The primary purpose of the Academic Standing Procedure is to promote retention and academic success. It is the College's intention to identify students who are showing signs of significant academic struggle and provide support and services to assist them in meeting their educational goals.
Washtenaw Community College wants to ensure that all students make satisfactory progress toward achieving their educational goals. The fundamental standard of academic progress is the completion of attempted credits and the attainment of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. As a safeguard against academic struggle, interventions and restrictions may apply after a student has attempted a minimum of 12 credit hours (which includes developmental courses) and failed to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0. This intervention will be applied at the time of the student's next enrollment.
Students achieving a cumulative GPA >=2.0 will be in a Good Standing status.
What if I fail to meet the standards?
Students will first go on Academic Caution (after they have attempted a minimum of 12 credit hours) on the first occasion that their cumulative GPA is below 2.0, either after the first enrollment semester or following Good Standing. If a student’s subsequent semester GPA is below 2.0 while on caution, students will then be placed on Academic Warning. If a student’s subsequent semester GPA is below 2.0 while on warning, the student will be placed on academic suspension.
The table below demonstrates how students move from one Academic Standing to another based on end of semester grade processing.
| If your status at start of semester is: | If your term GPA is less than 2.0 and your cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, your status will be: | If your term GPA is greater than or equal to 2.0 and your cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, your status will be: |
|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | Caution | Good Standing |
| Caution | Warning | Caution |
| Warning | Suspended | Caution |
| Post Suspension Warning | Suspended | Caution |
Students on Warning or Post Suspension Warning status at the start of the semester and withdraw from all courses will be suspended for the subsequent fall or winter semester.
Academic Caution
Students who are placed on Academic Caution will be notified via email at the end of the semester. This is not noted on the transcript.
Academic Warning
Students who are placed on Academic Warning will be notified via email at the end of the semester. Academic Warning is not noted on the transcript. Students on Academic Warning will be placed on registration hold and will be required to meet with an advisor before registering.
Academic Suspension
Students who are placed on Academic Suspension will be notified via email and mailed letter. Students registered for the subsequent semester will be contacted by phone as well. Academic Suspension is not noted on the transcript. Students will be prohibited from registering for credit classes at WCC for one semester. If students are already registered for the next semester, courses will be dropped after the appeal deadline.If the student is academically suspended due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, they may appeal this suspension to the Academic Suspension Appeal Committee. The Committee’s decision is final.
Note: Students in specific programs at WCC, students receiving financial aid or veteran benefits must also meet the specific academic requirements for continuation in these programs.
To appeal your Academic Suspension, please use the Academic Suspension Appeal Form. This form must be completed in its entirety and returned to the Student Records Office no later than 6pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. This form can be returned in person, mailed, or emailed. See the form for more details. The committee will meet and make their final decisions on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Students will receive notification of their decision to their WCC email by 5pm on the 3rd.
Academic Suspension Frequently Asked Questions
Students returning from Academic Suspension following a semester of non-attendance at WCC will be placed on a Post Suspension Warning hold and must meet with an academic advisor prior to being allowed to register for classes.
Academic Caution is a status reserved for when a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below 2.0 for either the first time or following Good Standing.
Academic Warning is a status reserved for students whose semester GPA falls below 2.0, either after a student is placed on academic caution or a student who is returning from suspension.
Academic suspension from Washtenaw Community College results when a student who is on Academic Warning has a semester GPA below 2.0. Suspended students may not enroll in the subsequent fall or winter semester. Suspended students may enroll in a summer semester with advisor permission.
A student will be suspended for the subsequent fall or winter semester. Students who are suspended may enroll in a summer semester with advisor permission.
We recommend contacting the WCC Financial Aid Office to receive information regarding impact on financial aid awards and eligibility status.
You should submit the Academic Suspension Appeal Form.
Submissions will be sent to the WCC Academic Suspension Appeal Review Committee, and you will be notified of the outcome of your appeal via email. The Academic Suspension Appeal Committee meets prior to the start of the next semester.
You will receive email notification of the decision. Your suspension status will be removed and you will continue on Academic Warning. In some cases, there may be additional requirements such as reduced credit load or enrollment in a specific course for a given semester.
You will remain on Academic Suspension. If you are still registered for classes in your semester of suspension, those classes will be removed from your schedule. All decisions of the Committee are final.
You may resume taking classes after one semester with the help of an academic advisor.
You are encouraged to connect with your assigned WCC academic advisor to discuss your goals, consider strategies and commitments, and make a plan for future academic and career success.
If you are on Academic Warning and receive all withdrawal grades you will be placed on Academic Suspension.