ACADEMIC WARNING, PROBATION, AND DISQUALIFICATION (UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS)

Undergraduate students are expected to make continuous progress toward their degrees. Student academic performance is reviewed by the Office of the Registrar and updated after each fall and spring semester for programs on a fall/spring calendar (traditional undergraduate) and after each fall, spring, and summer for programs on a year-round calendar (professional education).

The chart below summarizes each current academic standing, and the resulting standing based on the semester and cumulative grade point averages (GPA) achieved in a regular semester:

*In this scenario, warning will be applied only to students following their initial semester.

Good Standing

Students are considered in Good Standing at the end of any fall or spring semester when both their semester and cumulative GPAs are 2.0 or higher.

Academic Warning

Students whose semester GPA falls below 2.0, while their cumulative GPA remains above 2.0, are placed on Academic Warning. Students whose semester GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive semesters while their cumulative GPA remains above a 2.0 will also be placed on Academic Warning.

Academic Probation

At the conclusion of any regular semester students on Academic Warning or in Good Standing are placed on Academic Probation if they receive semester and cumulative grade point averages below 2.0. (Note the exception above for students in their initial semester.)

This period includes close academic supervision and activity restrictions, such as a limit of 15 units per semester, restrictions on extracurricular involvement, and ineligibility for intercollegiate sports.

Students remain on probation if their semester GPA improves to above 2.0 but their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0. Good Standing is regained when both GPAs are above 2.0.

Academic Disqualification

Students on Academic Probation who earn a semester and cumulative grade point average below 2.0 are academically disqualified. Students on probation who do not meet GPA requirements will be disqualified, precluding further enrollment without reapplication to the university. Appeals can be made through the Office of the Registrar.

Re-admission Procedures for Disqualified Students from Undergraduate Programs 

A disqualified student must submit the following in order to be considered for re-admission into the university:

• An application for Re-Admission
• The Re-Admission Fee
• A petition explaining the previous academic performance and outlining the steps that have been taken to improve future academic performance.
• Official transcripts for any coursework completed since being disqualified from VU. Transcripts must provide evidence that a minimum of 6 units of coursework at another accredited institution have been completed since being disqualified from VU with grades above a “C” average (2.0).
• Any other required items

For students who have been disqualified due to reasons of health, family emergency or other similar life changing events, their applications will be reviewed and evaluated on a case by case basis.  For students in this category who were not accepted on a provisional basis but had a circumstance beyond their control, all of the above steps must be followed (minus the additional course work and transcripts).

After all re-admission items have been received, the Admissions Committee will, in consultation with the Chair of the student’s intended major, review the student’s file and render an admissions decision.  This decision will be communicated to the student via e-mail.  Decisions may be appealed to the Dean and then to the Office of the Provost.

Previously disqualified students will have their status reviewed at the end of the semester in which they return. Students who have achieved both a current and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher or who have received a grade of “B” or better in each course taken during the probationary semester may enroll in the next term without petitioning. Students who have not met one of these criteria must submit a petition for further consideration of re-enrollment.

Note: Registration for subsequent terms sometimes occurs before completed grades for the previous term are submitted. Students are advised that, upon receipt of the prior semester’s grades, they may be placed on probation or be academically disqualified with immediate effect. Students in jeopardy of disqualification should register for the next term at their own risk and in careful consultation with their advisor. Should the student be academically disqualified, he or she will be dropped from all upcoming courses.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Students academically disqualified (see program sections for information on student standing) will be dismissed from the program and are precluded from further enrollment. In certain situations (explained in the letter informing the student of disqualification) students may appeal for re-entry. Appeals begin with the Director of the Program.