Biology

Probationary Policies and Dismissal from the Graduate Program in Biology

Students admitted unconditionally who have a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 at the end of the term in which they complete nine graduate credits, or any time after, will be placed on probation. Such students must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 3.00 by the end of the term in which they earned their next nine credits or within two terms (whichever comes first) to continue in graduate study. Students admitted on probation must have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the end of the term in which they complete nine graduate credits to continue in graduate study. Students who have been on probation and subsequently removed from probation will be returned to probationary status if their cumulative GPA falls below 3.00. Such students must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 3.00 by the end of the term in which they earned their next nine credits or within two terms (whichever comes first) to continue in graduate study. Students on probation for any reason must not fall into any of the categories of dismissal to continue in graduate study. Programs may have more prescriptive policies and other conditions that could trigger probation.

Students admitted unconditionally, who subsequently were placed on probation, will be dismissed from graduate study if their cumulative GPA is below 3.00 at the end of the term in which they complete nine graduate credits or within two terms (whichever comes first) while on probation. Students admitted on probation will be dismissed from graduate study if their cumulative GPA is below 3.00 at the end of the term in which they completed nine graduate credits. All students on probation will be dismissed from graduate study if their term GPA is less than 3.00 at the end of the term in which they complete the initial nine credits.

Students who earn a "D" or "F" in a graduate course will be dismissed from graduate study. A student earning nine or more credits of "C" in courses taken for graduate credit will be dismissed from the program.

Readmission to a program after dismissal

Probation and retention standards for university graduate study can be found in the UW-La Crosse Graduate Catalog at the UW-La Crosse website. A student who has been dismissed from their graduate program may request readmission. The student should consult with their program director and/or the Office of Graduate & Extended Learning for advice and help with how to proceed.

1. The student's request for readmission must be stated in a formal letter addressed to the program director, outlining the rationale for the request and plans for improved performance. The student should follow any guidance regarding the request that is provided by the program. The program will follow their own process to decide whether to readmit the student.
2. A letter of support for readmission will be required from the student’s major advisor and graduate committee. A meeting that includes the full committee and student is required prior to readmission consideration.
3. The Biology Graduate Committee will vote whether or not to readmit the student to the Biology graduate program. A majority vote in support of readmission is required.

Possible outcomes

• If the student’s program finds compelling evidence to warrant the student's readmission, the program director will inform the college office. The academic services director will formalize the readmission, informing the student, the graduate program, the Office of Records and Registration, and the Office of Graduate & Extended Learning. Readmission may result in a student being placed on probation.
• If the program is unwilling to support readmission, the student may consult the college office and/or the Office of Graduate & Extended Learning to discuss the possibilities for any further action.

Appeals process for graduate students not re-admitted by graduate programs

The decision of a graduate program on readmission of a student that has been dismissed is considered to be final. If a student feels that their graduate program did not follow its written procedures in not supporting their request for readmission, that student may appeal to Graduate Council for a hearing on due process.

• The Graduate Council will only consider due process appeals (i.e., cases where a graduate program is thought to have acted contrary to its written procedures), and does not consider any other evidence for exceptions to the dismissal policies of a graduate program.
• For the purposes of due process appeal, a graduate program is assumed to use the standards of the graduate catalog for probation or dismissal, unless the program has additional prescriptive policies documented in their program guidelines, bylaws, or other equivalent documents that supersede those of the catalog. Such documents should be available to students in the program and on-file in the office of the dean of the college for that graduate program, and provided to the Graduate Council prior to any due process appeal.
• If the Graduate Council finds that a program’s decision was inconsistent with that program’s written procedures, then the program must reconsider the request for readmission and base a new decision on the program’s written procedures.
• If the program’s decision is deemed by Graduate Council to be consistent with written procedures, then that program’s decision remains final.

Students who have been dismissed from a graduate program can apply to the Office of Graduate & Extended Learning for “special non-degree status” or seek admission to another graduate program. However, being accepted to special non-degree status or to another graduate program after dismissal is rare and should not be expected. Students who are not accepted for special non-degree status or accepted to another program are dismissed from the university.