CCSN’s probation figures subject to interpretation

Bob Shemeligian

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1997 | 10:50 a.m.

About 2,000 students at Community College of Southern Nevada were on academic probation going into the fall 1997 semester, according to college officials.

Whether that number represents a somewhat tolerable 8 percent or an alarming 18 percent of the student body is the subject of debate at the college this week.

On one side is the administration. It contends that the number of students on probation represents a percentage of total enrollment of 26,500, including part-time students.

But a report in this month's Coyote Press, the college newspaper, explains that the number represents nearly one student in five among the 11,280 full-time students or "18 percent of the total number of students taking 15 credits or more. Those taking fewer are not eligible for probation."

Arlie Stops, associate vice president of admissions and records, counters that the 15-credit figure actually applies to total credits accumulated, not credits currently being taken.

"All students are treated fairly in regard to academics," Stops said.

He explained that any student who has achieved 15 credits and who does not maintain a 2.0 average, which is a "C" grade, is at risk of being placed on academic probation. It doesn't matter how long it takes the student to accumulate 15 credits.

"You can do it in one semester, or you can do it in three semesters," Stops said. "But, once you've achieved 15 credits, you're treated just like everyone else."

Stops said the number of students on academic probation is a concern to college officials.

"We are the No. 1 transfer institution to UNLV," Stops said. "We have so much to offer at this school. Our computer lab, for instance, is the largest in the state."

He also explained that because the community college has open enrolment -- meaning no student can be turned away -- the number of students who have trouble with their studies can be expected to be higher than the number in colleges with admissions requirements.

The college's Retention Office, which is headed by Stops, is charged with working with students on academic probation.

"The Retention Office helps these students by connecting them with the proper services," Stops said. "It also provides mandatory workshops for these students to go over study habits, social life, employment -- anything that could affect their progress."

The academic probation policy is addressed in the college's current course scheduled, but the wording is somewhat ambiguous.

"As an institution with an open-door policy, CCSN expects students to progress satisfactorily in terms of credit granted each semester they are enrolled at the college," the schedule states. "A review of each student's progress will be made after each semester beginning with students who have attempted 15 credits at CCSN."

Representatives of the college newspaper couldn't be reached Monday.

"They're learning like everyone else," Stops said. "We've been misquoted by other newspapers in the past."