Standards of Academic Progress

Students are advised to complete 25 percent (32 to 33 semester hours) of the requirements in academic courses for the degree during each academic year. To meet acceptable academic standards, the student regularly enrolled as a degree candidate must accomplish the following:

• Achieve a minimum cumulative grade-point average of
      • 1.667 at the end of the first semester,
      • 1.750 at the end of the second semester,
      • 1.850 at the end of the third semester, and
      • 2.000 at the end of the fourth semester and thereafter.
Note: The Board of Academic Standards may send informal letters of warning or concern to students when the grade-point average or status shows sings of falling below acceptable levels.

• At the end of the fourth semester and each semester thereafter, maintain a grade-point average of 2.000 or better.
• Earn at least:
      • 24 semester hours by the end of the second semester,
      • 52 semester hours by the end of the fourth semester, and
      • 80 semester hours by the end of the sixth semester.
Note: This rate of accumulating successfully completed semester hours is a minimum standard and, if followed, requires nine to 10 semesters of acceptable academic work to meet the expectations for graduation.

Academic Probation
A student is placed on academic probation when judged to be making less than satisfactory progress toward graduation:

   • When the semester grade-point average or the cumulative gradepoint average falls below stated minimums.
   • When the rate of course completion falls below stated minimums.

A student is removed from academic probation when the semester and cumulative grade-point averages and the rate of course completion reach stated minimums. A student on academic probation may not receive a letter of good academic standing from the university.
Any student on academic probation must have the academic adviser’s approval prior to adding, changing, or withdrawing from a class. Further, the student is to meet at least twice (in addition to the pre-registration conference) with the academic adviser during the semester to discuss current academic work and related matters. The adviser reports the nature of the discussion and recommendations considered to the Board of Academic Standards using the appropriate form. The forms are initially sent to the student, who is to take them to the adviser.

Academic Suspension
Academic suspension occurs at the end of an academic year (except in the case of gross disregard of academic standards and responsibilities) and involves the involuntary and immediate withdrawal of the student from Wittenberg University for at least one full semester. A student is suspended as a result of any one of the following circumstances:

   • A student fails to make sufficient progress toward meeting graduation requirements after being on probation for two or more consecutive semesters.
   • Grave academic difficulty during the first year may not be known until the end of the second semester. In such cases, the Board of Academic Standards may decide to suspend a student when the extent of academic deficiency warrants this action.
   • Failing to meet stipulations set by the Board. A suspension for a failure to meet stipulations may occur at the end of any semester.
   • For gross disregard of academic standards and responsibilities, defined here as earning a grade-point average below 1.000 for any semester, the Board of Academic Standards determines the status of the student after a review of the student’s grades for the current semester and previous semesters and of the reports of the student’s instructors. A suspension for gross academic disregard my occur at the end of any semester.

Appeal of Academic Suspension
The Board of Academic Standards does consider a timely letter of appeal from the academically suspended student but reverses its decision only when presented with new evidence of significant mitigating circumstances. The letter of appeal is to be typewritten and no more than two pages in length; it may include additional supportive information or give a corrective devised by the student. The Assistant Provost for Academic Services provides information regarding the appeal process. Should the appeal of academic suspension be granted, the Board of Academic Standards often stipulates a course of action specific to the student for the successful completion of future academic work. Should it be denied, the student may appeal further, but only in writing, to the Provost.
The communication to the Provost must demonstrate that the appeal did not receive a fair and an impartial hearing.
 
Re-admission after Academic Suspension

      • A student suspended for academic reasons may be re-admitted on probationary status after being away for at least one full semester (excluding summer semester) by filing an application for re-admission with the Director of Admission. A student on academic suspension may not receive a letter of good standing. It is the responsibility of the student to determine the readiness to return and accomplish academic work. The re-admitted student must strive toward being removed from the status of academic probation and must meet with minimal expectation of completing at least 12 semester hours with a semester grade-point average of 2.0.
      • To be readmitted a student must:
                  1. Submit a petition to the Board of Academic Standards, prior to the semester the student wishes to return, requesting that they be reinstated to Wittenberg and outlining their plan for successfully accomplishing academic work. Petitions may be submitted between October 1 and December 1 for spring reinstatement and between June 1 and August 1 for fall reinstatement.
                  2. Provide information about how the student used their time during the period of suspension, i.e., job, volunteer work, course work, or a combination thereof. Students may transfer in a maximum of 8 semester hours taken during the suspension period. Students are encouraged to consult with the Registrar prior to registering for courses to be taken while suspended from Wittenberg.
                  3. Provide supporting materials including:
                        • a transcript for any coursework taken during the suspension period and/or
                        • a reference letter from a supervisor (for work or volunteer experience undertaken during this time) and/or a faculty member.
                        • documentation of the successful completion of any other stipulations placed on the student by the Board.
 
Academic Dismissal
If an academically suspended student is readmitted, continues to remain on academic probation and subsequently becomes liable for suspension a second time, academic dismissal results. Academic dismissal is a permanent separation from the University.

Academic Standards and Policies for Adult/Non-Traditional Students
For adult/non-traditional students, the university uses academic standards, policies, and credit requirements for academic progress and eligibility for the Dean’s List which are keyed to the pace of enrollment typical of these students. The University publishes these policies in the Faculty Manual and the School of Community Education Handbook for Adult/Non-Traditional Students.

Withdrawal During Semester
A student who wishes to withdraw from the university during a semester must apply for permission to withdraw in good standing. A withdrawal during semester form is available at the Registrar’s Office. When the withdrawal form is completed, the student should have an exit interview with a member of the Student Development staff before leaving campus.

The date of withdrawal determines the grades to be received for the courses in which the student has been enrolled:
one-five weeks: — Without Grade or Credit
six-10 weeks: — W(Withdrawn)
11-15 weeks: — F

It is the student’s responsibility to petition the Assistant Provost for Academic Services if there are circumstances that would warrant a waiver of the above policy.
Pro-rated board refunds are available through the last day the student is in residence. This refund is contingent upon surrender of the meal ID card to the meal plan coordinator, a formal check-out with the residential hall coordinator, and an exit interview with a staff member in the Office of Student Development.
Tuition charges and charges for applied music lessons are refunded according to the following schedule:

one week or less — 90 percent refund
two weeks or less — 80 percent refund
three weeks or less — 60 percent refund
four weeks or less — 40 percent refund
five weeks or less — 20 percent refund
more than five weeks — no refund

A student suspended or dismissed from the university for infringement of university regulations is allowed no financial refund of any kind for that semester.
Policies and procedures are different for the School of Community Education.  Students withdrawing from SCE should contact the SCE Dean's Office for additional information.

End of Semester Withdrawal
A student who withdraws at the end of any semester is required to apply for permission to withdraw in good standing. The form is available at the Registrar’s Office. An exit interview with a member of the Student Development staff is required. The student who is interrupting attendance to study abroad or to participate in a special program may request a leave of absence.

Re-admission
Any person who has withdrawn from the college or has been asked to withdraw is eligible to apply for re-admission upon completion of a formal application for re-admission. An application form may be obtained from the Registrar's Office. The completed application must be received by at least four weeks before the beginning of the semester in which the person wishes to re-enter the college.
An adult/non-traditional student who is absent from Wittenberg for two calendar years or longer must apply for re-admission. The student is subject to the academic requirements in force at the time of return. In extraordinary cases a student may appeal to the Registrar for continuation according to older requirements.