ROWAN UNIVERSITY POLICY


Title: Undergraduate Academic Standing
Subject: Academic Affairs 
Policy No: AA: 2017: 02
Applies: University-Wide 
Issuing Authority: Sr. Vice President and Provost
Responsible Officer: Deans and Vice President for Student Affairs
Adopted: 
Last Revision:  
Last Reviewed:  

I.       PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to outline the standards for academic standing which apply to all matriculated undergraduate students.

II.      ACCOUNTABILITY 

Under direction of the Provost, the Vice President for Student Affairs shall implement this policy in collaboration with appropriate personnel.

III.    APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all matriculated undergraduate students of Rowan University.

IV.    POLICY

  1. Rowan University has established standards for academic standing which apply to all matriculated undergraduate students as follows: Students who have attempted 12 or more semester hour credits and have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 are considered to be in Good Academic Standing.
  2. Academic Notice 1 (for cumulative GPA falling below 2.0)
    1. At the end of each fall and spring semester, matriculated undergraduate students who are not already on Academic Notice, who have attempted 12 credits or more, and who have a cumulative GPA below 2.0 are placed on Academic Notice 1 for the subsequent spring or fall semester.  Those who achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher after the subsequent fall or spring semester will return to Good Academic Standing.
    2. Students on Academic Notice 1 are required to meet with a designated University representative to make an academic success plan and will be enrolled in a zero-credit course in Canvas for the following semester supporting academic remediation. Details of the academic remediation program can be found on the Student Success website. Students on Academic Notice 1 may have a registration hold placed on their Banner account related to completion of the program requirements, and can participate in incentive programs related to completion.
    3. The Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will notify students when they are placed on Academic Notice 1 via their Rowan email address. Such notices will include the requirement for the academic remediation activities as described above. The Registrar's Office will note the Academic Notice 1 status on the student's academic record.
    4. Students will meet with their academic advisors each semester to develop appropriate plans for achieving satisfactory academic performance.
  3. Academic Notice 2 (for cumulative GPA below 2.0 for the second term in a row): At the end of each fall and spring semester, students on Academic Notice 1 who do not achieve a cumulative GPA at or above 2.0 will be placed on Academic Notice 2 for the subsequent spring or fall semester. Students on Academic Notice 2 are required to meet with a designated University representative to make an academic success plan and will be enrolled in a zero-credit course in Canvas for the following semester supporting academic remediation. Details of the academic remediation program can be found on the Student Success website. Students on Academic Notice 2 will have a registration hold placed on their Banner account related to completion of the program requirements and can participate in incentive programs related to completion. 
    1. The Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will notify students when they are placed on Academic Notice 2 via their Rowan email address. Such notices will include the requirement for the academic remediation activities as described above. The Registrar's Office will note the Academic Notice 2 status on the student's academic record.
    2. Students will meet with their academic advisors each semester to develop appropriate plans for achieving satisfactory academic performance.
  4. Continued Academic Notice 2 (for students on Academic Notice 2 whose GPA since their most recent prior academic standing update is 2.0 or higher but whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.0).
    1. Students who are on Academic Notice 2 and achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher in term(s) since their most recent prior academic standing update, but whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.0, will be placed on Continued Academic Notice 2.
    2. Students on Continued Academic Notice 2 must follow the requirements for students on Academic Notice 2 described above.
  5. Academic Suspension
    1. Academic Suspension takes place under the following circumstances:
      1. Students who have been on Academic Notice 2 or Continued Academic Notice 2 for one or more semesters and who earn a GPA of below 2.0 in term(s) since their most recent prior academic standing update will be suspended from the University for a period of at least one calendar year.
      2. Implementation note for January 2024 cycle:  Because these statuses are new, adapted processes will be in place for the January 2024 cycle.  Because the sequence of statuses is being extended from a minimum of two semesters of enrollment prior to suspension to a minimum of three, students who have had a cumulative GPA below 2.0  for at least 3 consecutive semesters will be subject to academic suspension.  These include those on Continuing Probation, those who had a suspension appeal approved in a previous term, or others identified via the academic standing process.
    2. The Registrar's Office will notify the appropriate University officers when students are academically suspended and will note the suspension on the student's academic record.
    3. The Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will notify students in writing when they are suspended via their Rowan email address.  The notices will include a statement that registration for the next fall or spring semester will be canceled.  Students enrolled in the immediate winter or summer session will not have their enrollment canceled.
    4. Students so suspended cannot register in either academic year or summer terms, as full- or part- time students, nor as non-matriculated students.
    5. Students who have been academically suspended from the University are eligible for re-enrollment through the University Advising Center after one academic year following suspension.  Normal re-enrollment processes will apply, including determination of eligibility for specific academic programs, and subject to other restrictions unrelated to academic standing (such as disciplinary processes and registration holds).
      1. Request for Early Return from Suspension: Suspended students may appeal to re-enter the University prior to the one-year period after at least one fall or spring term of suspension status by contacting academicstanding@rowan.edu and providing a rationale and documentation demonstrating readiness to return prior to the expected one-year timeline.  Because the expected suspension period is one full year, only compelling appeals which include documentation such as satisfactory grades at another college, resolution of a related health matter, or other such evidence of readiness to return will be considered.
  6. Academic Suspension Appeal Process
    1. The Office of the Provost serves as the focal point for academic probation and suspension.  The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for the implementation of this process.
      1. Written notification of the appeal process and dates will be sent to the student via their Rowan email address.
      2. Student completes and returns the appeal form with supporting documentation.
      3. Students who do not appeal and students whose appeal is denied will be suspended from the University and any registration in future fall and spring terms will be dropped.
    2. Decisions concerning academic suspension are made independently of decisions governing financial aid awards. Appeals regarding the discontinuance of financial aid must be made to the Director of Financial Aid.
  7. The revisions in this policy are implemented on an interim basis pending any Senate action.