Academic Standing
The primary purpose of the Academic Standing Procedure is to promote retention and academic success. It is the College's intention to identify students who are showing signs of significant academic struggle and provide support and services to assist them in meeting their educational goals.
Washtenaw Community College wants to ensure that all students make satisfactory progress toward achieving their educational goals. The fundamental standard of academic progress is the completion of attempted credits and the attainment of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. As a safeguard against academic struggle, interventions and restrictions may apply after a student has attempted a minimum of 12 credit hours (which includes developmental courses) and failed to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0. This intervention will be applied at the time of the student's next enrollment.
Students achieving a cumulative GPA >=2.0 will be in a Good Standing status.
What if I Fail to Meet the Standards?
Students will first go on Academic Caution (after they have attempted a minimum of 12 credit hours) on the first occasion that their cumulative GPA is below 2.0, either after the first enrollment semester or following Good Standing. If a student’s subsequent semester GPA is below 2.0 while on caution, students will then be placed on Academic Warning. If a student’s subsequent semester GPA is below 2.0 while on warning, the student will be placed on academic suspension.
The table below demonstrates how students move from one Academic Standing to another based on end of semester grade processing.
| If your status at start of semester is: | If your term GPA is less than 2.0 and your cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, your status will be: | If your term GPA is greater than or equal to 2.0 and your cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, your status will be: |
|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | Caution | Good Standing |
| Caution | Warning | Caution |
| Warning | Suspended | Caution |
| Post Suspension Warning | Suspended | Caution |
Students on Warning or Post Suspension Warning status at the start of the semester and withdraw from all courses will be suspended for the subsequent fall or winter semester.
Academic Caution
Students who are placed on Academic Caution will be notified via email at the end of the semester. This is not noted on the transcript.
Academic Warning
Students who are placed on Academic Warning will be notified via email at the end of the semester. Academic Warning is not noted on the transcript. Students on Academic Warning will be placed on registration hold and will be required to meet with an advisor before registering.
Academic Suspension
Students who are placed on Academic Suspension will be notified via email and mailed letter. Students registered for the subsequent semester will be contacted by phone as well. Academic Suspension is not noted on the transcript. Students will be prohibited from registering for credit classes at WCC for one semester. If students are already registered for the next semester, courses will be dropped after the appeal deadline.
If the student is academically suspended due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, they may appeal this suspension to the Academic Suspension Appeal Committee. The Committee’s decision is final. Students may resume taking classes once they have sat out for one semester following their suspension. Before registering for their next semester, the student must meet with their academic advisor.
Note: Students in specific programs at WCC, students receiving financial aid or veteran benefits must also meet the specific academic requirements for continuation in these programs.
To appeal your Academic Suspension, please use the Academic Suspension Appeal Form. This form must be completed in its entirety and returned to the Student Records Office no later than 6pm on the deadline listed below. This form can be returned in person, mailed, or emailed. See the form for more details. The Academic Suspension Committee will review all appeals, and the student will receive notification of the results vial WCC email by either 5pm on May 24 or 5pm on August 16.
Appeal Deadlines:
6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2024 OR
6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 202