POLICY STATEMENT

This policy updates and clarifies the thresholds for each level of Academic Standing and associated Academic Actions for undergraduate students. These changes allow the College to more quickly identify students who are struggling academically, provide appropriate support, and set meaningful indicators of success for undergraduate students attempting to return to Good Academic Standing.

DEFINITIONS

Academic Action: Action taken by the College based on a student’s academic progress and Academic Standing.

Academic Dismissal: Academic Standing in which a student is no longer allowed to enroll at the College.

Academic Probation: Academic Standing that indicates a student has failed to meet minimum requirements while on Academic Warning.

Academic Standing: Classification that indicates whether a student is meeting minimum NSC Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements and determines any required actions on behalf of the student and Academic Actions taken by the College.

Academic Suspension: Academic Standing in which a student is temporarily prohibited from enrolling at the College after failing to meet minimum requirements while on Academic Probation.

Academic Warning: Academic Standing that indicates a student has failed to meet minimum College GPA requirements.

Attempted Earned Credits: Courses graded with letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F.

Continued Standing Status: Condition in which a student earns a 2.0 NSC Semester GPA but fails to raise their NSC Cumulative GPA above a 2.0, and is allowed to maintain their current Academic Standing.

Good Academic Standing: Academic Standing that indicates a student has performed at a level that meets minimum NSC GPA requirements.

NSC Cumulative GPA: Overall Grade Point Average calculated using only courses taken at the College.

NSC Semester GPA: Grade Point Average for a specific term calculated using only courses taken at the College during that term. Calculated at the end of fall and spring semesters and each August for summer coursework.

PROCEDURES

I. Calculating Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students

All levels of Academic Standing are considered part of a student’s academic record and are noted on official transcripts.

A. Incomplete grades: For students receiving grades of Incomplete (I), the GPA shall be calculated for the semester or summer term in which the Incomplete grade was assigned, with an “I” assigned for the course. Any change to Academic Standing that is necessary due to a change from an Incomplete grade to a letter grade shall be calculated at the end of the semester or summer term in which the Incomplete grade is changed.

B. Withdrawing from courses: Courses from which a student has withdrawn and received a “W” shall not impact Academic Standing calculations.

C. Grade appeals: If a student’s final course grade is adjusted as a result of a grade appeal, the student’s Academic Standing will immediately be re-calculated.

II. Academic Warning for Undergraduate Students

A student who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA based on Attempted Earned Credits at the end of any fall or spring semester or any summer term in which the student was enrolled is placed on Academic Warning.

A registration hold will be placed on the student’s account for the enrollment period following placement on Academic Warning. The student is required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center in order to remove this hold. This meeting is intended to help the student identify changes that will allow the student to improve the student’s academic performance and return to Good Academic Standing.

A student on Academic Warning whose NSC Cumulative GPA is below 2.0 but who earns an NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher based on Attempted Earned Credits shall remain on “Continued” Academic Warning until the point at which their NSC Cumulative GPA rises above 2.0.

III. Academic Probation for Undergraduate Students

Any student on Academic Warning who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA based on Attempted Earned Credits at the end of any fall or spring semester or any summer term in which the student was enrolled is placed on Academic Probation.

A registration hold will be placed on the student’s account for the enrollment period following placement on Academic Probation. The student is required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center to remove the hold.

A student on Academic Probation who has an NSC Cumulative GPA below 2.0 but who earns an NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher based on Attempted Earned Credits shall remain on “Continued” Academic Probation until the point at which their NSC Cumulative GPA rises above 2.0.

IV. Academic Suspension for Undergraduate Students

Any student on Academic Probation who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA based on Attempted Earned Credits at the end of any fall or spring semester or any summer term in which the student was enrolled will be placed on Academic Suspension until the end of the following full fall or spring semester. During this time they are not allowed to enroll in courses at the College.

A. Return from first Academic Suspension: To enroll in classes after a first Academic Suspension, a student is required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center prior to the term in which the student wishes to return. Once re-enrolled, a student whose NSC Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 but who earns an NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher based on Attempted Earned Credits shall be allowed to enroll the following semester or summer term on Probationary Enrollment Status.

B. Second Academic Suspension: A student who re-enrolls subsequent to a first Academic Suspension and fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA at the end of any semester or summer term based on Attempted Earned Credits shall be placed on renewed Academic Suspension and will be prohibited from enrolling at NSC until two (2) consecutive full academic semesters (fall and spring terms) have passed.

V. Academic Dismissal for Undergraduate Students

Any student who returns to the College after a second Academic Suspension who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA in any fall or spring semester or summer term based on Attempted Earned Credits will be Academically Dismissed from the College. Any student who is Academically Dismissed is prohibited from enrolling at the College for three (3) full academic years from the date of dismissal.

A. Return after Academic Dismissal: A student may reapply for admission to the College at the end of the dismissal period. The student must provide evidence that the student is capable of performing at the level required to meet College standards.

B. Early return from Academic Dismissal: A student who has been Academically Dismissed may apply for early reinstatement from Academic Dismissal if one of the following applies:

1. 1. The student earns an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution after Academic Dismissal from NSC;

OR

1. 2. The President approves a petition for an exception to policy based on exceptional circumstances. Such approvals are granted at the President’s sole discretion on a case-by-case basis and are not subject to appeal.

VI. Return to Good Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students

Any student who has been placed on Academic Action shall return to Good Academic Standing when the student earns a NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher and has an NSC Cumulative GPA above 2.0.

Once a student returns to Good Academic Standing, the student’s Academic Action progression resets (i.e., the student must progress through Academic Warning and Probation prior to being Academically Suspended). If a student returns to Good Academic Standing and subsequently is again Academically Suspended, the student shall fall under section IV.B of this policy, “Second Academic Suspension.”

VII. Financial Aid Implications

This policy defines calculations for Academic Standing. It does not apply to calculations of eligibility for financial aid. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss how their Academic Standing impacts their financial aid packages and whether they have made satisfactory progress. Refer to Financial Aid’s policy on  Satisfactory Academic Progress for information on financial aid calculations.

VIII. Exclusions

Students currently enrolled in dual credit programs do not receive Academic Standing classification.

CONTACTS

Academic Advising Center
Alex Kunkle, Director
702-992-2162
Alexander.kunkle@nevadastate.edu

RELATED INFORMATION

• Grade Appeal Policy
• Financial Aid Policies (Satisfactory Academic Progress)

HISTORY

• Replaces existing Academic Action policy published in catalog.
• Updated to clarify policy applies to undergraduate students.
• Updated to clarify policy does not apply to dual credit students.

APPROVALS

Approved by Dr. Vickie Shields, Provost, December 5, 2022.
Approved by Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President, March 6, 2023.