GRADING

Grades and Grade Point Averages

At the end of each semester, grades for every course taken by a student is reported on a transcript. The grading standards, with their grade point equivalents, are:

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Credit-No Credit Grading

A student may choose one course each semester from courses which allow CR-NC grading. A petition must be filed with the Admissions Office before the deadline published in the Class Schedules. A grade earned with an "A", "B" or "C" grade will be recorded as CR with units earned. A grade earned with a "D" or "F" grade will be recorded as NC with no units earned. Units attempted for CR-NC grades are not computed in the GPA but are used for determining progress probation and dismissal.

Once a student has filed a petition for CR-NC grading in a course, the grade cannot be changed to a letter grade.

A maximum of 20 units may be applied toward the AA or AS degree.

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Incomplete Grades

The instructor may assign an "I" grade when, due to unforeseeable emergency and justifiable reasons, a student is unable to complete the requirements of a course before the end of the semester. To receive credit for the course, the incomplete work must be finished no later than one year before the end of the semester in which the "I" grade was assigned. A final grade will be given when the work has been completed and evaluated or when the time limit for completing the work has elapsed. A student receiving an "I" grade cannot re-enroll in the course. Due to unusual circumstances, a student may petition for an extension.

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In-Progress Grades

A student receiving in "IP" grade must re-enroll in the same course the following semester. Failure to re-enroll will result in a letter grade (most likely an "F") be assigned for the course.

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ACADEMIC

Academic Honors

Each semester a student enrolled in 12 units who earns the following GPA will be placed on the following list:

Honors List	3.00 GPA
High Honors List	3.50 or higher GPA

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Good Standing

A student who earns a 2.00 or higher GPA after completing 12 or more units is considered in good standing at American River College.

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Catalog Rights

Do they keep changing the requirements for your degree so fast you think you will never get it finished?

Did you know you could choose which requirements to meet for your general education requirements for the AA or AS degree?

As long as you attend one session (semester or summer) per calendar year, you can choose the following:

1. Meet the general education requirements when you first started in a Los Rios college.
   
   
2. Meet the general education requirements at ARC when you first started at another college or university.
   
   
3. Meet the general education requirement in effect at ARC at the intended date of graduation.

Students changing their major program of study may be required to complete the requirements in effect at the time of the change.

A counselor can help you choose what's best for you!

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Probation

Academic Probation - You are placed on academic probation when you have attempted at least 12 units and have earned a grade point average below 2.00.

Progress Probation - You are placed on progress probation when you have attempted at least 12 units and when the percentage of your units with grades of "W", "I" and "NC" is at least 50% of all units attempted.

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Dismissal

Academic Dismissal - You are placed on academic dismissal when you are on academic probation for three successive semesters.

Progress Dismissal - You are placed on progress dismissal when you are on progress probation for three semesters.

When a student is dismissed, the student is required to remain out of college for one semester. After one semester's absence, you may return on probationary status.

If there are extenuating circumstances, a dismissed student may appeal to the Dean of Admissions to enroll without staying out of college one semester.
See a counselor for starting the appeal process.

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Course Repetition

A student may repeat, only once, a course taken in an accredited college in which the student has earned a "D", "F" or "NC" grade. If a student files a "Petition to Repeat a Course" with the Office of Records and Admissions, the last grade is the only grade used for Grade Point Average purposes, although the first grade remains on the transcript. A student may not repeat a course if the student has earned an "I", "C" or higher grade. See a counselor if you have extenuating circumstances.

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Academic Renewal without Course Repetition

A student may petition to have previous substandard work, (D's or F's), earned at American River College discounted. Courses and grades which no longer reflect a student's current educational objective and current level of academic success may upon petition be discounted in the computation of the grade point average. The following conditions must apply:

1. A minimum of 12 consecutive months shall have elapsed since the end of the semester or summer session in which the work to be alleviated was recorded; and a minimum of twelve (12) semester units (or its equivalent) with a grade of C or Credit or better shall have been attained. The coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited college.
2. Current educational objectives must be discussed with a counselor and the counselor's recommendation must be included on the petition.
3. No more than 30 units of substandard grades may be discounted.
4. Under no circumstances may course work be discounted if it was used to fulfill requirements for a degree or certificate that has been granted.
5. All grades remain on the permanent record and transcript of grades. However, a proper notation on the transcript will indicate the specific grades that were discounted from the grade point average.
6. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Dean of Enrollment Services.
7. Once elected, the academic renewal cannot be reversed.
8. Academic Renewal is not intended for courses that are required and/or will be repeated.

Academic renewal petitions are available in the Counseling Center.

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Auditing

You cannot audit a course at American River College. To attend a course, you must complete assignments and receive a grade or credit for the course.

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OLD Course Numbering and Credit (For years 2002-2003 or before)

NEW Course Numbering and Credit (For years 2003-2004 onward)

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Access to Student Records

The Los Rios Board of Trustees, in order to meet the provisions of the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the Education Code, has established policies giving students and parents of dependent students access to certain designated records. A summary of the rights and procedures for access are contained in the Students Rights and Responsibilities section of the Los Rios Community College District Policy manual.

District Regulation 2265 provides for the release, without student consent, of Student Directory Information, i.e., student's name, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and most recent previous public or private school attended. In addition, federal law provides that representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense shall be provided a student's name, address and telephone number for recruitment purposes. Students have the right to refuse the release of directory information by submitting a written statement to the Admissions and Records Office.

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Student Classification

Part-time	A student taking fewer than 12 units.
Full-time	A student taking 12 or more units.
Freshman	A student who has completed fewer than 30 units.
Sophomore	A student who has completed 30 or more units.
Graduate	A student who has an AA, AS or a higher degree from a recognized college or university.

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Unit Limitation

A student on either academic or progress probation may be limited to 12 units plus a physical education activity course or to a maximum load recommended by the student's counselor.

The maximum number of units a student may take during each semester is 18 and during the summer 7. If you wish to take more, you need a recommendation from a counselor and approval from the Dean of Admissions.

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