Retention Standards (use # of credits attempted rather than semesters attempted)

The current UW-L Undergrad Policy is below. The parts I would like CAPS to review are bolded with new language underlined and old language crossed off. In the chart below, I simply changed Semesters Attended to Cumulative Credits Attempted.  For the first semester, I am recommending a credit count of 18, rather than our normal increment of 15 credits per semester to allow for entering freshmen who take more than 15 credits in the first semester. I worked closely with all three Dean’s office to ensure that this language is clear.

Standards of Retention

Cumulative Credits Attempted

good standing if cumulative GPA not less than

probation I or II if cumulative GPA less than

ineligible if semester GPA less than

1-18

1.60

1.60

1.00

19-29

1.80

1.80

1.25

30-44

1.80

1.80

1.50

45 and beyond

2.00

2.00

1.50

 

 

Retention, Probation and Suspension

The academic status of a student is determined by semester grade point average (GPA), cumulative GPA, the number of semesters of university attendance (including semesters at other campuses for transfer students), the number of credits attempted and previous or current academic status. For the purpose of academic status, a semester is a term in which a student is enrolled for one or more credits. Neither a summer session, J Term, nor a term in which a student withdraws from the university is counted as a semester of attendance.

Definitions of academic status as reported on students’ records:

Good Standing —Met minimum grade point average required  never been on probation I or II or ineligible.

Good Standing I — previously placed on Probation I

Good Standing II — previously placed on Probation II

Probation I — Failed to meet minimum grade point average required at any time within 1-44 credits attempted  Placed on probation the first time

Probation II — Failed to meet minimum grade point average required after being previously placed on Probation OR failed to meet minimum grade point average required after attempting 45 or more credits   Placed on probation at the end of the third or subsequent semester; or,
            — placed on probation the second time; or
            — readmitted by the dean’s office after having been ineligible to return.

Ineligible to Return — Not eligible to continue at the university.

Retention Standards

A. To remain in good standing, students’ cumulative GPA must be 1.60 if the student has attempted between 1 and 18 credits; at the end of the first semester, 1.80 if the student has attempted between 19 and 44 credits at the end of the second and third semesters, and 2.00 or above if the student has attempted 45 or more credits each successive semester

B. To assist students in their orientation to university level work, the minimum acceptable standards for retention are defined as follows:

1.      Students placed on probation after attempting 1-29 credits the first or second semester of attendance shall be given two probationary semesters to attain good standing. Students failing to meet this standard will be declared ineligible to return.

2.      Students placed on probation after attempting 30 or more credits at the end of the third or subsequent semesters shall be given one probationary semester to attain good standing. Students failing to meet this standard will be declared ineligible to return.

3.      Continuing students who do not remain in good standing after the completion of any two probationary semesters shall be declared ineligible to return.

C. Transfer students are required to meet the retention standards prescribed in this section. These standards are based on the total number of transferable credits attempted semesters attended at all colleges and universities.

D. Students who desire to improve their records may request permission to attend summer session or Winter Intersession. If a student is allowed to enroll for a summer session or Winter Intersession “only,” a reevaluation of the student’s scholastic status will be made at the conclusion of the summer term/ Winter Intersession.

E. No academic action is taken as a result of  Winter Intersession or summer session attendance nor is the previous semester’s academic action impacted by Winter Intersession or summer session attendance.

F. Deficiencies in grade point averages and failing grades in courses taken at UWL may be improved removed only by taking work in residence at the university.

Probation

A. Students are placed on academic probation if their academic records do not meet the standard set by the university. Notice of probationary status indicates that improvement is necessary in order for students to attain the minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 required by the time they have attempted 45 credits or more. their fourth semester and thereafter.

B. Students will be removed from probation at the end of any term in which they attain the required cumulative GPA.

C. Policies regarding students entering on probation are:  

1.      Freshmen will be removed from probation if they attain a grade point average of 1.60 or more after attempting 1-18 credits one semester. Thereafter, probation/retention status is determined on the same basis as for freshmen not entering on probation. Freshmen who enter on probation and continue on probation are ineligible to continue beyond a second semester if their cumulative GPA prior to the beginning of the third semester is below 1.80 after attempting 44 credits.

2.      Transfer students admitted on probation are allowed a maximum of two semesters in attendance to attain a grade point average that is equal to or exceeds the prescribed GPA. If they fail to do so, they are notified that they are ineligible to continue. Probationary status is removed if the cumulative GPA equals or exceeds the required standards.

Academic Suspension

A. When the given period of academic probation has been allowed and/or satisfactory progress has not been made in meeting the required academic standard of the university, students are declared ineligible to return. The required standards are:

1.      First semester Students attempting between 1 and 18 credits will be declared ineligible if they earn a semester GPA below 1.00.

2.      Second semester Students attempting between 18 and 29 credits will be declared ineligible if they earn a semester GPA below 1.25 or are on probation for the second time and earn a cumulative GPA below 1.80.

3.      Third semester Students attempting between 30 and 44 credits will be declared ineligible if they earn a semester GPA below 1.50 or are on probation for the second time and earn a cumulative GPA below 1.80.

4.      Fourth semester and beyond Students attempting 45 or more credits will be declared ineligible if they earn a semester GPA below 1.50 or are on probation for the first or second time and earn a cumulative GPA below 2.00.

B. Students who have been declared ineligible to return will not be eligible for readmission to the university for at least one academic year. After one year, ineligible students may apply to the dean of the appropriate college or school for readmission. Students who have been declared ineligible to return, and then readmitted at a later date, shall be given one semester of probation to attain good standing or become ineligible to return.

C. Students who have been declared academically ineligible to continue at the university may request a hearing from the Committee on Academic Policies and Standards (CAPS) if it can be demonstrated that their academic suspension was due to factors beyond their control and that the causes have been removed. The written request should be directed to the committee in care of the dean of the college or school in which the student is enrolled.

D. The University does not permit students who have been suspended for academic reasons at any other campus to enroll until they are eligible for readmission at their former campus.

E. It is assumed that students declared ineligible to continue at UWL will not be admitted to other accredited colleges or universities during their period of ineligibility. Should they be admitted, and should they earn credits at another institution, UW-L reserves the right to disallow credit for courses taken elsewhere.