Academic Standing

Academic standing categories are used to identify students who are doing exceptional work, those who are performing satisfactorily, and those who are not meeting Lakeland’s minimum achievement expectations. While consistently exceptional performance over the full academic career is required to earn graduation honors, exceptional performance for one term may earn a place on the dean’s list. Lakeland’s academic standing categories are fully described in the following sections.

Graduation Honors

To be eligible for graduation honors, a student must complete a minimum of 48 semester hours through Lakeland University. Only quality points earned in Lakeland courses will be used when calculating Lakeland grade-point-averages. Lakeland graduation honors are based on the following cumulative GPA criteria:

• Summa Cum Laude = 3.80-4.00
• Magna Cum Laude = 3.60-3.79
• Cum Laude = 3.50-3.59

Associate Degree and Graduate Studies students are not eligible for honors.

Further information may be found in the Graduation Policy  section of this catalog.

Outstanding Student Awards

Superior students are recognized through the award of academic program scholarships and subject area outstanding student honors which are presented at the university honors banquet each spring.

The Dean’s List

A dean’s honor list is prepared at the close of each fall, spring, and summer term. The dean’s list includes those full-time students who have attained a grade-point-average of 3.5 or better for the term. Grades earned in courses transferred from another college are not included in the Lakeland grade-point-average.

Standards for Academic Good Standing

Students must maintain a minimum grade-point-average (GPA) during each of their terms at Lakeland University. These term GPA standards are as follows: freshmen—1.75, sophomores—2.0, juniors—2.0, and seniors—2.0. In addition, students classified as second-semester freshmen or higher must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students who fail to meet these minimum term and/or cumulative GPA standards face academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the university.

All full-time students in the traditional undergraduate program must also successfully complete a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of coursework during each of their terms at Lakeland University. Students who fail to pass the required number of semester hours also face academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from Lakeland University.

Summary of Standards for Academic Good Standing

Minimum Requirements for Each Class

The intent of these minimum performance standards is to encourage students to strive to excel in their college classes, thereby enhancing their own future opportunities for employment and the timely completion of their degrees. Maintenance of good academic standing and minimum academic progress is also required in order to retain eligibility for future financial aid awards.

The Provost will review each student’s term GPA at the end of regular semesters, in collaboration with his or her designees, including but not limited to the Registrar, the Director of the Hayssen Academic Resource Center, the Associate Provost for Student Development, the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, and the Director of Financial Aid and Educational Funding. Based on the findings of this review, the Provost will implement the following policies.

Academic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

Probation:  Students whose term GPA falls below the minimum standard or who fail to pass the required number of semester hours will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. In addition, students classified as second-semester freshmen or higher whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. Students placed on academic probation may take no more than 14 semester hours during the following term. These students should also meet with the Director of the Hayssen Academic Resource Center to identify methods for improving performance. Students must fulfill the terms of their probation and improve their overall GPA each term until they have earned a return to good academic standing.

Suspension:  Students who fail to fulfill the terms of their academic probation or who fail all of their courses in a single term will be suspended for one semester. Students who are admitted through the Promise Program but who fail to pass the minimum number of semester hours or achieve the required term GPA in their first semester may also be suspended. After a suspended student has been away from Lakeland University for one semester, he or she may apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. A student who has been readmitted to the university after a period of academic suspension will return on academic probation.

Appeals to the above policy decisions may be made to the Provost.

Dismissal:  Students who are readmitted after an academic suspension and fail to meet the appropriate term GPA standard will be academically dismissed. Dismissed students may no longer enroll in Lakeland University coursework, are ineligible for readmission to Lakeland University, and may not appeal this determination.

Summary of Academic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal Rules

Mid-term Suspension or Dismissal

Where judged appropriate by the Provost, students who have earned unsatisfactory grades in all courses (D/F/W) on the mid-term grade report may be immediately suspended or dismissed from the university. Students who earn unsatisfactory grades in all courses and who are not suspended or dismissed will be monitored throughout the remainder of the term and may be suspended or dismissed from the university before the end of the term.

Behavioral Suspension or Dismissal

Students who have violated established rules of the Lakeland University community, as published in the university’s Student Handbook, may be immediately suspended or dismissed from the university. Unless other action is specifically approved by the Provost or Associate Provost for Student Development, behavioral suspensions will result in the award of failing grades in all enrolled classes.

Plagiarism and Cheating

Lakeland University expects academic honesty from all of its students. It is assumed that the work turned in by a student is the student’s own work. Cheating, plagiarism, or other kinds of academic dishonesty are considered violations of established university expectations and may result in penalties ranging from failure of an assignment to dismissal from the university, dependent upon the severity of the offense. It is the student’s responsibility to understand and avoid plagiarism and cheating. Students who believe they have been unfairly accused or penalized may submit a written appeal, stating the specific details of their situation, to the Provost. Where appropriate, the Provost may take such appeals to the Academic Appeals Committee for a formal hearing and decision. In matters of plagiarism and cheating, the decision of the Academic Appeals Committee is final.

Readmission to the University

Students who have withdrawn, fallen out of continuous enrollment, or who have been suspended from the university must apply for readmission to the Office of Admissions in order to be re-enrolled in Lakeland classes. Application for readmission should be made at least two months prior to the date on which the student wishes to begin coursework. Successful readmission requires the complete payment of all prior balances due to the university, and the approval of the Provost or his/her designee. Students who were suspended or who were not in good academic standing at the time they left the university will be asked to submit grades from any college-level coursework they may have completed elsewhere and/or letters of recommendation from any employers or supervisors who observed their work during the time they were absent from Lakeland.

An overall review of the student’s records relating to his or her prior experience at Lakeland University will occur. This review will include academic performance, conduct, participation in campus community life, compliance with financial obligations, and any other factors deemed relevant. The university reserves the right to make the readmission decision based on any combination of the above factors in the best interests of the student as well as the university community. The policy applies to all readmissions regardless of the reasons for the student’s initial withdrawal or suspension from the institution.

Readmitted students are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the point of their re-entry to the university. Students readmitted after suspension are placed on academic probation for their first term of re-enrollment and must meet the terms of probation in order to be eligible for continuing enrollment.

Readmission Following Suspension

Students who have been suspended may apply for readmission after one academic semester has elapsed. Successful readmission requires the complete payment of all prior balances due to the university and the approval of the Provost. Students may initiate their request to return through the Office of Admissions. They will be asked to submit a written request and transcripts for any coursework taken since prior enrollment at Lakeland. Students who were previously suspended will be placed on probation status upon readmission until their coursework merits a return to good academic standing. Students who have been readmitted following a suspension must improve their overall GPA each term until they have earned a return to good academic standing. Failure to earn a return to good standing will result in dismissal from the university.

Readmission Following Withdrawal

Students who have voluntarily withdrawn may apply for readmission under the same procedures listed above for readmission to the university. Students who officially withdrew in good standing and are readmitted will return in good academic standing.