Bad grades warrant academic drop

It's known at the University as academic drop, but it can be a student's worst nightmare.

- Dan Myers (freshman-business)

Although Dan Myers (freshman-business) said he fears the possibility of failing out of the University, he said it is a necessary policy.

"If students don't work hard or do well, maybe they should evaluate why they are here," he said. "Why should I work hard when I could do what they are doing?"

For students seeking baccalaureate degrees, it is necessary to sustain a cumulative grade point average higher than 2.0, according to University Faculty Senate policy 54-20.

If the student has below a C average, then he or she has a grade-point deficiency. The grade point deficiency is determined by the student's total number of grade points divided by total number of credits earned, Hussey said.

Academic drop will occur if a student exceeds a certain grade-point deficiency, according to University Faculty Senate policy 54-52. For example, students who have between 24 and 39.5 credits are only allowed a 21 grade-point deficiency.

In addition, if performance is not up to the major's or college's minimum requirements, Hussey said students can be dropped from the major or college by the dean of that college as well.

Students' grade point averages can fall below a 2.0 for a number of reasons, Hussey said, causing them to earn grade-deficient points. Students may have personal, family, time management or medical problems, she said. Hussey added students may have missed too many classes and not devoted enough time to studies. Too many extra-curricular activities, such as employment, can also contribute to a deficient GPA, she said.

"Many freshmen don't have a good semester because they don't adjust to the amount of work that is being asked of them," Hussey said.

If a student is not happy with his or her choice of major, Hussey said, academic performance could be affected. Thus, she said, students should pursue a different field of study if they are not happy with it.

"If you are less than 2.0, then no one wants you," she said.

If students are having a difficult semester or experiencing personal problems, Hussey said they should seek resources offered by the University. For instance, Hussey said students can pursue tutors or late-drop a class in which they are doing poorly.

Gary Hile, associate registrar for academic records, said the University drops students as a method of inspiring other students.

"I think that the concept is that these students are not doing well and they have some terms of latitude of working their way through two semesters," he said. "The Faculty Senate policy is structured that it lets the student know that they are in trouble," Hile said.

If a student is dropped from the University, he or she must seek reinstatement through his or her individual college and then seek re-enrollment, Hile said.

Hile said about 700 students are dropped at the end of Fall semesters, 950 at the end of Spring semesters and 70 after Summer sessions.