Academic Standards

Academic Obligations

All students are expected to be diligent in the pursuit of their courses of study in order that both they and the State receive maximum benefit from the educational opportunities provided. Each student is responsible for his or her enrollments and timely adds, drops, and withdrawals following campus policy.

Students are expected to satisfy the academic demands required by their instructors in such ways as they may set forth, in order to satisfy the instructor that they are performing their assignments in a proper manner.

Instructors are expected to give first priority to meeting their scheduled classes and other assigned responsibilities, including keeping regular office hours for student conferences.

In classroom settings, instructors have the authority and responsibility to establish rules, maintain order, and to dismiss students from a class session for violation of the rules or misconduct. Violations or misconduct warranting more than a single dismissal from a class session should be referred by the instructor to the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities at 805.756.2794 for disciplinary action.

Expected Academic Progress (EAP) Policy

Expected Academic Progress is defined as making appropriate degree progress each academic year by earning a certain percentage of degree applicable units that meet major, support, general education, concentration, and free elective (if applicable) requirements that are directly associated with the student’s declared major.

Expected Academic Progress (EAP) is monitored for all undergraduate students each quarter. Students who fall behind in their EAP will be designated as having an EAP deficiency and may be required to meet with their academic advisor. Although this designation will not be noted on their transcript, students will be expected to make up this deficiency.

Those students who are required to meet with their advisor are expected to review and discuss their academic progress, and to create a reasonable academic plan to help get the student back on track. Attending summer session, either at Cal Poly, a community college, or another regionally accredited institution, may be suggested. Should the student decide to attend another institution, he or she must confirm that the courses they decide to take at that institution will apply to their Cal Poly degree requirements upon transfer.

If the student continues to have an EAP deficiency, their department or college may have a hold placed on their registration for the next term or place them on Administrative Academic Probation (see the section on Administrative Academic Probation).

Those students who have a demonstrated need to attend Cal Poly on a part-time basis for at least three consecutive quarters may be considered exempt from the EAP policy. These students will be required to submit an EAP Exemption Request through their advisors in order to be evaluated for exemption.

In addition to the university’s EAP policy, the College of Engineering has additional requirements. Please see the College of Engineering Advising Center for details.

I. Native EAP Policy (Students entering Cal Poly as first-time freshmen)

Every full-time undergraduate student is required to make reasonable academic progress toward completion of the bachelor’s degree. EAP is monitored for all Cal Poly students in order to help them graduate in a timely manner.

Students entering Cal Poly as first-time freshmen and who are enrolled in four-year degree programs (e.g., BA, BS, BFA) are expected to graduate in twelve quarters. Normally, this will not include summer terms, as summer is considered an opportunity to make up for any lack of progress in prior quarters or to bank progress for future quarters.

To maintain Expected Academic Progress, the following standards should be met by the end of each respective year:

First year: Completion of at least 20% of the total number of units required for the degree.

Second year: Completion of at least of 45% of the total number of units required for the degree.

Third year: Completion of at least 75% of the total number of units required for the degree.

Fourth year: Completion of at least 100% of the total number units required for the degree.

Example: A student enrolled in a four-year degree program requiring 180 total units would need to complete no fewer than 36 units by the end of the first year, no fewer than 81 units by the end of the second year, no fewer than 135 by the end of the third year, and no fewer than 180 by the end of the fourth year.

To determine the standards for programs requiring more than 180 total units, multiply the total units required by .20, .45, .75, or 1.0 for each respective year. Students enrolled in a five-year degree (e.g., BArch, BLA) or blended programs must also demonstrate Expected Academic Progress and should consult with their major department for specific requirements.

Benchmark Courses: In addition to monitoring the number of required units completed, some departments may identify specific benchmark courses that should be completed by the end of each respective year. Students should check with their advisor for such requirements.

Degree Applicable Units: Departments rely on data derived from each student’s Degree Progress Report (DPR) to verify that the expected number of units completed constitute degree-applicable units (units that advance the student toward degree completion). In tallying these units for the purpose of monitoring EAP, degree-applicable credits earned from Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and accredited baccalaureate-level transfer work will be included.

Concentrations: If the student’s major requires a concentration, units taken for the concentration are included in assessing EAP. The concentration should be declared no later than reaching 90 units (junior standing).

