University of Maryland Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013

Consistent with the University of Maryland Student Academic Success - Degree Completion Policy, it is the intent of the University that its students make satisfactory progress toward their degree objectives, and achieve academic success. If a student has special circumstances that make it impossible to complete a normal course load, the student must meet with an advisor to discuss the circumstances, the student's plans for continued progress toward a degree, and the implications for continued enrollment.

The following guidelines for retention of students refer separately to semester (Fall and Spring) and Winter or Summer terms:

a. Academic retention is based solely on grade point average (GPA). A minimum of 120 successfully completed course credits is required for graduation in any degree curriculum. Individual colleges, schools, and departments may establish higher requirements for graduation. Students must consult the appropriate college, school, or department for specific information.

b. Satisfactory Performance is defined as the achievement of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. Students whose semester GPA falls below 2.0 are encouraged to meet with their advisors regarding the development of a plan that will appropriately respond to the students academic difficulties and lead to academic improvement. Individual colleges, schools and departments may establish separate requirements for mandatory advising. Students must consult the appropriate college, school, or department for specific information.

c. Unsatisfactory Performance is defined as the achievement of a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0. Students will be placed on Academic Probation following any semester in which a 2.0 cumulative GPA is not achieved. Normally, students will be Academically Dismissed if they are unable to raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 or higher at the end of their probationary semester.

Academic Probation:

Students will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Normally, student is expected to attain a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of any probationary semester. Students who fail to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of their probationary semester may be academically dismissed, depending on their credit level as detailed below.

1. Students who have earned 60 credits or more will be dismissed from the University in the event their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of their probationary semester. Students who are on probation and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of a winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal in the subsequent semester.

2. Students who are on academic probation and have earned fewer than 60 credits will be permitted to continue on academic probation if a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 is achieved in each semester of probation.

a. Full-time students must complete 9 or more credits in each semester of probation. A completed credit is defined as credit for any course in which a student receives a grade of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-. F, P, or S.

b. Students who meet this requirement will be permitted to continue on probation until the close of the semester (excluding winter and summer terms) in which they attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

c. However, students who are on probation will be dismissed if they have not achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of the semester in which they complete 60 credits.

d. Students who are on probation and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of a winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal in the subsequent semester.

3. The Office of the Registrar will notify students when they are placed on academic probation. Such notices will include a requirement that the students consult an academic advisor in their colleges early in the probationary semester and in no event later than the beginning of the early registration period for the next semester. The Office of the Registrar will notify the colleges of students who are placed on academic probation and will note the academic probationary status on the students academic record.

a. The academic advisors will assist students in developing appropriate plans for achieving satisfactory academic performance.

b. Students who are placed on probation will not be allowed to add or drop courses, or register without the approval of an academic advisor in their college.

Academic Dismissal:

1. Students who have earned 60 or more credits will be dismissed if their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters (excluding winter and summer terms). Students who attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the preceding winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.

2. Students who have earned fewer than 60 credits will be dismissed following any probationary semester in which they fail to attain a minimum 2.0 semester GPA and complete the requisite credits detailed under Academic Probation. Students who attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the preceding winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.

3. Students who have been academically dismissed and who are reinstated will be academically dismissed again if a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is not achieved by the end of the first semester after reinstatement. Reinstated students will not be allowed to add or drop courses, or to register during any semester without the approval of an academic advisor in their college, unless a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is achieved.

4. The Office of the Registrar will notify the appropriate University offices when students are academically dismissed and will note the dismissal on the student's academic record.

5. The Student Success Office will notify students in writing when they are dismissed. The notices will include a statement that registration for the next semester (excluding winter or summer terms) will be canceled.

6. Normally, a student dismissed for academic reasons must wait out one semester (fall or spring) before reinstatement. Exceptions will be determined by the Faculty Petition Board.

Application for Academic Reinstatement:

1. Students who have been dismissed may apply to the Faculty Petition Board for reinstatement on the grounds of mitigating circumstances, such as (i) demonstrated progress toward a degree by successful completion of 24 degree-applicable credits in the preceding year, (ii) continuing improvement in the cumulative grade point average, and (iii) progress in general education and major requirements.

2. The application for reinstatement must include a written statement explaining the circumstances leading to dismissal and a proposed plan to remedy those circumstances. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors prior to submitting their applications to the Faculty Petition Board.

3. Applications for reinstatement can be completed at www.admissions.umd.edu/apply/reinstatementWebapplication.cfm.

Faculty Petition Board:

1. The Student Success Office is responsible for submitting the reinstatement applications for review and decision by the Faculty Petition Board, which is comprised of tenured faculty appointed by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The Board is the sole arbiter of reinstatement applications.

2. The Faculty Petition Board has the discretion to establish the terms for reinstatement, including the requirements for achieving academic improvement and developing an academic plan for success.

3. The Student Success Office will forward the Boards decision to students at their permanent addresses.

Dismissal of Delinquent Students:

The university reserves the right to request at any time the withdrawal of a student who cannot or does not maintain the required standard of scholarship, or whose continuance in the university would be detrimental to his or her health, or the health of others, or whose conduct is not satisfactory to the authorities of the university. Additional information about the dismissal of delinquent students may be found in the Code of Student Conduct.

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