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The Academic Standards Policy of College of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Community College District is based on a cumulative grade point average of C (2.0), the minimum standard required for graduation or transfer. A grade point average of less than 2.0 is considered deficient.
Grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of GPA units.
Academic standing, including determination of probation or dismissal status, is based upon all course work completed at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and/or Skyline College.
A student is placed on academic probation under the following criteria:
The two probation criteria described above are applied in such a manner that a student may be placed on probation under either or both systems and subsequently may be dismissed under either or both systems.
A student on academic probation on the basis of grade point average is removed from probation when his/her cumulative grade point average is 2.0 or higher.
A student on academic probation on the basis of failure to maintain satisfactory progress is removed from probation when the percentage of units in this category exceeds 50 percent.
A student on probation is subject to dismissal if in any two subsequent semesters either or both of the following criteria are applicable:
Normally, a dismissed student must remain out of classes for one semester before petitioning for reinstatement.
To be considered for reinstatement, a dismissed student must attend an OnTRAC Reinstatement Workshop and complete a Reinstatement Petition with the assistance of a college counselor. The completed petition is to be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Counseling for review. Once Reinstatement petitions are reviewed, students are notified by email of their reinstatement status.
In order to enroll in classes, the Reinstatement Petition must be filed each semester until a student returns to Good Academic Standing.
Previously recorded substandard academic performance (grade of “D+”, “D”, “D-”, “F”, or “NP”) may be disregarded if it is not reflective of a student’s demonstrated ability.
When academic course work is alleviated from the computation of the grade point average, the student’s permanent academic record shall be properly annotated in a manner to ensure that all entries are legible, providing a true and complete academic history.
Students are required to attend the first class meeting of each class in which they register. If they cannot attend, they should notify the instructor in advance. Without prior notification, they may be dropped by the instructor and a waiting student admitted in their place.
Regular attendance in class and laboratory sessions is an obligation assumed by every student at the time of registration. When repeated absences place a student’s success in jeopardy, the instructor may drop the student from class.
In all cases it is the instructor’s prerogative to determine when absences are excessive. An instructor has the right to drop a student from class when such absences jeopardize the student’s opportunity to successfully complete the class work or to benefit from the instruction. Absence means non-attendance and includes non-attendance for illness or personal emergency.
Absences due to a student’s participation in a school-sponsored activity are to be considered as excused absences, but it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the absence, and the student is responsible for all work missed. It is noted again that it is the instructor’s prerogative to determine when such absences are excessive.
Students who will be absent from any class or classes for one week or longer for any health reason should request notification to instructors by Health Services (574-6396).
Students who will be absent from any class or classes for one week or longer for other personal emergencies should request notification to instructors by the Dean of Counseling, Advising and Matriculation (see Index: “Attendance Regulations”).
If a medical or personal emergency requires absence of more than one week, the student should consult with his/her instructors and counselor/advisor regarding the advisability of continuing in classes.
Every course offered at College of San Mateo (unless specifically exempted by legal statute) is open for enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the College and who meets the prerequisites of the course provided that space is available.
A student may not enroll in or receive credit for a course that is lower in a sequence of courses after successful completion of a course that is higher or more advanced. As an example, after successful completion of Spanish 120, a student cannot enroll in a lower course (i.e., Spanish 110) in the sequence. Also, a student may not enroll in or receive credit for a course taken after successful completion of an equivalent course— e.g. French 111 cannot be taken after successful completion of French 110.
The Academic Review Committee considers requests for waivers and/or exceptions with respect to academic policies. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Records.
A “course repetition” occurs when a student attempts a course and receives an evaluative or non-evaluative symbol for the course (i.e., A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D+, D, D-, F, W, P/NP, CR/ NC, RD, I) and wishes to enroll again in the same course. Course repetition includes the following components. (Title 5 Section 55040)
A student who has earned a substandard grade (D+, D, D-, F, NP, NC) may repeat the course to improve the grade. A student may attempt a course a maximum of three times. To alleviate substandard work, a “course attempt” occurs when a student receives an evaluative or non-evaluative symbol for the course (D+, D, D-, or F or W or NP/NC). All course attempts in a student’s academic record count toward this enrollment limitation. The first or first and second substandard grades and units are excluded in computing the student’s GPA. The grade and units for the third or final attempt are included in the student’s GPA. (Title 5 Section 55042)
A “W” counts as a course attempt. A student may attempt a course a maximum of three times. All course attempts in a student’s academic record count toward this enrollment limitation.
Course Attempts within Subject Families: District policy limits enrollment of students in courses that are active participatory courses in physical education/kinesiology, and visual or performing arts. In this regard, the colleges have established “families” of similar educational activities.
Kinesiology activity courses and some visual and performing arts have established “families” and are subject to enrollment limitations. Although a course cannot be repeated, a student may attempt up to four courses in a subject “family.” Some subject families offer more than four courses but a student may enroll in a maximum of four courses within a family.
All course attempts in a student’s academic history count toward this enrollment limitation within a “family” of courses. This limitation applies even if the student receives a substandard grade or a “W.” Enrollment limitations are monitored district wide for a subject “family.”
New students are advised to enroll in the beginning level of a course family and be placed by their instructor upon assessment. Continuing students who have previously taken a course within a family must progress to the next level. For a list of Kinesiology and Dance “families” go to the College Catalog under Course Descriptions/Kinesiology. (Title 5 Section 55040)
These courses are identified as repeatable in the college catalog. (Title 5 Section 55041)
Course substitutions are used to meet missing requirements in a degree or certificate, including for individual courses and unit deficiencies. Through this process each course is evaluated for course equivalency toward requirements of certificate programs, associate degrees, and Cal-GETC.
Because of restrictions in course repeatability, review the Audit Policy page.