Page Title

Warning, Probation, Severance

Requirements for Academic Continuance

Introduction

All matriculated undergraduate students (full-time and part-time) attending Plymouth State University are expected to make satisfactory progress toward their educational objectives. They must meet or exceed the academic continuance requirements established by the University faculty. These requirements are based upon the cumulative grade point average (cumGPA) for the cumulative credits attempted (CCAT). Cumulative credits attempted include all graded, pass/no pass and transfer credits as well as credit-by-examination. Students who do not meet these requirements will be placed in one of three categories: Academic WARNING, PROBATION or SEVERANCE. Student academic status is revised only at the end of each regular semester (Fall and Spring). Grades earned in Winterim and Summer Sessions do not alter academic status, nor do changes in grades processed after the last day of the ADD period for the following semester.

Criteria

Cumulative	Warning	Probation	Severance
Credits Attempted	if cumulative GPA is below	if cumulative GPA is below	if cumulative GPA is below
1st semester First-year*	2.00	1.60	.50
less than 30	2.00	1.75	1.50
30-45.5		2.00	1.60
46-59.5		2.00	1.75
60-74.5		2.00	1.85
75-89.5		2.00	1.95
90-115.5		2.00	1.96
116 and above		2.00	1.98

*first full-time semester at the University

Academic Warning

Students with fewer than 30 cumulative credits attempted and with a cumulative grade point average as noted above will receive a letter of Academic Warning. Since a minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required for all students to graduate (some majors have higher requirements), students whose average is below that level are in danger of accumulating a record that will become increasingly difficult to correct as time goes on. We recommend that students who receive Academic Warning notices discuss their progress carefully with their advisor and take full advantage of all services on campus for academic assistance. Students should seriously consider retaking any course they have failed, as this is the fastest way to improve their grade point average.

Bursar Information for Students on Academic Warning

The Bursar’s Office assumes students on academic warning will be attending Plymouth State University in the coming semester; should they decide otherwise, however, they must make sure they officially withdraw from Plymouth State University by contacting the Vice President for Student Affairs’ Office at 603-535-2240 on or before the first day of classes to ensure charges for the coming semester are reversed 100%. No later than 30 days from the date the Bursar’s Office is notified of the student’s official withdrawal, an audit will be performed on their tuition account and a refund check or bill, if applicable, will be processed and mailed.

Financial Aid Information for Students on Academic Warning

If students are receiving any federal student aid, they need to be aware of the requirements for Standards of Academic Progress (SAP). Their academic progress will affect their continued eligibility for any financial assistance. Visit the Financial Aid Team with any questions regarding this federal requirement.

Restrictions

Students will not be allowed to take more than seventeen credits during the semester(s) in which their academic status is one of Academic Warning.

Academic Probation

Students whose cumulative grade point average is below the limit indicated above for the cumulative credits attempted will be placed on Academic Probation. The period of Academic Probation will be the next full semester of attendance, not including Winterim and Summer Session. The warning, probation, severance system at Plymouth is cumulative and progressive. If their cumulative grade point average falls within the probationary category and they do not regain good academic standing within two semesters of probation, they will receive an Academic Severance.

Academic Probation Contract

Students on Academic Probation will be placed on an Academic Probation Contract which will, among other things, restrict the number of credits they may take, suggest repeating specific courses, specify a semester grade point average to be attained and suggest the use of tutors or other academic support services. Plymouth has a policy of allowing a grade in a repeated course completely replace a lower grade in the same course. This is the fastest way to raise their GPA out of probationary range.

The contract is written by a group a faculty members and administrators (Academic Affairs Committee); it represents their best advice for how students can attain good academic standing as quickly as possible. The idea is for students to redesign their schedule for the upcoming semester in a way that maximizes their chances for success.

The probation contract limits students to a maximum of 13 credits. This is because it is much harder to do well in 5 or 6 courses than it is to do well in 4 or 5 courses. Students on Academic Probation need to be realistic about this and not overextend themselves. Now is the time to consider the extent of their extracurricular activities and employment demands as well.

Adjusting the Semester Schedule

If pre-registered, students need to decide which courses they will drop from their current schedule to carry a maximum credit load of 13 credits and to also make room in their schedule for repeating courses. To get into courses that are full they may need to pick up a voucher at the Undergraduate Advising Center in Mary Lyon 034. This voucher conveys their need to retake the course to the instructor involved. Enrollment in full courses cannot be guaranteed.

