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 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.

Other Types of Suspension

Social Suspension

A student suspended under the provisions of this category has committed transgressions of the Student Code of Conduct or the Honor Code serious enough to make the student “ineligible to continue enrollment and/or to re-enroll at the College for a specific period of time”. The Dean of Students or his/her designee(s) is responsible for activating this process at any time during the semester.

A Social Suspension that is carried out on or before the last day to voluntarily withdraw from classes will result in grades of “W”. After the last day to voluntarily withdraw, Social Suspension will result in grades of “W” or “F” at the discretion of the Dean of Students.

Interim Suspension

In certain circumstances, the Dean of Students, or a designee, may impose a College or residence hall suspension prior to the Student Conduct Board hearing.

1.       Interim suspension may be imposed only:

a) to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the College community or preservation of College property;

b) to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or

c) if the student poses an ongoing threat of disruption of, or interference with, the normal operations of the College.

2.       During the interim suspension, a student shall be denied access to the residence halls and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other College activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Dean of Students or the Student Conduct Administrator may determine to be appropriate.

3.       The interim suspension does not replace the regular process, which shall proceed on the normal schedule, up to and through a Student Conduct Board hearing, if required.

Social and Interim Suspension Appeal Process: Students wishing to appeal the initial decision must submit a letter of appeal with all supporting documentation to the Dean of Students within 48 hours. The Dean of Students will convene faculty and/or staff members to review the appeal within seven business days.

Student Accounts in Regards to an Early Separation from The College

Please be aware that the student is responsible for his or her student account regardless of the reason for leaving the College (i.e., Voluntary or Compassion Withdrawal, Administrative Withdrawal, Medical Withdrawal, Leave of Absence, Social or Interim Suspension, etc.). For withdrawals and leave of absences, the student should follow the proper process starting in the Student Affairs Office which includes completing a withdrawal form that is circulated and signed by various offices at the College.