Satisfactory Academic Progress and Academic Updates
Satisfactory academic progress toward a degree as a full-time student is defined as completion of 24 or more credits per academic year and maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 1.8 while earning the first 23 credits, 1.9 for 24–56 credits, and 2.0 for 57 credits or more.
Academic Update. When a student’s progress in a course is at risk (e.g., low test scores; missing assignments; lack of attendance), the faculty member is encouraged to initiate an “Academic Update.” This email communication will be sent to the student and copied to members of the campus community who have a confirmed relationship with the student (e.g., academic advisor, athletic coach, office mentor, residence director, etc.). The academic update is intended to motivate a student to seek the appropriate assistance and to notify those members of the campus community who may be in regular contact with the student.
Academic Warning. When a student’s semester grade point average (GPA) is less than a 2.0 regardless of the cumulative GPA, the student will be sent an academic warning. This notice will be copied to the student’s academic advisor as well as the parents of the student provided a signed records release is on file. The warning is intended to alert the student so that the appropriate measures necessary for academic success can be taken.
Academic Probation. The purpose of placing a student on academic probation is to help the student reorder his/her priorities and time commitments in the direction of greater emphasis on academic studies, in order to help that student attain the College’s minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress as soon as possible. Any student registered for 12 or more graded credits who fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress (defined as completion of 24 or more credits per academic year and maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 1.8 while earning the first 23 credits, 1.9 for 24–56 credits, and 2.0 for 57 credits or more) will be placed on academic probation.
The Registrar is responsible for notifying students of their being placed on academic probation immediately upon completion of the grading process for the period of study leading to such status. A student on academic probation will be limited to a maximum of 14 credits per semester while on probation.
A student who is placed on academic probation may appeal for an exception to the cocurricular ineligibility clause. The appeal must be sent in writing (email is acceptable) to the Registrar. The deadline for an appeal is no later than the end of the first week of classes of the semester for which the exception is being requested. Appeals should be accompanied by letters of support from the student’s academic advisor and the individual responsible for the oversight of the student’s participation in the cocurricular activity (e.g., athletic coach, supervising faculty member, etc.). The decision of the Academic Appeals Subcommittee shall be final.
Cocurricular and Athletic Eligibility. A student who has been placed on academic probation shall be ineligible for participation in the following cocurricular activities:
- Intercollegiate athletics and club sports
- Theatre productions
- Music ensembles
- SGA officers
- Officers in any SGA-chartered organization, including team managers of Outreach Teams
- Music Ministry Teams
- Resident Life Staff
- Staff members of The Pulse Media Hub
Students placed on academic probation as a result of fall semester grades shall become ineligible for cocurricular participation on the first class day of J-term/Spring Semester. Students placed on academic probation as a result of J-term/Spring semester or summer session grades shall become ineligible for participation on the first class day of the fall semester. The only exceptions will be those cases where such participation earns academic credit in a college course and that course meets a graduation requirement for the student’s major.
Students who are removed from academic probation as a result of fall, spring semester, or summer grades shall become eligible for cocurricular participation as soon as grades are officially recorded for that period of study.
Academic Suspension, and Dismissal. A student who does not maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average for two consecutive semesters will be placed on academic suspension for two semesters. Any student taking six or more credits in a semester who receives less than a 1.0 (D) semester grade point average will be placed on academic suspension.
After two semesters of suspension, the student may apply for reinstatement by providing evidence of probable success. Upon return, if a student fails to achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average in two semesters, the student will be dismissed from the College. A student who is dismissed for academic reasons may apply for readmission after two years. Such a student must present an official transcript of 24 credits successfully completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education (earning satisfactory grades of C or higher) after dismissal from Messiah.
Academic Appeals of Suspension or Dismissal.
Appeals of academic suspension or dismissal must be submitted in writing to the Academic Appeals Subcommittee and must include an explanation of why minimum academic requirements were not met and why an exception is warranted. Appeals must be received within the time limit stated in the suspension notification.