Cal Poly Humboldt Rethinks Academic Notice
Press release from Cal Poly Humboldt:
Cal Poly Humboldt has recently begun the process to rename Academic Probation to Academic Notice, which intends to help struggling students by avoiding negative connotations with a punitive name.
The language reflects an approach that is more about support and creating a sense of belonging for students whose grades are falling, says Loren Collins, interim director of the Academic & Career Advising Center (ACAC).
“A lot of students end up on notice and most of the time academics is not the cause, but other personal challenges such as housing, food insecurity, hardships, loss or Illness in the family, mental health needs, lack of connection and belonging on campus and other reasons,” he says.
Counselor choice is important, says Collins, and while meeting with an advisor is required, students can request alternate advisors than who they’re assigned in their first year, get help in ACAC, or meet with an advisor in the cultural centers.
“Our goal is to be there for our students,” he says.
The change is the work of a diverse staff and faculty working group, which is also updating the language of Academic Notice and looking at creating cohort models of support that help students realize they are not alone and that there is a clear path forward. Representatives on the group include Umoja Center academic advisor, Harrel Deshazier III, ACAC academic advisor Alison Hodges, faculty members Maria Iturbide, Janelle Adsit, Erin Kelly, Sara Hart, Maxwell Schnurer, and registrar Jenni Robinson-Reisinger.
Additionally, the University has created a retention specialist position who works to reach out to students even after leaving the university to invite them back and assist in creating a pathway to success.
“I myself, in 1998 was on academic probation, I left the university because in my mind it confirmed I didn’t belong here and couldn’t make the cut,” says Collins. “I had the opportunity to get my associate degree and lots of mentorship which led me back to campus where I was still on probation when I returned as a straight A student. So I am passionate about the change and creating a sense of belonging for our students.”
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This is a good move for the university.
It’s so important that a business meet its customers where they are and on the customers terms, providing that costs are paid.
It’s reassuring to know that customers can meet with advisors in ‘cultural centers’.
it’s important to remember that while diversity is a objective for capitalism, customers still prefer to be met face to face with people that look and think like them.
In this fashion, neo-boarding school leadership can edify tribalism while promoting global systems simultaneously.
Makes sense, right?
I think they should lower their standards as much as possible, while maintaining the profitability of the institution as a whole…
It’s a competitive business, after all…
I read yesterday that the State of California is considering eliminating the Bar Exam, substituting a practicum of experience under a licensed shyster, for 4-6 months, since “people of color” and “women” don’t do as well at the exam as white males…
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/california-could-be-next-state-bypass-bar-exam-2023-09-21/#:~:text=Sept%2021%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20The,without%20taking%20the%20bar%20exam.
I think if you go to class, and pass the test, you should get a “you’re special!” plaque for every class, and a lollypop!!
The pure fact that I. 12 hours you both have received a ? and not one of the opposite speaks volumes.
The People Have Had Enough ✨️
One thumb up is not a lot.
Making students earn grades that reflect their level of mastery is so unfair. Instead, every grade should be either a P (for participated) or a P- (for did not participate). At the end, everyone with at least one P on their transcript should earn an identical participation diploma. Then the university should provide orange slices and Sunny-D for everyone. Voila! Equity!
Awww. I see what you did there…….
And you agree … to the cynical baloney being called out.
Spade
Bravo
Hello? Renaming something negative to avoid negative connotations is silly because the new name then becomes the new negative connotation. But this academic word play is not without cost. It costs thousands and thousands to change the word in every place it shows up, including form letters, handbooks, personnel guides, etc. Not to mention damaging a useful generic word like “notice” for other purposes.
As long as the renaming is part of a larger overhaul, I see no problem with it.
The post did mention the hiring of a retention specialist, but it was short on other details.
Grift and you being okay with it sounds like you stand to benefit …
Good point. They are just wasting time & making the name more vague. If I saw an “academic notice” on my transcript without context I’d have no idea what it means.
I’m glad that CalPoly wants to provide support for students who are struggling academically, but changing the name from “probation” to “notice” is not helpful. The reality remains the same – if you are below a certain GPA at the end of a semester (1.5 for Freshman) and you can’t pass that level in the next semester you are kicked out of the program. Supporting struggling students is great, but being straight and real with them about consequences is equally as important. It remains a probationary situation. Call it what it is. That is more of a service to students then cloaking the reality in a softer language.
It is not nice to be real!! We must soften every word and then later on soften it again. It is how idiocracy is attained…and Cal Poly will lead the way!
Brawndo, baby!
Achtung …
Truly a wonderful decision to get rid of the word “probation” and all its baggage. I applaud Cal Poly in its efforts to assist students on their academic journey. Showing kindness and understanding can unleash great potential.
You can show kindness and understanding while still being real with students. I would argue that you are in fact respecting the student much more when you are honest with them about their academic standing and what they must do to remain in the program while still offering support and resources for them to attain success.
Unfortunately I believe we have reached the stage where “being real” is considered the enemy of “kindness and understanding”. It is surreal. It’s like a modern-time Tower of Babel leading to the fall of civilization….and it is being promulgated by the so-called intelligentsia (well-paid mind you) who should instead be helping to lead us back to a grounded and practical understanding…
Possibly Cal State Humboldt could eliminate scoring in all sporting events? Wouldn’t want all those fine “athletes” to suffer the stigma of having “lost” or being…..”losers”?
Yes!!! What a glorious and INCLUSIVE idea!!! And at the end of each game we can have a ceremony where everybody gets a participation trophy and hugs each other!! While the earth flag flies above all other flags and any mean words are harshly penalized 5 yards or a field goal in the hoop…lol. That would be so progressive and Arcata should do it first to show the country how we can consciously evolve into a higher state of blah blah bah
Lol! That’s the only way the Tigers are going to compete in high school sports!?
Cal Polyp Humboldt is a cancerous, abnormal growth.
And how do we treat cancerous, abnormal growths? Intense radiation and powerful, poisonous chemicals…..let the treatment begin.
I’m sure their future employers won’t actually expect them to work, or follow any rules, or be able to add and subtract, they will just get paid for applying for a position. That will earn them a P for pampered.
What a disservice to the students that actually do what it takes to EARN good grades.
Life is never going to be problem free.