Academic Standards

Maintenance of Academic Standards

Tompkins Cortland Community College is committed to high academic standards while offering students every practical opportunity to accomplish their academic goals and succeed in the college program of their choice. Continuance in college thus implies a dual responsibility on the part of the institution and the student. Through its instructional program, supplemented by academic advising and other available support, the College provides students the opportunity to maintain a satisfactory level of achievement. However, unless the student maintains minimum scholastic requirements, the College will intervene with actions deemed appropriate in the best interest of the College and the student.

Minimum Standards of Academic Performance

The requirements stated below represent the minimum academic performance expected at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Students’ academic progress will be evaluated with respect to both GPA and Earned/Attempted Ratio Standards at the end of each Fall and Spring semester in order to determine their current academic standing.

Effective Fall 2019

GPA Credits                          Minimum Grade Point                
                                               Average (GPA)
12 - 20                                     1.6

21 - 29                                     1.8

30 or more                               2.0   

GPA credits are assigned for college-level courses with course numbers of 100 or higher for which students have been assigned letter grades excluding P (Pass), AW (Administrative Withdrawal), W (Withdrawal), WP (Withdraw Passing), MW (Immunization Withdrawal), PTA (Permission to Attend), SUNY (SUNY Gen. Ed.), and TR (Transfer Credit).

Earned/Attempted Ratio Standards

Attempted Credits                Earned Credits
0-11                                      0 credits
12 or more                                      50%

In calculating the ratio of earned to attempted credits, all courses will be included. Unlike the GPA standard, the earned/attempted ratio also includes developmental courses (those with numbers below 100, such as ENGL098 and MATH095). Also, in calculating the ratio of earned/attempted credits, the following will be included: P (Pass), AW (Administrative Withdrawal), MW (Immunization Withdrawal), W (Withdrawal), and WP (Withdraw Passing).

Academic Warning

Students who fail to earn a 2.0 GPA in the most recent semester but who have a cumulative record that meets minimum academic standards will be issued an Academic Warning and strongly advised to consult with their academic advisor and develop a plan to avoid more severe academic consequences. Academic Warning is not noted on the student’s transcript.

Academic Probation

Students who fail to achieve minimum academic standards will be placed on academic probation for the next semester in which they are enrolled. Students on Academic Probation must complete several steps prior to the beginning of the next semester of enrollment including completion of an online student success survey and working with an advisor to develop a plan to be more successful. The notation “Probation” will be placed on the student’s transcript.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the required steps are completed before the first day of classes in the subsequent semester; failure to do so will result in removal from all courses. 

Repeat Academic Probation

Students whose overall GPA and/or earned/attempted ratio is still below the minimum standard but who have shown “significant progress” by earning at least a 2.0 GPA and successfully completing at least 50 percent of attempted credits in their current semester, will be granted another semester on probation. All courses will be considered in the calculations, whether college-level or developmental. The notation “Repeat Probation” will be placed on the student’s transcript. The student must again complete several required steps with a student success advisor before the first day of classes in the subsequent semester; failure to do so will result in removal from all courses.

Academic Suspension

Students who fail to meet minimum academic standards for two consecutive semesters and who do not meet the requirements for Repeat Probation will be suspended for the period of one semester, including any intervening summer and winter sessions. If already registered for courses in the following semester, they will be de-registered. The notation “Suspension” will be placed on the student’s transcript.

Students who are academically suspended for a second or subsequent time will be suspended for a full academic year including summer and winter sessions. The notation "Repeat Suspension" will be placed on the student's transcript.

Committee on Academic Status

Students who have been academically suspended may request from the Committee on Academic Status permission to enroll while suspended. Procedures and requirements for the request can be obtained from the Office of the Provost. Students are strongly encouraged to appear in person before the committee to present their request, but are not required to do so. If the request is approved, the student will be allowed to enroll pursuant to the conditions determined by the Committee. The decision of the committee is final. Failure to comply with the enrollment conditions may cause the student to be removed from classes and permission to attend revoked.

