The purpose of Academic Progress is to identify and support students with academic challenges and to help them improve their academic performance.
You must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above to be in good academic standing. Otherwise, the college will place you progressively on alert, probation, or suspension:
- Alert (Warning): A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic alert/warning. Students are referred to resources to help them improve.
- Probation (Intervention): A student on academic alert who does not earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of the subsequent quarter of enrollment will be placed on academic probation/intervention. Students in this situation must regularly meet with their advisor to create and follow a success plan until their cumulative GPA is 2.0 or better. If during this time a student's quarterly GPA continues to fall below 2.0, they will be subject to academic suspension/break.
- Level I Suspension (Break): A student on academic probation/intervention who does not earn a quarterly grade point average of at least 2.0 in the next quarter of enrollment will be placed on academic suspension/break for one quarter. Students may appeal for immediate reinstatement, though appeal is not guaranteed. There are three types of appeals: expedited (for extenuating circumstances) and two standard (reinstatement after one quarter or one year break). If an appeal is granted, a student is placed on conditional probation/intervention and must follow conditions of reinstatement to remain in intervention status (vs. break).
- Level II Suspension (Break): If the student fails to meet the terms and conditions of reinstatement from a Level I suspension/break, then the student is suspended (on academic break) from the college for one year (12 months).
Certain student groups may have different and/or additional academic standard requirements and appeal processes.
Audit
Auditors are expected to attend and participate in classes regularly, but examinations are not required and are at the instructor's discretion. Auditors are required to meet course prerequisites or otherwise have instructor permission. You will not receive a grade or earn credit for an audited class.
Non-Senior Auditors
Non-senior auditors pay the same tuition as if they were taking the class for credit.
Senior Auditors
After the 2nd day of instruction an individual who is a Washington state resident, and is at least 60 years of age by the first day of instruction of the quarter, may enroll as an auditor in certain courses on a space-available basis. Students enrolling under this waiver shall register for no more than two courses per quarter with the waiver. For approved senior audits, no tuition will be charged, although some fees will be assessed. Written approval of the instructor is required. (See RCW 28B.15.540 and WAC 131-28-080.)
Senior auditors may sit in from the start of the class with the instructor's permission, since they have to wait to add the class pending confirmation of available space. Senior auditors should contact Pirate Central before the first class meeting at StudentServices@pencol.edu or call (360) 417-6340 to learn more about the process.
Plagiarism/Cheating
Plagiarism and/or cheating are not tolerated by Peninsula College. An individual who cheats or plagiarizes the works of others is at risk of receiving a failing grade for the course in which such action takes place. In addition, plagiarism and/or cheating are violations of the Student Code of Conduct and such actions may result in an official sanction by the Conduct Officer.