Satisfactory Progress, Probation, and Dismissal

All undergraduate students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree.  Satisfactory progress is defined by the following scale:

 end of first semester   end of second semester
First-year students 1.70 (0-15 credits) 1.80 (16 to 30 credits)
Second-year students  1.90 (31 to 45 credits) 2.00 (46 to 60 credits)
Third-year students 2.00 (61 to 75 credits) 2.00 (76 to 90 credits)
Fourth-year students 2.00 (91 to 105 credits) 2.00 (106 to 120 credits).

Students whose academic performance falls below these standards will be reviewed at the end of each semester by the Board of Studies, which may recommend probation or dismissal.  Probation is a proving period during which a student’s continuance at St. Ambrose is in jeopardy.  While on probation, students are limited to 13 credits per semester, with allowances made to take as many as 15 credits with the support of the student’s academic advisor.  Generally, a full-time student will only be allowed to remain on probation for two consecutive semesters, and will either have the designation removed (if they have made satisfactory progress toward their degree) or will be dismissed.  Students whose progress is notably poor may be dismissed without being placed on probation.
 A student who has been academically dismissed may be considered for readmission after one full semester has passed.  A summer session does not constitute a full semester.
 New students who are accepted with "Provisional Admission" are considered to be on probation during their first semester at St. Ambrose.
 Students may appeal an action taken by the Board of Studies. The student has the right to represent themselves and their petition, though may choose to make their case through the written petition only.  In either case, a completed petition must be submitted.  Appeals must be initiated through consultation with the Registrar and follow the procedure outlined below:
Step 1: Obtain petition from the Registrar.
Step 2: Fill out the petition completely.
Step 3: Submit petition to academic advisor for comments and signature.  In cases where an advisor is not known or may not be in a position to comment, the Registrar may authorize the petition.
Step 4:  Submit petition to the Registrar for scheduling at the next meeting of the Board of Studies.

Undergraduate Class Load
. . . Students on scholastic probation may not register for more than 13 semester credits without approval from their academic advisor and may not register for more than 15 semester credits without the written approval of the Board of Studies.

The following definitions and practices are being used.  While this language will not appear in the university catalog, it will be used to guide the work of the Board of Studies.

* Provisional Admission:  Provisional admission is granted to students whose prior academic work does not qualify them for full admission to St. Ambrose University.  Students admitted to St. Ambrose under "provisional admission" will be considered to have probationary status upon enrollment.  (NOTE: "Provisional Admissions" replaces the term "Subject to Review.")

* Make the primary sorting device to determine which students come before the board the cumulative GPA and quality points, not low semester GPA.  A quality point deficit towards graduation requirements is easier to make up early in a student’s academic career than later, and the gap in quality points between a student’s record and satisfactory progress shows clearly and precisely what a student must achieve to regain satisfactory progress classification.

* Discontinue the use of the "Letter of Concern"; since these letters are most often used when a student has a poor semester but their cumulative GPA is fine, the value of the letters is questionable.  Students are informed through grade reports when they have had a bad semester, as are their advisors.

* Discontinue the use of a two-tiered probationary system and allow up to two semesters of "Probation."  Specifically, eliminate the "Warning" category.  The distinction between "Probation" and "Warning" is unclear both to students and advisors, and  there is no difference in sanction between the two levels.

* Allow students on probation to take up to 15 credits with advisor approval.  Too often full time students limited to 12 credits are not sufficiently challenged.  For first semester, first year students, limit registration to 13 credits during summer advising, and allow students to appeal through their advisors during the week prior to classes.  Such an approach will allow advisors to get to know their students and to make an informed decision.  First year, probationary students who are involved in fall scholarship activities or who are working off campus will normally be limited to 13 credits, while those whose schedules are more open may take up to 15.

* As much as possible and practical, shift the function of the Board of Studies from an advisory board to a review board.  There is significant embedded unfairness when some students are known to board members and others are not.  Students’ rights to privacy can be assured if extenuating circumstances are only raised at the point of appeal, and the student has made a choice to reveal personal information to the Board as part of the appeals process.  Such a change is consistent with the proposed policy and language.