Separation from the College: Policy and Procedure

Academic Probation, Suspension, & Dismissal

First year Saint Peter’s students with a GPA below 1.8 and other students with a GPA below 2.0 may be placed on Academic Suspension from their studies at the College by the academic dean. Additionally, students who show a tendency toward non completion of courses by repeated withdrawals may be placed on Academic Suspension. Academic Suspension is an enforced termination of formal studies and normally will be granted only once to a student. The academic dean may impose Suspension for one or two terms. Students on academic suspension, with the advice and permission of the academic dean, may enroll for a limited number of courses at another college during the period of their suspension. Successful completion of such courses will be considered as a positive factor in reviewing a suspended student’s application for reinstatement.

When circumstances suggest that a probationary status will be a suitable alternative, the dean may grant that status in place of Suspension. Academic Probation carries a serious warning to the student, for unless improvement is noted in the probationary period, Suspension will follow. Students on Probation may have restrictions imposed by the dean regarding their program of studies.

Students on Probation may also be restricted from participating in certain co-curricular activities which require a significant investment of time and which may thus detract from a student’s ability to improve academic standing. Such activities include but are not limited to, intercollegiate athletics and leadership participation in student government or other campus organizations. Exceptions to these restrictions may be granted, where appropriate, by joint decision of an academic dean and a dean of students.

Students will not be suspended for academic deficiency during their senior year, but should their cumulative GPA be below 2.0 after the fall semester of senior year, the dean will warn them in writing of their danger of not graduating.

If a student, after readmission from Suspension, again becomes academically deficient (GPA below the allowed), Academic Dismissal is possible. Academic Dismissal is final and precludes the possibility of readmission to the College.

The academic records of full-time day session students are reviewed by the dean and the Committee on Academic Standing each semester. The records of part-time students in the Evening Session and Englewood Cliffs are reviewed by the appropriate dean each June. The transcript will note that a student has been placed on Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, or Academic Dismissal.

Readmission from Academic Suspension

Students on Academic Suspension may apply for readmission by writing a letter to the appropriate academic dean explaining the reasons for seeking readmission and describing the manner in which the period of suspension has been spent. Students who wish to be readmitted to the School of Professional & Continuing Studies or the Englewood Cliffs Campus should write to the dean of the session who will arrange for an interview to discuss the request for readmission and plans for future study. Applications for readmission should be submitted at least one month before the start of the term for which enrollment is requested.

Students who attended one session (e.g. the Day Session) but are requesting readmission to another (e.g. the School of Professional & Continuing Studies or Englewood Cliffs) should complete the Request to Change Status form which may be obtained from an academic dean.

Leave of Absence &/or Voluntary Withdrawal from the College

Students in good academic standing sometimes find that they must interrupt college studies because of a family situation, a career change, or other personal reason. Students should discuss the situation with the appropriate dean who may suggest a leave of absence. In cases where a leave of absence is not possible, students should then observe procedures for voluntary withdrawal from the College.

Leave of Absence: Students who are obliged to discontinue their studies temporarily should notify the appropriate academic dean and the Office of the Registrar immediately and file a form for leave of absence.

Voluntary Withdrawal: Any student wishing to withdraw from the College while in good academic standing must secure a withdrawal form from the Enrollment Services Center and obtain the specified signatures. The date of official withdrawal is the date when the document is received by the Registrar, unless an end of the term withdrawal is requested. Tuition refund (if any) is based on this date. A notation of withdrawal is made on the student’s transcript.

Students who stop attending the College during a term and do not comply with the procedures for voluntary withdrawal will receive failing grades in all courses for which they registered and will not be readmitted to the College without the permission of the appropriate academic dean.

Students in good academic standing who have been away from the College and whose records are in active status may resume studies by conferring with the appropriate academic dean who will oversee the procedures for updating their status. School of Professional & Continuing Studies and Englewood Cliffs campus students who have been away for two terms must see the appropriate academic dean who will assist them with procedures for readmission to the College.