Help Available

The student’s advisor is sent a copy of their probation contract. Students should contact both their advisor and the Undergraduate Advising Center for any and all assistance they may need to get off probation and back into good academic standing. The University has many people and services to help students in academic difficulty such as the Math Activity Center in Hyde Hall, The Writing and Reading Center in Lamson Library, tutoring, time management and study skill help through Plymouth Academic Support Services (PASS) in Lamson Library, and Counseling and Human Relations Center. Students should take advantage of all that Plymouth offers.

Bursar Information for Students on Academic Probation

The Bursar’s Office assumes students on academic probation will be attending Plymouth in the coming semester; should they decide otherwise, however, they must make sure they officially withdraw from Plymouth State University by contacting the Vice President for Student Affairs’ Office at 603-535-2240 on or before the first day of classes to ensure charges for the coming semester are reversed 100%. No later than 30 days from the date the Bursar’s Office is notified of the student’s official withdrawal, an audit will be performed on their tuition account and a refund check or bill, if applicable, will be processed and mailed.

Financial Aid Information for Students on Academic Probation

Academic Probation after an Academic Severance

Students who have been readmitted on probation after having been severed may do well enough during the upcoming semester to reestablish good academic standing. Alternately, they need to earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.00 during their first semester back in order to be granted a second semester of probation. During that second semester of probation, they will need to raise their cumulative GPA out of severance range if it is their first severance, or to 2.00 or above if it is their second severance to avoid being severed again.

Restrictions

Students on Academic Probation may not take more credits than their Contract allows, except through an appeal to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies or the Undergraduate Advising Center.

FIRST ACADEMIC SEVERANCE

There are two situations that will result in a first academic severance.

The cumulative grade point average (cumGPA) is below the standard required for the cumulative credits attempted (CCAT) OR
the cumulative grade point average is in the academic probation range for the third consecutive semester.

Students who have been academically severed for the first time may not enroll in any courses at Plymouth State University for one full semester following the severance action.

Appeal Process

Students who have been academically severed for the first time may be granted an opportunity, through reinstatement, to demonstrate their ability and intention to succeed academically and to earn a degree from Plymouth State University. Students severed following their first semester at Plymouth are not eligible to appeal.

If students are eligible and wish to appeal for immediate reinstatement, they must submit a letter to the Undergraduate Advising Center. In the letter, which should be addressed to the Academic Affairs Committee, they should explain any special circumstances that have contributed to their poor academic performance. They should also discuss the strategies they will use to improve their academic status if their appeal is granted (i.e., what courses they will include in their schedule, what resources they will utilize, etc.). The letter may be mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to the Undergraduate Advising Center in Mary Lyon 034 (address and fax information are included on the letter they receive).

Please understand that appeals are not automatically granted and requests for them should be carefully considered. The required one semester away from Plymouth State University is intended to provide an opportunity for them to reassess their personal and career goals. It is recommended that they return to the university only if they can do so with renewed energy and commitment to their academic success.

The Academic Affairs Committee will meet to review the appeal. They will be reviewing the student’s appeal letter, their academic transcript, and also any judicial or residential life issues that may have occurred during the past semester. The student will be sent a letter once a decision has been made. They may also call the office after the Committee has met to find out the decision of their appeal. Please note that only the student may call for the decision. The decision of the Academic Affairs Committee is final.

If their appeal is successful, they will be placed on Academic Probation for the next upcoming semester and be required to abide by the terms outlined in a Probation Contract that would be written for them. More information on the terms of probation is sent if their appeal is granted. If their appeal is successful, but they choose to withdraw from the University, they may return only through the readmission process described below.

Readmission to Plymouth State University

If the student chooses not to appeal or if their appeal is denied, they may not enroll in any course work at Plymouth State University during the next upcoming semester. Any time following the mandatory one semester away from Plymouth State University, they may apply to the Office of Admission for readmission. Students severed after one semester of attendance may apply for readmission without having repaired their GPA after they have spent at least one semester away. Readmission, in this circumstance, is contingent on presenting a convincing argument (in a cover letter to accompany their application for readmission) that they have a plan to solve whatever problems resulted in their lack of success in their first semester. Students severed after having attended Plymouth State University for two or more semesters, must first raise their cumulative GPA out of the severance range.

How do students raise their cumulative GPA for readmission eligibility by taking classes at Plymouth State University?

