Frequently Asked Questions About Academic Probation
What is academic probation?
What happens after I'm put on academic
probation?
What is academic suspension?
How do I write a letter of appeal?
What are some recommendations for
returning to satisfactory academic standing?
1. What is academic
probation?
Students are placed on academic probation when they have
earned a grade point average (GPA) below appropriate
academic standards as noted in the academic Catalog (p. 45).
The purpose of probation is to alert you to the fact that
you are in serious academic difficulty with the possibility
of being suspended if you do not return to satisfactory
academic standing by the end of the semester.
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2. What happens after I'm put
on academic probation?
Once you are placed on academic probation, you will
receive a letter indicating your enrollment in the Applied
Learning Strategies Seminar (ALSS). The purpose of ALSS is
to help students who are on academic probation return to
satisfactory academic standing. Students are guided to
consider their class schedules carefully and to set
consistent work patterns, so that they can experience
success and build on their successes. Students are
encouraged to articulate their goals and evaluate the
choices they make in working toward their goals.
Additionally students have the opportunity to attend
learning strategies workshops to analyze their strategies
and learn new strategies they may not have considered
before. Within the ALSS program students will receive
information about other support services on campus, such as
personal counseling, career guidance and peer tutoring. ALSS
meets once a week for the first half of the semester. During
the remaining half of the semester, students meet
periodically with the Director of Support Services. Since
ALSS is a program of support and not an academic class, no
academic credit is given. Attendance and participation
records are kept and added to the students' file as evidence
of their efforts during this proving period of academic
probation.
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3. What is academic
suspension?
Academic suspension (Catalog, page 45) occurs when your
GPA falls below minimum standards for two successive regular
semesters. If you are suspended, you are ineligible to
enroll for the following semester. You may, however, appeal
your academic suspension by applying for reinstatement.
Guidelines for writing a
letter of appeal:
- The letter should be addressed to the Academic Appeals
Committee.
- If your letter cannot be typed, please make sure the
handwriting is legible.
- Since you are the only one who can ultimately make the
necessary changes for improvement, your appeal should be
written solely by you. It will not be in your best interest
to have others write the letter for you.
- You should explain why your grades are low, and what you
plan to do to earn better grades if given another chance.
- Please list any outstanding circumstances that may have
affected your academic performance, provide supporting
documentation. For example, in the case of medical
circumstances contributing to your situation, you should
include information provided by a doctor.
- Remember, the purpose of this letter is to persuade the
Academic Appeals Committee that you are committed to
improving your academics, you have the ability to do so, and
you have a plan.
- Send or fax the letter to:
Wingate University
Academic Affairs Committee
CB 3031
Wingate, NC 28174
FAX: 704-233-8125
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4. What are some
recommendations for returning to satisfactory academic standing?
- Repeat courses you have failed.
- Limit your credit hours to 12 or possibly 15 at the
most.
- Meet with your advisor to discuss your choice of major
and a plan for academic improvement.
- Go to every class, all the time.
- Actively participate in class discussions.
- Meet frequently with your professors during their office
hours.
- Use an academic planner or calendar.
- Visit the ARC in person or see their web page for time
management tips.
- Discuss specific needs regarding study strategies with
the ARC staff.
- Free peer tutoring is available for all Wingate
University students. Request a tutor early in the semester.
- See the ARC links to helpful study skills web pages.
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