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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
PROBATION, DISMISSAL AND APPEAL POLICIES AND PROCESS

Probation and Dismissal

The academic status of undergraduate students at the University of Connecticut is determined by their semester and cumulative G.P.A. at the conclusion of each semester. Earned grades of A through to F are used to calculate the G.PA. Grades, including T, I, X, N, U, P@, F@, S, U, AU and W, do not earn grade points and are not factored into the G.P.A. calculations.

University Policy (taken from the Undergraduate Catalog)

Scholastic Probation
Scholastic probation is an identification of students whose scholastic performance is below University standards. The student and the student’s counselor are informed that a marked academic improvement in future semesters is necessary to obtain the minimum scholastic standards.

Students are on scholastic probation for the next semester in which they are enrolled if their academic performance is such that they are included in any of the following conditions:

• Students who have earned 0-11 credits (considered to be first semester standing) and who have earned less than a 1.8 semester grade point average.

• Students who have earned 12-23 credits (considered to be second semester standing) and who have earned less than a 1.8 semester grade point average.

• Students who have earned 24 credits or more (considered to be third semester or higher) and who have earned less than a 2.0 semester grade point average or cumulative grade point average.

The end of the semester is defined as the day when semester grades must be submitted to the Registrar. This must occur no later than seventy-two hours after the final examination period ends.

Incomplete and Absent grades (I, X, and N) do not represent earned credit. A student placed on probation with unresolved grades will be relieved of probation status if satisfactory completion of the work places his or her academic performance above the probation standards.

Any student placed on academic probation because of a cumulative grade point average less than 2.0 shall be removed from probation when the cumulative grade point average reaches 2.0 or above.

Dismissal
A student who fails to meet these minimum scholastic standards for two consecutively registered semesters is subject to dismissal. However, no student with at least a 2.3 semester grade point average after completing all courses for which he or she is registered at the end of a semester shall be subject to dismissal; the student will be continued on scholastic probation if such status is warranted.
Students who are subject to dismissal but who, for extraordinary reasons, are permitted to continue may be subjected by the Office for Undergraduate Education to other conditions for their continuance.

When a student is dismissed from the University for scholastic reasons only, any certificate or transcript issued must contain the statement “Dismissed for scholastic deficiency but otherwise entitled to honorable dismissal.”

Dismissal involves non-residence on the University campus and loss of status as a candidate for a degree effective immediately upon dismissal.

A student who has been dismissed from the University for academic reasons may not register for courses at the University as a non-degree student without the approval of the Director of Continuing Studies, who will inform the dean of the student’s previous school or college about the decision made.

Students who have been dismissed may, during a later semester, request an evaluation for readmission to the University by applying to the Dean of the school or college into which entry is sought. Readmission will be considered favorably only when the evaluation indicates a strong probability for academic success. In their first regular semester after readmission, dismissed students will be on scholastic probation and may be subjected by the Office for Undergraduate Education to other conditions for their continuance. Students who have left the University for a reason other than academic dismissal are readmitted under the same scholastic standing status as achieved at the time of separation from the University.

Supplementary CLAS Dismissal Policies and Procedures
A dean’s representative in each school and college is charged with the task of determining whether to dismiss or retain students in their school or college who are eligible for dismissal. In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that charge falls to the director of the CLAS Academic Services Center. 

After final grades are posted the Registrar generates a list of all CLAS students eligible for dismissal. The director of the CLAS Academic Services makes a decision on who will be dismissed and who will be retained, based on factors including: how close the student is to meeting the minimum GPA requirements; if the student can graduate at the end of the following intersession or semester; and if there is any information in the student’s file about the circumstances that led them to becoming eligible for dismissal.  Students will receive the appropriate letter from the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education informing them as to whether they have been dismissed or retained.  Students who are dismissed have the opportunity to appeal their dismissal. As well as a letter from the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education CLAS students will receive an email shortly after the initial decision is made letting them know their status, and if they are dismissed, instructions outlining how they may appeal their dismissal.

Dismissal Appeal Process
Students wishing to appeal their dismissal must demonstrate extenuating circumstances beyond their control which contributed to their academic decline, which is then reviewed by a dismissal appeal committee.

