Academic Standards / Probation and Dismissal

The Office of the Registrar notifies students in writing of their academic probation/dismissal status at the end of each fall and spring terms.

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Undergraduate Degree Students

Below is the criteria for Academic Probation or Academic Dismissal:

A student is placed on probation if his or her semester grade point average (GPA) is below a 2.0.
A student is not subject to academic dismissal at the end of the first semester in a degree program.
A student will be dismissed from the college after two consecutive semesters with a GPA below 2.0 and with an overall cumulative GPA below 2.0.

Students on academic probation will be limited to fifteen (15) credits during the next regular semester and will be required to meet with an academic advisor.

Following the decision of academic dismissal, a student may appeal to the Committee on Academic Standards for three consecutive regular semesters following the decision including the semester the status was assigned. Students who have been dismissed from the college are permitted to take only non-credit bearing courses offered through the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies.

If a student is dismissed at the end of a semester, but is preregistered for an upcoming winter or summer session, the student will not be permitted to continue in that session. The registration will be canceled and tuition refunded.

Graduate Students

Graduate students whose academic standing is academic dismissal may appeal the decision to the Faculty Senate Committee on Academic Standards. The academic standing appeal procedure is a formal request by the student seeking to appeal for an exception to the academic standing regulations as published in the college catalog. A student may appeal their status for three consecutive regular semesters following the decision of dismissal.

Following are the criteria for academic probation or academic dismissal for the School of Graduate Studies:

A student is placed on probation if his or her semester GPA is below 3.0.
A student is not subject to academic dismissal at the end of his or her first semester in a degree program.
A student will be dismissed from the college after two consecutive semesters with a GPA below 3.0 and with an overall cumulative GPA below 3.0.

Non-Degree Students Enrolled in Undergraduate Courses

A non-degree student is not subject to academic dismissal at the end of his or her first semester taking courses in the college.
A non-degree student will be dismissed from the college at the end of the completion of 12 credits with a cumulative GPA below a 2.0.
A non-degree student who has been dismissed from the college is permitted to take only non-credit-bearing courses offered through the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies.
There is no option for appeal of this college policy.

Academic Standing Appeal Procedure for Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Students

Step 1: Completion of Appeal of Academic Dismissal Form

The student wishing to appeal for an exception to the Academic Standing policy initiates the appeal procedure by completing Step 1 of the Appeal Form, and submits the form to the Office of the Registrar by the appeal deadline date.

The next date the Committee on Academic Standards will review appeals is June 2024.

» Academic Dismissal Appeal Form (pdf)

The student must provide a written explanation of the request and the reasons for it. This appeal should include:

an explanation of poor performance or failure to complete required coursework, or both
supporting information documenting any claims made; letters should be addressed to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standards
a detailed description of how he/she plans to improve academic performance or complete unfinished work, or both
a current degree audit (only available to you if currently enrolled)

Once complete, the student delivers the appeal form and all supporting documents to the Office of the Registrar which will provide a receipt and will forward all materials to the student's major department, which will then forward the materials to the appropriate school dean.

Step 2: Major Department Review and Recommendation

The major department will complete Step 2 with its recommendation and attach any additional supporting documentation. Chairs are required to provide as much information as possible. The major department is responsible for forwarding all materials to the appropriate school dean.

Step 3: School Dean's Review and Recommendation

The major department forwards the materials to the appropriate school dean for information, recommendation, and signature. The Deans are required to provide as much information as possible. The dean will complete Step 3 and return the materials to the Registrar's Office.

Step 4: Committee on Academic Standards Review and Recommendation

The Registrar's Office prepares and presents the student's appeal of academic standing with all accompanying documentation to the Committee on Academic Standards which will complete STEP 4. Completed appeals must be received by the deadline posted in order to be considered during the scheduled meeting of the Committee on Academic Standards. The CAS is required to provide as much information as possible.

The membership of the Committee consists of nine (9) full-time faculty members and one adjunct faculty member representing the schools of Art & Design, Business & Technology, Liberal Arts, the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Success and Academic Affairs. Consultants representing the Counseling Center, the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Success and Academic Affairs also attend.

Appeals are reviewed during a meeting of the Committee on Academic Standards. The committee considers only the documentation presented. Neither the student nor the academic department appears before the committee. The committee will make one of two recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs:

No Action – Academic Dismissal standing decision will hold.
The academic standing decision of Academic Dismissal should be overturned. The student's status should be changed to Academic Probation.

The Committee on Academic Standards will make recommendations on each reviewed case to the Vice President for Academic Affairs immediately following its meeting.

Step 5: Vice President for Academic Affairs Review and Final Recommendation

The Vice President for Academic Affairs completes Step 5 and considers all documentation submitted and renders the final decision. There is no appeal of this final decision. The student is notified of the final decision by the vice president in writing via email, as soon as possible following receipt of the recommendation of the Committee on Academic Standards.

Undergraduate Academic Forgiveness Policy

For information, review the Academic Forgiveness Policy in our catalog.

» Academic Forgiveness Appeal Form (pdf)