Academic Standing

You must maintain a minimum grade point average in order to remain
in good academic standing.

Academic standing is determined according to the regulations of the Academic Standing Committee and is printed at the bottom of the student transcript of record.

Decisions made at the conclusion of the spring semester will remain in effect for a minimum of one full semester during the regular school year; that is, until the conclusion of the following fall semester. Grades attained during the intervening summer sessions will be considered only in conjuction with the following fall semester grades for purposes of releasing students from academic standing decisions or limitations.

The following cumulative grade point averages (GPA) are the minimums which must be attained for a student to be considered in good academic standing:

- A 1.7 with 1-14 credits attempted (usually one semester).
- A 1.8 with 15-29 credits attemted (usually two semesters).
- A 1.9 with 30-47 credits attempted.
- A 2.0 with 48 or more credits attempted.

A student whose cumulative average falls below these minima for the first time will remain in good academic standing but shall be limited to 14 credits (or equivalent where preparatory courses are concerned) for the next semester. If at the end of the next semester the student's cumulative average still falls below these minima, then the student concerned shall be placed on academic probation and shall be restricted to part-time (less than 12 credits) attendance.

Withdrawal Procedures:

It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw officially from courses by filing a properly completed Drop/Add form with the Office of the Registrar. The instructor's signature must be obtained for drops processed beyond the refund period. When a student officially withdraws from a class after the 3rd week but prior to the beginning of the 10th week of classes for fall and spring semesters, the student can only receive a grade of "W" (withdrawal) of no consequence to semester and Grade Point Averages. During summer sessions and mini sessions the automatic "W" period is normally calculated from the end of the refund period to a point representing approximately 60% of that semester. Students should read the Registrar's notices carefully to make sure that they are aware of the automatic "W" period in special sessions.

Withdrawal grades carrying no penalty are only guaranteed to those students who officially withdraw from classes and obtain the faculty member's signature during the automatic withdrawal periods indicated above. Students who drop courses prior to and during the automatic refund period do not receive any grades, including a "W" grade, for those courses.

If a student chooses to withdraw officially after the beginning of the tenth week (fourth week in summer session) or does not withdraw officially, the instructor may award a letter grade, a "W" or an INC (incomplete).

As stated previously, it is the student's responsibility to properly withdraw from all classes utilizing the correct forms and providing appropriate notification to their instructor. The instructor's signature is required after the Drop/Add-refund period. Students should complete the withdrawal process in person and remember that only in the most extenuating circumstances should they attempt to withdraw by mail. The official withdrawal date is the date that the completed form bearing the instructor's signature is processed and certified by the Office of the Registrar.

IMPACT OF WITHDRAWAL GRADES ON ACADEMIC STANDING

A student who withdraws from more than one course per semester
(i.e., two or more "W" grades in one semester) shall thereafter be placed
on academic limitation–no more than 14 credits permitted.

A student who withdraws from more than one course during a semster of academic limitation, or has not earned the required grade point average,
shall be placed in the next more restrictive probation category.

A student who earns a total of six or more "W" grades will automatically be placed in the most restrictive probation category (i.e., part-time). "W" grades earned prior to September, 1976 shall not apply.

A student will be removed from academic limitation upon completion of the probationary semester's program, provided he or she has achieved the required grade point average and has not received more than one "W" grade.

Students who feel that extenuating circumstances warrant an exception from this policy many appeal through the Office of the Dean of Students.

Grades attained during the summer sessions will be considered in conjunction with the following fall semester grades for the purpose of this policy.

A student who has been placed on academic limitation is required to see a counselor from the Educational Counseling Center in the Department of Student Personnel Services.

This policy became effective September 1, 1976 and applies to all "W" grades earned after that date.