The revised retention policy under Pamantasan Administrative Order No. 19, which requires freshmen to maintain a GWA of 2.25 and a grade of 2.50 in the higher years on a semestral basis to attain a "Good Standing" (GS) status, initially took effect at PLM on 21 October 2005. According to the new guidelines, scholars who fall short of the required GWA are allowed to shift to another academic program at PLM that has a lower retention criteria. The "Warning" status was removed and scholars who fail to meet the criteria of GS are automatically given the "Probationary" status. Probationary scholars may regain their GS status immediately after a semester of satisfactory performance. If a probationary scholar fails a certain subject or has incurred a GWA that is below the acceptable standards required by the academic program or college, he is instantly subjected for expulsion and given the option to transfer to another university.
When the General Education Program (GEP) was implemented in SY 2005-2006 where all freshmen take a similar track of study, every college has imposed its own admission criteria for incoming sophomores and its retention criteria for higher levels. For instance, in the College of Nursing, a GWA of 1.75 or better must be gained to gain admission as sophomore, without a grade lower than of 2.00 in English and Science subjects. In the College of Accountancy & Economics, a GWA of 1.85 or better must be gained, while 2.00 must be maintained without failing grades in all major subjects for higher years. In the College of Mass Communication and in the College of Tourism, Hotel & Travel Industry Management, all incoming sophomores are required to garner an average of 2.25 or better with no grade lower than 2.00 in English. The College of Engineering & Technology and the College of Architecture & Urban Planning require a minimum average of 2.25 without failing grade in Algebra and Trigonometry. This set of guidelines shall fall into disuse once the last batch that undertook the GEP shall have graduated (Batch 2008).
Any scholar may shift from one college to another during the second semester but must satisfy the specific criteria of the degree program and be able to finish the program within the prescribed timeframe that is otherwise known as the maximum residency rule (MRR). An applicant need to be in Good Standing status at the time of application.
Scholastic Classification
a. Good Standing
A freshman scholar has to maintain of GWA 2.25 or better on a semestral basis to be considered in Good Standing.
A higher year (2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th year) scholar has to maintain a GWA of 2.50 or better on a semestral basis to be considered in Good Standing.
b. Probation
A freshman scholar who failed the criteria for Good Standing, but has a GWA of 2.50 or better, is considered under Probation.
A higher year (2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th year) scholar who failed the criteria for Good Standing, but has a GWA of 2.75 or better, is considered under Probation.
c. Disqualified or Dismissed from the Degree Program
Any scholar who is not categorized under Good Standing or Probation is deemed disqualified or dismissed for the degree program.
d. Academic Status Adjustment (ASA)
Any scholar who is re-admitted to his/her degree program and/or shifted to another degree program due to academic difficulties, academic delinquency and/or disqualification from the degree program (reconsidered) shall be enrolled under "academic status adjusted" classification and paying status.
A full (non-paying) scholar who is under this category, and had lost his non-paying privilege as a result of academic delinquency, must maintain a minimum of two (2) consecutive semesters under a Good Standing status before regaining the non-paying privilege.
e. Dismissed from the University
A scholar who fails in all academic units enrolled is deemed dismissed from the University.
A scholar who has been disqualified or dismissed from two (2) or more degree programs is deemed dismissed from the University.
Rules on Scholastic Standing
a. Academic Load
A scholar under Probation status must carry a full load in the succeeding semester. In case the scholar cannot carry a full load due to lack of prerequisite subject/s, the minimum load in order to regain the Good Standing status is at least fifteen (15) units.
b. Scholarship Status
A scholar in Good Standing who shifts or transfers to another college or degree program shall keep his/her non-paying status.
A (full) scholar with a non-paying privilege who is under Probation shall automatically lose that privilege until such time that he/she regains a Good Standing status. If he is under ASA, he needs to have at least two (2) consecutive semesters with a GS status.
Shifting of Courses
A scholar may shift from one major field of concentration to another or from one college to another during the Second Semester (PAO No. 27, s. 2006), provided the following requirements are met:
1. He/She satisfies the specific retention criteria for the degree program he/she intends to pursue and shall be able to finish the program within the prescribed time frame (maximum residency rule).
2. The student writes a letter to the Dean of the College where he/she belongs, seeking permission to transfer from one major field of concentration to another, or from one college to another.
3. The student writes a letter to the Dean of the College where he/she intends to transfer, as long as he meets the college requirements.
4. The student secures the Shifting Form from his/her college.
5. The Vice-President for Academic Affairs recommends for approval and the Executive Vice-President renders the final approval.
6. If approved, the scholar may then follow the regular procedure for registration.
Note: The time frame or maximum residency period refers to the number of years required to finish the degree program plus one (1) year grace period. The computation of residency period shall be reckoned from the time that a freshman student is admitted to the University less the number of semesters/years that a student is on officially approved leave of absence.