Motion to Adopt New Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy (Academic Alert, Probation and Suspension) for the 2011 - 2012 Academic Year

Calendar Item: 
1072
Docket Number: 
970
First Name: 
David
Last Name: 
Marchesani
Facts: 

In light of the recent directives by the Board of Regents on increasing student retention rates, the difficulties that both students and staff/faculty experience in understanding and applying the current University undergraduate academic standing policy (identified as “Undergraduate Academic Warning, Probation, and Suspension” in the 2010 – 2012 Catalog [http://www.uni.edu/catalog/undergraduate-academic-warning-probation-and-suspension]) based upon deficiency grade points, and the capabilities of the new student information system;

The Committee on Admission, Readmission and Retention (CARR), after review of similar policies from the University of Northern Iowa’s peer institutions as well as the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, and in consultation with the Office of the Registrar, has developed a new undergraduate academic standing policy based upon a student’s UNI cumulative and/or semester grade point average. 

In addition, from the assessment and recommendations developed through the University’s participation in the Foundations of Excellence program, first-semester students (both freshman and transfers) will not be suspended under the new undergrduate academic standing policy.  The current category of “Academic Warning” has been eliminated and a new category of “Academic Alert” was created for application only with first-semester students.

The new policy as submitted to the Faculty Senate has been presented to and endorsement given by the Retention Council and the First Year Council.

Action: 

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Faculty Senate consider the adoption of the new undergraduate academic standing policy for the 2011 – 2012 academic year (to be applied with students starting at the University in the Fall 2011 semester).



CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC STANDING POLICY - “UNDERSTANDING ACADEMIC WARNING, PROBATION, AND SUSPENSION” FROM THE 2010 - 2012 UNIVERSITY CATALOG:

http://www.uni.edu/catalog/undergraduate-academic-warning-probation-and-suspension

Undergraduate Academic Warning, Probation, and Suspension
Warning. This action is taken by the Office of the Registrar. This action is not recorded on the student's permanent academic record.

Probation. This determination is made by the Office of the Registrar. This action is not recorded on the student=s permanent academic record.

Suspension. This determination is made by the Office of the Registrar. This action is recorded on the student's permanent academic record.

For students who have attempted 29 or fewer graded hours:

Warning. Any student who is from one through five grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic warning.

Probation. Any student who is from six through thirteen grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic probation.

Suspension. Any student who is fourteen or more grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic suspension.

 
For students who have attempted between 30 and 59 graded hours:

Warning. Any student who is from one through five grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic warning.

Probation. Any student who is from six through eleven grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic probation.

Suspension. Any student who is twelve or more grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic suspension.

 
For students who have attempted 60 or more graded hours:

Warning. Any student who is one through five grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic warning.

Probation. Any student who is six through nine grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic probation.

Suspension. Any student who is ten or more grade points deficient of the number necessary for a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at UNI and/or in combination with her/his transfer collegiate record for a 2.00 total cumulative grade point average will be placed on academic suspension.

Additionally, a student's actions demonstrated by repeatedly dropping courses and/or totally withdrawing from school will bring into question the student's intent to be a serious scholar, and such students may be placed on academic suspension.

 
Readmission After Suspension. An undergraduate student who has been suspended may be readmitted only after applying for readmission in writing and receiving favorable action on the application from the Committee on Admission and Retention. Applications for Readmission may be secured from and filed with the secretary of the committee in the Office of the Registrar. Academic suspension is for a minimum period of one academic year. Only the most extenuating circumstances would warrant consideration for readmission before one academic year has elapsed.

Upon readmission students must earn a minimum of a 2.00 grade point average each term they are enrolled until their cumulative grade point average is 2.00 or higher. Failure to earn a 2.00 or higher grade point average in any semester following readmission will cause the student to be suspended again. Academic suspension for a second time is considered permanent. Only the most extenuating circumstances would warrant consideration for readmission a second time.

Meeting Date: 
Mar 28, 2011