Probation, Suspension, and Expulsion Policy
Uniform Probation
Students with a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 may be subject to probation by the dean of their college or school. A unit may require a grade-point average above 2.0 or other academic requirements for purposes of determining probation or meeting degree requirements. Students have the right to have the sanction of academic probation reviewed and explained by the academic official who imposed the sanction. Academic probation is not recorded on a student’s permanent record and essentially constitutes a warning to the student of standards which must be met.
Uniform Academic Suspension Regulations
WVU undergraduate students become subject to academic suspension when they accrue more than the maximum allowable grade point deficiency as described on page 48 of the 2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog. The maximum grade point deficiency allowed varies with the total number of hours attempted.
The student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 may be subject to academic suspension by the dean of the college or school, based on the following GPA requirements.
Normally, students are suspended at the end of a semester or summer school term. Deans have the authority to waive suspension in favor of probation if, in their judgment, the circumstances of individual cases so warrant. The suspension rule will be set aside only under extraordinary conditions.
Suspension from the University means that a student will not be permitted to register for any classes, including those in summer term, offered by the University for academic credit until the student has been officially reinstated. The normal period of suspension is one academic year. A student who has been suspended for academic deficiencies and who takes courses at other institutions during the period of suspension cannot automatically transfer such credit toward a degree at WVU upon readmission to the University. Students are not eligible for readmission if they earn less than a 2.0 at other institutions while on suspension from WVU.
After one semester of satisfactory performance at WVU (C average or better on a minimum of 12 credit hours earned during a regular semester or during the summer term), the appropriate transfer credit will be entered into the student’s record upon certification by the advisor and dean that the above conditions have been met. A student who has preregistered and is subsequently suspended shall have his or her registration automatically canceled.
Total Hours Attempted* |
Minimum cumulative GPA* |
|---|---|
10-19 |
0.95 |
20-24 |
1.13 |
25-29 |
1.33 |
30-34 |
1.47 |
35-39 |
1.57 |
40-44 |
1.64 |
45-49 |
1.70 |
50-54 |
1.75 |
55-59 |
1.79 |
60-64 |
1.82 |
65-69 |
1.85 |
70-74 |
1.87 |
75-79 |
1.90 |
80-84 |
1.91 |
85 or more |
1.93 |
*Includes all hours attempted in institutions in the WV system of higher education. Grades of P are excluded and the D/F repeat policy is applied.
Reinstatement After Suspension
During the semester immediately following the effective date of suspension, suspended students may petition in writing for reinstatement. Colleges and schools establish the terms of reinstatement for successful student petitions. After one calendar year from the effective date of suspension, any student who has been suspended one time may, upon written application, be reinstated to the University. Most students returning from suspension are accepted into the UASC for advising purpose; however, some colleges will accept students returning from suspension. Students interested in returning to WVU from suspension are advised to check with their prior college or school or the UASC for specific instructions. The college that reinstates the student removes the student’s suspension restriction in the Office of the University Registrar and accepts the student under the terms of probation agreed to by the student and that college. Each college or school shall have the right to establish requirements or performance expectations.
After the second or any subsequent suspension, a student may be reinstated to the University provided that a college or school agrees to reinstate the student. After a student has been reinstated, he or she must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions.
Uniform Academic Dismissal Regulations
Academic dismissal from the University means that a student will not be permitted to register for any classes, including those in summer sessions, offered by the University. Academic dismissal can result from repeated failure to make academic progress and/or to meet probationary terms set forth in writing by the student’s college or school.
After five calendar years from the effective date of academic dismissal, any student who has been dismissed shall, upon written application, be considered for reinstatement to the University, with the terms of reinstatement to be established by the college or school entered. Failure to meet these terms will result in permanent academic expulsion.
Appeal of Dismissal
Note: The procedures and appeals described do not apply to dismissal as a sanction for academic dishonesty.
The time limitations stated herein are suggested in order to render a decision as expeditiously as possible. In the case of University holidays or absence of person(s) involved, reasonable delays may be expected.
A decision to dismiss a student for failure to meet academic standards (as distinguished from academic dishonesty) can be made only after the student has been counseled by the appropriate departmental committee or representative, with counseling to take place as soon as possible after discovery of the problem. After the student is given a reasonable opportunity to correct deficiencies, there shall then be a formal review of the student’s status by the appropriate departmental or program committee to determine whether the student shall be retained or dismissed. The student may provide the committee written documentation of his/her efforts to correct deficiencies.
A committee recommendation for dismissal, including any documentation provided by the student to the committee, shall be forwarded to the student’s dean and to the student. Within 15 calendar days of receipt of the committee’s recommendation, the dean shall inform the student and the students department/ program of his/her decision. A decision to dismiss shall specify whether the dismissal is from the program or college/school. The dean may also dismiss a student from the institution if the student does not meet institutional standards.
Step 1. The student shall prepare and sign a document which states the facts constituting the basis for the appeal. A copy of this document must reach the dean within 30 calendar days of receipt of written notice of dismissal. The student shall be given an opportunity to discuss the appeal with the dean at any time in Step 1. If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily within 15 calendar days of the dean’s receipt of the student’s appeal, the student may proceed to Step 2.
Step 2. The student will forward a copy of the appeal to the appropriate vice president within 15 calendar days of failure to resolve the matter at the dean’s level. Prior to the decision of the vice president, the student will be given an opportunity to discuss the appeal with the vice president. The decision of the vice president, as the president’s designee, shall be rendered within 15 days of receipt of the student’s appeal and is final.
Dismissal, based on failure to meet academic requirements or performance standards irrespective of grades or grade-point average, from undergraduate programs, graduate programs, professional programs, and/or from the institution, may also be appealed. Students have the right to appeal academic dismissal based on requirements or standards other than grades or grade-point average which they believe reflect capricious, arbitrary, or prejudiced academic evaluation, or reflect discrimination based on race or color, sex, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, religion, age, disability, national origin, creed, ancestry, or political affiliation.