Probation and Suspension

At the end of each semester, academic advisors in the College Center for Advising Services (CCAS) review the grades of all current students. Students who are not making satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements are placed on academic warning or placed or continued on academic probation. Students who remain on probation for two or more semesters will be considered for suspension from the College. This review process is known as academic action.

Academic warning and probation decisions are intended to provide an opportunity for students to address the difficulties that prevented their success before more serious academic action is taken. Students experiencing academic difficulties are encouraged to identify the barriers that impacted their success, develop an appropriate academic plan, meet regularly with their Student Success Advisor, and utilize additional resources to ensure a successful semester. Students experiencing academic difficulties sometimes choose to take a leave of absence in order to address the circumstances that prevented their success. Academic probation is not intended to be punitive, and most students find that regular connections with an advisor can be very helpful.

Academic departments are invited to submit feedback about their majors to CCAS. In cases where suspension is being considered, the College welcomes input from the administration, faculty advisors, staff advisors, and the student. Students are informed of any action in their case by email as soon as possible after grades are received.

There is no appeal process to remove a student from probation.

Students and advisors may also want to read the withdrawal and readmission pages.

COVID-19 Academic Review: The Academic action process was revised for the spring 2020 semester to take into account the COVID-19 global pandemic and the subsequent transition to online teaching and learning. New letters and procedures were implemented specifically for this review to recognize that many students were impacted by challenging circumstances outside of their control. No student was suspended from the College at the end of the spring 2020 semester. Additional details about the spring 2020 Academic Action review can be found here.

Beginning in the fall 2021 semester, the College Center for Advising Services reinstated the academic action process that was in place prior to the start of the pandemic.

Actions Taken

Place on Academic Warning

Students may be placed on academic warning when there are concerns about multiple missing or incomplete grades and/or other circumstances on the student’s record raise questions about the student’s progress toward their degree.

Place on Academic Probation

Each student placed on probation is sent an email advising them of their status and providing them with the name of the Student Success Advisor who will meet with them during the period of probation. For most students, the Student Success Advisor is the student’s College Advisor. Upon notification of probation, students are expected to complete an online Academic Advising Worksheet that will guide their conversations with their Student Success Advisor. Students who have been placed or continued on probation often need to make changes to their course schedule for the following semester. For this reason, students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their assigned Student Success Advisor as soon as they have received notification of their status. All students are informed of the seriousness of probation and encouraged to seek appropriate help.

Students are normally placed on probation at the end of a semester if they have:

• Less than a 2.0 cumulative or semester average
• Less than a 2.0 average in the courses submitted for the major
• Note: during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters when special academic policies permitted students to declare up to two courses using the S/F grading option, the grade under the “S” or “F” will be used to calculate the grade point average for the purpose of academic probation

Continue on Academic Probation

Students on probation can be suspended or continued on probation. Even those whose records improve may stay on probation with an acknowledgement of that improved academic performance. Students are continued on probation at the end of a semester in which they have:

• Attained less than a 2.0 cumulative or semester average
• Received “I” or “N” grades
• Received any failing grades
• Attained less than a 2.0 average in the courses submitted for the major
• Been registered for fewer than 12 credit hours while carrying full-time status
• Note: during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters when special academic policies permitted students to declare up to two courses using the S/F grading option, the grade under the “S” or “F” will be used to calculate the grade point average for the purpose of academic probation

Again, students are warned of the seriousness of continued probation and are offered academic and other support.

Support and Academic Resources

Students who are placed or continued on probation are expected to meet with their assigned Student Success Advisor prior to the start of classes or soon after the semester begins. At their first meeting, their assigned advisor and the student will develop an academic success plan outlining an approved list of courses for the upcoming semester, the frequency of meetings, and recommended resources. A copy of the academic success plan is sent to the student’s other primary advisors and students are encouraged to maintain contact with these advisors during the semester they are on probation. An Academic Probation Hold will be placed on the UR Student account if a student fails to schedule a required meeting with their Student Success Advisor.

Students receiving financial aid are advised to consult with their financial aid counselor if they are unsure of their eligibility for financial aid. Students who are not achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid purposes will be notified by email of their status. Students who are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress will initially be placed on a warning semester; subsequently, students who do not achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress will be expected to submit an approved academic plan in order to retain their eligibility for financial aid.

Academic probation is a serious step. However, the College understands that students experience academic difficulties for a number of reasons including personal issues, poor time-management and study skills, illness, lack of motivation, and course difficulty. A number of campus resources are available for students who are experiencing academic difficulties. Students who have been placed or continued on probation are expected to communicate with their Student Success Advisors regularly and take the recommended steps to address their situation.

Suspension

The records of all students who are considered for suspension are thoroughly reviewed by the Administrative Committee and the advisors in CCAS before action is taken. Normally no student will be suspended who has not been on probation for at least one term. Students who are suspended are required to remain away from school for a minimum of two semesters. While they are away, students are encouraged to work, volunteer, and spend focused time addressing the difficulties that prevented their academic success. Often, students are encouraged to complete coursework while they are away in order to retain their eligibility for financial aid. Advisors in CCAS can be helpful in providing guidance about how to plan for the time away. Students who take time off from school, regularly report that this experience was beneficial in helping them prepare for a successful return to school. Following the period of suspension, students may apply for readmission.

Suspension appeals are reviewed only when new and compelling evidence bearing on the case is presented to the dean of the College. Students intending to appeal their suspension should make their plans known within seven business days of receiving their decision.

Students who are suspended for a second time are not readmitted.

Removal from Probation

Students are typically removed from probation once they have an average/major gpa above 2.0 with no failing, I or N grades, and are registered for 12 credits or more.

No action is taken to remove students from probation whose cumulative averages rise to 2.0 or better as a result of summer course grades.

Academic Action Letters

Email notifications are used to inform students of their academic status. The notifications are sent from CCAS to inform students that a decision has been made. The emails cover the five basic actions described above. Students should consult with their advisor if they have any questions about their status.

Copies of academic action notifications are not sent to parents except for the parents of students under the age of 21 who have been suspended.