Arts, Sciences and Engineering

Probation and Separation

I. DESCRIPTION

(See Withdrawal and Readmission)

Academic action is administered by the Administrative Committee of The College, a committee comprised of faculty and students. The advising records of eligible students are reviewed at the end of each semester in the Center for Advising Services, the normal time for academic action.  Those not making satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements are placed or continued on academic probation or separated from the College.

Recommendations for academic action are requested from the departments for all students who have been admitted to a major in Arts and Sciences and are to be considered for academic action.  In cases where separation is being considered, the College welcomes comments to aid in the judgment of the student from the administration, faculty advisers, staff advisers or the student.  Students are informed of any action in their case as soon as possible after grades are received.

Separation and probation cases are reviewed only when new evidence bearing on the case is presented to the Dean of The College.  It should be noted that all students admitted to the College are believed to be capable of performing satisfactorily.  When they do not, it is probable that factors other than intellectual capability are involved. Problems of this sort generally have causes of a nonacademic nature, and the services of the University Counseling Center may prove helpful.

A. Place on Probation

Unclassified students are placed on probation by the Administrative Committee and classified students are placed on probation by the Administrative Committee upon recommendation of the student’s department.  All students are informed of the seriousness of probation and encouraged to seek appropriate help. Frequently, students who are placed or continued on probation will be expected to review their academic program with their Class Dean or an academic adviser before they may resume study.  Such a review will include a discussion of the student’s courses and courseload with respect to past academic performance, study habits and abilities to do future academic work. Students are normally placed on probation at the end of a semester in which they have:  1)  attained less than a 2.0 cumulative or semester average;  2)  attained less than a 2.0 average in the courses submitted for the major.

B. Continue on Probation

Students on probation may be separated or may be continued on probation. Even those whose records improve may be continued on probation with an acknowledgement of that improved academic performance.  Students are continued on probation at the end of a semester in which they have:

1) attained less than a 2.0 cumulative or semester average;  2) received “I” or “N” grades;  3) received any failing grades; 4) attained less than a 2.0 average in the courses submitted for the major; 5) been registered for fewer than 12 credit hours while carrying full-time status.

Again, students are warned of the seriousness of continued probation and are offered academic and other support.

C. Separation

The records of all students who are considered for separation are thoroughly reviewed by the Administrative Committee before action is taken.  Normally no student will be separated who has not been on probation for at least one term. Students may be separated with an option to return.  (See “Readmission”.) Separation is normally for one year.  Students who are separated for a second time are not readmitted.

D. Remove from Probation

Unclassified students are removed from probation by the Administrative Committee.  Students accepted into majors are removed from probation by the Administrative Committee upon recommendation of the student’s department.  No action is taken to remove students from probation whose cumulative averages rise to 2.0 or better as a result of summer course grades.

III. ACADEMIC ACTION LETTERS

A variety of letters is used to inform the student of academic action.  The letters are sent from the Office of the Dean of the College to inform the student that the decision has been made by the undergraduate deans and the Administrative Committee of the College.  The letters cover the four basic actions described above.  See the code that follows for descriptions of all of the letters.

Copies of all academic action letters are sent to the parents of all students except those who are over 21 years of age or who have declared independence from their parents. Copies of these letters are also sent to Pre-major Advisers, faculty advisers, NROTC, HEOP, the Director of Minority Student Affairs, the McNair/Kearns programs, the International Services Office and Athletics and Recreation, when appropriate.

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• Arts, Sciences & Engineering