Academic Standing Policy
Every undergraduate student enrolled at Stetson University is expected to earn and maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 on all coursework attempted. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for graduation. The academic standing of a student is designated as Good Standing when the cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher. A student also has a status of Good Standing during the first semester prior to there being any grades for the calculation of GPA. If the cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, the student’s academic standing is changed to Academic Warning. Once a student is on Academic Warning, the cumulative GPA must stay above a minimum threshold that is tied to the number of credits that the student has earned or the student will be Suspended for one semester. Students returning from Suspension are on Academic Probation and must make appropriate progress in restoring their cumulative GPA to the 2.0 level or they will be Dismissed. These policies are described in more detail below.
Academic standing is evaluated at the end of each semester immediately after the deadline for submission of final grades. Suspensions and dismissals are done at the end of the fall and spring semesters, but not at the end of the summer semester.
A grade of incomplete (I) has no impact on the cumulative GPA, thus has no impact on the academic standing. If a student has incompletes for all courses at the end of the semester, the academic standing is determined by the GPA of courses completed in previous semesters. When there are no courses that were completed previously, the student has no GPA and the status of Good Standing continues.
Academic Warning
Any undergraduate student whose cumulative average falls below a C (2.0 GPA.) at the end of a grading period will be placed on academic warning. Students receiving a cumulative GPA that is below 0.5 during the first semester of enrollment at the University (not including summer) will be suspended.
The warning will be in effect until an overall C (2.0 GPA.) average is regained. Students on academic warning are encouraged to participate in Student Success Coaching with Academic Success.
Academic Suspension
Students receiving a cumulative GPA that is below 0.5 during the first semester of enrollment at the University (not including summer) will be suspended.
An undergraduate student already on academic warning will be suspended from the University if the cumulative GPA at the end of the fall or spring grading periods falls below the minimum levels shown in the following table:
| Total Earned Units | Stetson GPA |
|---|---|
| .25-7 | 1.5 |
| 7.25-16 | 1.6 |
| 16.25-24 | 1.7 |
| 24.25+ | 1.8 |
A student may improve the cumulative GPA to a level high enough to avoid suspension by using the course exclusion option, if still available, or by submitting work to change an incomplete (I) into a standard letter grade, but must do so prior to the deadline set for appealing the suspension.
The student may appeal a suspension. The suspension notification will include directions for submitting a written appeal, and a deadline for its submission. Appeals are reviewed by the Academic Appeals Committee, which makes a recommendation to the Provost. The Provost will notify the student of the decision to grant or deny the appeal. The decision of the Provost is final.
Students may only serve a single academic suspension. A student who has served one suspension and has returned to good academic standing, and then has fallen back to the level of qualifying for a second suspension will be automatically dismissed from the University.
Serving an Academic Suspension
During an academic suspension, the student is not enrolled at the University. The student is allowed to continue work on any course that has a grade of Incomplete (I). Academic work taken at another institution during the time a student is on academic suspension will not be accepted for credit toward the requirements for graduation at Stetson University.
Academic suspension normally extends through one fall or spring semester.
- Students who are suspended at the end of fall semester must sit out the spring and may apply to return in the next summer or fall.
- Students who are suspended at the end of spring semester must sit out the summer and fall and may apply to return in the following spring semester.
Returning from an Academic Suspension
Students wishing to return to Stetson University following an academic suspension can do so by submitting an application for re-entry through the Office of Admissions. The application includes a letter written by the student to the Dean of the College/School presenting a plan for improved academic performance and noting any steps in the plan that have already been completed. Approval from the Dean of the College/School is required for re-entry.
Students returning from academic suspension are placed on academic probation.
Academic Probation
Undergraduate students who are readmitted to the University following an academic suspension will be placed on academic probation.
A student who is on academic probation may not participate in activities which represent the student body or the college in public or official capacities, including debates, dramatic or musical performances, or other similar public appearances; intercollegiate athletics; student publications, elective or appointive positions in campus government, or other leadership positions on campus; managing athletic teams, cheerleading, or similar activities.