Probation and dismissal,33

Probation and dismissal

Minimum academic standards

The minimum academic standards expected of Saint Benedict's and Saint John's students are as follows:

First-year: a cumulative GPA of 1.80 at the end of the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the end of the second semester;

Sophomores, juniors and seniors: a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the end of each semester.

Academic probation [Top]

A student whose cumulative GPA at the end of either semester falls below these minimum academic standards will normally be placed on academic probation.

Students on academic probation remain on probation for the entire following semester and remain eligible for financial aid during the probationary semester. They are required to maintain no fewer than 12 credits during the probationary semester. (Credits taken during the January Term are not included in the 12 credit minimum.) They must earn a GPA of at least 2.00 during their probationary semester. They may take no course for S/U grading, except courses offered only on an S/U basis. In addition, Saint John's University students are required to live on campus.

A student whose cumulative GPA remains below the minimum standards at the end of a probationary semester is subject to dismissal. However, if satisfactory progress has been made toward the required GPA, the student may be able to repeat probation for a second consecutive semester and may be eligible for financial aid. Final decisions on repeat probation are made by the dean of the college at Saint Benedict's, the dean of the college at Saint John's or the dean's designee.

A student who receives two failures in a semester or whose cumulative GPA falls below 1.00 may be dismissed without having been on probation. Special cases will be subject to the judgment of the dean of the college at Saint Benedict's, the dean of the college at Saint John's or the dean's designee.

Disciplinary probation [Top]

Saint John's University and students who are placed on disciplinary or academic probation or those who are officially sanctioned for whatever reason may be ineligible to hold any office, representative position or to participate in varsity athletics at the discretion of the university.

Dismissal [Top]

The colleges reserve the right to dismiss students for infractions of regulations; unsatisfactory academic standing; unsatisfactory progress towards the degree; or other reasons that materially affect the health, safety, property, or welfare of the individual student, of the colleges or their processes or of other members of the college communities. The colleges reserve the right to require a student to undergo professional evaluation and treatment regarding personal health issues as a condition for continuing enrollment.

[Top]

Athletic eligibility

Students at Saint Benedict's and Saint John's who are carrying 12 credits or more and who are making normal progress toward a degree are eligible for participation in athletic contests in the MIAC and NCAA provided all other regulations of the conference and association have been fulfilled. Any continuing student who has completed fewer than 24 credits in the two preceding semesters or whose cumulative grade point average falls below 1.80 after the first semester of study and 2.00 after each succeeding semester is not considered to be making satisfactory progress and is ineligible. Transfer students should consult with their coach and the faculty athletic representative before their first competition to determine their eligibility. An ineligible student who has made significant improvement in his or her level of achievement at the end of a semester and has succeeded in reducing his or her cumulative grade point deficiency may be declared eligible by the dean of the college at Saint Benedict's, the dean of the college at Saint John's or the dean's designee, even though the cumulative GPA still falls below 2.00.

Withdrawal from college [Top]

Any student who decides to discontinue either during the semester or between semesters must complete the proper withdrawal form with the head resident at Saint Benedict's or at the Campus Life Office at Saint John's.

No official record of attendance for that term is kept if a student withdraws from school during the first three cycles of the semester. Students who withdraw from school after that date, but before the final 16 class days of the semester, receive a grade of W for all courses registered for that semester. Official withdrawal during the last 16 class days of any semester is not possible. (See page 49 for information on refunds.)

Students who have withdrawn from Saint Benedict's or Saint John's and intend to return to continue their studies may apply for readmission to the colleges. No application fee is required for readmission. (See "Readmission," page 48.) Consult the Admission Office for further information.

Exemption/Substitution [Top]

In exceptional circumstances students may petition for exemption/substitution from specific academic regulations. Forms for requesting an exemption/substitution are available from the registrar. Students should first consult with their academic adviser, whose signature on the exemption/substitution form represents a recommendation that the request be considered favorably by the approving official. Department chairs are the approving officials for exemption/substitutions from requirements within majors and minors. Exemption/substitutions from academic regulations beyond major and minor fields require the approval of the dean of the student's college or
the dean's designee. Requests for these non- departmental exemption/substitutions should be directed to the Academic Advising Offices. The guiding principle in considering requests for any exemption/substitution is fidelity to the academic standards of the colleges.

[Top]