Academic Standing Classification of Students

At the end of each semester the Registrar classifies undergraduate students according to the number of credit hours they have completed:

• A freshman is one who has completed fewer than 30 credits.
• A sophomore is one who has completed between 30 and 59 credits.
• A junior is one who has completed between 60 and 89 credits
• A senior is one who has completed 90 credits or more.
• A full-time student is one who is registered for 12 or more credit hours in a regular semester; 9 credits in the summer.
• A part-time student is one who is carrying less than 12 credit hours in a regular semester; less than 9 credits in the summer.
• A matriculated student is one who has satisfied all admission requirements for a degree program and is taking courses leading to a degree.
• A special student is one who is not pursuing a degree or certificate program at La Roche University. All special students are required to register each term through the Graduate Studies and Adult Education Office.

For graduate students classification is as follows:

• A full-time student is one who is registered for 6 or more credits in a regular semester; 3 credits in the summer
• A part-time student is one who is carrying less than 6 credits in a regular semester.

Dean's List

Each semester those full-time undergraduate students, pursuing a baccalaureate or associate degree, with 12 graded credits or more, who have earned a term GPA of 3.500 or higher are placed on the dean's honor list. Part-time students who have accumulated 12 credits in consecutive semesters in an academic year, including summer, and have earned a GPA of 3.500 or higher are placed on the dean's honor list.

Good Academic Standing

Undergraduate students are in good academic standing at the University when their cumulative and semester grade point averages (GPAs) are 2.000 or above.

Not in Good Academic Standing

Undergraduate students are not in good academic standing at the University when their cumulative and/or semester grade point averages (GPAs) are below 2.00. Students who are not in good academic standing may be subject to one of the following four categories of action: 1) Academic Warning; 2) Academic Probation; 3) Academic Suspension; or 4) Academic Dismissal.

Academic Warning

Any student whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 2.00 or above but whose semester GPA is below 2.00 will be placed on academic warning for the subsequent semester.

Academic Probation

Any student whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.00 or who is already on academic warning will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent semester of enrollment.

Any student placed on academic probation may be required to work with a designated academic success
advisor on strategies to enhance academic performance.

Academic Suspension

Any student whose semester grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.00 and who is currently on academic
probation, or any student who is on probation for two consecutive semesters will be immediately suspended from the University for the subsequent spring or fall semester.

Students who have been suspended may appeal the suspension (see Appeal Policy and Procedure below). Students who are suspended will be assigned an academic success advisor with whom they will work to accomplish the prescribed strategies necessary for reinstatement. Reinstatement of any student who has been suspended will be at the discretion of the Academic Standing Appeal Committee, in consultation with all necessary university constituents, based on consideration of the student's written appeal.

Students immediately reinstated from suspension will remain on academic probation during the semester of their reinstatement and will be required to comply with an academic success plan set forth by the Center for Academic Success and Achievement. Students will be informed, in writing, prior to the beginning of the semester of the Academic Standing Appeal Committee’s decision, and the terms with which the students must comply.

Students who have served a suspension and wish to return to the University must write a letter to the Dean of Academic Success and Achievement requesting reinstatement. The letter should include the following:

• An accounting of what the student has done while suspended
• Notification of courses taken elsewhere (official transcripts from other institutions will be required if there are any transferable credits)
• An academic plan including whether or not the student wishes to change their major and what they plan to do differently to achieve academic success

Academic Dismissal

Students will be dismissed from the University if they fail to make progress after reinstatement to the University following a suspension. Dismissals are recommended by the Academic Standing Appeal Committee to the Provost and Dean of the Faculty. Students who have been dismissed may appeal the dismissal (see Appeal Policy and Procedure below). Reinstatement of any student who has been dismissed will be at the discretion of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty in consultation with the Academic Standing Appeal Committee and all necessary University constituents, based on consideration of the student's written appeal for reinstatement. Students reinstated from dismissal may have to serve a semester of suspension or remain on academic probation during the semester of their reinstatement if permitted to return. Returning students will be required to comply with an academic success plan set forth by the Center for Academic Success and Achievement. Students will be informed, in writing, prior to the beginning of the semester of the Academic Standing Appeal Board’s decision, and the terms with which the students must comply.

Appeal Policy and Procedure

Students may appeal an academic suspension or academic dismissal by submitting a letter to the Dean of Academic Success and Achievement within ten business days of the date of the suspension or dismissal letter. The deadline for appeals will be specified in each letter sent to the student. The written appeal should fully describe the student’s reason for poor academic performance, others who might be aware of the situation, and specific steps they plan to take toward improvement. Once received and considered by the Academic Standing Appeal Committee, the appeal decision will be communicated in writing to the student by La Roche University email.

The following areas comprise the Academic Standing Appeal Committee:

• Dean of Academic Success and Achievement
• Representative from the Office of the Registrar
• Representative from the Center for Academic Success and Achievement
• Representative from the Student Life Division
• Faculty Representative from the Academic Standards & Honors Committee

Students who wish to return to the University after serving their suspension may appeal by submitting a letter to the Dean of Academic Success and Achievement requesting reinstatement and specifying the semester they wish to return. The written appeal should fully describe what the student has done while suspended and specific steps they plan to take toward improvement. Once received and considered by the appropriate parties, the appeal to return from suspension decision will be communicated in writing to the student by La Roche University email. Students who return from suspension will be assigned an academic success advisor with whom they will work to accomplish the prescribed strategies necessary for improvement. Official transcripts will be required if a student attended another university while on suspension and earned transferable credits.