Probation and Dismissal: What is it, What to do, & How to get back on Track
Whether you’re facing a major crisis or a minor challenge, Woodland Community College is committed to helping you succeed and help you get back in good academic standing. Our goal is to provide students with information about the college’s Probation/Dismissal policies, share information about student services and programs on campus designed to help students succeed, and help students develop success strategies through group and individual counseling sessions.
The information on this webpage clarifies the details of Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal and also provides resources you can use to help get off probation. You are not alone. We are here to help you succeed. Don’t be afraid to call or come se
e us in the Counseling Office. Our caring and knowledgeable counselors and staff can provide assistance that is tailored to your specific needs and context. We can help you make sense of your present situation, map out options, and discover ways to make something good out of even the greatest challenges.
Probation and Dismissal
Probation and Dismissal is to be taken seriously. If you find yourself in either of these academic standings, you will be notified through your WCC email. You can view your academic standing on your unofficial transcript after grades are posted each semester. See WebAdvisor to review your transcript.
Early Alert
Early Alert is a voluntary partnership between Instructors and Staff to assist students in successfully completing their course. Faculty identifies students who are struggling in their class and refers them to the Early Alert team. The goal is to catch students early before they fall into probation and refer them to important Student Services.
What is Probation and Dismissal?
Academic Probation A student who has attempted at least 12 semester units and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 is placed on Academic Probation 1. If you are on Academic Probation for a consecutive semester, you will be on Probation 2. Progress Probation A student who has enrolled in at least 12 semester units is placed on Progress Probation when W, I, and NP grades are recorded in one half or more of all units in which a student has enrolled. If you are on Progress Probation for a consecutive semester, you will be on Probation 2. Return to Good Standing A student placed on Academic Probation will return to Good Standing when the cumulative GPA has improved to a 2.0. A student placed on Progress Probation will return to Good Standing when the cumulative units of W, I, or NP are less than 50 percent of the total units attempted. Dismissal A student on Academic or Progress Probation for three consecutive semesters will go into Dismissal and a hold is automatically placed on your registration.If I’m on Probation or Dismissal Status, what do I need to do to get back on track?
Academic/Progress Probation 1:
If you are on academic and/or progress probation level 1, you will not be able to register for classes for the next semester until you complete these steps:
- First, complete the online probation workshop– click HERE.
- To help get you back on track to meet your academic goals, you need to meet with a counselor to complete a Student Academic Success Agreement; and,
- Develop a comprehensive education plan.
- Make a follow-up appointment to check-in on your progress during the semester.
Once you complete these three steps, the hold will be lifted from your records so that you can register for classes for the incoming term.
Academic/Progress Probation 2:
If you are on academic and/or progress probation level 2, you will not be able to register for classes for the next semester until you complete these steps:
- First, complete the in-person Academic Success Workshop– sign up for a workshop by calling the Counseling Office at (530) 661-5703
- To help get you back on track to meet your academic goals, you need to meet with a counselor to update your Student Academic Success Agreement; and,
- Review your comprehensive education plan.
- Make a follow-up appointment to check-in on your progress during the semester.
Once you complete these three steps, the hold will be lifted from your records so that you can register for classes for the incoming term.
Dismissal Status:
If you received a notice that you are now on dismissal status, that means you have been on academic and/or progress probation for two semesters. You will not be able to register for classes for the next semester. You will need to complete a Student Petition for Readmission, explaining the extenuating circumstances that caused you to be on probation. To complete the petition, you will need to:
- Meet with a counselor
- Ensure that you have an updated comprehensive education plan on file
- Update your Student Academic Success Agreement
- Ensure you’ve completed the online and in-person probation workshops listed in Probation Level 1 and 2
- And other requirements as determined by your counselor.
Once you complete the above steps, submit your completed petition to the Admissions and Records Office for processes. The Dean of Student Services reviews petitions for readmission.
Loss of Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOG) & Loss of Priority RegistrationStudents who are placed on Probation for two consecutive terms or Dismissal will lose priority as a continuing student and will register during open enrollment.
NEW: Recent changes made to Title 5 of the California Education Code by SB 1456 Student Success Act of 2012 state that beginning in Fall 2016, a student who fails to meet the minimum academic and progress standards of the institution for two consecutive semesters (fall and spring semesters, excludes summer) is at risk of losing eligibility for the Board of Governors’ Fee Waiver (BOGFW). If you currently do not receive the BOGFW, you are still at risk of losing future eligibility until you regain good academic progress standing.
To reserve a spot for the workshops or schedule a counseling appointment, please call the Counseling Office at (530) 661-5703.