Students on Repeat Suspension may file a request to enroll only for the second semester of the suspension period.

Reinstatement After First Academic Suspension

During the first semester of enrollment following suspension must meet with a Student Success Advisor, develop and file a Student Success Assessment and register for classes no later than the day before classes begin for the semester.

Reinstatement After Repeat Suspension

Students who have been placed on Repeat Suspension will be suspended for a full academic year including summer and winter sessions. To return to the College, students must reapply for admission.

During the first semester of enrollment following Repeat Suspension, students must meet with a Student Success Advisor, develop and file a Student Success Assessment and register for classes no later than the day before classes begin for the semester.

Recalculation Policy

The Recalculation Policy provides students with a one-time opportunity to discount coursework from their cumulative grade point average or their earned/attempted ratio.  Its purpose is to help students meet the 2.0 GPA requirements for graduation. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for a recalculation, students must meet ALL of the following criteria:

Student has not previously been granted a recalculation, GPA recalculation, or internal transfer. Student’s cumulative GPA or earned/attempted ratio has been below the minimum standard for the two most recent semesters.

Student has changed his/her academic program. Only grades for courses that are not required in the new (current) program will be discounted. Grades of F and WF will automatically be discounted; grades of D-, D, and D+ or grade notations of W, WP, AW, MW, and WP must be requested for discount.

Procedure to discount

Each student must complete a recalculation petition. Grades of D-, D, and D+ or grade notations of W, WP, AW, MW, and WP requested for discount, must be specified on the petition.

The student must submit and discuss the petition with staff in the Student Success, Advising, Career & Transfer office. Signature of the petition by the Student Success, Advising, Career & Transfer office attests that the student and course work are eligible for discount. Final review and a decision are made by the Registrar. Recalculation petitions will be processed on an ongoing basis.

Upon approval, the Academic Records Office will discount the grades for the approved course work from the student’s academic record.

The recalculation may only be granted once. Student will lose credits toward graduation for the discounted grades of D-, D, and D+. All course work and grades will remain on the student’s academic transcript. Transfer schools may recalculate the student’s GPA and not discount any course work. This recalculation is void for honors determination.

Dean’s List

At the end of each semester, the provost recognizes students who have demonstrated high academic achievement by naming them to the dean’s list. These students must have completed at least 12 GPA credit hours in residence during the semester, or in the case of part-time students, have completed a block of 12 GPA credit hours (e.g.  12, 24, 36, etc.). The student must be matriculated in a program of study and must have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or better. During the time period upon which the award is based, the student must have earned grades of “C” or better in all classes.  A “P” grade or grades for repeated courses will not be included in the calculation.  A student receiving an incomplete will not immediately be eligible for the dean’s list, but may petition the provost for consideration after the successful completion of the course. Only courses providing college credit will be included in the calculation of the grade point average.

President’s Citation

This award will be granted only once to students who are matriculated in a program of study, have completed at least 30 GPA credit hours in residence, and have earned an overall grade point average of 3.8 or better. During the time period upon which the award is based, the student must have earned grades of “C” or better in all classes. A “P” grade or grades for repeated courses will not be included in the calculation. A student receiving an incomplete grade will not immediately be eligible for the president’s citation, but may petition the provost and the president for consideration after the successful completion of the incomplete grade. Only courses providing college credit will be included in the calculation of the grade point average.

Honor Society

A chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the only international honor society for American community colleges, was established at the College in 1977. The Alpha Gamma Nu chapter has among its goals the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership, and the cultivation of fellowship among students. Members of the chapter are involved in many projects, including serving in an advisory capacity to the Office of Academic Affairs regarding academic programs. Students currently matriculated in a degree program will be invited into membership of Phi Theta Kappa if they have maintained a cumulative average of at least 3.5 and have completed 15 or more GPA credit hours. PTK members must maintain a GPA of 3.2 in order to maintain membership eligibility. Students must meet these requirements at the time of acceptance.