Academic Standing

When a student does not maintain adequate academic standing, he/she/they are placed in Academic Warning. If the student's academic standing does not improve, the placement progresses to Academic Probation I. Continued unimproved academic standing moves a student into Academic Probation II, then finally, Academic Suspension. Each stage imposes more structure and limitations on the student in order to help them return to normal academic standing. The intent is not to punish, but to help the student return to normal academic standing and success. Since some of these limitations involve limitations on the number of credit hours, students on Probation or Suspension may be subject to loss of financial aid. It is the responsibility of the student to determine the impact of their changed academic standing on their financial aid. Notification to students of academic warning, probation, or suspension appears on the student’s grade report at the end of each grading period.

Academic Warning

Issued only once, the first time a student's cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 while in good academic standing. The Registrar's Office will send the student a notification detailing the consequences should the cumulative grade point remain below a 2.0 at the conclusion of the semester. A student on Academic Warning remains eligible for all extracurricular activities as governed by the rules of the specific activity. While under Academic Warning the following restrictions apply:
1. The student cannot enroll in more than 15 hours of coursework during the semester.
2. The student may be required to enroll in a 3-credit hour special study skills/time management course specifically designed for students on Academic Warning, or an equivalent course approved by the appropriate department chair or VPAA.
3. Students may be required to enter into a contract with their advisor, approved by their department head that places further stipulations on Academic Warning. The contract may include, but is not limited to the following:
• The student may be required to take at least one repeat course to try to improve their GPA.
• Except for the special study skills/time management course, the student’s coursework may be restricted to their major.
• The student may be required to get tutoring help.
• The student may be required to see an academic counselor on a specified time schedule.
• The number of credit hours a student may register for may be restricted (due to extenuating circumstances such as the student’s workload commitments).
The department chair or VPAA may place the student on Academic Probation I should the student not adhere to the stipulations of the contract.
If the student’s semester GPA is less than a 2.0, and the cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0 at the end of the semester on Academic Warning, the student is placed on Academic Probation I. If the semester GPA is greater than 2.0 but the cumulative GPA is still less than 2.0, the student will remain on Academic Warning. If the cumulative GPA is greater than a 2.0 at the end of the semester then the student is returned to good academic standing.

Academic Probation I

This occurs when a student under Academic Warning has a semester GPA less than 2.0, and the cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 at the conclusion of the semester or if the student maintains a semester GPA greater than 2.0 while on Academic Probation I but the cumulative GPA is still less than 2.0. Academic Probation I will also occur if a student falls below a 2.0 cumulative GPA from Good Academic Standing if Academic Warning already occurred in a previous term.

Under Academic Probation I the following conditions apply:

1. The student cannot enroll in more than 13 hours of coursework during the semester. Note: Students falling below 12 credits in any one semester will jeopardize their financial aid. Should this occur, students should see the department chair in their college as soon as possible to try to implement corrective measures.
2. The student may enter into a contract or individualized education plan with their advisor and approved by the department chair or VPAA that place further stipulations on Academic Probation I. The department chair or VPAA may place the student on Academic Probation II or Academic Suspension should the student not adhere to the stipulations of the contract.
3. Students on Academic Probation receiving educational benefits from the Veterans’ Administration must obtain counseling from the Military & Veterans Programs Office.
4. Students admitted under special provisions whose transcripts indicate less than a 2.0 GPA are admitted on Academic Probation I.
The student must maintain a semester GPA equal to or greater than 2.0 until such time that the cumulative GPA is greater than 2.0 at which time the student goes back to good academic standing. Until the transition happens the student remains on Academic Probation I. The student will be placed on Academic Probation II if he/she is unable to maintain a semester GPA, and the cumulative remains below a 2.0 GPA, while under Academic Probation I. A student on Academic Probation I remains eligible for all extracurricular activities as governed by the rules of the specific activity.

Academic Probation II

Academic Probation II is issued in two ways.

• The first is when a student falls below a semester 2.0 GPA and the cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0 while on Academic Probation I.
• The second is when a student maintains a semester GPA greater than
2.0 while on Academic Probation II but the cumulative GPA is still less than 2.0.
The following restrictions are in place for students in Academic Probation II:
1. The student cannot enroll in more than 7 credit hours of coursework during the semester.
2. As with rule 2 under Academic Warning and Academic Probation I and at the discretion of the department chair or VPAA, the student will be required to enter into a contract with their advisor, approved by the department chair or VPAA, to place further stipulations on Academic Probation II

The department chair or VPAA may place the student on Academic Suspension should the student not adhere to the stipulations of the contract.

The student must maintain a semester 2.0 GPA or higher until the cumulative GPA reaches a 2.0 or higher at which time they are placed on good academic standing. A student unable to maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, and the cumulative remains below 2.0 GPA, while under Probation II will be placed on Academic Suspension. A student on Academic Probation II remains eligible for all extracurricular activities as governed by the rules of the specific activity.

Continuing in Probationary Status

Students may continue to enroll while on Academic Probation I or II provided they maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher. If they withdraw from the college while on Academic Probation, they continue on that same level of Academic Probation.

Removal of Academic Probation

Such academic standing is removed when the cumulative GPA is raised to 2.0 or higher, with the following exceptions:
1. a transfer student may not remove probation by summer work alone;
2. if an I grade is removed after the student has enrolled, the new grade’s effect on academic standing is based on its inclusion with grades for the term for which the student is enrolled;
3. exercise of the Adjusted Credit Option does not change academic status until subsequent grades are earned.

Academic Suspension

When a student does not achieve a semester 2.0 GPA or higher, and the cumulative remains below a 2.0 while under Academic Probation II, they are placed on Academic Suspension. Students under Academic Suspension are not allowed to take SENMC courses while under suspension. Students on Academic Suspension must sit out a minimum of 1 semester and apply for re-admission.

Under certain conditions, a student may be re-admitted at SENMC under regular status while under Academic Suspension when satisfactory progress has been demonstrated at another college or college (see Readmission- Degree Seeking). Credits earned at another college while under Academic Suspension from SENMC or another college will be accepted at SENMC only after the student demonstrates satisfactory progress over a period of two semesters after being re-admitted or admitted to SENMC. Acceptance of transfer credits that count toward degree requirements is still governed by the rules established by the student’s respective department.

Summer Attendance Impact on Academic Standing

A student may use summer classes to try to get warning or probationary status removed. Students suspended at the close of the spring semester may have their Academic Suspension rescinded if they attend summer session. Such attendance must raise the combined spring semester and summer GPA to 2.0 or better. Under no circumstances may a student on Academic Warning or Academic Probation be allowed to register for an overload. The current academic status is continued if the student withdraws from the college and the probation or suspension status applies to all subsequent enrollments until the cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.