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Academic Probation and Dismissal

It is expected that students — full time and part time — will make continuous progress toward a degree in a timely manner. The University — through the Undergraduate Academic Standards Committee — monitors academic progress and takes action when a student is no longer in good academic standing. A student can determine his or her academic standing by checking his or her grade point average.

A student is subject to academic action after 12 completed credits. Part-time students must meet the same academic standards as full-time students.

A student whose semester grade point average (GPA) is below 2.0 is placed on academic probation for the following semester. A student whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 remains on probation until the cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or higher.

During the first probationary semester, a student may enroll for a maximum of 15 credits in the fall or spring, or 8 credits in the summer semester. If a student remains on probation or returns to probation, that student may enroll for a maximum of 12 credits in the fall or spring, or 6 credits in the summer semester.

In addition, a cumulative GPA below 2.0 puts an undergraduate student at risk for academic dismissal when the cumulative GPA does not meet the following standards:

Credits completed* Minimum Cumulative GPA:
12-16 credits 1.25
17-30 credits 1.50
31-59 credits 1.75

60+ credits or
junior/senior standing

1.95

*Completed credits are all courses for which a grade A-F has been earned.

Some degree programs have specific expectations for academic achievement in the major. A student who does not meet these expectations will be dismissed from that program. A student dismissed from a program, but eligible to remain at the University according to the aforementioned cumulative GPA guidelines, may declare a new major after consultation with the Academic Success Center. The student must follow the procedure outlined under “Seeking Readmission to the University”.

The Academic Dismissal Process

Students slated for academic dismissal are notified by letter of their status at the end of a semester. This letter will state the reason for dismissal and the deadline by which the student can file an appeal with the Academic Success Center. The Registrar’s Office will cancel the next semester’s registration of a student being dismissed, and the student may not enroll at the University unless he/she successfully appeals dismissal before the start of the next semester. If, for any reason, the student fails to file an appeal, he/she waives the right to an appeal.

These directives are reviewed annually by the Undergraduate Academic Standards Committee and they may be suspended when, in the opinion of the Committee, the interests of the student and of the University will best be served by such suspension. Such action, however, may not be construed as a precedent by any petitioner.

Appealing an Academic Dismissal

If a student believes his or her performance has been negatively impacted by some type of unusual circumstance, that student has the right to appeal his or her dismissal as follows:

  1. The student must submit an appeal in writing to the Academic Success Center on or before the stated deadline for filing an appeal. No appeals will be accepted after this deadline. It is the student’s responsibility, whether in the United States or abroad, to be aware of mail sent to him/her by the University. The University contacts the student in writing at the student’s address on file with the Office of the Registrar.
  2. An appeal must explain in full the student’s reasons for seeking a reversal of the academic dismissal. It should also propose a plan for returning the student to good academic standing.
  3. Following review of an appeal by the Academic Standards Committee, a decision is made to approve or deny the readmittance of the student. Appeals will be responded to in writing about the results.
  4. If the student is readmitted, he/she may register for classes, taking into account any restrictions that have been imposed.
  5. If the student’s appeal is denied, he/she may request a review, constituting a second appeal. This second appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost within three business days of being notified of the appeal denial. The second appeal must contain new information that was not in the original appeal or provide evidence that appropriate procedures were not followed.
  6. After review of the second appeal, the vice president for Academic Affairs and provost will notify the Academic Success Center and the appropriate committee of the decision. The Academic Success Center will then notify the student of the decision in writing. A student readmitted after the second appeal must then follow the same step as outlined in #4.

A student may appeal a dismissal only twice during his/her undergraduate program. A third dismissal will result in permanent separation from the University.

Seeking Readmission to the University

Students who have been academically dismissed or left the University while on academic probation may seek readmission to the University after waiting at least one full fall or spring semester after the last semester of enrollment.
In seeking readmission, the student must do the following:

  1. Contact the Academic Success Center for a readmission application packet.
  2. Submit the completed packet including a $40 nonrefundable application fee. When necessary, the packet should include documentation that any problems previously causing academic difficulties have been addressed. The deadlines for submission of this packet are as follows:

    Deadline: For readmission to:
    July 15 Fall semester
    November 15 Spring semester
    March 15 First summer session
    May 15 Second summer session

    Readmission applications must include evidence of satisfactory academic efforts (9-12 credits with an average of B in courses at a two-year institution) in the time he or she has been separated from the University. The Committee will not review applications that do not demonstrate academic success.
  3. Seek a positive recommendation from the program chair to which he or she is seeking re-entry. Students who do not receive a positive recommendation from their previous program may be readmitted as an undeclared major and be advised by the Academic Success Center until a new major is declared.

Students who have been readmitted to the University after three or more semesters since academic dismissal will return to the University under the procedures listed in the catalog in force at the time of their readmission and must meet the requirements of their degree program stated in that catalog.