Academic Status
This term is used as an indication of a student’s academic standing with the University. Students must attain certain minimum academic standards in order to remain in good academic standing. Students failing to maintain these standards are placed on academic probation at the end of a regular term in which the cumulative GPA on academic credit work attempted at Cumberland University does not equal or exceed the minimum specified for the student’s proper classification hours. See the table in the Probation, Suspension, Dismissal, and Good Standing section of the Catalog for specific requirements. Students who, during a probationary Fall or Spring semester, fail to raise their GPA to the minimum standard prescribed for the appropriate classification at the end of that semester may be academically suspended from Cumberland University for one or more semesters. Students who are placed on academic probation or on academic suspension may attend the Summer semester in order to attempt to earn good academic standing. Summer semesters do not count as the required one semester of non-enrollment for academic suspension.
Academic Misconduct
Cumberland University expects students to adhere to the highest personal standards of honesty and academic integrity. Failure to adhere to these standards through acts of plagiarism or by cheating on assignments or examinations, whether by the use of unauthorized aids or by copying the work of another, will result in disciplinary action.
- It is the responsibility of the instructor to file charges of Academic Misconduct. He or she may impose penalties ranging from a failing grade on the assignment to a failing grade in the course. Students may report academic integrity violations to course instructors or another faculty member. All reports will be investigated by the instructor in coordination with their Program Head and any other academic officer of the University as is deemed appropriate.
- The instructor will forward the evidence to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The report of misconduct will be placed in the student’s file.
- The student will not be allowed to withdraw from this course to prevent a failing grade or reduce the sanctions.
- The student may appeal the instructor’s decision through the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Upon receiving an appeal, the Vice President will call a meeting of the Academic Integrity Board.
Probation, Suspension, Dismissal, and Good Standing
A student will be placed on academic probation if his/her cumulative GPA of course work taken at Cumberland University is below the criteria listed as “Good Standing.” Good Standing is used as an indication of a student’s academic standing with the University. Only course work taken at Cumberland University is used to calculate good standing. Students must maintain the following minimum academic standards in order to remain in good standing:
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0 - 29 semester hours attempted
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1.50 GPA
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30-59 semester hours attempted
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1.80 GPA
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60 + semester hours attempted
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2.00 GPA
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Academic probation is an emphatic warning that the quality of the student’s work during the probationary semester must improve in order for the student to continue at the University. Unless admitted on probation, a student is given one semester in which to bring the cumulative GPA to the required level for good standing. Failure to meet the required minimum level of good standing will result in academic suspension for a minimum of the next semester.
A student who is academically suspended for the first time must remain out of school for one full semester, excluding summer, before being eligible to apply for re-admission on academic probation.
Suspended students who elect not to enroll for at least one semester and who elect to return to the University at a subsequent time may return under academic probation. The student has one semester to earn academic good standing or academic suspension will be imposed. Any work taken at another college or university during the period of non-enrollment (one academic year) due to academic suspension will not be accepted for transfer credit toward fulfilling degree requirements at Cumberland University.
If, after a previous suspension, a student fails to achieve academic good standing at any point, the case will be reviewed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs to determine an appropriate course of action. Options include another suspension period, dismissal from the University, or an extension of academic probation with stipulations.
0.0 Grade Point Average
Any student earning a 0.0 GPA for an academic semester will be place on Academic Suspension. This is automatic and without consideration for any previous semester’s work or the student’s cumulative GPA. Suspension may be appealed in writing through normal suspension appeal channels.
Re-Admission Appeal
Students who have been academically suspended may be given special consideration for re-admission if the student can present adequate evidence of extenuating circumstances contributing to failure to achieve a sufficient GPA. The student must make an appeal for re-admission in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, by the date designated by the Academic Affairs Office. Re-admission to the University is not automatic. If the student is re-admitted, the Vice President for Academic Affairs reserves the right to specify conditions and terms for re-admission. Multiple appeals for re-admission may not be granted.