5032 Academic Standards Procedure

Policy

Policy Name:   Academic Standards 

Policy Number: 5032    

Applicable Code/Law: RCW 28B.10.695 

Definitions:  

Units Attempted - Includes courses that appear on students’ transcripts, excluding those with H, I, N, W, or Z status. Appropriate support is offered to students who do not meet the Academic Standards, as defined below.  

Meeting Academic Standards - Earn a quarterly grade point average of 2.0 or higher and pass (get credit for) at least half of attempted units. Grades of P and decimal grades of 0.7 and higher count as passing since credit is granted for those grades.  

Not Meeting Academic Standards - Earn a quarterly grade point average of less than 2.0 or do not pass (get credit for) at least half of attempted units. Grades of NP and 0.0 count as not passing since no credit is granted for those grades.  

Academic Alert - A student is considered to be “on academic alert” if they are in any stage of Academic Standards. 

Procedural Guidelines:  

Each quarter a grade report will be used to determine whether students are meeting academic standards or are currently on academic alert.  

Stage 1: Notice  

A student who earns a quarterly grade point average of less than 2.0 or does not pass at least half of their attempted units is placed on Academic Alert.  

Students shall be notified by the College via email that they have not met academic standards and that they are advised to seek assistance. A list of college resources may be included.  

Stage 2: Academic Intervention  

A student who earns a quarterly grade point average of less than 2.0 or does not pass at least half of their attempted units for a second consecutive quarter is placed on Academic Intervention. 

Students shall be notified by the College via email that they are not meeting academic standards and that they are required to seek assistance. A registration hold will be placed on their account, and they will be required to meet with a designated faculty advisor (general advisor, International Education advisor, program advisor, etc.) to develop specific steps to improve their academic performance and determine appropriate support services. These steps and services may include, but are not limited to, the following:  

  •  Completion of an academic self-assessment  
  • Development of an academic plan, as determined by an advisor  
  • Meeting with an academic success coach  
  • Participation in tutoring services  
  • Counseling services  
  • Reduced unit load 

Stage 3: Academic Restriction  

A student who earns a quarterly grade point average of less than 2.0 or does not pass at least half of their attempted units for a third consecutive quarter is placed on Academic Restriction.  

Students shall be notified by the College via email that they have not met academic standards. A registration hold will remain on their account. Academic restrictions will be determined by the Chief Academic Officer or designee and may include, but are not limited to, the following:  

  • Reduced unit load  
  • Suspension  
  • Continuation of previously required steps and/or services  

Students will remain on Academic Restriction until improvements are made. Once academic standards have been met for one quarter, all holds and restrictions will be removed and the student will no longer be on Academic Alert.  

Students who are suspended may complete and submit a Petition for Reinstatement to the Chief Academic Officer or designee. Readmitted students will remain at Stage 3, Academic Restriction, until they meet academic standards. 

Reviewed and Approved by Executive Team: 06/23/2026