Appeals of Academic Standing

Instructions for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff may provide letters of support for students who believe that the assigned level of academic standing should be adjusted based on upon mitigating factors.

Criteria:

Academic standing statuses are not meant to be punitive, but rather to provide structure to assist students in regaining the academic performance required for graduation. The College believes that students will benefit from the enhanced oversight, assistance, and (in some cases) restriction of co-curricular participation, and thus does not typically overturn an academic standing designation.

However, the College understands that students may be affected by unexpected events. Therefore, the Subcommittee on Petitions and Appeals (also known as the Academic Standing Committee) will review an appeal of Academic Standing when the student has an extenuating circumstance that has negatively impacted otherwise satisfactory academic performance. Examples of extenuating circumstance may include a medical issue, serious illness or death in the family, significant personal emergency, or other situation outside of the student’s control.

What to include: 

If you believe the student meets the criteria for exception to the policy, you may provide a letter of support for the student’s appeal.  The letter of support should include the following information:

•  Student name and ID number.
• Academic Standing level.  (See below for an abbreviated explanation of the academic standing levels, or see the full policy in the College Catalog.)
• Explanation of the reason you believe the assigned level is not appropriate.
• Explanation of how you will assist the student in his/her plan for improvement in the upcoming semester.
• Any other information you believe should be known by the Subcommittee on Petitions and Appeals (also known as the Academic Standing Committee).
• If you are the student’s advisor you should assist the student in completing a four year plan – available on the College Advising Center’s website.

Note that students concerned about Financial Aid (restricted when a student is on Academic Probation) may make a separate appeal to the Financial Aid Office regardless of the outcome of an Academic Standing Appeal.

Submitting a letter of support:

While an email will be accepted, the Committee prefers a more formal letter.  You can provide the letter to the student, or scan and send the letter directly to the Registrar’s Office for inclusion with the student’s appeal.  Deadlines for appeals are firm as the committee often meets soon thereafter and time must be allowed for uploading of appeal materials, and for committee member review prior to the meeting.

If sending electronically, send directly to Judy Finch at finchj@lclark.edu.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ACADEMIC STANDING STATUSES

(For full policy see the College Catalog) 

ACADEMIC STANDING

Warning

Academic warning expresses concern that a possible problem is developing. Warning is not recorded on the student’s official transcript. The student is still considered to be in good academic standing. Warning is assigned when a student:

•  earns a semester GPA of less than 2.000 and has a cumulative GPA below 2.000; or
•  earns a semester GPA of less than 1.500 and has a cumulative GPA of 2.000-4.000.

 While on warning, a student is:

• expected to meet with an advisor and participate in a reflection process to develop a plan to address the concern

Probation

Academic probation notifies the student that a problem exists. Probationary status is noted on the student’s official transcript. Probation is assigned when a student:

•  is already on a status of Warning; and
•  earns a semester GPA of less than 2.000 and has a cumulative GPA below 2.000.

While on probation, a student:

• is expected to meet with an advisor and participate in a reflection process to develop a plan to address the concern.
•  is prohibited from participating in co-curricular activities including student government and varsity sports.
• may be ineligible to receive financial aid funds.

Suspension

Academic suspension notifies the student of his or her ineligibility to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences for a specified period of time; normally one academic year. Suspended status is noted on the student’s official transcript. Suspension is assigned when a student:

•  is already on a status of Probation; and
•  earns a semester GPA of less than 2.000 and has a cumulative GPA below 2.000.

To be reinstated after suspension, a student must:

•  complete 12 credits at another accredited institution with a GPA of 2.500 or above. The credits must be transferable to Lewis & Clark College.
• Obtain the approval of the Subcommittee on Petitions and Appeals.

Dismissal

If, after reinstatement to Lewis & Clark College, a student receives a second academic suspension, the student is permanently dismissed with no further opportunity to enroll at Lewis & Clark College.