s/he can  no longer attend according to the instructor’s course policy.

Students who stop attending class for any reason should contact the instructor and Enrollment/ Admissions and Records office to officially withdraw from the class. Students may be required to consult with a faculty member or designee before dropping. Failure to officially withdraw may result in a failing grade for the course. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from a class by submitting a completed Withdrawal Form to the Enrollment Services/Admissions and Records office.

Students receiving financial aid or any other external financial support should review and understand that dropping or being withdrawn from a course may impact eligibility for future awards.

The following table shows the number of missed class meetings that make up an absence rate approximating 12.5%.

Grades

Grading System

Course instructors establish grading policy in their respective syllabi. Permanent grades are recorded only at the end of each semester/session. The grades used are:

• A   (excellent/exceptional performance)
• B   (above average)
• C   (average)
• D   (below average/pass)
• F    (failure)
• I    (incomplete) *
• IP  (in-progress) **
• NC (non-credit)
• W  (withdrawal)
• WS (withdrawal, SB 1231)
• WX (withdrawal exemption, SB 1231)
• WM (military withdrawal)
• CR  (non-traditional credit only)
• AU  (audit)
• P    (pass)
• NR  (not recorded)

*Incomplete Grades

The conditional grade of “I” may be issued to a student having a passing average on all completed coursework but for a justified reason, such as illness or death in the family or by providential hindrance, has been prevented from taking the final examination or completing other required coursework. The “I” becomes an “F” in one hundred twenty (120) calendar days from the end of the term unless the student completes the balance of the coursework with a performance grade of “D” or higher. Re-enrollment in the course will not resolve the “I.”

**In-Progress Grades

A final grade of “IP” may be assigned to students who have not adequately mastered developmental course content during a given semester or term yet who, in the instructor’s judgment, have the potential to successfully complete the coursework. The only way to receive a passing grade in a course for which an “IP” grade has been recorded is to re-register for the course and earn a grade of “C” or better at the end of the semester or term in which the re-registration occurs.

Midterm Grades

Faculty will post midterm grades to keep students informed of their progress. Midterm grades may be viewed online through ACES. Midterm grades are for informational purposes only and not final grades of record.

Grade Availability

At the end of the term, students for whom no final  grade is posted by the faculty will have a grade of NR (Not Recorded) assigned. Students should follow up with their instructor or, should the instructor not be available, the department chair regarding questions about grades.

Grade Changes

A student has a maximum of one (1) year from the end of the semester or term in which the final grade was issued to request a review of the grade or petition for a change of grade. The responsibility for determining all grades and for judging the quality of academic performance in a course rests with the instructor assigned to the course. A student who believes that the grade received is incorrect should schedule a conference with the instructor and provide supporting documentation to resolve the issue. Grade changes require the approval of the instructor and the respective department chair. When the instructor cannot be located in a timely manner by the student and the department chair, the student’s grade appeal can be initiated with the department chair.

If students are not satisfied with an instructor’s decision, they may initiate an Academic Grievance within five (5) days of the instructor’s decision. See Academic Grievance Procedure in District, State and Federal Regulations  .

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is computed by assigning quality values to each grade as follows:

• A - 4 quality points per semester credit hour
• B - 3 quality points per semester credit hour
• C - 2 quality points per semester credit hour
• D - 1 quality point per semester credit hour
• F - 0 quality points per semester credit hour
• W, WM, WS, WX, IP, CR, NC, NR, AU - not computed in GPA
• I - incomplete grade carries 0 quality points per semester credit hour; GPA recalculated upon completion of required work (See Incomplete Grades section in this catalog)
• IP - final grade for developmental courses — not computed in GPA
• P - Continuing Education Completer (program-specific)

The GPA is derived by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of semester credit hours attempted (not including W, WM, WS, WX, IP, CR, NC, NR, AU) for which grades have been received. The average is based on all semester and term coursework.

Calculating the GPA:

1. Multiply the number of semester credit hours each course is worth by the quality points earned.
2. Add these values.
3. Divide this sum by the number of semester credit hours attempted.

Repetition of courses: Once a course is repeated the highest grade earned will be the one recorded in the GPA. Other colleges and universities may not follow this practice. Students planning to transfer to another institution should check with that institution concerning its repeat policy for admissions criteria.

Academic Standing and Probation

Acceptable scholastic performance, also known as Good Standing, is based upon student progress toward successful course and program completion. The components used to compute Academic Standing are GPA and course completion. The Alamo Colleges honor the academic standing in place at the last institution attended (dismissal, probation, etc.)

Procedures are developed to positively intervene on behalf of students in order that they may maintain Good Academic Standing. Students are advised to check their status through their ACES accounts. (See Adds, Drops and Withdrawals , which also covers the Three-Peat Enrollment and Six Course Drop Rulings.)

Good Standing

• Minimum overall GPA, including developmental courses. Good Standing is affected if overall GPA falls below 2.0 at any time and student begins process defined below.
• Academic standing is run at the end of a full fall, spring, or summer term, not a shorter part of term such as Flex I, Start II, Maymester, Summer I, etc.

Academic Probation

• Students who begin any semester term in Good Academic Standing but fail to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are placed on Academic Probation. Notification of probationary status is communicated electronically through students’ ACES email addresses.
• Students may re-enroll for one (1) semester term after meeting with counseling/advising services.
• Students may be limited to a maximum approved course load. Students may be required to enroll in SDEV 0171, Strategies for Success, designed to teach proven strategies for academic success.
• Students must earn a “C” or higher in all courses registered for during the semester approved to remain enrolled while on Academic Probation. Student status is evaluated after each semester term.
•  If the above requirements are met any appropriate Academic Hold will be waived on student records.
• Academic Probation status is waived when students earn both term and cumulative 2.0 GPA, otherwise enrollment status will be Continued Academic Probation.

