Purpose
Columbia College has a responsibility to identify students who may be unlikely to earn degrees due to academic performance. Standardizing the eligibility criteria for academic probation, suspension, and dismissal allows for greater understanding and consistent application of probation, suspension, and dismissal policies. Students need to have clearly articulated processes for being placed on and removed from probation, suspension or dismissal. This policy implements criteria and requirements for accreditation established by the Higher Learning Commission.
Scope
This policy applies to all undergraduate College students.
Policy
Probation
A student is placed on academic probation and may be suspended or dismissed if he/she fails to maintain the following cumulative grade point average (GPA) standards by the time she/he has attempted or completed the indicated number of hours, including hours accepted in transfer:
- 0 - 30.9 semester hours: 1.75 GPA
- 31 - 45.9 semester hours: 1.90 GPA
- 46 + semester hours: 2.00 GPA
“Completed credit hours” refers to semester hours attempted by a student for all courses for which letter grades (A, B, C, D, F, S, or U) have been received. Semester hours accepted in transfer from other colleges count as completed semester hours for determining GPA requirements; but, since no letter grades are recorded for transfer credits, such credits are not computed in the numerical GPA.
If a student is placed on academic probation, he/she may not hold appointed or elected offices in any student organization, may not participate in intercollegiate athletic competition and may not carry an overload of credits during the probationary term.
If a student is placed on academic probation, she/he must earn sufficient quality points during the probationary term to bring the GPA to the minimum standards stated above. If the student fails to do so, he/she is suspended for the following regular academic term(s) (the next fall or spring semester). Day students may not serve a suspension during summer session.
Suspension
A suspension may occur at the end of one probationary term for the following regular academic term(s) (the next fall or spring semester). Suspensions may be imposed on a student for the following situations:
- A student who fails to attain an appropriate standard of satisfactory progress or fails to comply with any condition and/or requirement imposed as part of the probation.
- A student who chronically withdraws from courses and does not make any academic progress may be suspended.
- A student admitted by the Admissions Review Committee (see Admission Policies) and who does not earn a 2.0 GPA may be suspended (see below).
- A main campus regular-admit student finishing his/her first semester at Columbia College with a GPA of 0 may be suspended for one semester. A main campus summer-admit student completing courses with a GPA of 0 may be suspended for two sessions.
An academically suspended student may be reviewed for readmission to Columbia College after an absence of one semester.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from Columbia College if he/she is granted readmittance after the suspension and fails to achieve a satisfactory cumulative grade-point average in the next term (semester). An academically-dismissed student may be reviewed for readmission to Columbia College only after a three-year period has elapsed.
Academic Suspension or Dismissal Appeal
Main Campus Day
Students may appeal an academic suspension or dismissal decision. Main Campus Day students must file a formal appeal by emailing the Center for Student Success. This appeal will then be sent to the appropriate School Dean for a final decision.
Main Campus Evening, Online, and Columbia College Global
Students may appeal an academic suspension or dismissal decision. Main Campus Evening, Online, and Columbia College Global students must file a formal appeal by emailing the Senior Coordinator, Academic Student Support. This appeal will then be sent to the appropriate School Dean for a final decision.
Returning from Suspension or Dismissal
Students receiving an academic suspension may return to coursework after sitting out one semester (cannot be the summer semester for Day students) or two consecutive eight-week sessions and are required to meet with their academic advisor prior to enrolling for coursework.
To return from an academic dismissal, students must write a letter of appeal to the appropriate School Dean and apply for readmission after the dismissal period is completed. The student’s record is reviewed and a decision is made regarding eligibility and conditions of return. Readmission to the College is not automatic and does not establish student eligibility for financial aid.
Good Academic Standing
In order to be in good academic standing a student cannot be on academic probation, academic continued probation, academic suspension or dismissal.