effective 11/2018 – Albright College

effective 11/2018

Academic Standing

A student’s academic record is reviewed at the end of each semester to determine if the student is making satisfactory progress toward completing degree requirements. A student who is not making satisfactory progress will be subject to the sanctions described below. The Faculty Enrollment Development Committee, in consultation with the chief academic officer and the registrar, are responsible for reviewing students’ academic records and making decisions regarding their academic standing.

Academic Probation:

A student will be placed on academic probation for the next semester if the student did not attain the minimum cumulative GPA indicated in the following schedule:

  • 1st Semester, 1st Year: 1.500
  • 2nd Semester, 1st Year: 1.700
  • 1st Semester, Sophomore Year: 1.900
  • 2nd Semester, Sophomore Year: 2.000 (1.900 for students entering prior to Fall 2019)
  • 1st Semester, Junior Year and all later semesters: 2.000

A student on academic probation who did not attain the minimum cumulative GPA to be removed from probation but who is not subject to academic dismissal will be continued on academic probation for an additional semester.

A student may be placed on academic probation if the student failed or withdrew from all courses during a semester. Such a student is required to meet with a member of the chief academic officers staff before the beginning of the next semester. Failure to do so may result in the student not being permitted to attend classes during the next semester. A student on academic probation for this reason will continue to be on academic probation until he or she attains a 2.000 semester GPA.

A student who does not successfully complete six courses during an academic year may be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation for this reason will continue to be on academic probation until he or she successfully completes six courses in a twelve-month period.

Academic Probation Conditions

A student on academic probation is expected to develop personal strategies to improve his or her academic performance. These strategies should include utilizing appropriate College resources such as the academic adviser, Academic Learning Center, Career Development Center, Counseling Center, workshops, tutoring programs and other support systems. The Enrollment Development Committee will require a student on academic probation to meet certain conditions designed to promote improved academic performance. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, requiring the student to:

  • Repeat courses
  • Take a different or reduced course load
  • Change the major
  • Attend academic and/or career counseling sessions
  • Attain a minimum semester GPA

These conditions also may include declaring the student ineligible to participate in recognized student organizations and intercollegiate athletics.

Experience Probation

A student who did not complete the Experience requirement by the end of the sophomore year may be placed on probation. Such a student will remain on probation until the Experience requirement is completed.

Academic Dismissal

A student will be subject to academic dismissal for the following reasons:

  1. The student did not attain a 1.000 GPA during the first semester at Albright.
  2. The student is on academic probation and did not satisfy the conditions required by the Enrollment Development Committee.
  3. The student has been on academic probation for two consecutive semesters and did not attain the minimum cumulative GPA required to be removed from academic probation. However, the Enrollment Development Committee may decide to continue such a student on academic probation for an additional semester if the student’s GPA significantly improved.
  4. The student’s cumulative GPA is below the minimum required for the student’s academic level and the Enrollment Development Committee believes the student is not making satisfactory academic progress. A student does not have to be on academic probation to be dismissed under this category.

Appeals

A student who has been academically dismissed may appeal to the Enrollment Development Committee. Such an appeal must document the student’s extenuating circumstances and must be filed in a timely manner (generally within one week of the official notification of dismissal by the College).

Reinstatement

A dismissed student may apply for reinstatement after one semester. A student must demonstrate substantial improvement in his or her academic performance to be reinstated. To do this, a student usually must take courses at another college or university. A written petition for reinstatement must be submitted to the registrar by August 1 for fall semester re-entry and by January 10 for spring semester re-entry. The petition must include the student’s personal assessment of the factors that led to dismissal and what the student will do to improve his or her academic performance. Transcripts of academic work taken while dismissed should be included with the petition. The Enrollment Development Committee determines whether to grant or deny requests for reinstatement and determines the conditions of reinstatement.

Special Conditions

The following apply to the policy on academic probation and dismissal:

  1. An incomplete grade will be treated as an F in calculating the GPA.
  2. The academic level of a transfer student will be determined based on the number of courses attempted at Albright and the number of transfer units. The academic level of a student not on a regular four-year program (e.g. a student who has taken off for a semester) will be determined based on the number of courses attempted.
  3. Interim grades are not used in making the initial determination of academic probation and dismissal. If an Interim grade changes a student’s GPA so that it would change his or her academic warning or probation status, the appropriate change to the student’s status will be made. However, an interim grade will not change an academic dismissal decision.
  4. If a student’s GPA changes during the semester due to a grade change or removal of an incomplete so that it would change his or her academic warning or probation status, the appropriate change to the student’s status will be made.

A student, in attending Albright College, recognizes the right of the College to dismiss for academic reasons. In all matters pertaining to academic standing, the decisions of the Enrollment Development Committee are final.