Early Alert System
The Early Alert System identifies students who are struggling in their courses and offers assistance through advising, tutoring, and other student support services. These alerts are submitted electronically by faculty. The early alert form allows faculty to select various issues a student may be experiencing in their classroom. Reasons can range from, poor attendance, lack of participation, not completing assignments, disruptive behavior, or lack of essential skills.
Once the alert has been submitted, the Office of Academic Advising initiates contact with that student to deliver evidence based interventions specific to that particular student’s needs. The student will be contacted and provided with referrals to the appropriate offices, such as, counseling services, health services, registrar’s office, tutoring, or skills assessment testing.
The Office of Academic Advising will then follow up with the student and their professors to ensure that she has used the resources presented and is now back on track for a successful semester. Students who receive early alerts will be closely monitored throughout the academic year. Detailed records and files will be kept for these students.
Mid-term Reviews
Once mid-term grades are submitted, all students whose mid-term GPA is below a 2.0 will be required to complete a midterm review with the Office of Academic Advising. A hold will be placed on the student’s account that will not allow them to register for courses until this process has been completed. These students will be notified that they are required to complete this process.
During this process our office completes a Mid-term Review form with the student capturing data, such as, co-curricular activities, part-time or full-time work schedules, and reasons for lack of progress. We also discuss term hours attempted, term hours earned, term GPA, career GPA, and career hours earned. This gives the student an accurate depiction of their academic progress. Students are asked to discuss why they have received deficient grades in their courses and their responses are recorded on the form. Once this information is captured, the student is given an action plan for improvement, which can range from counseling or tutoring referrals, meeting with their professors, managing time better, or reducing social activity.
If a student has any other holds, we refer them to that office immediately. Once their holds are released they are given an Academic Advising Course Recommendation form. This form is to be completed and signed by their advisor. The purpose of this form is to encourage a mandatory meeting with the student and her advisor, proper selection of courses, and ensure that the student follows the action plan they were provided. The Office of Academic Advising will send a list of student names to the respective offices for referrals, which will allow personnel from these offices to contact the student and schedule services.
How to Drop/Add Course
During the registration period, students may add or drop courses. Students and advisors are adjusting schedules to ensure that students have their desired schedule taking into consideration the courses that are mandatory and those considered as electives. Although most students finalize their schedule within the registration period, some do not. This may be due to personal issues, financial and business issues with the College, etc. This select population of students can request a Drop/Add Course Form, from our office, which allows the Professor to grant permission for that student to be allowed into that course manually. This also works in the reverse as well; students can use this form to drop courses as well. The student has to acquire signatures from their Professor, the Director of Academic Advising, and the Registrar’s Office.
Academic Probation and Academic Warning
Federal law establishes that all students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree to remain eligible for financial aid. The minimum standard for satisfactory academic progress for all Bennett College students is a 2.0 (C) cumulative grade point average. A student with less than the required 2.0 GPA at the end of her first semester will automatically be given an “Academic Warning.” A student with less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of her second semester will be placed on “Academic Probation.” Students with less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of her third semester will be automatically dismissed. A student may petition for readmission to the College. If a student has been academically dismissed from the College twice, she becomes ineligible to apply for readmission to Bennett College for a three year period.
Students on warning or probation are sent a confidential letter and notification from the College informing them of their academic standing. Students placed on Academic Warning and Academic Probation are required to complete a Student Success Plan with the office of Academic Advising. This plan entails a Student Success Plan Agreement, Academic Success Plan, and an assessment of study skills and time management skills. Students who are Academic Probation and Warning will review the agreement and a staff member goes over each item in detail with that student to ensure understanding. The student and staff member sign and date the agreement. The student will take an assessment, which allows the Office of Academic Advising to see where the student may need extra help and resources. The Academic Advisor asks questions about study habits and skills, time management, class attendance, and class preparation. The staff member reviews the assessment to help the student identify her areas for improvement. Once this is completed, the student then creates her success plan, listing four goals to measure her academic progress at the end of the semester.
The student and staff member will create a set schedule for that semester, outlining study time, work, lunch, sleep, and extra-curricular activities. This is done to help with time management and give the student a true depiction of their daily schedule. Students are assisted in completing a GPA calculator activity. This activity is to assist the student in seeing what grades they need to make to boost their GPA and get off of probation or warning.
Each student is provided a folder that they are responsible for keeping for the semester, which includes a bimonthly checklist, tutor log, Success Seminar log, and signature sheet. Each student is required to attend tutoring, Success Seminars, and bi-weekly meetings with the Academic Advising Office. Students must comply with these mandates in order to be in compliance with our office and to improve their academic progress.