UMC students are required to make progress toward earning their degree and to maintain at least a “C” average (2.00 cumulative GPA) in their selected curricula. Students who do not maintain these standards may be placed on academic probation or academic suspension. Students on academic probation are considered to be making satisfactory academic
progress. Suspended students, readmitted under the terms of the academic contract, are NOT making satisfactory academic progress.

A. New High School Admits and New Advanced Standing (Transfer) Admits
New students who do not meet the requirements for regular admission, but who qualify for UMC’s Conditional Admission program, are admitted on academic probation. Conditionally admitted students are informed of their status in their letter of admission.

B. Continuing UMC Students and Non-Degree Students

Requirements while on academic probation—During the term of probation students must:

1. Must earn a minimum term and cumulative GPA consistent with the credit hour/GPA table above. Students whose term GPA does not meet the requirements will be suspended. Students who meet the term GPA requirement will be removed from probation or continued on probation according to the following table:

2. May register for a maximum of 14 credits.

3. Must meet with their academic adviser during the first week of the semester to complete an Academic Action Plan (AAP). The adviser will help the student identify weak points in their college preparation and help the student develop a course of action to address them. (The student must obtain his/her adviser’s signature before completing requirement #4.)

4. Must meet with a staff member of the Academic Assistance Center, 270 Owen Hall. The discussion will focus on a variety of topics helpful in successfully completing the AAP (e.g., time management skills, study skills, tutoring services, class schedule, adjusting to college, etc.).

5. Must properly complete the AAP with all required signatures and submit it to the Academic Assistance Center (270 Owen Hall) by 3:00 p.m. on Friday of the second week of classes.

6. Must spend a minimum of two hours per week in study at the Academic Assistance Center for the entire 15-week semester beginning with the first week of class. This study time may be augmented or replaced by meeting with a tutor for one hour per week. Participation and attendance will be verified.

Students Who Fail to Complete Probationary Requirements

1. Students who do not successfully complete requirement #1 shall be suspended.

2. Failure to complete requirements #3, #4, or #5 (see above) will result in a "hold" being placed on the student’s academic record. The student forfeits the right to register during his/her regularly scheduled queue time for the next semester's classes and is required to register during the "open" registration period after all other returning students have registered.

3. Academically suspended students who fail to complete requirement #6 shall not be eligible for the automatic readmittance provision of the Academic Contract (see following Readmission section).

Suspended for Low Scholarship—A student on academic probation who fails to meet the GPA requirements will be suspended and required to withdraw from UMC for one academic term on the first incidence of suspension and one calendar year on the second or third suspensions. Credits earned at other institutions during the period of suspension may not fulfill UMC graduation requirements unless permission to earn such credit is granted in advance by the Academic Standards and Policy Committee. Students suspended on four occasions are permanently dismissed and not allowed to continue their studies at UMC.

Readmission—Appeals for readmission must be accompanied by evidence that factors contributing to the academic difficulty have been altered and that there is every reason to assume successful continuation of studies.

On a student’s first suspension he/she will be readmitted if he/she successfully completed probationary requirement #6 and agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of the academic contract. A suspended student who failed to complete probationary requirement #6 (see section above) must meet jointly with his/her academic adviser and one of the staff members of the Academic Assistance Center (270 Owen Hall) to complete the Academic Contract forms and the Academic Action Plan (AAP).

The Academic Standards and Policy Committee acts on appeals for readmission from students who have been suspended for the second or third time. Prior to presenting his/her appeal to the Committee the student must meet in person with a staff member of the Academic Assistance Center to complete the Academic Contract forms and the Academic Action Plan
(AAP). The student must also obtain his/her adviser’s signature prior to turning in the ompleted forms at the Office of the Registrar.

Students may NOT be suspended for two consecutive semesters and be allowed to be re-admitted.

Suspended students, readmitted under the terms of the academic contract, are NOT considered to be making satisfactory academic progress; are NOT eligible1 to receive state or federal financial aid; and are NOT eligible to represent2 the University in any official event, activity, or capacity.

Suspended students are readmitted on academic probation after the required period of non-enrollment. Continued enrollment depends on satisfactorily completing probation requirements.