After the mandatory one semester away from Plymouth, they may return as a part-time student and register for classes through the Frost School of Continuing and Professional Studies. (Their office is located in Speare 116 and their telephone number is 603-535-2822.). No financial aid is available. If, by earning higher grades retaking courses and/or taking new courses, they raise their cumulative GPA out of the severance range, they may then apply for readmission for the next upcoming semester.

How do students raise their cumulative GPA for readmission eligibility by taking courses at another school?

Students may repeat a course in which they earned a grade of “F” at Plymouth by taking it at another college or university. They may not retake a course in which they earned any other grade, as they already have earned credit for the course. Repeating “F” graded courses will help improve their GPA, as the credits will transfer and the “F” will be deleted from the GPA calculation. (Students must earn a minimum C grade for the course to be accepted back at Plymouth.) They must be sure to get approval prior to registering for the course to be sure that the course they are going to take is equivalent to the course failed here at Plymouth. Students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies at 603-535-2235 for assistance in transferring coursework to Plymouth.

A Transfer Course Database is available through the Undergraduate Studies Office webpage (www.plymouth.edu/undergrad/transferring.html). This database contains a listing of all courses that have been accepted by Plymouth State, and will assist students in locating schools where the course failed at Plymouth may be taken. A Transfer Credit Approval Form must be completed, and an official transcript sent to the Undergraduate Studies Office once the course is completed.

When should students reapply?

To be readmitted for the fall semester, they should file a readmission application by April 1. To be readmitted for the spring semester, they should file a readmission application by December 1. The readmission application is available through the Admission Office webpage (www.plymouth.edu/admit/apply) or by calling 603-535-2237.

What happens when students are reinstated or readmitted?

Students will be placed on Academic Probation for the next regular semester. Ideally, they will do well enough during their probationary semester to reestablish good academic standing. If they earn a 2.00 semester GPA for that semester, but fail to raise their cumulative GPA out of the Severance range, they will be given a second probationary semester in which to do so. If they do not earn a 2.00 semester GPA and their cumulative GPA falls into the severance range, they will earn a Second Academic Severance. At the end of the second probationary semester, their cumulative GPA must be a minimum 2.0, or it will result in a Second Academic Severance, a status that carries more severe consequences.

SECOND ACADEMIC SEVERANCE

Students who are academically severed a second time will be assigned to non-matriculated, part-time status. Students are not allowed to appeal for reinstatement following a second severance action. If they pre-registered for courses for next semester, their courses will be dropped. Should they decide to continue taking coursework through the Frost School of Continuing and Professional Studies, they will need to re-register for classes.

Students who have earned a Second Academic Severance now have three educational options at Plymouth State University.

They may take courses as a non-degree-seeking, part-time student through the Frost School of Continuing and Professional Studies for the purpose of life-long education. (Their office is located in Speare 116 and their telephone number is 603-535-2822.)
They may take courses as a non-degree-seeking, part-time student through the Frost School of Continuing and Professional Studies in order to repair their cumulative GPA and to demonstrate their commitment to earning an undergraduate degree from Plymouth State University. If, through self-advised selective repeats of courses and the taking of new courses, they raise their cumulative GPA to 2.00 or above they may, no sooner than two academic years following their second severance, apply for readmission to a degree program. If readmitted, they will be placed on Academic Probation for the next regular semester.
Without having raised their GPA to 2.00, they may apply for readmission no sooner than seven academic years following their second severance. If readmitted, they may choose (a) to declare Academic Bankruptcy or (b) to repair their existing cumulative GPA.

If the cumulative GPA of any student readmitted following a second Severance falls below 2.00, that student will incur a third, and final, Severance.

THIRD ACADEMIC SEVERANCE

Students who are academically severed a third time cannot earn an undergraduate degree from Plymouth State University. They are not eligible for reinstatement or readmission at any time in the future. Grades earned in Winterim or Summer Session will not be used to reverse such an action. These students may, for purposes of life-long education, take courses as part-time non-matriculated students.

Bursar Information for Academically Severed Students

Please note that a final audit of the student’s tuition bill account will be performed by the Bursar’s Office no later than 30 days from the date of their academic severance letter and any refund check or bill, if applicable, will be processed and mailed to them.

Residential Life Information for Students Living On Campus and Not Returning to Plymouth State University

Students who live on campus and are not planning to return to Plymouth, or students who live on campus and earn an academic severance, need to contact Residential Life immediately at 603-535-2260, to make arrangements to remove their belongings.

Parental Release

If parents wish to speak with us regarding their student’s academic situation, they will need to submit a letter in writing to the Undergraduate Advising Center giving permission for us to do so.