Academic Appeals
A student who has been dismissed from the university can appeal the dismissal to the University Academic Review Board and request reinstatement. For a student’s appeal of a dismissal to be considered, the appeal must be based upon one or more of the following grounds: (1) arithmetic or clerical error; (2) extenuating circumstances; (3) discrimination or harassment, based upon race, color, gender, religion, national/ethnic origin, age, or disability.
If basis of an academic appeal is that the student was subjected to harassment or discrimination, the process will follow the university’s Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy. It is not the function of the Academic Appeals process to evaluate claims of discrimination or harassment. Please contact Renee Garcia-Prajer who will then evaluate whether the academic appeal should be paused until the allegations of discrimination and harassment are investigated.
With the exception of appeals that are based solely on arithmetic or clerical error(s), the appeal should include reflection on the cause of the poor performance, documentation of any extenuating circumstances, and a plan of action for improving performance if the student is admitted back into the University. The appeal and all supporting documentation of the appeal must be presented within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the formal dismissal letter which will be sent to the student’s Sacred Heart email address and by US mail to the student’s home address of record. The Academic Review Board or equivalent structure will make a recommendation to the university provost in a timely fashion. The university provost will then make a final decision on the appeal. This concludes the appeal process.
If a student is reinstated as a result of the appeals process, they will be placed on academic probation for up to the next two enrolled consecutive semesters, with the exception of students who were dismissed based on an arithmetic or clerical error.
In the first enrolled term following dismissal, a student must meet the term GPA and credit completion requirements for satisfactory progress (see academic probation policy). If a student does not meet the term GPA and credit completion requirements in the term following reinstatement, they will be dismissed.
Based on the two semesters following reinstatement, if the student’s cumulative GPA does not meet the GPA requirement for satisfactory progress, they will be dismissed.
Students on academic probation must meet with their advisor, complete a Student Success Plan for improved performance, and follow this plan. Failure to complete and comply with the Student Success Plan will significantly increase the likelihood of continued probation or dismissal.
Academic Forgiveness
A student who successfully repeated a failed course and wants to apply for grade replacement must submit the Repeated Course Request form to the Registrar’s Office.
If the Repeated Course Request is approved, only the more recent of the two grades will be counted in the computation of the grade point average (GPA). The original grade, however, will be kept on the transcript. This policy is limited to four F replacements during the student’s undergraduate study. If an F grade was the result of a violation of the University’s policy on academic integrity, in addition to Repeated Course Request Form the grade replacement request form, the student must appeal in writing to The Office of the Provost for the grade replacement.
A student who has not attended Sacred Heart University for five years or more may apply for academic forgiveness of grades for courses taken at Sacred Heart during one semester—defined as one in which the student’s term GPA was lower than 2.0. The student must submit a written request for academic forgiveness to the Dean of the College in which the student is enrolled or intends to enroll.
The Dean will make the decision whether to grant forgiveness. Academic forgiveness means that the grades from the “forgiven” semester remain visible on the student’s transcript, but those grades are not calculated in the student’s overall GPA. Forgiveness will affect the entire semester and not individual courses within a semester.
In the case of a student who chooses to repeat a course in which they received a passing grade for a better grade, the best grade will count in the cumulative grade point average. The original grade will remain on the transcript. Repeated courses will count for credit only once. Students repeating an already passed course should consult financial aid.
Academic Probation-Dismissal Policy for Students Receiving VA Benefits
Students who have been placed on Academic Probation will have one term to regain good standing status. If a student does not maintain the prescribed standards of progress, enrollment certifications will be terminated. VA students will not be able to resume using educational benefits until acceptable academic status has resumed.
- A student who is on Academic Probation for two consecutive semesters will be dismissed.
- Any student who incurs three (3) Academic Probations during his or her academic career will be dismissed.
- Any student whose cumulative GPA falls below the following levels will be dismissed:
- After One (1) Semester: 1.00
- 16 – 30 Credits Attempted: 1.50
- 31 – 90 Credits Attempted: 1.70
- 91+ Credits Attempted: 1.90