Effective Date: July, 26 2016
Last Reviewed: July, 26 2016
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students are not only to pass their courses, but also must maintain good academic standing by making Satisfactory Academic Progress towards their degree. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed and determined by the Academic Review Board of the Standards and Standing Committee at the end of the fall and spring semesters as well as the conclusion of winter and summer sessions.
To be considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA based on the total number of credits completed at Stonehill:
GPA Credit Earned
1.85 1-20
2.00 21 or more
Not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress has a variety of consequences, including that the student may be prohibited from participation in extra-curricular activities and may also have a negative affect on financial aid eligibility. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for Financial Aid eligibility requirements which may be defined differently than the Academic Division’s definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Academic Probation
If a student earns lower than the required semester GPA at the conclusion of a fall or spring semester, he/she is placed on Academic Probation. Probation remains in effect until the students achieves the requisite semester GPA as follows:
GPA Credit Earned
1.85 1-20
2.00 21 or more
Students who fail to achieve the minimum semester GPA are subject to Academic Probation or even possibly separation, or dismissal from the College.
The Office of Academic Services and Advising bears the responsibility for notifying students of the placement on Academic Probation. Students are required to acknowledge their status and work with Academic Services to articulate a plan for regaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Academic Separation
Students will be separated from the College by the Academic Review Board of the Standards and Standing Committee for the following:
1. earning a combination of three (3) “F”s in any one semester or four (4) “F”s in two successive semesters;
2. being placed on Academic Probation for two (2) successive semesters, or for three (3) non-consecutive semesters; and
3. not making Satisfactory Academic Progress for two (2) successive semesters or for three (3) non-consecutive semesters.
The Academic Review Board of the Standards and Standing Committee may offer students the option of a Suspended Academic Separation with full-time enrollment with probationary-status in the subsequent semester. This option is typically offered to those students on Academic Probation who have earned a semester GPA above that required for Satisfactory Academic Progress (i.e., above a 2.00) but not sufficient enough to bring the cumulative GPA above the 2.00 threshold to satisfy the criterion for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Appeal Procedures following Academic Separation
Students separated from the College by reason of academic deficiency have the right to appeal the decision to the Standards and Standing Committee based upon extenuating circumstances. Requests for such an appeal must be made in writing to the Office of Academic Services & Advising within a time frame noted in the letter of Academic Separation. Failure to appeal within the time stated will, under all but the most extraordinary circumstances, disallow such appeal. The Standards and Standing Committee may offer students upon appeal a Suspended Academic Separation with the requirement that they only enroll on a part-time basis. A Part-Time Suspended Academic Separation will carry the following limitations and requirements:
a. Students may only enroll in three (3) to eleven (11) attempted credits in a term. The Standards and Standing Committee will be advised to offer this option only to students whose cumulative GPA has the mathematical potential to rise above 2.00 within the span of two part-time semesters (between six and twenty-two credits in a term) so as not to indefinitely prolong unsatisfactory performance.
b. Students who are offered the part-time option will be required to sign an agreement confirming their understanding of Satisfactory Academic Progress and the steps necessary to return to full-time status.
c. The terms of Part-Time Suspended Academic Separation will require students to take part in a structured advising program in which students sign a contract agreeing to attend weekly Academic Coaching meetings with Academic Services and Advising for the first eight weeks of the semester.
If a student’s appeal is granted, the student returns on Academic Probation. If a student’s appeal is denied, at least one full semester must elapse before applying for readmission. The right to appeal is restricted to two separations. A second Academic Separation results in permanent Dismissal from the College. Findings on the appeal of an Academic Separation are considered final.
Period of Separation
During the period of Academic Separation, a student may be required to take courses at another accredited institution. If so, those courses must be pre-approved by the Registrar’s Office. Only grades of “C” or better will be transferable. (“C-” grades will not transfer). Specific requirements for readmission eligibility following an Academic Separation will be outlined in each student’s Academic Separation Letter.
Readmission to the College Following Separation
After having been on Academic Separation or on Part-Time Suspended Academic Separation for at least one semester, a student may apply for readmission to the College. To do so, the student should send his or her request in writing or by e-mail to the Office of Academic Services & Advising. Upon receipt of this letter, a Readmission Application Form will be sent to the student. This process may be initiated any time after March 15th and must, but should be completed by July 1st for the fall semester. For the spring semester, this process must be completed between October 15th and December 1st. In the event a student is readmitted, there is no guarantee of either housing on campus or financial aid. Inquiries about on-campus housing and/or financial aid should be directed to those specific offices.
Academic Dismissal
A student who has been readmitted after an academic separation may be permanently dismissed for the following:
1. earning lower than a 2.00 in a subsequent semester.
2. violating the Academic Integrity Policy.