ACADEMIC STANDING

Western’s academic standing process is designed to provide an environment whereby students can be successful in achieving their academic goals.

Academic Standing
Students who achieve a 2.0 semester GPA or higher are considered to be in good academic standing. Students who experience academic difficulties are placed on academic alert, probation or suspension status. These standings are designed to provide intrusive and proactive assistance to students to help them succeed academically.

Academic Honors
The College honors its students who excel academically by placing them on the President’s List and the Vice President’s Honor Roll for full- and part-time students. Student achievement is also recognized through the Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa and by being recognized as Distinguished Graduates.

Academic Forgiveness
Under certain circumstances, a student may have a block of courses removed from his/her grade point average and credit hour calculations. (see Policy 5240D)

Outstanding Graduate
Western selects outstanding graduates each year prior to the commencement ceremony. They are chosen by a committee of faculty, staff and students. Selection is based upon cumulative grade point average and service to the institution and community.

Policy included in Catalog
Adopted: April 26, 1984
Revised: May 26, 1988
Revised: June 8, 2006
Reformatted: May 3, 2011
Revised: June 27, 2017 – Moved from 5000 Series

Procedure 6310B

ACADEMIC STANDING

ACADEMIC HONORS
There are four types of academic honors at Western:
1. Honor Rolls
Full-time students who complete twelve credit hours during a semester with letter grades and who achieve required grade point averages are eligible for the President’s or Vice President’s honor rolls. Part-time degree seeking students who have completed a minimum of twelve credit hours are eligible for the Vice President’s Part-time Student Honor Roll each subsequent semester in which they achieve the minimum requirements.

• President’s Honor Roll:
  Full-time students who complete a minimum of twelve credit hours in a given semester with letter grades and with a grade point average of 4.00 (A).
• Vice President’s Honor Roll:
  Full-time students who complete a minimum of twelve credit hours in a given semester with letter grades and with a grade point average between 3.25 and 3.99.
• Part-time Student Honor Roll:
  Part-time students who have completed a minimum of twelve credit hours in consecutive semesters and who complete six to eleven credit hours during the current semester with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.

2. Phi Theta Kappa
Degree-seeking students who complete a minimum of twelve credit hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 are eligible for membership. Students must follow established Phi Theta Kappa guidelines in order to join the organization. Once a student is a member, a 3.25 semester GPA must be obtained in order to remain a member. Students who maintain eligibility for Phi Theta Kappa will be recognized at graduation.

3. Honor’s Program
Students who complete a minimum of twelve credits of honors courses with a grade of C or better (including at least six at Western), who participate in Honors Program community service activities, and who have an overall GPA of 3.25 or above will be recognized at graduation and on their official transcripts as Western Wyoming Community College Honors Program graduates.

4. Distinguished Graduates
Students who maintain a minimum 3.80 grade point average in all coursework (including transfer work) applicable to their Western degree will be acknowledged as graduating “with distinction” and may appropriate regalia at the graduation ceremony and have it designated on their transcript. To receive this status, the graduate must complete at least half of his/her applicable coursework from Western.

ACADEMIC STANDING
Generally, a student is considered to be in good academic standing if he/she is making satisfactory grades (2.00 or higher semester grade point average). However, students should be aware that certain Western programs have higher minimum grade point average requirements and the student must maintain those levels in order to remain in the program. Graduation course grade requirements may also vary for individual programs.

Current academic standing will appear on the student’s grade report and transcript record.

The purpose of the academic alert, probation and suspension status is to alert the student to a lack of academic progress and to make every effort to provide the student with the tools necessary to succeed.

Good Standing
Students who achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 each semester are considered to be in good academic standing.

Academic Alert
A. Full-time students who have not achieved, or do not maintain, satisfactory progress as defined below will be placed on Academic Alert.
B. Entering students with less than a 2.00 (C grade) high school grade point average or less than a 2.00 cumulative grade point average from a transfer institution(s).
C. Entering students who are admitted conditionally because they have not yet attained a regular high school diploma.
D. Continuing Western Wyoming Community College students who have completed their most recent semester with less than a 2.00 grade point average.
E. Part-time students who have received letter grades in at least nine hours with a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.00 will be placed on Academic Alert.

Academic Probation
Those students who are on Academic Alert status and who do not achieve a minimum 2.00 semester grade point average the subsequent semester will move into Academic Probation status. All probationary students will be required to continue their performance contract until they are once again in good standing.

Academic Suspension
Students who are on academic probation and who achieve less than the minimum 2.00 semester grade point average will be placed on Academic Suspension. This student will not be allowed to register for Western courses at any location until:
A. The student completes at least 12 semester hours of credit and achieves a 2.00 grade point average from a regionally accredited institution, or
B. The student does not attend any higher education institution for at least one semester. (Summer semester does not count)

Students who return to Western after the suspension is lifted will reenter on probationary status.

Appeals
Students who wish to appeal their suspension based on extenuating circumstances may do so through the Registrar. For example, the Registrar may allow students to return to take developmental coursework, repeat coursework, or a reduced credit load. Students not satisfied with the ruling may appeal to the Vice President for Student Learning. No further appeals may be made.

ACADEMIC FORGIVENESS
A student returning to Western after a minimum five year absence and after completing two full-time semesters, or the equivalent (24 credit hours), with a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average may request to have an entire block (one full semester) of courses removed from the calculation of grade point average and degree credit. This option is available only for a full semester. Students may not pick and choose individual courses. All courses remain on the student’s permanent transcript but are removed from the grade point average and credit calculations. This is a one-time option.

Policy included in Catalog
Reviewed: 1983
Approved: May 26, 1988
Revised: February 22, 1996
Revised: June 8, 2006
Reformatted: May, 2011
Revised: June 27, 2017 – Moved from 5000 Series