Dismissal and Probation - Law Students

Rules for Dismissal and Probation

I. Definitions

For purposes of this section (Policies & Rules – Dismissal and Probation):

A. "First Year" consists of that series of semesters or summer sessions, or both, at the end of which a student completes between 24 and 30 credits.

B. "Second Year" consists of that series of semesters or summer sessions, or both, at the end of which a student completes between 31 and 56 hours.

C. "Third Year" consists of that series of semesters or summer sessions, or both, at the end of which a student completes more than 57 credits.

D. "Semester" means either the fall or spring semester. Winter Intersession is considered a part of the Spring semester. The summer session is considered to be part of the next succeeding semester for the purpose of computing semester grade point averages.

E. SEM GPA means semester grade point average

F. CUM GPA means cumulative grade point average

G. Good Standing. A student is in "good standing" at the School of Law if the student’s SEM GPA and CUM GPA are greater than 76.999

II. Dismissal and Probation Standards

A. First-Year/Full-Time Students

1. Dismissal. A student is dismissed at the end of the student's:

a. First Semester, if the student’s SEM GPA and CUM GPA are equal to or less than 73.999.

b. Second Semester if the student’s SEM GPA and CUM GPA is equal to or less than 75.499

2. Probation. A student is placed or continues on probation at the end of the student’s:

a. First Semester if the student’s SEM GPA is greater than 73.999 but equal to or less than 76.999; or,

b. Second Semester if the student’s SEM GPA is greater than 75.499 but equal to or less than 76.999

c. First Year if the student’s CUM GPA is greater than 75.499 but equal to or less than 76.999

d. A student ceases to be on probation at the end of a semester when the student’s SEM GPA and CUM GPA are both greater than 76.999.

B. Second and Third-Year/Full-Time Students

1. Dismissal. A student is dismissed at the end of

a. Any semester after the First Year if the student has been on probation during the semester; the student’s CUM GPA is equal to or less than 76.999 and the student’s SEM GPA is not sufficient to raise the student’s CUM GPA to an average greater than 76.999 if continued in future semesters until the remaining requirements for graduation have been satisfied.

b. The semester where the student has a CUM GPA that is equal to or less than 76.999 after completing 89 or more hours of course work.

2. Probation.

a. Placed on Probation. A student not otherwise being dismissed is placed on probation at the end of any semester after the student’s First Year if the student’s SEM GPA is less than or equal to 76.999.

b. Continued on Probation. A student who is on probation will remain on probation if the student’s CUM GPA is equal to or less than 76.999, but the SEM GPA is sufficient to raise the student’s CUM GPA to greater than 76.999 if continued in future semesters until the remaining requirements for graduation have been satisfied.

c. A student ceases to be on probation at the end of a semester when both the student’s SEM GPA and CUM GPA are both greater than 76.999.

C. Part-Time Students

1. Prior to earning grades in at least 15 hours of coursework, Part-time students who have a CUM GPA less than or equal to 76.999 must have their schedule approve by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

2. Dismissal. A student is dismissed at the end of any semester prior to the completion of the student's First Year if the student has received grades in at least two sessions; has received grades in at least 15 hours of coursework; and has a CUM GPA equal to or less than 73.999.

3. Probation.

a. Placed on Probation. A student is placed on probation at the end of any semester prior to the completion of the student’s First Year if the student has received grades in at least two sessions; the student has received grades in at least 15 hours of coursework; and the student’s SEM GPA is less than or equal to 76.999.

b. Continued on Probation. A student is continued on probation at the end of any semester prior to the completion of the student’s First Year if the student has received grades in at least two sessions; the student has received grades in at least 15 hours of coursework; and the student’s SEM GPA is less than or equal to 76.999.

III. Readmissions

A. Rights of Students Petitioning for Readmission. Students who petition the Law School for readmission following academic dismissal have the following rights:

1. To be given fair notice of the time and place of the meeting.

2. To submit any supporting written material to the Standards and Readmissions Committee and/or to the Faculty at large in advance of the meeting, or to present such material at the meeting.

