STANDARDS FOR CONTINUED STUDY

The Academic Policies and Standards Committee administers the standards for continued study. Grades and progress will be evaluated at the end of every fall and spring semester once final grades are posted for the term.

Academic Probation and Suspension

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all attempted hours in order to be eligible to continue at Catawba College. The grades for courses transferred in are not factored into the Catawba GPA, but the transferred credit hours are included in the calculation of a student’s overall hours attempted classification below. Catawba uses an early warning system to notify students of academic concerns and warnings as seen by faculty and course instructors. Students receive notification from staff within Student Success and should respond to meet to receive academic support.  Students who fall below the following standards will be placed on Academic Probation:

Academic Probation

Academic Probation is intended to enhance the student’s chances for academic success and therefore carries with it the following restrictions and requirements:

1.       Restrictions:

•          Class loads are limited to 16 semester hours, which includes any transient work.

•          Enrollment in 4000 level courses is not permitted.

•          Special tutoring may be stipulated.

•          Participation in student activities may be restricted.

2.       Requirements:

•          Meet with a designated College representative to develop an academic success plan for the academic probation semester.

•          A minimum of a term GPA of 2.5 or higher.

A student placed on academic probation at the end of each fall and spring semester will be eligible for removal no sooner than the end of the following full semester. Probationary status is indicated on the student’s transcript and is determined at the end of fall and spring semesters only. Exemptions to any of the restrictions may be granted only by the Academic Policies and Standards Committee or its representatives.

 A student who fails to meet the required cumulative GPA in their next semester of enrollment after being placed on Academic Probation will be Academically Suspended from the College. If the student does not meet the cumulative GPA requirement but does earn at least a 2.5 semester and meets the terms of their academic plan, the student will be placed on Continued Probation and not on Academic Suspension.

Continued Academic Probation

Students who are on academic probation meaning that their cumulative GPA remains less than the above standard, but who earn a semester GPA greater than 2.5 will be placed on continued academic probation. A notation indicating continued academic probation is displayed on a student’s transcript. Continued Academic Probation is contingent upon meeting the requirements established by a student’s academic plan under the terms of their academic probation and a previous term GPA of a 2.5 or greater. Not all students will qualify for continued academic probation.

 Cleared Academic Probation

Students who surpass a cumulative GPA standards will clear academic probation. A notation indicating good academic standing is displayed on a student’s transcript. When a student clears academic probation but has a cumulative GPA that falls below the GPA standard again, academic probation is displayed on the student’s transcript.

Academic Suspension

Students must improve their GPA to the required minimum GPA standard or higher to regain good academic standing after one probationary semester. Failure to regain good academic standing after one probationary semester will lead to academic suspension for one full semester of the academic year. Students who have been suspended may not attend Catawba College (including summer sessions). Courses taken elsewhere during a period of ineligibility may be accepted for transfer (course credit only) to Catawba College only if the Academic Policies and Standards Committee grant permission prior to registering for the course.

Following one semester of suspension, students may apply for readmission to the College Admissions Office. A written letter of petition to the Academic Policies and Standards Committee must accompany the application. Only two re-admissions may be granted. Re-admitted students are automatically placed on academic probation, and additional conditions for continued study may be imposed by the Committee.

Academic Suspension Appeal: Students wishing to appeal their academic suspension, must submit a letter of appeal via email to the Provost within 48 hours of notice of the academic suspension by the Provost’s Office. Appeals must describe why the student did not maintain good academic standing, provide reasonable documentation of that circumstance, and explain what has changed that will allow them to maintain good academic standing thereafter. If a student faced extenuating circumstances to prevent academic progress, they should detail how those circumstances impacted their academic performance. Examples of extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

o    Death of a relative

o    Serious physical or mental health illness or injury

o    Other extraordinary personal circumstances that inhibit academic performance

 The decision of the Provost is final.