PROBATION, SUSPENSION, AND DISMISSAL, ACADEMIC
College of Arts and Science Academic Catalog 2009-2010
All University of Mary Washington students are expected to make
satisfactory academic progress by maintaining a 2.00 overall cumulative UMW
GPA, the standard required for graduation. Students who fall below a 2.00
overall cumulative UMW GPA are in academic jeopardy and are subject to the
University’s probation, suspension, and dismissal policy.
The purpose of probation, suspension and dismissal is to warn students
that they are not doing satisfactory work, to stimulate them to improve their
performance, or, finally, to serve notice that the institution does not choose to
allow them to continue because there is little or no likelihood of their finishing
successfully.
Evaluation of academic standing is based on two factors: the number of
attempted credits and the minimum overall cumulative GPA. For both fulltime
and part-time students, the number of attempted credits is calculated
by adding the UMW attempted hours (including UMW graded credits, PA,
SA, UN, W and repeated credits) to the AP credit, IB credit, CLEP credit,
Cambridge credit, and transfer credit hours. The minimum overall GPA
is calculated on UMW GPA credits (Grades of PA, SA, UM and W are not
considered in calculating the UMW GPA.)
Probation. A student is placed on probation whenever the student’s overall cumulative UMW GPA falls below 2.00. Students on probation who achieve an overall cumulative UMW GPA of 2.00 or higher at the conclusion of either the fall or spring semesters will be removed from probation. Any student previously on probation whose overall cumulative UMW GPA falls again below a 2.00 at the conclusion of either the fall or spring semesters will be returned to probation. As appropriate, a notation of the student’s probation status is entered on the student’s permanent record. A student placed on academic probation is expected to consult with his or her faculty advisor and a dean from the Office of Academic Services no later than the first week of the ensuing semester. A student placed on “academic probation” may continue to participate in any extracurricular opportunities offered by the institution except those activities that require a specific GPA threshold.
Suspension/Dismissal. Students who do not make satisfactory progress (please see chart below) while on probation will be suspended/dismissed. No student can be suspended after only one semester at the niversity; a period of probation of at least one semester duration will always precede suspension/ dismissal action. As appropriate, a notation of the student’s suspension/dismissal status is entered on the student’s permanent record. A suspended student may not register for any classes at UMW (semester or summer) until his or her term of suspension expires. However, a student under first suspension may enroll in UMW’s summer school after consultation with a dean from the Office of Academic Services. A dismissed student is ineligible to obtain a degree from UMW or to continue enrollment in courses offered by the University.
The academic records of all students on probation are subject to review for academic suspension/dismissal at the conclusion of both the fall and spring semester. All students on probation must have met the appropriate minimum overall cumulative UMW GPA, based upon their number of credits (including AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, and transfer credits as well as all UMW attempted GPA hours).
| Number of Attempted Credits | Minimum Overall Cumulative GPA |
| 12-30 | 1.60 |
| 31-45 | 1.80 |
| 46-60 | 1.90 |
| 61-122+ | 2.00 |
All students on probation who have not achieved the requisite minimum overall cumulative GPA at the conclusion of each fall or spring semester will be suspended/dismissed, according to the terms below:
FIRST SUSPENSION – One-semester suspension. Appeals are reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing. The student will be ineligible to attend the subsequent semester, but he or she would be eligible to return for the semester following the semester away from the University. However, a suspended student would be eligible to attend UMW’s summer school after consultation with an advisor from Academic Services. If a suspended student’s GPA meets the Minimum Overall Cumulative GPA at the end of the summer session, that student will be automatically reinstated. Any student placed on suspension may appeal his or her suspension to the Committee on Academic Standing following the guidelines but not the deadlines in the following section: Reinstatement after suspension.
SECOND SUSPENSION – Two-semesters suspension. Appeals are reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing. The student will be ineligible to attend the subsequent summer session, fall semester and spring semester; but he or she would be eligible to return for the following summer term and/or fall semester. Any student placed on suspension may appeal his or her suspension to the Committee on Academic Standing. Students cannot be evaluated for a second suspension until they return from a first suspension as either a full-time or part-time student during the fall or spring semester following the guidelines but not the deadlines in the following section: Reinstatement after suspension.
DISMISSAL—Permanent Suspension. No appeal to the Committee on Academic Standing is possible. A dismissed student is ineligible to obtain a degree from UMW or to continue enrollment in courses offered by the University.
Any student placed on suspension may appeal his or her suspension to the Committee on Academic Standing. The Committee on Academic Standing, a panel comprised of faculty and administrators, is appointed by the Dean of the Faculty. This committee considers suspension appeals by students and can modify a suspension term when such is deemed appropriate. This committee also has the authority to establish and enforce reinstatement contracts for students returning after the completion of suspension periods.
NOTE: Courses taken at other institutions while a student is on suspension (academic, disciplinary, or honor) from UMW are NOT ACCEPTED by UMW for transfer credit and will not fulfill ANY degree requirement. Prior permission for future transfer coursework is automatically revoked when a student is suspended/dismissed.
Reinstatement after Suspension. A first-time suspended student will be automatically reinstated if the overall cumulative GPA meets the stated minimum after attending UMW’s summer school. A first-time or second-time suspended student who wishes to re-enroll must indicate to the Committee on Academic Standing, in writing, that he or she intends to return to the University at the conclusion of his or her suspension period. Guidelines for petitioning the Committee are available in the Office of Academic Services. The student’s reinstatement petition must be received in the Office of Academic Services by February 15 to be considered for advanced registration for fall semester (or summer session) re-enrollment or by September 15 to be considered for advanced registration for spring semester re-enrollment. The Committee on Academic Standing will then extend a reinstatement contract to the student, who, on formally accepting the contract, will be assured continuance and permission to enroll in courses at UMW during the semester immediately following the conclusion of the suspension period. A student returning from suspension after the end of the spring semester is eligible to take courses during the subsequent summer. (See READMISSION/REINSTATEMENT, below.)