2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

At the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters, students failing to make satisfactory progress are reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing. Failure to maintain this standard may result in academic probation and possible dismissal from the University. Students are reminded that a minimum GPA of 2.0 in their major is required to graduate. Students are notified by mail if an action is taken.

Undergraduate Academic Standing Actions

1. A student carrying more than three grades of I, L or W will be issued a warning by the committee.
2. Students who fail to achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, despite maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0, will receive a letter of warning.
3. Students who fail to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 are placed on probation with conditions to be met in the next semester. In the semester following the probationary period:

• If conditions are met and the cumulative GPA is at or above 2.0, then the student is removed from probation
• If conditions are met and the cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, then the student is placed on probation extension
• If conditions are not met, the student may be dismissed from the University

Readmission to the University

To seek reentry, candidates must submit a formal petition to the Academic Standing Committee of the College.

The petition should be in the form of a typed letter which contains the following minimum information:

• The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the petitioner, as well as the date of the last semester in attendance at the University
• A brief discussion of the circumstances that led to dismissal, including any documentation that could assist the committee in better understanding the petitioner’s situation
• A plan indicating what remedial actions are being implemented to correct past deficiencies and insure satisfactory progress in the future

• The petition should be hand delivered to the CAS Dean's Office. The filing deadline for petitioning is August 1 for fall readmission and December 1 for spring readmission.

Petitioners should meet with the appropriate CAS Dean prior to initiating the petitioning process to discuss such matters as format of the petition, procedures for the hearing, and strategies for a successful appeal.

Fresh Start Program

A student dismissed for academic reasons, who is seeking readmission after an absence of five or more years from the University, may petition the Academic Standing Committee to grant him/her grade amnesty under the Fresh Start Program.

If approved, all Suffolk work completed prior to readmission will be reevaluated. Only course work with a grade of "C" or better, earned prior to readmission, is listed on the new transcript and counted for credit toward the degree. The grade point average is computed solely on work attempted after reinstatement. The handling of grades and credits reflects the policy governing the awarding of credits to students transferring work to Suffolk from another college into Suffolk.

Normally a student readmitted through the Fresh Start Program is not eligible for scholastic honors.