Minors: Minors are optional at Cal Poly and are not a part of a student’s EAP. Depending on the student’s major, courses taken for the minor may or may not represent degree-applicable units (see “Maximum Units” below). Students who decide to pursue a minor should declare their minor no later than the end of their junior year. Minors must be completed within the EAP requirements identified (i.e., maximum number of units and quarters allowed for the degree). No minor will be awarded after the baccalaureate degree requirements have been met.

Maximum Units: Students graduating on time (this would be 12 quarters, excluding summers, for students enrolled in four-year degree programs) have no cap on the number of units they may complete at Cal Poly. Students who do not graduate on time may complete no more than 24 Cal Poly units above the number required for the degree. Exceeding the allowable 24 units may result in a hold being placed on the student’s registration or the student being placed on administrative academic probation. The student will be required to submit a Degree Completion Plan to the major department before he or she is allowed to continue their education at Cal Poly. The Degree Completion Plan may include only degree-applicable units, as the student will not be allowed to take non-degree-applicable classes during this period. In tallying the Maximum Units, only Cal Poly units will be included. Credit earned from AP, IB, and transfer work will not be used in the Maximum Units calculation.

Students contemplating a change of major or the addition of a second major should be aware that the maximum unit cap applies in these circumstances. As outlined in the Change of Major section elsewhere in the catalog, major changes should be undertaken only if the new major will not result in exceeding the maximum units cap of 24 Cal Poly units above the number required for the degree.  The same holds true for a second major. In the case of a change of major, the cap would be 24 units above the number required for the new major. In the case of a second major, the cap would be 24 units above the minimum required for the primary major.

Failure to make reasonable academic progress as prescribed by this policy may result in a hold being placed on the student’s registration or the student being placed on administrative-academic probation. Students will be notified via their Cal Poly email address if a hold has been placed on their record or if they are being placed on administrative-academic probation. Continued failure to meet EAP standards may result in disqualification from the University.

Exemptions: Students who have to comply with an externally imposed set of degree progress standards (e.g., athletes following NCAA regulations) may continue to follow those guidelines. Other students for whom the Expected Academic Progress policy represents undue hardship may appeal for exemption through their advisor. Such appeals should be supported with documentation as appropriate (e.g., a physician’s note).

II. Transfer EAP Policy

Every full-time undergraduate student is required to make reasonable academic progress toward completion of their bachelor’s degree. EAP is monitored for all Cal Poly students in order to help them graduate in a timely manner.

Ideally, those who enter Cal Poly as upper division transfer students and who are enrolled in four-year degree programs (BA, BS, BFA) are expected to graduate in two years (six quarters). However, EAP policy does allow students three years (nine quarters, excluding summer quarters) to complete their degree requirements at Cal Poly, should they still have remaining lower division requirements after they are admitted as junior transfers.

To maintain Expected Academic Progress, the following standards should be met by the end of the specified year of study at Cal Poly (note that these standards are based on the assumption that all upper division transfer students enter with at least 90 degree-applicable units and are General Education (GE) certified for lower division GE not specified by the major):

First year: Completion of at least 55% of the total number of units required for the degree.

Second year: Completion of at least 80% of the total number units required for the degree.

Third year: Completion of 100% of the total number of units required for the degree.

Example: A transfer student enrolled in a four-year degree program requiring 180 total units would need to have completed no fewer than 99 degree-applicable units by the end of the first year, no fewer than 144 degree-applicable units by the end of the second year, and no fewer than 180 degree-applicable units by the end of the third year of study.

To determine the standards for programs requiring more than 180 total units, multiply the total units required by .55 or .80 or 1.0 for each respective year. Students enrolled in five-year degrees (e.g., BArch, BLA) or blended programs must also demonstrate Expected Academic Progress and should consult with their major department for specific requirements.

Benchmark Courses: In addition to monitoring the number of degree-applicable units completed, some departments may identify specific benchmark courses that should be completed by the end of each respective year. Students should check with their advisor for such requirements.

Degree Applicable Units: Departments rely on data derived from each student’s Degree Progress Report (DPR) to verify that the minimum number of units completed constitute degree-applicable units (units that advance the student toward degree completion). In tallying these units for the purpose of monitoring satisfactory progress, degree-applicable credit earned from Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and accredited baccalaureate level transfer work will be included.

Concentrations: If the student’s major requires a concentration, units taken for the concentration are included in assessing the EAP. The concentration should be declared as soon as possible and no later than the end of the second quarter of study at Cal Poly.