The dismissal appeal committee is looking to see that, despite their current standing, the student is able to succeed at the University of Connecticut, and specifically in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The appeal must include the following:

• A written statement describing the extenuating circumstances that warrant the committee’s reconsideration of the dismissal.
• A detailed plan, also in writing, describing how the student intends to improve his/her grades and to remove any barriers to future academic success.
• Documentation from professional sources that verify the extenuating circumstances. The documentation must be supplied on letterhead and come from sources such as a medical doctor, health professional, hospital emergency room, or copies of official records or newspaper clippings. Documentation from University of Connecticut offices or personnel is preferred.
• A letter of support from a University of Connecticut faculty or staff member who is willing to advocate for the student and, if the appeal is successful, with whom the student will work to improve his/her academic performance.
• A phone number, email address and postal address at which the student can be reached so we can inform him/her of the committee’s decision.

All appeal paperwork must be submitted to:

Appeals can be submitted by the following means:

• Fax:  (860) 486-8304; Attention Dismissal Appeal Committee
• Email: clasasc@UConn.edu  
• Mail or in person:

CLAS Academic Services Center
423 Whitney Road, Unit 1126
Storrs, CT 06269-1126

Please note that the submission of an appeal does not guarantee that the student’s appeal will be successful. Furthermore, though the director forms a committee to review appeals, the final decision rests solely with the director and Associate Dean.

Appeals received after the deadline will not be reviewed and the student’s dismissal will be upheld.

Continuation on Special Probation
Students who are allowed to remain at the University are continued on special probation and are encouraged to do at least one of the following:

• Enroll in a one credit academic enhancement course that is offered each semester for CLAS students on probation. The details of when and where the class meets will be included in the correspondence sent to the student.
• Register with UConnConnects which is a program that pairs faculty and staff with students to provide one-on-one support to help students be more successful.

Students will also have an advising bar placed on their record that will not be lifted until they meet with an advisor in the CLAS Academic Services Center. 

Students who are continued on special probation must maintain a semester G.P.A. of 2.5 or better until their cumulative G.P.A. reaches 2.0.

Readmission After Dismissal
Students who have been dismissed can apply for readmission no sooner than one semester following dismissal.  Students will apply through the Dean of Students.  The application deadline for Spring readmission is December 1st and for Fall readmission is July 1st.  Readmission is not guaranteed.  If the student is readmitted, s/he will be on scholastic probation during the first semester.  Additionally, s/he student will follow the catalog requirements for the semester of their readmission. 

Students must demonstrate that they can succeed during their time away from the university before their application for readmission is approved. During this time students should consider the following options.

• Register for up to eight credits of non-degree work. Students may register for non-degree courses through the Center for Continuing Studies. 

• Consider transferring to or taking courses at another university or community college. The Transfer Admissions web site lists the transfer course equivalencies for all Connecticut universities, colleges and community colleges. Students must be aware that if they decide to take courses outside of the university with the intension of transferring them back to UConn the transferred credits will not count towards the UConn grade point average and, without the permission of their UConn faculty advisor, cannot  be applied to the major or related areas.

Student must average Bs in all non-degree courses to be approved for readmission.

Second Dismissal
Students who are dismissed from CLAS for a second time must wait at least one academic year before applying for readmission.  They must complete course work which will be applicable to their CLAS degree requirements and must earn a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 in all non-degree coursework taken after their dismissal. All non-degree courses must be taken at a University of Connecticut campus so that a) the courses taken after the student’s dismissal can, upon their readmission, be factored into their cumulative G.P.A. and b) the University’s residency requirement will be met.  

Upon readmission, students must earn a semester G.P.A. that, when combined with the G.P.A. from non-degree courses, recalculates to a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0 by the end of their first semester back. Students who are, again, eligible for dismissal will be automatically dismissed.

Third Dismissal
The third dismissal is final. There will be no option to appeal and application for readmission to CLAS will be denied.

Advisors/Counselors
Because the ASC staff oftentimes has nothing more than a transcript by which to make a decision on whether to dismiss or retain a student, information from instructors, advisors and counselors who are familiar with the student’s performance and circumstances is always most welcome. The ASC also welcomes faculty and staff advocacy for a student. If you feel a student has a good case for being retained and you are willing to work with the student to overcome their academic difficulties we will most likely retain the student. Click here for a link a recommendation form which you can fax or post to the ASC.