2020-2021 Catalog

Standards of Academic Progress

To promote academic progress, the following standards are applied to all students who attempt any credit hours. For Standards of Academic Progress, the College calculates a "SOAP GPA." SOAP GPA includes all grades earned in college credit classes, as well as developmental/remedial courses. SOAP GPA may differ from the semester grade report and transcript GPA. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Counseling & Career Development Center in Building S, room S202.

Note: Standards of progress for financial aid may be different. See standards of progress for recipients of financial aid.

Status Standard Result
Good Standing Attempted and completed any credit hours and maintain a cumulative SOAP GPA above 2.0 No academic restriction. All students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor each semester for course selection.
Academic Caution



Attempted any credit hours and earned a cumulative SOAP GPA of less than 2.0. Students who withdraw from all credit classes will also be placed on Caution.
Must attend a 90-minute success workshop prior to next registration.
If semester SOAP GPA is 2.0 or above, and cumulative SOAP GPA is less than 2.0 Student will move to Probation.
If cumulative SOAP GPA is 2.0 or above Student will be in Good Standing.
Academic Probation



While on Caution, cumu­lative and semester SOAP GPA earned are less than 2.0. Student is placed on Probation Meet one-on-one with a Counselor to review and refine success strategies prior to next registration.
If semester SOAP GPA earned is 2.0 or above and cumulative SOAP GPA is less than 2.0 Student remains on Probation.
If cumulative SOAP GPA is 2.0 or above Student will be in Good Standing.
Academic Suspension



While on Probation, cumulative and semester SOAP GPA earned are less than 2.0 Student is suspended for the next semester. Must meet one-on-one with a Counselor prior to next registration.
If a student on Suspension has a cumulative SOAP GPA of 1.5 or above, an appeal process is available Student must follow the appeal instructions listed in the Suspension notice letter.
If semester SOAP GPA is 2.0 or above and cumulative SOAP GPA is less than 2.0 while on Suspension, student moves to Probation
Must meet one-on-one with a Counselor to celebrate hard work and review strategies prior to next registration.
If cumulative SOAP GPA is 2.0 or above  Student will be in Good Standing.
Academic Dismissal

First semester after returning from Suspension, cumulative and semester SOAP GPA earned are less than 2.0 Dismissal for two semesters and one summer (one academic year). Must petition for reinstatement by meeting with a Counselor.
After approved reinstatement, if semester SOAP GPA earned is 2.0 or above and cumulative SOAP GPA is less than 2.0 Student will remain on Dismissal standing until cumulative SOAP GPA is 2.0 or above and student moves to Good Standing.

Example GPA Calculation (Standards of ­Academic Progress)

Course Letter Grade Grade Point Value
Credit Hours
Grade Points
COM-101 B 3 x 3 = 9
PSY-101 D 1 x 3 = 3
MTH-095* C 2 x 4 = 8
BIO-111 A 4 x 4 = 16
CIS-101 F 0 x 3 = 0
Totals*


17
36

* Since developmental and remedial courses are included in the GPA calculation for Standards of Academic Progress, dividing 36 grade points by 17 credit hours gives a GPA of 2.118.

Early Warning Support System

The Early Warning Support System is a system designed to identify and intervene with students who may be encountering academic difficulties and are in jeopardy of failing a class. Early in the semester, teaching faculty will identify such students and will refer those students to the Counseling & Career Development Center. A counselor will then reach out to the student to offer assistance and support, as well as to collaborate with the student on strategies that can empower them to be successful.