ACADEMIC PROCED_Academic Standards Criteria

Academic Standards Criteria

Satisfactory Progress:

Students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress during their enrollment at the college. See Appendix XI of College Catalog for Board Policy 3.8 Satisfactory Academic Progress (includes Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Student Financial Aid Recipients).

Student Academic Standing:

To remain eligible for continued enrollment, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) equal to or above the minimum stated in the Academic Standards Criteria listed below. A student’s combined academic standing is determined based on cumulative credit hours, overall GPA, and progress evaluation:

Written Warning:

What it means: Student’s cumulative grade point average is low, and the student is at risk of continued poor performance at the college. (See chart for explanation.)

Result: A student is limited to 4 courses totaling no more than 13 credit hours including any required remedial courses. Students in this standing should seek additional advising, tutoring or other help that is available at the college. Please contact the Academic Support Center (LH-L152), or the Advising & Student Success Center (LH-L112) for further assistance. (See chart for explanation.)

GPA Probation:

What it means: Student’s cumulative grade point average has fallen below the required level. (See chart for explanation)

Result: A student is limited to 2 courses totaling no more than 7 credit hours including any required remedial courses. If the student has registered for more than 2 courses, he or she must contact the Advising & Student Success Center (LH-L112) immediately or student’s course load may be automatically reduced.

Progress Probation:

What it means: Student has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of 50% of student¹s class credits and is not making satisfactory progress towards the completion of his or her coursework, degree, and/or certificate. Grades of “F”, “F#”, “W”, “N” and “N#” are considered unsatisfactory completions and can result in a student being placed into Progress Probation status. (See chart for explanation.)

Result: A student is limited to 4 courses totaling no more than 13 credit hours including any required remedial courses. If student has registered for more than 4 courses, student must contact the Advising & Student Success Center (LH-L112) immediately or student’s course load may be automatically reduced.

GPA and Progress Probation:

What it means: Students who are on both GPA and Progress probation should read the two descriptions above. (See chart for explanation.)

Result: A student is limited to 2 courses totaling no more than 7 credit hours including any required remedial courses. If the student has registered for more than 2 courses, he or she must contact the Advising & Student Success Center (LH-L112) immediately or student’s course load may be automatically reduced.

GPA Suspension (prohibits registration):

What it means: Student’s accumulated credits and cumulative grade point average are below the required level. Students who have been placed on GPA Probation for one semester and who have not attained the overall GPA to move back into good standing are placed on GPA suspension. (See chart for explanation.)

Result: The student is suspended and is not permitted to register for classes at Housatonic for the upcoming semester without prior approval. If student has already registered for the upcoming semester, the student will be automatically dropped from all classes one week before the start of classes.

Progress Probation and GPA Suspension (prohibits registration):

Description: Students who are on both Progress Probation and GPA Suspension should read the two descriptions above. (See chart for explanation.)

Result: A student is not permitted to register for classes at Housatonic for the upcoming semester without prior approval. If student has already registered for the upcoming semester, he or she will be automatically dropped from all classes one week before the start of classes.

Plan of Action for Students on Academic Probation/ Suspension

Every January 1st and June 1st,  all Probationary students are sent a letter from the Academic Dean’s Office delivered by mail to their homes notifying them of their Probationary status. The letter states:

When Probationary students visit The Advising and Student Success Office …

Students will:

1. Fill out a Probationary Plan for Success worksheet
2. Have a full conversation with an advisor about their academic history, the student’s need and recommendations for attainment of good standing moving forward
3. If applicable and available, be given list of workshops offered for the semester also available on housatonic.edu

Advisors will:

1. Fill out Max Credit Hours form with brief explanation of courses suggested and/or notable comments
    - In the case that a student’s credits have been taken away, hours will be increased starting at no more than 7 hours max unless otherwise discussed and noted
2. Enter comments in Banner

What happens when a letter is returned?

We try to reach out to the student by email, phone or locating them based on their course schedule.

What happens when there is no address in Banner?

We try to reach out to the student by email, phone or locating them based on their course schedule.