New probation policies require all students to carry 2.0 GPA or better
- January 9, 2018
In tandem with the transition to semesters this fall, Cal State East Bay is also revising its policies regarding students on probation.
Under the current quarter system, students with GPAs below 2.0 (1.7 for sophomores, 1.85 for juniors and 1.95 for seniors) are able to stay enrolled at the university and work toward improving their grades by repeating courses. Under the new semester system, the focus of the policy for students on probation will be their GPAs in the ensuing semester, known as their “term GPA.”
While a student whose GPA is below 2.0 will still be placed on probation, at the end of the fall 2018 semester and for following semesters, any sophomore through senior on probation whose term GPA is below a 2.0 is subject to “academic disqualification,” in other words, dismissal from the university.
Students currently on probation should be focusing the next eight months on improving their GPA as though the policy were already in effect so they will not be on probation under semesters.
“Now is the time to do it, they need to go see an academic adviser as soon as possible,” Dean of Academic Programs and Services Maureen Scharberg said. Academic advising information is available online or students can stop by the Academic Advising counter on the first floor of the SA building.
What about students who need to repeat courses that won’t be offered once semesters begin? There’s a plan for them as well.
Beginning in the fall 2018 semester, students who have a “D” or “F” grade in general education courses that are not offered on the semester system will need to make appointments with General Education Director Caron Inouye. If the “D” or “F” grade is part of major or minor coursework, students will need to see their department to determine a semester equivalent to repeat.
“There are some tricky issues our students will face going into semesters, especially those on probation,” Interim Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies Mitchell Watnik said. “They need to go talk to somebody and have them help right the ship.”
Ultimately, Scharberg said the No. 1 thing students need to do is ask questions and “make every class count.”
“The message we want them to know is to go see their adviser, we’re here to help,” she said. “We don’t want anyone to think they’re alone or that they should just drop out.”