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.