Academic Standards

 Effective Spring Term 2010, student absences will be recorded from the first day the class meets. Regular and punctual attendance in all classes and laboratories, day and evening, is required. Students who are absent for any reason should always consult with their instructors. Course syllabi must provide specific information regarding attendance, including, for courses involving the internet, online activity that constitutes “attendance.” 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 for nonattendance.

Course instructors establish policy with regard to attendance in their respective syllabi and may drop a student for excessive absences.  Absences are 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 stop attending class for any reason should contact the instructor and the college registrar to officially withdraw from the class. Students may be required to consult with an advisor 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 Admissions and Records Office.

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

Grading System

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)
• WX (withdrawal exemption)
• WM (military withdrawal)
• CR (non-traditional credit only)
• AU (audit)
• P (pass)

*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

The “IP” grade 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 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.

Grade Availability

Students may access their grades online after the grade submission deadline, which is approximately one (1) week after the last day of finals.

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 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 Student Responsibilities & 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, WX, WM, IP, CR, NC, AU – not computed in GPA
• I – incomplete grade carries 0 quality points per semester credit hour; GPA recalculated upon completion of required work
• 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, WX, WM, IP, CR, NC, 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.

Enrollment: Registered, paid, and officially registered through the semester’s withdrawal date.

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.

For comprehensive information on grading and credit see online at http://netapps.alamo.edu/policysearch/disfiles.aspx?l=ega(legal).

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. 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 the WEB for Students.

Good Standing

• Minimum 2.0 GPA, per semester/session and overall GPA, including developmental courses. Two (2) summer sessions equal one (1) semester.

Academic Probation

• Students who begin any semester/session 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’ PALS email addresses.
• Students may re-enroll for one (1) semester/session after meeting with an advisor.
• Student status is evaluated after each semester/session. Students must earn a semester/session GPA of 2.0 or higher to remain enrolled.
• Upon completion of above requirements any appropriate Academic Hold will be cleared on student records.
• Academic Probation status is removed when students earn both a current and a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

Continued Academic Probation

• After the first (1) semester/session of Academic Probation Status, students may re-enroll at the Alamo Colleges on a Continued Academic Probation status after meeting with an advisor.
• Student status is evaluated after each completed semester/session. Students must meet minimum academic (2.0 GPA) standards for each subsequent semester/session.
• The Continued Academic Probation status is removed when students earn both a current and a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

Academic Dismissal (First or Second Academic Dismissal)

• If students on Academic Probation or Continued Academic Probation fail to earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or fail to earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the next semester/session following the probation status, they will be placed on Academic Dismissal. Students placed on Academic Dismissal will receive written notification from the Alamo Colleges.
• After remaining out for one (1) semester for each of the First or Second Academic Dismissals, students may re-enter on Academic Probation only after receiving advisement.
• Students re-admitted must earn a semester GPA of 2.0 GPA overall or higher to remain enrolled.
• Students who wish to remain in school may petition for an exception. Exceptions granted will be re-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.
• Students placed on Academic Dismissal for the third (3) time will not be allowed to enroll for one (1) calendar year.

In addition to the policy above, students may 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.

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 policy outlined above.

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 may be made for re-admission. The Enrollment Services/Admission and Records office can provide information and deadlines on the petition process.

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

In addition to the policy above, students may 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.

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.

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 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. Grades earned during the Summer sessions or 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

• 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.
• Presidents’ 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.
• Presidents’ 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 is held each Fall to recognize students’ achievements from the previous Fall and Spring semesters.