Continued Academic Probation

• After the first (1) semester term of Academic Probation Status, students may re-enroll at the Alamo Colleges on a Continued Academic Probation status after meeting with counseling/advising services.
• Students may be limited to a maximum approved course load. Students may be required to enroll in SDEV 0171, Strategies for Success, designed to teach proven strategies for academic success. Students must earn a “C” or higher in all courses registered for during the semester approved to remain enrolled while on Continued Academic Probation.
• Student status is evaluated after each completed semester/session.
• The Continued Academic Probation status is removed when students earn both term and cumulative 2.0 GPA. If the student does not meet the minimum academic standards for the semester enrolled, the student is placed on Academic Dismissal at all Alamo Colleges.

Academic Dismissal (First or Second Academic Dismissal)

• If students on Academic Probation or Continued Academic Probation do not earn a semester term GPA of 2.0 or do not earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the next semester term following the probation status, they will be placed on Academic Dismissal and must remain out for one full fall or spring semester. Students placed on Academic Dismissal will receive notification from the Alamo Colleges via their ACES email .
• After remaining out for one (1) full fall or spring semester term for each of the First or Second Academic Dismissals, students must petition for registration. Upon readmission, students will be limited to a maximum approved course load of seven (7) semester hours including the required SDEV 0171, Strategies for Success course designed to teach proven strategies for academic success.
• Students will be enrolled under the status of Continued Academic Probation and must achieve and maintain a minimum of “C” or higher in all courses registered for during the semester approved for enrollment. For students on Continued Academic Probation, the maximum student course load on subsequent semesters will be based on the student’s academic progress and may not exceed 12 semester hours.
• Students who wish to enroll and not remain out a fall or spring semester may petition for an exception and must complete the academic dismissal petition process. Exceptions granted will be enrolled under the status of Continued Academic Probation.
• Students may re-enroll in Good Standing if minimum academic standards have been met at another accredited college or university during the period of dismissal.
• Academic Probation and Continued Academic Probation status is removed when students earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

Students who were placed on Academic Dismissal or Academic Suspension at their previous institutions and are seeking to transfer to the Alamo Colleges must follow the policies outlined above.

Submitting an Academic Dismissal petition does not guarantee registration. In addition, denial of a petition at one Alamo College applies to all Alamo Colleges.

Academic Dismissal (Third Academic Dismissal)

A student on Academic Dismissal for a third (3) time or more will not be permitted to enroll in the Alamo Colleges for one (1) calendar year after which a petition for registration must be made. After remaining out the required length of time, students must submit their petition and typed reflection statement to their selected college by the set deadlines. They will also be required to meet with an appropriate college representative.

In addition to the policies above, students will be required to reduce their course loads and/or enroll in a college success course that is designed to teach proven strategies for academic success.

Academic Probation and Continued Academic Probation status is removed when students earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

Deadline to Submit Petition for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Academic Dismissal

Petitions for exception to the Academic Dismissal process must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the first day of classes for the semester or term.

Veterans and Their Dependents

Alamo Colleges’ students receiving the national Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) educational benefits must meet the following minimum academic standards:

• Students receiving DVA educational benefits must maintain 2. 0 cumulative GPA to be considered as making Satisfactory Progress.
• Students failing to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on probation for one (1) semester. If students maintain at least a 2.0 GPA during the probationary period but do not meet the required 2.0 cumulative GPA, they may be placed on probation for another semester.
• Students failing to maintain a 2.0 semester GPA at the end of the first (1) probationary period will be reported to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO) as making Unsatisfactory Progress.
• Students failing to maintain the required 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of a second (2) consecutive probationary period will be reported to the VARO as making Unsatisfactory Progress.
• The last activities recorded in the instructor’s record book will be reported by the Alamo Colleges’ Office of Veterans Affairs to the DVA as of the last date of attendance.

Eligibility for Participation in College-Sponsored Programs and Events

A student placed on Academic Probation during any semester may not participate in public activities of the Alamo Colleges, represent the Alamo Colleges in meetings or on competitive teams of the Alamo Colleges, or hold club or class office. In addition, a student having earned credit must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 in order to be a member of and participate in any student organization authorized by the Alamo Colleges.

Honors

Honors are granted students who earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in addition to a current semester GPA of 3.5 or higher in their Fall or Spring semesters at the Alamo Colleges. The Honors will be awarded by the student’s home college. Grades earned for developmental courses beginning with the number zero (0) are not considered in Honors calculations.

The appropriate notations appear on the official and unofficial permanent record (transcript) but will not appear online.

Honors Calculations (includes classes taken at all of the Alamo Colleges)

• Honors: Students enrolled for twelve (12) or more semester credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and a semester GPA of 3.5-3.99.
• President’s Honors: Students enrolled for twelve (12) or more semester credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a semester GPA of 4.0.
• Part-Time Honors: Students enrolled for six (6) to eleven (11) semester credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and a semester GPA of 3.5-3.99.
• President’s Part-Time Honors: Students enrolled for six (6) to eleven (11) semester credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a semester GPA of 4.0.

An Honors Convocation may be held annually to recognize students’ achievements.