Minors: Minors are optional at Cal Poly and are not a part of a student’s Expected Academic Progress. Depending on the student’s major, courses taken for the minor may or may not represent degree-applicable units (See “Maximum Units” below). Students electing a minor should declare the minor as soon as possible and no later than the end of the first year of study at Cal Poly. Minors must be completed within the EAP requirements identified (e.g., maximum number of units and quarters allowed for the major). No minor will be awarded after the baccalaureate degree requirements have been met.

Maximum Units: Transfer students graduating on time (in 9 quarters, excluding summers, for transfer students enrolled in four-year degree programs) have no cap on the number of units they may complete at Cal Poly. Transfer students who are NOT on track to graduate on time may complete no more than 24 Cal Poly units above the number required for the degree. Exceeding the allowable 24 units may result in a hold placed on the student’s registration or the student being placed on administrative-academic probation. Students must submit a Degree Completion Plan to their major department before they will be allowed to continue their education at Cal Poly, and may enroll only in degree applicable units. In tallying the Maximum Units, only Cal Poly units will be included. Credit earned from AP, IB, and transfer work will not be used in the Maximum Units calculation.

Students contemplating a change of major or the addition of a second major should be aware that the maximum unit cap applies in these circumstances. As outlined in the Change of Major section elsewhere in the catalog, major changes should be undertaken only if the new major will not result in exceeding the maximum unit cap of 24 Cal Poly units above the number required for the degree. The same holds true for a second major. In the case of a change of major, the cap would be 24 units above the number required for the new major. In the case of a second major, the cap would be 24 units above the minimum required for the primary major.

Failure to make reasonable academic progress as prescribed by this policy may result in a hold being placed on the student’s registration or the student being placed on administrative-academic probation. Students will be notified via their Cal Poly email address if a hold has been placed on their record or if they are being placed on administrative-academic probation. Continued failure to meet EAP standards may result in disqualification from the University.

Exemptions: Students complying with an externally imposed set of degree progress standards (e.g., athletes following NCAA regulations) may continue to follow those guidelines. Other students for whom the Expected Academic Progress policy represents undue hardship may appeal for exemption through their advisor. Such appeals should be supported with documentation as appropriate (e.g., a physician’s note).

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Undergraduate Academic Probation and Disqualification

Core Values/Guiding Principles

Every student admitted to Cal Poly should have the maximum opportunity to earn a Cal Poly degree. As a university, we should be providing assistance and guidance wherever possible to achieve this goal. When students find themselves in academic difficulty, we should be creating pathways for success, preferably at Cal Poly. Our policies should reflect this premise as much as possible.

Definitions:

Academic Probation: The term grade point average (unadjusted for any subsequent grade forgiveness), Cal Poly cumulative grade point average, and/or higher education grade point average (GPA) drops below 2.000.

Academic Progress: The degree progress that students make by the end of each academic term by successfully completing units applicable to their declared major.  Students’ actual academic progress is displayed in the form of a “gauge” showing percent completed and is available on their student portal, in their Poly Profile under the Academic Progress section.

Academic Progress Level: At Cal Poly, students’ academic degree progress is divided into four levels, denoting the progress that students are expected make by the end of each of the 4 years that it takes to complete their degree (5 year degree programs have five levels). For detailed information, please see the Academic Standards section of the Cal Poly Catalog.

Academic Progress Level GPA Limits: The minimum GPA that students must attain in order to remain eligible to enroll at Cal Poly.  The Academic Progress Level GPA Limits correspond to the Academic Progress Levels as outlined in the policy under Section II. Academic Disqualification.

Academic Success Contract: A set of academic conditions that students who are either in academic probation or administrative-academic probation status, or academic disqualification or administrative-academic disqualification status have to meet in order to remain eligible to enroll at Cal Poly.

Term Grade Point Average (Term GPA): The grade point average based on all graded work for the term (quarter).

Cal Poly Cumulative Grade Point Average (CPSLO GPA): The grade point average based on all graded work completed only at Cal Poly.

Higher Education Cumulative Grade Point Average (Higher Ed GPA): Grade point average based on all graded work completed at all colleges and universities including Cal Poly.

Disqualification: Academic status that may lead to dismissal.

