Academic Standards

ACADEMIC STANDING AND SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

The Associate Dean/Registrar examines and evaluates the

total record of all students in May and December to

determine whether students shall be commended, placed on

academic warning, or suspended from the College.

All cumulative grade point averages are computed on the

basis of all courses taken except those passed under the

pass/fail option. A course failed will be charged as a course

attempted. All minimum requirements that follow are stated

in terms of academic credit and do not take into account

courses carrying non-academic credit.

Although there are advisors to assist, ultimately, it is the

responsibility of the student that he/she is correctly

registered, completes the necessary course work for

graduation and abides by the academic regulations of the

College, as set forth by the faculty.

ACADEMIC WARNING

Students will be placed on academic warning if their

cumulative grade point average at the end of a term is less

than 1.70 for freshmen, 1.85 for sophomores, or 2.0 for

Juniors and Seniors. Academic warning indicates that the

student is not performing academically at a level sufficient

for graduation. Freshmen and sophomores especially should

recognize that the GPA sufficient to prevent their being

placed on academic warning is lower than that required for

graduation.

Students who leave the College while in a status of

academic warning, although not suspended, return with the

same status.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

Students placed on warning will be notified immediately

after the Fall or Spring term. Students placed on academic

warning will have the next regular term, May term, and

Summer school sessions in which to raise their cumulative

grade point average to the required minimum for their

classification. A student placed on warning at the end of a

Fall term would have through the Summer to bring up

his/her GPA; a student placed on warning at the end of

Spring term would have through the Fall term to bring up

the GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement

will be suspended for one regular term and must apply for

readmission to return for a subsequent term.

Students who have served a one-term suspension and are

subsequently suspended a second time will be suspended for

two additional regular terms and must apply for readmission.

Students who have been suspended twice and subsequently

fail to make the required GPA will be expelled from the

College.

Any full-time student whose overall cumulative grade point

average is less than 1.0 at the end of his/her first regular term

will be suspended for a period of one regular term.

Any full-time student who fails all one unit courses in which

he/she is enrolled during any regular term will be suspended

immediately for a period of 12 months.

Students who have been suspended and wish to return to

Roanoke must follow the readmission process described in

"Readmission Process for Suspended Students." Note that no

course credits will be transferred to Roanoke College if

earned while the student is in a status of suspension.

Students who are academically suspended from the College,

serve their period of suspension, apply for readmission, and

are granted readmission, are permitted to complete eight units

or two regular terms of full-time enrollment (whichever

comes first) before being considered for further academic

suspension.

Students who appeal their suspension, have their appeal

granted, and do not serve a period of suspension, are placed

on academic warning and have until the end of their next

term of enrollment to raise their grade point average to the

minimum level required.

APPEALS PROCESS

An appeals process is provided for students notified of

suspension, applying for readmission, or requesting a waiver of

an academic rule, regulation, or requirement.

The Panel on Admissions, Readmissions, and Appeals is likely

to consider favorably only those appeals based on truly

extenuating circumstances or that offer compelling reasons for

granting the student's request. At all times the Panel attempts

to balance concerns for the individual against concerns for

equity.

Appeals regarding General Education or Honors Program

requirements must have the approval of both the director of

the program and the Panel on Admissions, Readmissions, and

Appeals.

Appeals are addressed to the Panel on Admissions,

Readmissions, and Appeals, c/o the Office of the Registrar.

Individuals are notified of the Panel's decision once it has

been made. New appeals submitted subsequent to a decision

having been rendered will be heard only based on the

discovery of new information which could not reasonably

have been presented to the Panel at the time of the original

meeting.

READMISSION PROCESS FOR SUSPENDED STUDENTS

Students placed on academic or disciplinary suspension are

not automatically eligible to return after their period of

suspension. Students wishing to return following a suspension

must reapply at least one month prior to the beginning of the

term in which re-instatement is desired.

The Panel on Admissions, Readmissions, and Appeals will

evaluate requests for readmissions on the basis of the

following criteria:

1. The student's written statement in which (a) compelling

reasons are offered for wishing to return to Roanoke

College; (b) the student's activities or accomplishments

during the period of suspension are described; (c) he/she

indicates why his/her academic performance will be better

than before the suspension;

2. Evidence of the student's ability to perform work

necessary, within one academic year, to raise his/her GPA

to the minimal level required for persistence at and

graduation from Roanoke College (letters of

recommendation from faculty members who can attest to

the student's likelihood of success at Roanoke College will

be considered by the Panel in conjunction with the

student's statement);

3. Evidence of the student's likelihood of making the social

adjustment necessary for persistence at and graduation

from Roanoke College.

The Panel advises suspended students to pursue academic

course work during their suspension. While this work will

not be transferable, it will be personally beneficial and will

provide the College with valuable information in the event

that the student appeals for readmission.

The Panel will evaluate requests for readmission by students

in terms of criteria listed above and determine on a case-bycase

basis whether or not to grant readmission. Please note

that only written materials are reviewed by the Panel and that

individual appearances before the Panel are not permitted.

New appeals submitted subsequent to a decision having been

rendered will be heard only based on the discovery of new

information which could not reasonably have been presented

to the Panel at the time of the original meeting.