Grade Point Deficiency and Grade Alleviation

Grade Point Deficiency

The Academic Standards Policy is based on a cumulative grade point average of “C,” the minimum standard of progress toward graduation or transfer.

All units and grade points are on a cumulative basis. At all times, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point total that is double the total units attempted (“C” average). If a student undertakes 12.5 units in one semester and 15.5 in a second semester, his or her cumulative units are 28, requiring a grade point level of 56. (Example: 56/28=2.00 GPA.)

Any grade point total less than twice the attempted units is regarded as deficient. (Example: 55/28=1.96 GPA) Pass/No Pass courses will not affect a student’s grade point deficiency.

Grade Alleviation

A student who has received a grade of D+, D, D-, F, or NP in a course may repeat the course twice for purposes of grade alleviation. Upon satisfactory completion of the repeated course (grade A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, or P) the Admissions and Records Office will use the grade of the repeated course in computation of the grade-point average. The original grade will remain on the transcript, but will no longer be computed in the grade-point average. Course repetition completed at the other two colleges of the San Mateo County Community College District will be honored; course repetition involving work completed at a non-district institution may be honored upon request. Students may apply for such consideration to the Admissions and Records Office.

Courses in which the student has received grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, or P are not subject to the provisions of this policy. Under special, educationally justifiable circumstances, repetition of credit courses other than those for which substandard work has been recorded may be permitted. The student must obtain prior written permission from the Extenuating Circumstances Committee before such course repetition will be authorized. Grades awarded for courses repeated under this provision shall not be considered in calculating the student’s grade point average and in no case will the unit value of the repeated course be counted more than once.