Academic Warning and Disqualification

22-14
May 25, 2022

 

Academic Warning and Disqualification

 

This policy statement supersedes policy statements 09-06, 75-12 (Rev.) in part, and 02-07 (Rev.)
It complies with Executive Order 1038, issued by the chancellor on September 15, 2008.

 

This policy was recommended by the Academic Senate on May 5, 2022
and approved by the president on May 13, 2022.

 

Terminology and Rationale

Scholarly research has shown that the term “Probation” may threaten student well-being as it can be considered culturally insensitive punitive measure, and not serve as a motivator for students as previously contemplated. The specific term “probation” follows an “antiquated norm of adhering to a criminal justice lexicon in university academic standards that define student success status.”[1]

 

Thus, California State University, Long Beach chooses to use the terms “Academic Warning” or “Academic Warning 1” (in lieu of the previously used terminology “Academic Probation” or “Probation 1”) and “Academic Warning 2” (in lieu of “Probation 2”) in this policy and in its practices. This change has the goal of removing barriers associated with the negative cultural connotations around “probation” policy nomenclature, improving student well-being and enhancing student success.

 

This approach is consistent with policies at other CSUs and in the CSU Chancellor’s Office.   

 

Progress to Degree

In this policy, progress toward the degree is defined as reducing the deficiency in grade-point average and earning a C or better in one or more courses that will count toward fulfilling that student's General Education or major requirements.

 

Academic Warning

Undergraduate students are placed on academic warning if at any time their cumulative grade-point average in all college work attempted or their cumulative GPA at California State University, Long Beach falls below 2.0 (C). Undergraduate students will be removed from academic warning when their cumulative grade-point average in all college work attempted and their cumulative grade-point average at California State University, Long Beach is 2.0 (C) or higher.

 

Graduate students are placed on academic warning when their cumulative grade-point average or grade-point average on all courses applicable to the degree falls below 3.0. Graduate students will be removed from academic warning when their overall grade-point average, their cumulative grade-point average at California State University, Long Beach, and their grade-point average on all courses applicable to the degree are 3.0 (B) or higher.

 

Other post-baccalaureate students are placed on academic warning when their cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.5. Other post-baccalaureate students will be removed from academic warning when their overall grade-point average is 2.5 or higher.

 

Academic Warning 2

A student will be placed on academic warning 2 if they do not meet good academic standing rules within one semester of being placed on academic warning 1. A student who does not meet good academic standing rules within one semester of being placed on academic warning 2 will be evaluated for academic disqualification.

 

Academic Disqualification

Students on academic warning 1 for one semester and on academic warning 2 for the subsequent semester without returning to good standing are subject to academic disqualification per the guidelines below.

 

Undergraduate students on academic warning will be disqualified when:

1. As first-year students (fewer than 30 semester-hours of college work completed), their grade-point average falls below 1.5 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach;

2. As sophomores (30 through 59 semester-hours of college work completed), their grade-point average falls below 1.7 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach;

3. As juniors (60 through 89 semester-hours of college work completed), their grade-point average falls below 1.85 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach;

4. As seniors (90 or more semester-hours of college work completed), their grade-point average falls below 1.95 on all units attempted or on all units attempted at California State University, Long Beach; and

 

In addition to the above disqualification standards applicable to students on academic warning, individuals not on academic warning will be disqualified when both of the following circumstances exist:

1. At the end of any semester, if the student has a cumulative grade-point average below 1.0; and

2. The cumulative grade-point average is so low that in view of the student's overall educational record it seems unlikely that the deficiency will be removed within a reasonable period.

Graduate and post-baccalaureate students will be disqualified if while on academic warning they fail to earn grades of sufficient quality to remove themselves from their status as students on academic warning. Graduate and post-baccalaureate students who have been disqualified must demonstrate they have improved their GPA to achieve good academic standing prior to readmission.

 

Disqualification From Highly Impacted Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate students who do not maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 will be immediately removed from a highly impacted major and placed in the undeclared category or in a general category appropriate to the discipline. To be reinstated as majors in the highly impacted program, they must reapply at the time when change-of-major requests are normally accepted.

 

Administrative Academic Warning

An undergraduate or graduate student may be placed on administrative academic warning by action of appropriate campus officials for any of the following reasons:

1. Withdrawal from all or a substantial portion of a program of studies in two successive semesters or in any three semesters, unless the withdrawals were directly associated with a chronic or recurring medical condition or its treatment;

2. Repeated failure to progress toward the stated degree objective or other program objective (when such failure appears to be due to circumstances within the control of the student);

3. Failure to comply, after notification, with an academic requirement or regulation which is routine for all students or a defined group of students (e.g., failure to take placement tests, failure to complete a required practicum).

If a student does not meet good academic standing rules within one semester of being placed on administrative academic warning, then they will be evaluated for academic administrative disqualification.

 

Administrative Academic Disqualification

A student who has been placed on administrative academic warning may be disqualified from further attendance if:

1. The conditions for removal of administrative academic warning are not met within the period specified;

2. The student becomes subject to academic warning while on administrative academic warning;

3. The student becomes subject to administrative academic warning for the same or similar reason for which they have been placed on administrative academic warning previously, although not currently in such status.

 

In addition, an appropriate campus administrator may disqualify a student who at any time during enrollment has demonstrated behavior so contrary to the standards of the profession for which the student is preparing as to render her/him unfit for the profession. In such cases, disqualification will occur immediately upon notice to the student, which shall include an explanation of the basis for the action, and the campus may require the student to discontinue enrollment as of the date of the notification.

 

For students who subsequently become eligible for reinstatement (see below), disqualification under the provisions of the preceding paragraphs constitutes a break in "continuous enrollment" within a degree major program; therefore, students disqualified may not elect any regulations in effect prior to disqualification.

 

Reinstatement from Academic Disqualification

In order to be considered for reinstatement to CSULB, a disqualified student must demonstrate progress toward the degree. This demonstration can be achieved by:

1. Completing courses through College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) at CSULB; or

2. Completing classes at other accredited academic institutions.

All classes considered for reinstatement in the student's petition must be applicable for degree credit and toward the student's General Education or major requirements.

 

Progress toward meeting the GPA requirement can be demonstrated by reducing the deficiency in grade-point average by one-half at CSULB or by making equivalent grades in courses taken at other accredited academic institutions. Grades earned at other accredited academic institutions will not reduce the deficiency in the CSULB grade-point deficiency. Grades earned elsewhere are only indicators of academic ability.

 

After reducing the deficiency in the CSULB grade-point average and/or demonstrating academic ability at other accredited academic institutions, the student may petition for reinstatement. The petition must present evidence that the student has achieved a satisfactory grade-point average and has made progress towards requirements for the degree. The University will only consider the petition for reinstatement of students who have remained outside of the university for at least one regular (fall or spring) semester after their dismissal.

 

Petition forms for undergraduate students are available through Enrollment Services and must be filed by established deadlines for the spring and fall semesters. Graduate students should contact their department for readmission.

 

EFFECTIVE: Immediately