Academic standing categories are used to identify those 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 college 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.
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
(Further information may be found in the Graduation Policy section of this catalog.)
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 (enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours) 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 GPA.
Kellett School students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) during each of their terms at Lakeland. These term GPA standards are as follows: freshmen-1.75; sophomores-2.00; juniors-2.00; seniors-2.00. In addition, students at junior status 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.
In addition, all students must successfully complete a minimum of three-semester hours of coursework during each three-semester period. Students who fail to pass the required number of semester hours also face academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from Lakeland University.
Class Standing |
Required Minimum Term GPA |
Required Minimum Cumulative GPA |
KELLETT: Required Minimum Number of Credits Successfully Completed Each Three-Semester Period |
First-time, first-semester freshman |
1.75 |
1.75 |
3 credits |
Freshman in second or subsequent term |
2.0 |
2.0 |
3 credits |
Sophomore |
2.0 |
2.0 |
3 credits |
Junior |
2.0 |
2.0 |
3 credits |
Senior |
2.0 |
2.0 |
3 credits |
The intent of these minimum performance standards is to encourage students to give their best efforts to their college coursework at all times, 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 the Registrar, Kellett School Personnel, and the Director of Financial Aid and Educational Funding. Based on the findings of this review, the Provost will implement the following policies.
Probation: Students whose cumulative 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, juniors or seniors whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. The Provost will inform those students placed on academic probation of their status and the conditions under which they can return to academic good standing.
Suspension: Students who fail to fulfill the terms of their academic probation will be suspended for one semester. After a suspended student has been away from Lakeland University for one semester, he or she may apply for readmission. A student who has been readmitted to the university after a period of academic suspension will return on academic probation.
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.
Appeals of suspension decisions may be made to the Provost. Letters outlining the details of appeals and appropriate student contact information should be sent to the Provost at least one week prior to the first day of the next academic term. Dismissals may not be appealed.
Where judged appropriate by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and the appropriate appeals panel, students who have violated established rules of the Lakeland University community may be immediately suspended or dismissed from the university. Unless other action is specifically approved by the Provost, behavioral suspensions will result in the award of failing grades in all enrolled classes.
Lakeland University expects academic honesty from all of its students. 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, depending on the severity of the offense. 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.
|