Academic Eligibility Policy

Policy Memorandum No. 167

Recommended by the Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies: February 26, 1996
Amended by Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies: April 8, 1996
Approved by University Council: April 15, 1996
Approved by the President: April 15, 1996
Effective: Immediately

The University Council, on recommendation of the Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies, approved a resolution concerning revision of the academic eligibility policy as it relates to probation and suspension.

Following is the text of the resolution as adopted by University Council.

WHEREAS, students need to have a clear understanding of the minimum level of performance necessary to graduate, and

WHEREAS, the current academic eligibility policy does not emphasize in its structure or its action the importance of students achieving and maintaining a cumulative 2.00 QCA, and

WHEREAS, the current academic eligibility policy allows students to accumulate, without intervention, large academic deficits that are difficult and sometimes impossible to overcome, and

WHEREAS, immediate intervention with students who are performing below the minimum standard for graduation has been shown to enhance students' academic performance and probability of graduation,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University Academic Eligibility Policy be revised as follows:

• Minimum standard for academic good standing is a cumulative QCA of 2.00

• Academic probation is imposed when cumulative QCA is less than 2.00; academic probation is lifted when cumulative QCA is at least 2.00

• Academic performance will be reviewed at the end of each semester (fall, spring)

• A student on probation 1) may take no more than 16 credits per semester; 2) may be required (at the discretion of individual Colleges) to consult with an advisor before beginning a probationary semester, and to sign an academic contract acknowledging that her/his performance is not meeting University standards and stating what actions she/he is committed to taking to improve performance

• A student will be placed on Academic Review* whenever either of the following occurs: 1) Semester QCA is less than 1.00 for any Fall or Spring semester; 2) Student earns less than a 2.00 QCA per semester (fall or spring) during both first and second semesters of enrollment at Virginia Tech

• First Suspension will be imposed whenever any one of the following occurs:

  A student on academic probation has a cumulative QCA less than 2.00 for the first 3 semesters (fall, spring) of enrollment.

  A student has 2 consecutive semesters thereafter with a cumulative QCA below 2.00

  A student under Academic Review has not fulfilled his/her academic contract.

• First academic suspension -consists of the following academic year semester (either fall or spring)

• Returning performance - A student must earn a minimum 2.00 semester QCA the first semester back and raise the cumulative QCA to at least 2.00 by the end of the second semester back or earn a 2.50 QCA for every semester following the suspension until cumulative QCA is 2.00 or greater. A student will be placed on second suspension for failure to meet returning performance requirements

• Second academic suspension - consists of the 2 consecutive academic year semesters (spring, fall); the same returning performance is required as for first suspension. A student will be permanently dismissed for failure to meet returning performance requirements after a second academic suspension.

• Students will be reminded that an Appeals process exists that begins with the College Academic Dean

This policy is effective for all students entering Virginia Tech for the first time in summer 1997 and thereafter.

*Academic Review consists of a student-initiated review by the University Academic Appeals Committee to determine academic eligibility. The determination will be either first suspension or continued probation with a mandatory performance contract.

Amended by the Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies April 8, 1996

PET:bjl

President's Policy Memorandum

URL: http://purl.vt.edu/vtdocs/policies/ppm167