How should we respond when students struggle to meet academic expectations? Melissa Mushikori and Robert Daudet share the approach and strategies adopted in their Canadian college, the International College of Manitoba (ICM). Recognising that when students struggle it’s not always purely because of academic issues, they adopt a non-judgemental approach that acknowledges students’ busy personal lives and helps them reboot.

1. Presenters:
Melissa Mushikori – Student Success Manager – ICM
Robert Daudet – Deputy College Director – ICM
A Non- Judgemental Approach to
Students on Probation

2. The International College of Manitoba’s
Academic Probation Policy
What is Probation?
• Students who do not pass at least half of their courses in a term may
be assigned academic probation in the subsequent term.
• Students on probation are monitored to ensure they are successful in
their future studies.
• Students on probation are strongly encouraged to meet with an
advisor and (pending their probation level) the Student Success
Manager to go over their progress and potential areas of need.

3. Levels of Probation
Probation Level Conditions Consequences of Non-Compliance
Academic Probation 1 (AP1)
 Pass more than half of term course load
 Maintain a minimum 80% overall term attendance rate
 Seek out additional supports such as the Reboot Course, Peer
Education, or study groups
 Meet with Student Success Advisors at least once during the term
 Escalation to AP2 or AP3*
*Students who violate multiple AP1 conditions may be
escalated to AP3.
Academic Probation 2 (AP2)
 Pass more than half of term course load
 Maintain a minimum 80% overall term attendance rate
 Seek out additional supports such as the Reboot Course, Peer
Education, or study groups
 Meet with Student Success Manager at least once during the term
 Escalation to AP3
Academic Probation 3 (AP3)
 Pass more than half of term course load
 Maintain a minimum 95% overall term attendance rate
 Seek out additional supports such as the Reboot Course, Peer
Education, or study groups
 Meet with Student Success Manager at least twice during the term
 Potential Termination

4. Probation and Purpose
• Probation is not a punitive measure, rather it is added effort to ensure students who may have
had a poor academic term are being monitored and supported in order to get back on track.
• Advisors can make suggestions for academic and non academic support for students as well as
keep students aware of their progress in a term.
• Students are offered access to a series of workshops designed to help them better manage their
academics and their day to day lives. This series of workshops (titled: Reboot) are free of charge
and run for 12 weeks of the semester.

5. Reboot
• Reboot is a series of workshops designed to provide students with tools and resources for
success.
• Reboot is not a mandatory class but rather a choice students can make if they want added
supports.
• Students who successfully complete Reboot are given priority registration the following term
(meaning they get to register ahead of other students).

6. Topics in The Current Model of Reboot
• Introduction to Reboot- Intro to the course
• Why Are You Here- Short and Long Term Goal Setting
• LASSI Strategic Plan- Students take a quiz to find their strengths and weaknesses which sets the tone for the
rest of the sessions
• Time Management- Students make a plan to organize their time and manage stress
• GPA and Progression to The U of M- Students review the significance of GPA
• Balance- Students focus on the importance of making sure all aspects of their lives remain balanced
• Managing your Stress- Students learn the affects of stress on their wellbeing and coping strategies to
overcome their stress
• Self Concept- Students focus on how their perceive themselves and how that affects how others perceive
them. Students also focus on their strengths and competencies
• Note-Taking and Studying- Learn to take effective notes in class
• Strategies for Writing a Paper- Learn how to construct a well written paper
• Exam and Test Preparation- Tips and tricks for preparing for exams

7. Action Plan
• Part of the Reboot course requires students to complete an Action Plan, worth 25% of course
grade.
• An Action Plan is essentially a contract the student makes for themselves to pinpoint a plan for
each class.
• Students must meet with an advisor at least once in the term to go over their action plan. This
advising appointment is worth 25% of course grade.
• This encourages the student to be held accountable for their goals and focus on what they are in
control of in order to meet their success.

8. Non-Judgemental Approach
• Various methods have been trialed to facilitate a non-judgemental approach to Reboot, including:
• Weekend classes
• Evening classes
• Lunch hour workshops
• Mandatory versus non-mandatory registration
• Combinations of instructors

9. Reboot “Re-Model”
• Currently, the Reboot sessions are comprised of two main components - Academic and Mental
Health.
• For the Fall 2017 semester we have divided the Reboot course into two separate sections. One
section will focus on the academic topics and the other will focus on Balance and Well-Being.
• Students will have a choice as to which section they wish to join.
• This way students can tailor their supports to better suit their needs.
• Some students are on academic probation because of grades whereas others may be there
because another area of their life is off balance.
• The whole point of Reboot is to help get students back on track in a way that speaks to them,
both academically and non-academically.

10. Questions?...