All students, whether full-time or part-time, are expected to maintain a quality of work necessary for reasonable progress toward graduation. In order to graduate, a student must earn a total number of grade points that is at least twice as great as the total number of academic credit hours attempted. Falling beneath this criterion indicates substandard progress toward a degree.

Probation

Students whose cumulative W GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students admitted with a GPA less than 2.0 as evaluated by academic policies will be placed on academic probation upon admission.

Students on first academic probation (P1) returning in the fall or spring will be limited to twelve (12) hours, or six (6) hours in the summer; additionally, students must successfully complete UN 098 Academic Recovery, a three (3) hour course consisting of a series of study skills lectures designed to improve study skills.  The Academic Recovery class is not required for subsequent semesters, but the limit of twelve (12) hours for spring and fall and six (6) for summer will continue until a cumulative W GPA of 2.0 or better is achieved.

Suspension

Students with a semester GPA of less than 2.0 who were admitted on academic probation or have already served one probationary period will be expected to maintain the academic standards listed in the chart below. Failure to meet this expectation will result in academic suspension.

No student will be suspended for failing to achieve the required grade point average without having first served at least one semester of probation at The W. Students who have served a semester of probation at The W at any time in the past and who fail to maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, will be suspended immediately if their W cumulative GPA falls below the value listed above.

Students have two options on their first academic suspension (S1):

1. They may return to The W the next semester at which time they will be required to enroll in the Turning Point Program. Students returning in the fall or spring will be limited to twelve (12) hours or six (6) hours in the summer, including UN 099 Turning Point/Study Skills. The Turning Point class is not required for subsequent semesters, but the limit of twelve (12) hours for spring and fall and six (6) for summer will continue until a cumulative W GPA of 2.0 is achieved. Support for S1 students will continue for the semester following Turning Point: (a) students must meet with their academic advisor three times per semester – at the end of the first two weeks, before midterm through the advising period, and once during the second half of the semester, (b) the Early Alert Coordinator will pay particular attention to reports on these students and contact them frequently regarding assistance.  Students must pass the Turning Point course and earn a W GPA of 2.0 or better for the semester to successfully complete the Turning Point program.  Students who do not pass the Turning Point course or do not earn a W GPA of 2.0 or better for the semester have not successfully completed the Turning Point program.  Students who officially withdraw from the Turning Point course will be suspended for one regular (fall or spring) semester.  Students who do not successfully complete the Turning Point program will be reclassified S2 and will be suspended for one calendar year.
2. Students who choose not to participate in the Turning Point Program will be suspended for one regular (fall or spring) semester. Readmission to The W will be automatic at the completion of the first suspension period. However, the student will be placed on academic probation when readmitted to the institution. Students readmitted after their first academic suspension must maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher. Those who fail to live up to this minimal standard will be suspended from the University for the second time.

A second suspension (S2) will be for one calendar year. Readmission to the University after this second suspension period requires the approval of the Scholastic Appeals Committee. The committee may set conditions for enrollment. If the student is readmitted to the University, he/she will be required once again to maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students who fail to maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher will be suspended immediately if their W cumulative GPA falls below the value listed above.

A third suspension (S3) will be for three (3) calendar years. The readmission protocol and requirements following the third suspension are the same as those following the second suspension with the returning student again expected to obtain the permission of the Scholastic Appeals Committee and to earn a 2.0 semester GPA. Students who fail to maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher will be suspended immediately if their W cumulative GPA falls below the value listed above.

The fourth suspension will result in dismissal from the university. After a fourth suspension, readmission to the University can only occur after a four-year period at which time the student may apply for Academic Fresh Start if he/she has not attended any post-secondary institution during the past four years.

Any academic credit earned elsewhere during a suspension period will not count toward degree requirements. However, a student readmitted to The W after a period of suspension may request a review of coursework which was earned after the suspension period has expired. Note that for a second or subsequent suspension, readmission to the University requires the approval of the Scholastic Appeals Committee. Coursework earned after the suspension period has expired may be transferred back to The W as long as the coursework meets The W’s standards and policies for transfer work.  The student must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher on all coursework attempted with the exception of courses not acceptable for transfer.

Under unusual or extenuating circumstances, however, a student who has been suspended for academic reasons may request a review of the case. The student’s appeal will consist of a letter (in her/his own words) addressed to the Scholastic Appeals Committee in care of the Office of Academic Affairs. It should contain salient information detailing the mitigating circumstances that resulted in the student’s weak academic performance. In addition, letters of support from third parties may be included in the appeal. Appeals must be received in the Office of Academic Affairs no later than noon one working day prior to the official registration date for the term in which the student wishes to enroll. If the Scholastic Appeals Committee votes to readmit, the student will be expected to maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, or he/she will be subject to a second (or third as the case may be) suspension. If the Scholastic Appeals Committee votes not to readmit, no further appeals on behalf of the student will be accepted until the end of the suspension period, regardless of length.

Mississippi University for Women makes every effort to inform in a timely manner any student who has been suspended for academic reasons. This is achieved in the following manner, a notice will be posted on the student’s transcript on Banner Web and a letter will be mailed to the student’s permanent address (as indicated in official University records), providing reasons for the suspension and informing the student of the date on which he/she may re-enroll at Mississippi University for Women.

It is the responsibility of the student to supply Mississippi University for Women with a permanent mailing address and telephone number that are accurate and up-to-date. Mississippi University for Women cannot be held responsible for any failure to notify a student regarding suspension if the student has not supplied the University accurate and complete mailing addresses and telephone numbers.

Students may be suspended for academic deficiency, academic dishonesty, or misconduct. However, only suspensions for academic deficiency are subject to the GPA and other requirements above. All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the rules regulating conduct, which are printed in the Student Handbook and online. University authorities must consider the safety of all students and faculty when adjudicating disciplinary issues.