3. To appear personally at the meeting and make a presentation of reasonable duration.

4. To be accompanied by a person of their own choosing.

5. To be informed of the Committee's recommendation or decision, or the Faculty's decision.

B. Procedure

1. A petition for readmission by a student who has been dismissed shall be heard by the Standards and Readmissions Committee. A quorum of the Standards and Readmissions Committee, for purposes of deciding petitions for readmission, shall consist of one less than all voting members. If the Standards and Readmissions Committee's decision is favorable for readmission, or is unanimous against readmission, that decision shall be final and the student shall have no right of appeal to the Faculty at large. If the Standards and Readmissions Committee's decision is unfavorable against readmission, but not unanimous, the petition shall be referred to the Faculty at large for decision.

2. It is the policy of the Standards and Readmissions Committee to make decisions on readmission prior to the end of the summer term for those students who are dismissed at the end of the spring semester and who may be enrolled in the summer term. Therefore, the readmission decision will not be delayed until summer grades are received.

C. Readmissions Conditions

1. First Semester / First Year Students. Readmission Procedures for students dismissed at the end of the first semester that are eligible to return for the Fall of the following year

a. A First Year student whose first SEM GPA and CUM GPA is equal to or less than 73.999 will not be permitted to attend law school for the succeeding spring semester. The student will be allowed to apply for readmission.

b. In order to be eligible to be readmitted:

1. The student will be required to submit a Petition for Readmission.

2. The student will be required to meet with the Standards and Readmissions Committee to evaluate the student’s past academic performance. To qualify for readmission, an applicant for readmission must show that the applicant's poor academic performance was the result of factors other than intellectual inability to perform satisfactory law school work and that these factors will not continue to impair the applicant's performance in the future.

3. The student will be permitted to re-enroll for the next fall semester provided that the Standards and Readmissions Committee has approved the student’s re-enrollment and the student gives notice of the intention to re-enroll by April 15 of the semester following the student’s dismissal.

4. Students who have been dismissed after their First Semester on a previous occasion (i.e., the student is reapplying for readmission for a second time), will be readmitted only under exceptional circumstances.

c. If readmitted the student will:

1. Retake all the first-year courses.

2. Be subject to the academic rules and policies applicable to all students.

3. Be required to participate in Academic Support/Success programs as determined by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

4. Comply with any conditions imposed by the Standards and Readmissions Committee.

2. All Other Students Readmission Procedures for students dismissed at any time after the first semester

a. A student who has been dismissed may not attend classes unless the student has filed a written petition within the time limits indicated in the letter of dismissal issued by the School of Law.

b. To qualify for readmission, an applicant for readmission must show:

1. that the applicant's poor academic performance was the result of factors other than intellectual inability to perform satisfactory law school work;

2. that these factors will not continue to impair the applicant's performance in the future; and

3. that there is a reasonable probability that the applicant’s grade point average can be raised to the graduation level by the time 89 credits have been accumulated.

D. Standard Conditions for Law Students Readmitted after Scholastic Dismissal, and for Law Students on Probation.

1. Students place on academic probation will continue on academic probation until achieving academic good standing, which requires a cumulative grade point average greater than 76.999.

2. Students placed on probation at the end of the fall semester of their first year will be required to participate in the Law School’s Academic Support/Success Program, including taking any required courses under such program. At its discretion, the Standards and Readmissions Committee may require such students to drop one or more of their courses.

3. Until such time as they achieve a cumulative grade point average greater than 76.999, they must maintain a semester grade point average sufficient to raise the student’s grade point average to a cumulative grade point average greater than 76.999 by the time the other requirements for graduation are completed.

4. During any session in which they are enrolled, employment for compensation or participation on extra-curricular activities must be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

5. Their schedule of courses must be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and the dropping of any course during the semester must also be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. In general, students will be required to take graded courses rather than S/U or pass-fail courses and courses within the law school instead of courses outside the law school.  Enrollment in Externships, Independent Research, Clinics, and the South Africa Program is allowed with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs’ approval.