Revised by Faculty Assembly, 3/26/04
Revised by Executive Committee, 6/6/06
Revised by Faculty Assembly, 03/30/07
Revised by Faculty Assembly, 04/24/2009

1You may appeal your financial aid suspension if unusual circumstances interfered with your ability to meet SAP standards. For more information see Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid Eligibility at http://www.umcrookston.edu/info/policies/FinAidSap.htm or contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

2University representation shall include, but not be limited to such things as athletic events, music or theater performance, club events occurring in a public venue or of a competitive nature, and serving as an officer in clubs, organizations or the student association. Criteria to be used to determine what constitutes an official event, activity or capacity shall be based on such factors as the use of University funding or facilities, and the University’s role in scheduling and involvement in the event. The Academic Standards & Policy Committee shall resolve any questions regarding this provision.

Guide to Academic Suspension Appeals

The academic progress policy of the University is included in the UMC catalog, in each terms course schedule, on the University’s policy website, and on the opposite side of this page.

A student has the right to appeal adverse suspension decisions according to the procedures described on the opposite page and herein.

The Academic Standards and Policy (AS&P) Committee establishes policies and procedures and reviews appeals for readmission by students who have been academically suspended. The AS&P Committee is a standing committee of the Faculty Assembly and includes one faculty member from each academic unit; two student members; and two consultant/advisory members; the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and the Registrar. The Chairperson convenes the committee as necessary.

Suspended for Low Scholarship

Appeals for readmission after suspension must be accompanied by evidence that factors contributing to the difficulty have been altered and that there is every reason to assume successful continuation of studies.

First Suspension. A student on academic probation who fails to meet the terms of probation is suspended and is required to withdraw from UMC for one academic term. However, students may appeal their suspension and will be readmitted for the next term if they agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the academic contract, meet all associated deadlines, properly complete the required forms, and attend all required meetings.

Second and Third Suspensions. A student is suspended for one calendar year on the second and third suspensions. Students may not continue on academic contract for two consecutive semesters and must sit out the required period of non-enrollment. The Academic Standards and Policy Committee review appeals from 2nd or 3rd suspension students according to the following procedures:

1. Students must complete, sign, and return by the stipulated deadline the Academic Contract and the Academic Action Plan to the Office of the Registrar.
2. Students must meet individually with Student Support Services or University counseling staff for assistance in completing the Academic Contract and the Academic Action Plan prior to submitting the completed forms.
3. Appeals based on unusual or extenuating circumstances must include an explanation of the circumstances beyond the student's control that affected academic progress. Such appeals must include official/professional documentation (e.g., medical records, court documents) which supports the written explanation.
4. Deadlines for submitting an appeal for currently enrolled students are clearly stated in the students' suspension letters.
5. Suspended students not currently enrolled, must submit the appeal forms by the following deadlines: July 15 for fall semester, November 15 for spring semester, and April 15 for summer term.
6. In addition to the written appeal, students should plan to meet personally with the AS&P committee and may bring advocates on their behalf as appropriate. Student attendance at the Committee meeting is not required but is strongly recommended.
7. A written decision on the appeal will be provided to the student. If the appeal is approved, and the student is allowed to return for the next term, he/she will be required to comply with all of the terms and conditions of the Academic Contract.
8. An appeal for readmission that is denied by the committee may be appealed to the Chancellor (see details below).

Fourth Suspension. Students suspended on four occasions are dismissed and not allowed to continue their studies at UMC.

Appeal of AS&P Committee Decisions and
Suspensions for Violation of the Academic Contract

Students who choose to appeal the decision of the AS&P committee, or who have been suspended for violating the Academic Contract, may submit their request to the Chancellor. Procedures and deadlines for appeals submission are clearly stated in the students' suspension letters. The decision of the Chancellor is final.

Class Registration.Following the conclusion of fall and spring semester, students who have been academically suspended may have pre-registered for the next semester. The registration will remain valid until all written appeals have been decided. Upon resolution of the written appeal, the class registration of all students who did not appeal their suspension or who filed an unsuccessful appeal will be canceled.