Academic Status

Credit Hour Load
You should enroll for an average of 16 credit hours per term to earn an associate degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in four years. Sixteen credit hours involves about 48 clock hours of scholastic productivity each week during the term. If you must work you are advised to fit your job schedule into the term hour equation and anticipate taking more than six terms to complete a two-year educational plan.

It may be difficult to carry a full-time academic load if you work more than 20 hours per week. By taking advantage of summer term classes you can either reduce the number of hours needed per term, or the length of time required for attaining your degree(s). An accumulative GPA minimum of 2.75, and written approval from your advisor is required to enroll in more than 19 credits per term.

Course Numbering
Umpqua Community College uses the course numbering system found throughout the Oregon University System and other state community colleges. Course numbers 100-299 are intended as transferable credit classes (often a grade of "C" or better is required). Normally 200 numbers are sophomore courses. Course numbers 10-99 normally don't transfer.

Academic Probation
As a student at Umpqua Community College you are expected to make satisfactory progress toward your educational goals. Satisfactory progress means fulfilling the college requirement of a 2.00 ("C") accumulative GPA necessary to receive a degree or certificate. You will be notified by mail and placed on academic probation if your accumulative GPA falls below 2.00.

Probation is a warning that you're not making satisfactory progress. After two consecutive quarters of probation, you will be automatically suspended.

Suspension
The College administration has discretionary authority to suspend students whenever it is apparent that such action is necessary.  After two consecutive quarters of unsatisfactory progress, you will be automatically suspended.  An exception may be granted if your term GPA is 2.00 or above but your accumulative GPA fails to meet the required minimum; in such cases students remain on academic probation.  In addition, after completing 36 credits, you must have a minimum 1.75 accumulated GPA or be suspended. You must then follow one of the stipulated procedures for readmission as outlined below.  You have 90 days to appeal if you believe an error has occurred on your academic record. If you receive financial or veterans aid through UCC, you must meet the satisfactory progress requirements outlined in the financial/veterans aid literature.
If you have been suspended for academic deficiency or unsatisfactory progress you may appeal to the Academic Standards Committee for readmission.

Readmission After Suspension
In the case of Readmission After Suspension, the committee will review the required information form provided by the student along with the student's academic records and will render a decision. Students are encouraged to attend the meeting and plead their case.

As a suspended student you have the following options available:

1. Continue in attendance as a part-time student (8 credit hours or less);
2. Discontinue attendance for one academic year;
3. File an appeal to the college's Academic Standards Committee seeking readmission;
4. Bring accumulative GPA to 2.00 or better.

Academic Appeal Process
It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the appeal process and fill out the appeal form. The student must meet with the Director of Counseling for advising prior to filling out the Appeal form and filing the form with the Admission's Office. The student will be required to provide the committee with the following information:

1. Required personal data.
2. What the student is requesting.
3. An explanation of the academic deficiency.
4. Proposed behaviour which will produce improved academic performance.
5. Student's signature.
6. Additional documentation of extenuating circumstances (if needed)

Appeal Types
Late Withdrawal - In appeals pertaining to Late Withdrawals, the committee will review the required information form provided by the student along with the student's academic records and will render a decision. Documentation of extenuating circumstances (illness, death, accident) must be provided by the student along with an Instructor-signed Add/Drop Slip at the time of application.

Complete Withdrawal from a Prior Term - In appeals pertaining to Complete Withdrawal from a Prior Term, the committee will review the required information form provided by the student along with the student's academic records and will render a decision. Documentation of extenuating circumstances (illness, death, accident) must be provided by the student at the time of application.

Forgiveness of Past Academic Performance
In appeals pertaining to Forgiveness, the committee will review the required information provided by the student along with the student's academic records and will render a decision. The student must appear before the committee for consideration of the request. The student must prove prior coursework seriously impacts his/her future goals or a change of major has occurred. A time period of five years must have elapsed between the quarter for which the petition is sought and the appearance before the committee.

Forgiveness of past performance will eliminate past credits, grades and GPA from consideration in current or future academic standing at UCC. However, the past record will remain as part of your permanent record at UCC and will be provided to another college or university if you wish to transfer credits, and that college's policy will then apply.

Courses satisfactorily completed during the requested forgiveness period ("C" or better) that meet institutional requirements may be waived toward degree requirements. However, such credits will not be counted toward the total credits required for graduation. Forgiveness may be granted once at UCC.  Those that have graduated from UCC are not eligible to take advantage of this policy.