Standards of Academic Performance

Rationale for Standards

The Standards of Academic Performance at Harper College have been established in order to:

  • Guide the student in pursuit of academic success:
    The Standards assure the availability of services which can help students reach success as well as clearly notify them of their progress.
  • Maintain an academic environment that clearly defines expectations for progress:
    The Standards communicate the College's definition of academic progress. The Standards clarify College expectations and afford the student a guideline for setting realistic goals.
  • Clarify the roles and responsibilities of students, faculty and administrators:
    The Standards define the role of the student in terms of academic performance and responsibility as well as the role of College personnel in evaluating academic performance and intervening with special assistance at specific intervals.
  • Allow the institution to maintain its academic integrity.

Categories of Standards
  • Good Standing:
    Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and students who have attempted* fewer than seven credit hours or have not attended clsses since the summer of 1989 are in good standing.

  • Academic Caution:
    Students who have attempted* seven and not more than 15 credit hours and have received a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of less than 2.0 will receive a caution notice and the recommendation to take advantage of various programs and services designed to help them achieve success.

  • Academic Warning:
    Students who have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 and have attempted* 16 or more credit hours, or have completed their second successive semester with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0, are given academic warning. These students will be advised to restrict their enrollment to a maximum of 13 credit hours and may have restrictions imposed upon them.

  • Probation:
    Students who were academically warned the previous semester and have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 will be placed on probation. Students who have returned to good standing and then earn less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA will return to probation. These students will be restricted to a maximum of 13 credit hours and will be required to participate in success-oriented strategies.

  • Suspension:
    Students who have attempted* 40 or more credit hours, have had three successive semesters with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0, with one of those semesters in probation, and earned below a 2.0 semester GPA the last semester they were enrolled are placed on suspension. These students will be suspended from the College for one full semester (fall or spring). Students suspended after spring term will not be allowed to enroll for summer school or fall semester. Students must be involved in success-oriented strategies upon their return.

  • Dismissal:
    Students who have returned to the College after one semester of suspension and who receive a semester GPA of less than 2.0 will be dismissed for a minimum of two full semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall). After this dismissal period, these students must petition the Dean of Student Development for reinstatement.

    *Refers to receipt of grades A, B, C, D and F.
Status Category Results
Academic Caution Attempted 7+ credit hours and cumulative GPA less than 2.0 Caution and recommendations of success-oriented strategies
Academic Warning Attempted 16 or more credit hours with cumulative GPA less than 2.0 or second successive semester
with cumulative GPA less than 2.0		 Recommend restriction to maximum
13 credit hours. May have restrictions
imposed
Probation Previous semester with Academic Warning and cumulative GPA less than 2.0 Mandatory restriction to maximum of 13 credit hours. Required success-oriented strategies.
Suspension Attempted 40 or more credit hours, at least three successive semesters with cumulative GPA less than 2.0 with one of those terms in probation and earned below a 2.0 semester GPA the last semester they were enrolled One semester suspension. Required success-oriented strategies upon return
Post Suspension Semester after suspension and subsequent semesters with semester GPA of 2.0 or higher and cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 Mandatory restruction to maximum of 13 credit hours. Required success-oriented strategies
Dismissal One semester after suspension or a previous semester in reinstated dismissal or post dismissal with semester and cumulative GPA less than 2.0 Dismissal of two semesters. Must petition for reinstatement
Post Dismissal Semester after reinstatement from dismissal and subsequent semesters with semester GPA of 2.0 or higher and cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 Mandatory restriction to maximum of 13 credit hours. Required success-orientated strategies