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, prior to and exempt from SB 1231)
• 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, 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 and Academic Refresher Courses — not computed in GPA
• P - Continuing Education Completer or Academic Refresher Courses (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 component used to compute Academic Standing is GPA. 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 determined at the end of the fall, spring, or summer term, to include Flex I/II, Maymester, Summer I/II, and mini-session courses.

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 be required to meet with advising services prior to enrollment in subsequent semesters.
• Students may be limited to a maximum approved course load. Students may be advised to enroll in SDEV 0171, Strategies for Success, designed to teach proven strategies for academic success.
•  If the above requirements are met any appropriate Academic Hold will be waived on student records.
• Academic Probation status is removed when students earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA; otherwise, enrollment status will be Continued Academic Probation.
• Students who fail to earn a minimum term GPA of a 2.0 while on Academic Probation may be placed on Academic Dismissal.

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 of six to eight (6-8) semester hours. Students may be advised to enroll in SDEV 0171, Strategies for Success, designed to teach proven strategies for academic success. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 during the semester approved to continue enrollment in subsequent terms while on Continued Academic Probation.
• Student status is evaluated after each completed semester/session.
• The Continued Academic Probation status is removed when students earn a 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.
• If students on Academic Probation or Continued Academic Probation show academic progression and earn a semester term GPA of 2.0 or higher while their cumulative GPA is still below 2.0 in the next semester term following the probation status, students will continue in a continued probationary status until their cumulative GPA is a 2.0 or higher which would then place them back in good Academic Standing.

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 and 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.
• Students returning from their 1st or 2nd Academic Dismissal will enroll as Continued Academic Probation in the next semester term(s) until their cumulative GPA is a 2.0 or higher. Students must maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 or higher to continue their eligibility for enrollment. If students do not maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, they may be placed back on Dismissal status and be required to sit out.
• 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 six to eight (6-8) semester hours including the required SDEV 0171, Strategies for Success course designed to teach proven strategies for academic success. Students will also be required to meet with an appropriate college representative.
• Students will be enrolled under the status of Academic Dismissal and must achieve and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 during the semester approved for enrollment. The maximum student course load during 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. Students granted an exception will be re-enrolled.
• Students may re-enroll if minimum academic standards have been met at another accredited college or university during the period of dismissal.
• Academic Dismissal 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) academic 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 Dismissal 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 by the stated deadline. Please see your primary college for specific deadlines.

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 to students who earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 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.