Dismissal: Administrative action that prevents students from enrolling at Cal Poly for any future quarters. Dismissal may result from academic disqualification or administrative-academic disqualification status, from a disciplinary proceeding. Dismissed students may or may not be allowed to return to Cal Poly, depending on the reason for the dismissal. 

Reinstatement: Administrative action that restores students’ eligibility to enroll at Cal Poly. Reinstatement may result from the approval of an appeal of disqualification or the removal of a disciplinary sanction.

Academic performance is considered in determining students’ eligibility to remain enrolled. Uniform standards for academic probation/disqualification and for administrative-academic probation/disqualification are in effect at all campuses of the California State University. When they do not meet these standards, undergraduate students may be placed on academic probation status and later placed on academic disqualification status or be placed on administrative-academic probation status and later placed on administrative-academic disqualification status. Once placed on any disqualification status, students will be dismissed if no action is taken on behalf of the student, or if an appeal for continued enrollment is not approved by the university.

Undergraduate students are placed on academic probation or on academic disqualification status under the conditions stated below. For minimum academic standards applicable to graduate and post-baccalaureate students, see the Graduate Programs section of the catalog.

I.     Academic Probation

Undergraduate students are automatically placed on academic probation status when the current term grade point average (unadjusted for any subsequent grade forgiveness), Cal Poly cumulative grade point average, and/or higher education grade point average (GPA) drops below 2.000 (i.e., the equivalent of an average grade of C).  Students are notified promptly via campus email by the Office of the Registrar if placed on academic probation status. Students are responsible for checking their campus email accounts regularly.

II.     Academic Disqualification

Undergraduate students will be placed on academic disqualification status if their Cal Poly cumulative GPA (CPSLO GPA) or their higher education GPA (Higher Ed GPA) falls below the following academic progress level GPA limits based on the corresponding academic progress levels (degree applicable work completed):

Academic Progress Levels:                                                          Academic Progress Level GPA Limits:

Academic Progress Level IV (75.1%-100%):                           1.950 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA
Academic Progress Level III (45.1%-75%):                             1.850 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA
Academic Progress Level II (20.1%-45%):                              1.700 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA
Academic Progress Level I (0%-20%):                                     1.500 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA

New Student Success Clause: To allow for an adjustment period, first-time freshmen and new transfer students will not be placed on academic disqualification status until the end of the first academic year even if their GPA falls below the designated academic progress level GPA limits.

5-year programs: Although the academic progress levels for the 5-year programs at Cal Poly differs from those of the 4-year programs, for the purposes of the academic disqualification policy, students in the 5-year programs are held to the same corresponding GPA levels as described above.

III.     Notice of Academic Disqualification

Students who fall into academic disqualification status will be notified via email from the Office of the Registrar before the beginning of the next quarter.  Their academic status will also show on their student portal, in their Poly Profile. Failure to notify students does not create the right to continue enrollment.

Students will not be dismissed due to academic disqualification status at the end of the winter quarter. Those students who fall into academic disqualification status at the end of winter quarter will be placed on an academic success contract that, if successfully met, may result in permission to continue beyond spring quarter. However, students who are placed on an academic success contract at the end of fall quarter and who fail to meet the conditions of their contract will be dismissed at the end of winter quarter.

IV.     Appeal for Reinstatement

Students who are in academic disqualification status may appeal for reinstatement. If reinstated, students will be placed on an academic success contract. Students who do not appeal for reinstatement or whose appeal is not approved will be dismissed from the university.

V.     Administrative-Academic Probation

Undergraduate students may be placed on administrative-academic probation status by action of the dean of the college in which the students’ declared major resides for any of the following reasons:

1. Withdrawal from all or a substantial portion of courses in two successive terms or in any three terms. (Note: students who are on an approved leave of absence are not subject to administrative-academic probation status for such withdrawal.)
    
2. Repeated failure to make Expected Academic Progress (as defined in the Academic Standards section of the Cal Poly Catalog) toward the stated degree or program objective when such failure appears to be due to circumstances within the control of the student.
    
3. Failure to comply, after due notice, with an academic requirement or regulation which is routine for all students or a defined group of students (for example, failure to complete a required CSU or campus examination, failure to complete a required practicum, failure to comply with professional standards appropriate to the field of study, failure to complete a specified number of units as a condition for receiving student financial aid or making satisfactory progress in the academic program).

