Guidelines for Academic Suspension

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Students who fall into one or more of the following categories will be suspended: 

  1. Cumulative GPA: Students whose GPA falls below 1.5 (1-4 completed terms), 1.75 (5-7 completed terms), or 2.0 (8-10 completed semesters) will be suspended
  2. Semester GPA: Students who earn a semester GPA below 1.0, regardless of their cumulative GPA, will be suspended
  3. Probationary period GPA: Students on academic notice whose semester GPA is below 2.0 in their first semester on academic notice or who do not increase their overall GPA to 2.0 in their second semester on academic notice will be suspended
  4. Major GPA: Students whose major GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters and who cannot find a new major will be suspended 

Any incomplete (E) grade earned may be calculated as a 0.0 when the Academic Standing Committee reviews grades at the end of the semester. 

Suspended students may apply for readmission after one semester, although two semesters away is often advisable. Suspended students are not considered St. Lawrence University students and are not eligible to receive credit for or take courses at the University. 

The following table shows the cumulative GPA that will lead to suspension. 

End of Term 

Minimum Cumulative GPA 

1—4 

< 1.5

5—7 

< 1.75 

8-10 

< 2.0 

Appeal of Academic Suspension 

Suspended students who can document extenuating circumstances have the right to appeal to the Academic Standing Committee. Appeals, which will be reviewed by the committee and the dean of academic affairs, should be directed to the executive director for advising, retention, and student success. For students on academic notice who are subject to suspension, the Academic Standing Committee will examine whether all conditions of their academic notice were fulfilled when considering an appeal. Questions about the appeals process should be directed to the executive director for advising, retention, and student success. 

Re-admission 

Suspended students may apply to St. Lawrence University for readmission one semester after they were suspended. Applications for readmission are available from the student life office; students who wish to return from academic suspension must indicate this and follow the appropriate instructions for that situation. In addition to the completed application, the following information must be provided: 

  1. Transcripts of any academic work undertaken while suspended. 

  1. Letters from instructors of courses in which students were enrolled while suspended. 

  1. If applicable, letters of support from employers, counselors, or therapists with whom the student has worked since suspension. 

An interview with the executive director for advising, retention, and student success may be required. 

A student who has been suspended, and who has returned to St. Lawrence, may, under exceptional circumstances, be allowed up to three semesters to achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.