Fei Tian College

Students are expected to remain in good standing at the College and make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in their programs.

Generally, satisfactory academic progress is determined on the basis of:

1. Registering for the minimum course load required for enrollment each semester;
2. Satisfactorily completing at least 75 percent of the credits attempted each semester. All registered credits other than credits audited with an “AUD” grade count as attempted credits. Credits associated with “I,” “W,” and repeated courses count as attempted credits;
3. Achieving and maintaining the required grade point average. Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 beginning at the end of freshman standing. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 beginning at the end of their first semester;
4. Attempting no more than 150 percent of the minimum number of credits required by the student’s program. For example, a student enrolled in a program requiring 130 credits may attempt no more than 195 credits;
5. Completing required zero-credit courses and other program milestones within the prescribed timeframes; and
6. Making satisfactory progress in the student’s program, as determined by the department.

Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may result in the academic sanctions described below.

Students who are making satisfactory academic progress in their programs are deemed to be in good standing at the College if they additionally:

• Have paid any and all College bills in a timely manner;
• Are not on academic or disciplinary probation or academic suspension; and
• Are abiding by the laws of the United States.

Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may result in the academic sanctions described below. Eligibility for institutional financial aid is determined separately under the College’s Standards for Institutional Financial Aid Recipients.

Academic sanctions are intended to identify academic deficiencies, support improvement, and ensure adequate progress toward degree completion. Depending on the severity and duration of the deficiencies, sanctions need not be imposed in sequence.

Academic Warning

A student whose academic performance raises concern may receive an academic warning from an instructor, advisor, department, or other appropriate College official.

An academic warning is an early intervention and does not change the student’s academic standing. The student should be informed of the concern and advised of appropriate corrective steps.

Academic Probation

The Registrar may place a student on academic probation for the following enrolled semester when the student does not meet one or more satisfactory academic progress standards. When the determination requires academic judgment, the Registrar will consult the student’s department chair or program director.

The student will receive written notice stating:

• the reasons for probation;
• the standards and conditions the student must meet;
• any registration or course-load restrictions; and
• any required advising, academic support, or academic improvement plan.

To return to good academic standing, the student must reestablish all applicable satisfactory academic progress standards.

The Academic Standards and Student Services Committee may permit one additional semester of probation when the student:

1. earned a semester GPA of at least 2.0 as an undergraduate or 3.0 as a graduate student;
2. made substantial progress toward correcting the deficiencies;
3. complied with the conditions of probation; and
4. can reasonably be expected to reestablish satisfactory academic progress under an approved academic improvement plan.

A student who does not meet these conditions may be suspended or dismissed.

Academic Suspension

The Academic Standards and Student Services Committee may suspend a student when:

1. the student has not made sufficient progress while on probation;
2. the student has not fulfilled an academic improvement plan; or
3. the academic deficiencies are sufficiently serious that continued enrollment is not appropriate.

During the suspension period, the student may not enroll in courses or participate in College academic activities. The suspension notice will state its duration, applicable restrictions, conditions for reinstatement, and the earliest date on which reinstatement may be requested.

The Committee will decide requests for reinstatement. A reinstated student will normally return on academic probation unless satisfactory academic progress has been fully reestablished.

Academic Dismissal

The Academic Standards and Student Services Committee may academically dismiss a student when:

1. the student has not reestablished satisfactory academic progress after the permitted period of probation;
2. the student has not fulfilled the conditions of suspension or an academic improvement plan; or
3. the academic deficiencies are sufficiently serious or persistent to warrant dismissal.

Academic dismissal normally results in permanent separation from the College. Any later application for readmission is subject to the College’s readmission policies and does not guarantee readmission.

Notice, Review, and Appeal

Academic probation, suspension, dismissal, and denial of reinstatement will be communicated to the student in writing. The notice will state:

• the basis and effective date of the decision;
• its duration and conditions;
• any required corrective actions; and
• the applicable review or appeal procedure.

A student who believes that probation resulted from an error in the academic record or application of the satisfactory academic progress standards may request review by the Registrar within five business days. The Registrar will issue a written decision, normally within five business days.

A student may appeal suspension, dismissal, or denial of reinstatement to the President within ten business days. An appeal must be based on:

1. a material factual or calculation error;
2. a material procedural error;
3. relevant new information not reasonably available earlier; or
4. documented exceptional circumstances and a reasonable plan for academic recovery.

The Provost and President may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision, or return the matter to the Academic Standards and Student Services Committee for reconsideration. The President’s written decision is final within the College.

Committee members who have a conflict of interest or prior direct involvement must recuse themselves. Student members do not participate in decisions involving an individual student’s academic record.