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ACADEMIC STANDARDS POLICY

The Academic Standards Policy of Skyline College and the San Mateo County Community College District is based on a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C), 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 letter graded (GPA) units. Academic standing, including determination of probation or dismissal status, is based upon all coursework completed at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. In addition to the following academic standards, special program eligibility requirements for financial aid, athletics, Veteran’s Educational Benefits (see "Veterans and Veterans Dependents" section in this Catalog), may differ. Students should consult with the specific office for applicable program eligibility requirements.

ACADEMIC PROBATION
A student will be placed on academic probation under the following criteria:

1. Based on grade point average: A student who has attempted at least 12 semester units, as recorded on their official college transcript, is placed on academic probation if the student has earned below a cumulative 2.0 (C) grade point average.

2. Based on lack of satisfactory progress: A student who has enrolled in a total of at least 12 semester units, as recorded on their official college transcript, is placed on academic probation when the percentage of all units recorded as W, I and NC reaches or exceeds 50 percent. (See Calendar for deadline dates for withdrawal.) 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. A student on probation may petition the Academic Standards and Policies Review Committee, in accordance with College procedures, for removal from probation if that status has resulted from unusual circumstances beyond the student's control.

REMOVAL FROM PROBATION
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 (C) 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 completed is 50 percent or above.

REMOVAL FROM PROBATION
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 (C) 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 is no longer 50 percent or above.

DISMISSAL
A student in probationary status shall be subject to dismissal if in any two subsequent semesters either or both of the following criteria are applicable: a. The student's cumulative grade point average is less than 1.75 in all units attempted. b. The cumulative total of units in which the student has been enrolled for which entries of W, I, and NC have been recorded reaches or exceeds 50 percent.Normally, a dismissed student must remain out of day and evening classes for one semester before petitioning the Academic Standards and Policies Review Committee for reinstatement. A dismissed student may present a written appeal to the Academic Standards and Policies Review Committee requesting immediate reinstatement if dismissal has resulted from unusual circumstances. A registered student making such an appeal should remain in classes until the decision of the Academic Standards and Policies Review Committee is made. Petitions are available in the Office of Admissions and Records.

ACADEMIC RENEWAL POLICY
Up to 36 semester units of substandard coursework (i.e., D, F and NC) within a maximum of two semesters and one summer session which are not reflective of the student’s current demonstrated scholastic ability may be alleviated and disregarded in the computation of the grade point average under the following conditions:

1. A period of at least three years must have elapsed since the course work to be alleviated was completed.

2. A student seeking alleviation must have completed:

3. The substandard course work to be alleviated must have been taken at Cañada College, College of San Mateo and/or Skyline College. The course work upon which the application for alleviation is based may be completed at any college or university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or equivalent accrediting agency. The academic renewal policy may be applied when alleviation of prior work is necessary to qualify a student for financial aid, admission to a program, transfer to another institution, or for the completion of a certificate program. To request academic renewal, a student must submit an Academic Renewal petition to the Office of Admissions and Records. The form is available at the Admissions and Records counter.

When academic course work is alleviated from the computation of a 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. Although course work is being alleviated from the computation of grade point average, the courses and the actual grades will remain on the transcript.

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES
CLASSES To withdraw from a class students should access WebSMART registration or obtain an Add/Drop form from the Office of Admissions and Records, Building 2, second floor. Official withdrawal is the responsibility of the student. A withdrawal with a refund is subject to refund deadlines. A student who does not withdraw in accordance with established procedures may receive a penalty grade. A student may withdraw from a semester-length class during the first four weeks of instruction and no record of the class will appear on the student’s academic record. In courses less than a regular semester’s duration, a student may withdraw prior to the completion of 30 percent of the period of instruction and no record of the class will appear on the student’s academic record. After the fourth week of instruction, a student may withdraw from a semester-length class, whether passing or failing, at any time through the last day of the fourteenth week of instruction (or 75 percent of a term, whichever is less). A "W’’ grade shall be recorded on the student’s academic record. In courses less than a regular semester’s duration, a student may withdraw prior to the completion of 75 percent of the period of instruction and a "W’’ grade shall be recorded on the student’s academic record. The academic record of a student who remains in class beyond the time periods set forth above must reflect a grade using an authorized symbol other than "W’’ (refer to Grades, Grade Points). A student who must withdraw for verifiable extenuating circumstances (i.e., personal illness, automobile accident, death or severe illness in the immediate family or other severe physical or emotional hardship), may petition the Academic Standards and Policies Review Committee for an exception to this policy. Any extenuating circumstance must be verified in writing (i.e., letter from physician, official accident report, obituary notice, etc.).

