Program Overview

The first year in college can often be difficult. That's why the Office of New Student Programs will be here as your resource for support during your first year. Provisional students are only admitted in the fall semester and the Office of Admissions selects students for the program. As a provisionally admitted student, our office will monitor your academic progress, refer you to campus resources, connect you with a new student mentor, and just be here to listen if you need someone to talk to about personal or academic issues. Your success is our goal and we hope you choose to use the New Student Programs staff and the New Student Mentors as a resource during your first year.

Being a provisional student is no big deal, it simply means that you are not alone during your first year - you have us!

As part of the provisional program, students are provided with a peer mentor as well as the extended resources of the Center for Student Learning. New Student Mentors are currently enrolled student who can help answer any questions, go for coffee, or just be there if a you need someone. You will meet their mentor during orientation and have an opportunity to email them over the summer.

Purpose of the Provisional Program

The Office of New Student Programs is responsible for the first year support of new students who are provisionally admitted to the College by the Office of Admissions. Approximately 150-200 first year students are provisionally admitted. The Office of New Student Programs has no role in the decision to admit a student provisionally. Questions about the provisional admission decision should be directed to an admission counselor in the Office of Admissions (843) 953-5670.

The academic progress of provisional students during the first year is tracked by the Office of New Student Programs. This includes a review of midterm and end of the semester grades. Provisional students can visit the Office of New Student Programs for referral to a campus-wide network of resources and support services offered to address the various needs of provisionally admitted students. If a cumulative 2.0 is not maintained after the first semester of enrollment, a noncredit hour course called Learning Strategies (EDLS 100) must be completed during the probation semester.

A 2.0 cumulative GPA and minimum completion of 24 hours during the first year is expected by the end of the spring semester to continue enrollment at the College of Charleston. Students who do not meet requirements in May will not be allowed to continue enrollment beyond the spring. If enrollment is not continued, provisional students must complete 30 hours at another institution and reapply to the College as a transfer student with the Office of Admissions to return to the College. Transfer admission requirements must be met to be admitted.

Provisional Students are assigned a academic advisor from the Academic Advising and Planning Center for their first year. The Academic Advising and Planning Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Lightsey Center.

In order to prepare for the Provisional Program, students attend a mandatory provisional contract signing during Orientation. This meeting will be indicated on the orientation schedule on day one. This meeting will cover program requirements, events, and services. To see the contract requirements for the Provisional Program. Parents are welcome to attend this session during Orientation.

Evaluation of Student Progress

Students will be mailed a letter after the fall semester advising them that they 1) are in good standing; 2) need improvement; or 3) are in danger of being disallowed to continue at the College of Charleston if performance does not demonstrate considerable improvement by the end of the spring semester. A 2.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum of 24 earned hours is required when grades post in May to continue enrollment.

At the end of the spring semester, after the posting of grades, a letter will be mailed to the students' permanent address indicated on Cougar Trail regarding status. Please update your mailing address on Cougar Trail if needed to ensure receipt of this information in May.

If you are not allowed to continue enrollment beyond the spring, an appeal process is in place for students only if MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES APPLY that prevented you from meeting requirements during the academic year. Not attending class or failing to drop or withdraw properly is not an excuse that will be accepted.

APPEAL PROCESS: If you feel that mitigating circumstances apply, you may wish to appeal the dismissal decision.

You may print the appeal form posted on the site in the spring or you may pick up a copy in the Office of New Student Programs in the Lightsey Annex. Appeal forms must be completed and returned to New Student Programs with required documentation for your appeal to be considered. A decision regarding your appeal will be mailed to your permanent address.

Due to FERPA requirements, this appeal decision will not be shared by phone with parents or family members. The decision will be provided by mail directly to the student. Please do not call about your status.

Student Information Release Form
Students may sign a Student Information Release Form to have information about their progress in the provisional program discussed with their parents or with another designated recipient. This form need only be filled out once for the student's year in the provisional program. If a student wishes to stop the discussion of information authorized by this form, he or she must request this action in writing in the New Student Programs Office.

Center for Student Learning
The Center for Student Learning is an invaluable resource for provisional students during the school year. The Center for Student Learning is a comprehensive academic support program whose mission is to enable ALL students at the College of Charleston to achieve academic success.

The Center for Student Learning offers tutoring, study skills seminars, walk in labs for various subjects, supplemental instruction, study skills labs. To access the study skills seminar schedule, go to the Center for Student Learning and click on Study Skills Seminar on the sidebar.

 

updated October 9, 2009