The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

PROPOSAL 30-14 (revised 04-17-14)

(Voting Units: Academic)

“Amendment to Academic Suspension and Dismissal Policy”

Part of Senate Policy 107.1

History

The current Academic Suspension and Dismissal policy was adopted by the University Senate with Proposal 24-02 and does not include the possibility of suspension when a student earns a GPA of 0.0 in one term while carrying 12 or more credits. Prior to this, the policy was named Academic Dismissal and read “A student is eligible for academic dismissal if the student meets the academic probation criteria for two consecutive semesters, or has zero earned credits in a semester or has a GPA below 1.0 in a semester.” The statement “...or has zero credits earned in a semester or has a GPA below 1.0 in a semester.” was taken out with Proposal 24-02 in hopes that it would lead to an increase in the opportunity for intervention and retention of students in academic difficulty.

This proposed amendment to the Academic Suspension and Dismissal policy seeks to reinstate the ability to suspend a student who earned zero credits in a single semester as well as clarify the suspension period.

Rationale

The current Academic Suspension and Dismissal policy does not include the possibility of suspension when a student earns a GPA of 0.0 in one term while carrying 12 or more credits. Currently, a student in this situation will be placed on academic probation. A student suspended due to a term GPA of 0.0 will have the right to appeal. The appeal process provides an opportunity for a more in depth intervention with the student.

The Dean of Students Office has found that students who earns zero a 0.0 GPA and are not suspended continue to struggle and, for the most part, do not seek academic help on their own. Suspending a student who earns a 0.0 GPA will allow the Dean of Students Office to intervene for students who, through the appeal process, are committed to improving their academic performance. Those students who do not wish to appeal their suspension or whose appeals are not granted will be advised to spend their suspension period improving and preparing themselves to be reinstated at Michigan Tech with renewed interest and motivation.

In addition, the proposed amendment to the Academic Suspension and Dismissal policy will also help to clarify the current policy, which does not clearly state that there is an opportunity for students to appeal their suspension. The current policy is also not clear on the suspension period for a student suspended at the end of summer semester. The proposed changes to the Academic Suspension and Dismissal policy provides clarification.

Proposal

Current:

Academic Suspension and Dismissal—A student is eligible for academic suspension if the cumulative GPA is below 2.0 after a semester of academic probation or if the student is not restored to good academic standing after two semesters of probation regardless of the cumulative GPA. A student who receives a notice of academic suspension will not be permitted to enroll at the University for a specified period of time.

Upon receiving a first notice of academic suspension, a student must sit out for at least one semester, plus a summer. That is, a student suspended at the end of a fall semester may not re-enroll until the following fall, and a student suspended at the end of a spring semester may not re-enroll until the following spring. Upon receiving a second notice of academic suspension, a student must sit out two semesters, plus a summer. Upon reinstatement after a second suspension, failure to achieve good academic standing or show substantial academic progress within one semester will result in academic dismissal. There is no opportunity for reinstatement after academic dismissal.

Proposed:

Academic Suspension and Dismissal—A student is placed on academic suspension if the cumulative GPA is below 2.0 after a semester of academic probation or if the student is not restored to good academic standing after two semesters of probation regardless of the cumulative GPA. A student is also placed on academic suspension if the term GPA is 0.0 when a student attempts 12 or more credits. A suspended student will have the right to appeal. Students will be informed of their suspension and given information on the appeal process after grades are processed each term. More detailed information about the appeal process can be found on the Dean of Students website.

A student who receives a notice of academic suspension will not be permitted to enroll at the University for a specified period of time. Upon receiving a first notice of academic suspension, a student must sit out for at least one semester, plus a summer. That is, a student suspended at the end of a fall semester may not re-enroll until the following fall, and a student suspended at the end of a spring semester may not re-enroll until the following spring. A student who is suspended at the end of summer term will be permitted to request reinstatement the following spring. Upon receiving a second notice of academic suspension, a student must sit out two semesters, plus a summer. Upon reinstatement after a second suspension, failure to achieve good academic standing or show substantial academic progress within one semester will result in academic dismissal. Students may appeal an academic dismissal. However, if no appeal is submitted or the appeal is denied, there is no opportunity for reinstatement after academic dismissal.

Introduced to Senate: 9 April 2014
Revised with Friendly Amendment in red: 17 April 2014
Approved by Senate: 23 April 2014
Approved by Administration: 27 June 2014

Approved by Board of Control:  07 August 2014