When such action is taken, students are notified via their Cal Poly email address and are provided with the conditions for removal from probation and the circumstances that would lead to disqualification, should probation not be removed.

VI.     Administrative-Academic Disqualification

Undergraduate students who have been placed on administrative-academic probation status may be placed on disqualification status, by action of the dean of the college in which the students are enrolled, for any of the following reasons:

1. The conditions for removal of administrative-academic probation status are not met within the period specified.
    
2. The student goes on academic probation status while on administrative-academic probation status.
    
3. The student is placed on administrative-academic probation status more than once.  

When such action is taken, the student is notified via their Cal Poly email address including an explanation of the basis for the action.

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Academic Petitions

Academic petitions are handled through the Academic Affairs division of the University. Contact the appropriate office for specific academic petition procedures.

Petitions for course substitution, course and term withdrawal, course audits, and many others can be found at the Office of the Registrar Forms page.

For Change of Major, reach out to the Mustang Success Center or to the advising center for the major to which you wish to change: Advising Centers.

For academic disqualification petition appeals, follow the steps as outlined in the email you received, or contact the advising center for your major/college: Advising Centers.

Issues of cheating, dishonesty, and plagiarism are addressed by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Academic Petition Appeals

Admission and re-admission appeals are reviewed in the Admissions Office, and the University’s final decisions are made there.  Information on the admissions appeal process may be found on the Admissions Decision Appeals webpage.

Students wishing to appeal a grade may appeal to the Academic Senate Fairness Board.

Other academic petition appeals are reviewed at the department or program level, the college level, or within the Office of the Registrar. Petitions that are refused must first be appealed at the level where the decision was made, and final appeals are made to the Academic Programs and Planning office. See the Academic Programs and Planning policy for more information on Academic Petition Appeals.

Student Grievances

The University provides students with a variety of mechanisms to address student grievances or concerns. In all such matters, the University encourages students to attempt to resolve their grievances or concerns at the source of the issue (i.e., with the professor, department chair or administrator, or college associate dean). The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, at 805.756.2794, is available to any campus community member to assist with identifying and clarifying appropriate campus policies and procedures for addressing student grievances or concerns.

For general questions about grievances, contact the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, at 805.756.2794. The following list contains the offices or programs designated to address the more common student grievances at the University:

• Grade Grievances – The Fairness Board: Contact the Academic Senate Office, 805.756.1258 (See University Policies page for more detail on the functions of this Board)
• Individual Student Misconduct – Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, 805.756.2794 (See Student Affairs page for more detail on the functions of this office)
• Student Club Misconduct – Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, 805.756.2794 (See Student Affairs page for more detail on the functions of this office)

Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics

Eligibility for competition in intercollegiate athletics is regulated in general by the rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and specifically by current Conference and university regulations. The Director of Athletics is responsible for maintaining up-to-date intercollegiate athletics eligibility rules applicable to the University. The Faculty Athletic Representative has the responsibility for the interpretation of the NCAA, Conference, and university rules for determining student eligibility to represent the University in intercollegiate athletic events.

Eligibility for Student Activities

Students on either academic or disciplinary probation may not participate on intercollegiate teams nor may they hold positions of leadership in chartered student organizations or coded student government groups. Students on probation may participate in such student organizations and groups as members but they may not hold an office or represent the University or the Associated Students, Incorporated in any official capacity.

Student Conduct and Discipline

It is expected that all Cal Poly students are enrolled for serious educational pursuits and that they conduct themselves so as to preserve an appropriate atmosphere of learning. It is also expected that all students who enroll at Cal Poly are willing to assume the responsibilities of citizenship in the campus community. Association in such a community is voluntary, and students may withdraw from it at any time that they consider the obligations of membership disproportionate to the benefits. While enrolled, students are subject to campus authority that includes the prerogative of dismissing those whose conduct is inimical to the aims of an institution of higher education.

While enrolled, students are subject to the regulations governing discipline stated in Education Code Section 66017 and in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, Sections 41301–41302, and to such rules and regulations as have been approved and promulgated by authority of the President. Copies of Title 5 California Code of Regulations 41301 and 41302, which deal specifically with student disciplinary regulations, are available to all students in the "Appendix" of this catalog. Other applicable regulations are contained in this Catalog, in the Campus Administrative Policies, the Standards for Student Conduct, Student Rights & Responsibilities, and in other official University publications, including the Cal Poly website.

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