Final Updates and Corrections 5-15-17

May 5, 2017

FINAL UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS 5-15-17

TO: Paul Tiskus, Chair, CAPP

FROM: Holly L. Shadoian, AVP, Academic Affairs

Patrice Mettauer, Director, OASIS,

CC: Tamecka Hardmon, Director, Records

Ken Ferus, Director of Financial Aid

RE: Proposal to adopt a standards for academic standing

PROPOSAL:

We recommend that Rhode Island College adopt the following statement on good academic standing:

Rhode Island College defines good academic standing for undergraduate students as a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. Professional programs and some majors have additional and/or higher academic standards which the student must meet at specific intervals.

Recommended implementation date: Fall, 2017

Background:

· There is no statement or policy in the College catalog, Manual on Academic Policies and Procedures, or on the web that defines a standard of “good academic standing” for students at Rhode Island College.

· Currently, the retention requirements as listed for probation infer that “good standing” could range from a 1.75 to 1.90 GPA, depending upon the number of credits attempted. This creates a mixed message for students - that a 1.75 GPA is “ok” and doesn’t jeopardize their academic standing, financial aid, or progress toward graduation.

· Currently, there is no formal procedure in place to provide support for students in academic distress.

· A review of eight other institutions shows that all have a 2.0 standard for what is considered good academic standing (URI, Bryant, PC, Salve, Bridgewater, Western CT, Keene State, UNH).

RIC data for planning purposes (from GPA and credits earned by degree undergrads, Fall, 2016):

· Nearly 100 first year students earned a GPA less than 2.0

· 396 RIC students had GPAs less than a 2.0

· 136 of these students would be dismissed under the current policy if these counts were for spring 2017 (since currently, dismissal only happens once a year in the spring)

· 149 would be dismissed under the proposed new policy (their credits range from 48 – 99 credits), but we believe the planned academic supports will lower this number.

COLLEGE CATALOG

1. Insert new heading on page 20 of printed catalog under (and list Academic Standing as the first item)

Academic Polices and Requirements - Undergraduate

ACADEMIC STANDING

Academic standing is based on the number of credit hours attempted, the GPA earned at the end of a semester, the cumulative GPA, and the previous academic standing held by the student.Following the submission of grades each semester the college will systematically review all undergraduate degree students - regardless of program, class, or major, - to determine the level of academic standing applicable to each student. Professional programs and some majors may have additional and/or higher academic standards which the student must meet at specific intervals.

· Good Academic Standing

Maintaining “Good Academic Standing” is crucial to demonstrating progress towards the completion of the degree. Rhode Island College defines “Good Academic Standing” for undergraduate students as a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.

· Academic Warning

Academic Warning applies to any student with Good Academic Standing whose cumulative grade point average or semester grade point average falls below 2.0 and who has attempted at least 12 credits. Notified students will be directed to seek academic advising and college services that assist in academic improvement.

· Academic Probation

For a student to be placed on Academic Probation, the student must be currently on Academic Warning, and the cumulative GPA is below 2.0. Academic Probation is intended to inform students that they are making unsatisfactory progress toward their degree and to seek additional academic advising. While on Academic Probation, the student must earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or greater and will be limited to 12 credits for the semester. Once the cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or greater, the student will be returned to Good Academic Standing.

Students may also be placed on Academic Probation (those with a GPA of 2.0 or better will be restricted to 14 credits) when:

· The College Mathematics Competency is not satisfied within 15 credits

· The College Writing Requirement is not satisfied within 30 credits

· First Year Seminar (if required) is not satisfied within 30 credits

· Academic Suspension

For a student to be placed on Academic Suspension the student must be currently on Academic Probation and the cumulative and semester GPAs are both below 2.0. While on Academic Probation Suspension, the student must earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or greater; be limited to 8 credits for the semester and submit an Academic Improvement Plan. Once the cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or greater, the student will be returned to Good Academic Standing.

· Academic Dismissal

A student on Academic Suspension who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 semester GPA will be academically dismissed from the College. Dismissal is the most serious academic standing classification denoting a repeated failure to meet minimum college academic standards.

2. On page 22, change the Retention Requirements table as follows

RETENTION REQUIREMENTS

Students who have earned either a GPA of less than a 2.0 in any semester or a cumulative GPA of less than a 2.0 need a progression of academic supports to successfully continue towards degree completion.

Academic Standing / Conditions / Actions
Good / · Cumulative GPA above 2.0
Academic Warning / · Cumulative or semester GPA below 2.0 (minimum of 12 credits attempted) / Directed to seek academic advising and college support services; that assist in academic improvement.
Probation / · Active Academic Warning
· Cumulative GPA below 2.0 / Restricted to 12 credit hours; referred to SAILS
Academic Suspension / · Active Probation
· Cumulative and semester GPAs below 2.0 / Restricted to 8 credit hours; registration hold; file Academic Improvement Plan before classes begin or classes are cancelled.
Dismissal / · Active Academic Suspension
· Cumulative GPA below 2.0 / Students may reapply for degree status once reaching a 2.0

*Note: Students will also be placed on Academic Probation if the following conditions are not satisfied (those with a GPA of 2.0 or better will be restricted to 14 credits):

· Mathematics Competency within 15 credits

· Writing Competency within 30 credits

· First Year Seminar within 30 credits (if applicable)

3. Remainder of the existing copy in this section remains the same except for the last sentence:

However, dismissals only occur at the end of the spring semester.

Change to: Dismissals occur at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Appeals for GPA academic probation and academic suspension may be made to the appropriate dean. Appeals for academic dismissal are made to the Academic Standing Committee (ASC). If the committee approves an appeal for a retroactive withdrawal of a course or semester which then brings the student’s GPA up to a minimum of a 2.0, the student may be reinstated.

CHAPTER 3:

1. Insert copy below in section 3.9 Academic Standards as 3.9.1 and re-number Academic Dishonesty as 3.9.2, Course Failure as 3.9.3, Academic Probation and Dismissal – Undergraduate as 3.9.4 (using same copy and table as recommended for the college catalog and Dismissal from an Academic Program as 3.9.5.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

3.9.1 Good Academic Standing

2. 3.9.3 (which will change to 3.9.4) Insert copy from Retention Requirements above under Academic Probation and Dismissal

3.9.3 a. i.: Replace table with new table above

3.9.3 b. Probation: delete Summer Session II

3.9.3 b. ii. Change 14 credits to 12

3.9.3 b. v. 3rd bullet: delete parenthetical phrase

3.9.3 c. i. Copy update: mid June (spring dismissal) or mid-January (fall dismissal)

3.9.3 c. iii. Copy update: as of June 30 (spring) or January 31 (fall)

STUDENT HANDBOOK:

Add same copy as above to Section III: Student Responsibilities as the first item (above Academic Integrity).

WEB: Update advising guides for students and faculty found at www.ric.edu/advising