MILITARY WITHDRAWAL
Military withdrawal may be requested when a student who is a member of an active or reserve United States military service receives orders compelling a withdrawal from courses. Upon verification of such orders, a military withdrawal symbol (MW) will be assigned for each course if the withdrawal occurs after the period during which no notation is made for withdrawals on the student’s record. Military withdrawals are not counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations. Students granted military withdrawal may request a refund of the enrollment fee. The entire enrollment fee will be refunded unless academic credit has been awarded.

COURSE REPETITION
A. Repeat for Credit: The Board of Trustees of the San Mateo County Community College District has adopted a policy (District Rules and Regulations, Section 6.12) which permits a student to repeat certain courses for credit a maximum of three times (total of four class enrollments). These courses require increasing levels of student performance or provide significantly different course content each subsequent semester. Such courses will be designated as "may be repeated for credit’’ in the course description. Courses that are not so designated may not be repeated under this policy. A student will be permitted to repeat courses indefinitely where repetition is needed for the student to meet a legally mandated training requirement as a condition of continued paid or volunteer employment. The grade received each time shall be included for purposes of calculating the student’s grade point average. Students who wish to repeat courses must present documentation that course repetition is necessary to complete legally mandated training requirements. Further information on this policy is available from the Office of Admissions and Records.

B. Grade Alleviation: A student who has received a substandard grade of D, F, or NC in a credit course taken at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and/or Skyline College may repeat the course for purposes of grade alleviation. Normally, a student may repeat a credit course only once. Under unusual circumstances, a student may petition the Dean of Enrollment Services for permission to repeat a course more than once. Upon satisfactory completion of the repeated course, only the grade earned in the repeated course will be used in the computation of the grade point average. In no case will the unit value of the repeated course be counted more than once. The student’s permanent academic record shall be annotated to ensure that all entries are legible and that a true and complete academic record is maintained. Although a course is being alleviated from the computation of the grade point average, the original course and actual grade will remain on the student’s academic record. To the extent possible, preference for enrollment in a credit course shall be given to students who have not previously taken the course. Exceptions to this policy may be made to the Dean of Enrollment Services. Course repetition involving work completed at a non-District institution may be honored on application to the Office of Admissions and Records.

C. Special Circumstances: Under special educationally justifiable circumstances, repetition of credit courses other than those for which substandard work has been recorded may be permitted. The student must obtain prior permission from the Dean of Enrollment Services before such course repetition will be authorized. Courses repeated under this provision shall be subject to the same terms and conditions outlined in "Grade Alleviation,’’ section B above. Grades awarded for courses repeated under this provision shall not be considered in calculating the student’s grade point average and in no case will the unit value of the repeated course be counted more than once. Students should consult with a counselor regarding repetition of courses for purposes of meeting graduation and transfer requirements.

PREREQUISITES, COREQUISITES, AND RECOMMENDED PREPARATION
The Board of Trustees of the San Mateo County Community College District allows colleges to establish prerequisites, corequisites, and recommended preparation for courses and educational programs. Prerequisites and corequisites must be determined to be necessary and appropriate and must be established in accordance with Title 5 regulations in the California Administrative Code. A prerequisite is a condition of enrollment that a student is required to meet in order to demonstrate current readiness for enrollment in a course or program. Prerequisites are so designated in course descriptions in this catalog. A corequisite is a course that a student is required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course. Corequisites are so designated in course descriptions in this catalog. Advisories or recommended preparation for a course or program is a condition that a student is advised, but not required, to meet before or in conjunction with enrollment. Advisories are designated as ''recommended'' in course descriptions in this catalog.

Students who wish to challenge a prerequisite and/or corequisite can obtain the forms from the Student Services Information counter, a counselor, the matriculation coordinator (Room 2221), or online. (See Matriculation Policy for further information about prerequisites and corequisites.)

SEQUENTIAL COURSES
To enroll in and receive credit for sequential courses, students must complete the courses in order - e.g., English 800 must be completed before English 100. Also, a student may not enroll in or receive credit for a course taken after successful completion of an equivalent course - e.g., Spanish 111 cannot be taken after successful completion of Spanish 110.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND POLICIES REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Academic Standards and Policies 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.