Academic Standing

A student shall be placed on academic probation if they have attempted a minimum of 12 semester units of work and has a grade point average of less than a "C" (2.0). 

A student shall be placed on progress probation if they have enrolled in a total of at least 12 semester units and the percentage of all units in which the student has enrolled, for which entries of "W," "I," "NC," and “NP” were recorded reaches or exceeds 50 percent. 

A student who is placed on probation may submit an appeal in accordance with procedures to be established by the Superintendent/President.

Notification of Probation

Each student is entitled to be notified of their academic difficulty and the availability of college support services to respond to the academic difficulty before the student is dismissed. Notification will consist, at a minimum, of the following: At the end of the semester in which the student has attempted at least 12 cumulative units and the student’s grade point average falls below 2.0 in all units graded, a notice that the student is on academic probation shall be sent via email to the student’s college email address informing them that they are on academic probation. “All units graded” is defined as all units of credit for which the student attempted at Cuesta College.

A student on academic probation shall be removed from probation when the student's accumulated grade point average is 2.0 or higher. A student on progress probation shall be removed from probation when the percentage of units in the categories of "W," "I," "NC," and “NP” drops below 50 percent.

If the percentage of a student’s recorded entries of “W,” “I,”, “NC” and “NP” reaches or exceeds 50% of all units in which a student has enrolled, the student shall be placed on progress probation.

The email sent to the student’s college email address notifying the student of probation will cover, at a minimum, the significance of being on probation and description of the services available.

A student who is on academic probation shall be subject to dismissal if the student has earned a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in all units attempted in each of three consecutive semesters. A student who has been placed on progress probation shall be subject to dismissal if the percentage of units in which the student has been enrolled for which entries of “W,” “I,” “NC,” and “NP” are recorded in at least three consecutive semesters reaches or exceeds fifty percent (50%).

Notification of Dismissal

An email sent to the student’s college email address notifying the student that they are subject to dismissal will cover, at a minimum, reference to this procedure, explanation of what dismissal means, procedure for reinstatement, and procedure to appeal the dismissal.

Appeal of Dismissal

The student has the right to appeal a proposed dismissal action if the student feels that facts exist that warrant an exception to the dismissal action. The student must file the written petition of appeal to the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services or designee within 10 working days after the dismissal email was sent. If the student fails to file a written petition within the 10 working day period, the student waives all future rights to appeal the dismissal action. It is the student's responsibility to indicate on the petition a clear statement of the grounds on which continued enrollment should be granted and to provide evidence supporting the reasons. Petitions will be reviewed by the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services or designee.

The student will be continued on probation until the Chief Student Services Officer or designee decides on the student's appeal.

The decision of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services and College Centers or designee will be communicated to the student in writing by the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services and College Centers or designee. The Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services and College Centers or designee will notify the student of their decision within five working days of receipt of the student's appeal. The student may appeal the decision of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services and College Centers or designee in writing to the Superintendent/President or designee, within five working days of the date of notification of the decision of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services and College Centers or designee. The decision of the Superintendent/President or designee is final.

If the dismissal appeal is granted, the student will be continued on probation for an additional semester. At the end of the additional semester, the student’s academic record will again be evaluated to determine whether the student may be removed from probation, should be dismissed, or should be continued on probation.

Fall Dismissals: Special circumstances exist for dismissals after the Fall semester due to the fact that students traditionally enroll before Fall grades are available. Subject to dismissal emails will be sent no later than January informing students that:

• If they are enrolled in the Spring semester, they will be permitted to continue on probation. Dismissal status will be reevaluated at the end of the Spring semester. 
• If they are not enrolled in the Spring semester, they have the right to appeal dismissal in accordance with the appeal process.

Procedure for Fall Dismissal Appeals: Appeals for students subject to dismissal as a result of the fall grades must be filed following notification within 10 working days. The following conditions apply: 

• Students who are enrolled in the spring semester will not be required to file an appeal but will be allowed to continue on probation and have their dismissal status reevaluated at the end of the spring semester. 
• Students who have not enrolled in the spring semester will be dismissed unless an appeal is granted in accordance with procedures set above.

Dismissal appeals may be granted under the following circumstances:

• If the dismissal determination is based on the academic record for one semester in which the record does not reflect the student's usual level of performance due to accident, illness, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. Verification should be submitted with the appeal. 
• The student enrolls in a corrective program designed to assist him/her in improving academic skills, such as obtaining academic counseling, and/or limiting course load.
• When there is evidence of significant improvement in academic achievement.

A student who has been dismissed may request reinstatement by entering into a corrective program designed to assist them in improving academic performance including but not limited to academic counseling, personal counseling, or limiting course load.  

In considering whether or not students may be re-admitted after a dismissal and two semesters absence, the following criteria should be considered:        

• Documented extenuating circumstances (considered during appeal). 
• Marked improvement between the semesters on which disqualification was based.
• Semesters on which disqualification was based were atypical of past academic performance. 
• Formal or informal educational experiences since completion of semesters on which disqualification was based.
• Improved GPA as a result of grade changes, fulfillment of incomplete courses, or academic renewal.

Readmission may be granted, denied, or postponed according to criteria contained in administrative procedures. The Superintendent/President shall develop procedures for the implementation of this policy that comply with the Title 5 requirements.