Undergraduate Retention Standards

Undergraduate Retention Standards

A student is subject to academic probation or suspension if the total grade point at the end of the Fall or Spring term falls below a minimum standard which is dictated by the number of total credit hours the student has completed. The total grade point average is a combination of all transfer work accepted and Tusculum University coursework. The standards are as follows:

Any student meeting the retention standards above is considered in good academic standing with the University.

Undergraduate Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation for his/her next term of enrollment if he/she fails to meet any standard as outlined above for any term. In no case may a student remain on academic probation for more than two consecutive terms.

Undergraduate Removal from Probation

A student will be removed from GPA-related academic probation at the end of the semester if he/she meets retention standards.

Undergraduate Academic Suspension

At the end of a term on academic probation, if a student fails to meet retention standards he or she will be placed on academic suspension. However, if the student has earned at least a 2.00 GPA on at least 12 hours of completed coursework during the most current term, he or she will not be suspended, but will remain on academic probation for a second term.

Any student who has been suspended due to academic performance will not be eligible to reenter the university until one term of suspension has been completed. All students will be identified for potential suspension following the spring term. Final determination of suspension will be determined prior to the beginning of the fall term. Students may use the summer term on probation or suspension to raise their total cumulative GPA to the level required for good standing. Students on probation or suspension are allowed to transfer hours to Tusculum from other accredited institutions to improve their GPA, provided they have received prior approval of this coursework from the Registrar’s Office.

All appeals must be made in writing to the Admissions and Standards Committee. No student may return to the university in a fall or spring term either part-time or full-time without following the appeals procedure outlined in his or her suspension letter.

Undergraduate students placed on academic suspension from Tusculum University must meet the specified terms and conditions of that status prior to seeking readmission to the University.

Undergraduate Academic Dismissal

Dismissal occurs when a student has been unsuccessful during the probationary semester following an Academic Suspension in remedying the cause of the probation. Dismissal is ordinarily a final revocation of eligibility to return to the University.

Administrative Appeals

A student placed on academic suspension or academically dismissed may appeal to the Admissions and Standards Committee. The appeal must be prepared in writing and be accompanied by appropriate support documents. Reasons that may be acceptable for appeal consideration are:

1. A serious illness or an accident of the student. This will normally require a medical statement from a licensed physician.

2. Death, serious illness or injury in the immediate family (parent, siblings, children or spouse). A licensed physician’s statement or appropriate death certificate will be required.

3. Other extenuating circumstances may be acceptable and will be considered.

International Students on Suspension or Dismissal

Federal regulations require that International students (F-1 visa holder) be enrolled full time and working toward a degree. If suspension or dismissal occurs, the SEVIS record is terminated unless good standing is achieved during the summer session prior to the effective date of the suspension or the SEVIS record is transferred to another school in the United States.