Academic Standing

Academic standing categories are used to distinguish those students who are doing exceptional work from those who are performing satisfactorily and from those who are not meeting Lakeland’s minimum achievement expectations. While consistently exceptional performance over the full acadmic 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 one-half of the coursework (60 semester hours) required for graduation through Lakeland University. Only those grades 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.

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 GPA.

Standards for Academic Good Standing

Students must maintain a minimal 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 minimal term and/or cumulative GPA standards face academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the university.

All 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 college degree programs. 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 Dean of Students, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and the Director of Financial Aid. 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 minimal 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 of credit during the following term. These students must also meet with the Director of the Hayssen Academic Resource Center to establish the terms of their probation. 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 credits 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 and are ineligible for readmission to Lakeland University.

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 Dean of Students, 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.

Withdrawal from the University

Students who wish to withdraw from Lakeland in good standing either during the middle of the term or after completing their current coursework must contact the the Dean of Students or their appropriate Success Coach at least 24 hours before leaving the campus. It is important to make this contact early because the official withdrawal process includes a series of important actions, including, but not limited to: completing a Withdrawal from University form; returning equipment, books, and/or keys; clearing one’s financial accounts; and participating in a brief exit interview.

Students who are receiving financial assistance are strongly encouraged to consult with a representative from Financial Aid to identify and understand the financial assistance/monetary implications withdrawing. Please refer to the “Financial Information ” section of this catalog for the refund policy.

International students with F1/J1 visas must consult with a SEVIS official to discuss the serious immigration consequences that may result from withdrawing from Lakeland.

Medical Withdrawal and Family Leave

A request for medical withdrawal or family leave may be made in extraordinary cases where serious physical or mental illness, injury, or another significant personal situation prevents a student from continuing his or her classes, and where incompletes or other arrangements with the instructors are not possible. All applications for withdrawal require the completion of a Withdrawal from the University Form available through the offices of the Dean of Students or Success Coaches; thorough and credible documentation of the intervening circumstances; and the approval of the Provost. Requests for medical or family leave must be submitted, along with accompanying credible documentation, no later than six (6) months following the end of the term for which the leave is requested. Note: Requests for medical withdrawal or family leave from a single course in a term when several courses are taken will not be granted.

A student may request and be considered for a medical withdrawal when extraordinary circumstances, such as a serious illness or injury, interfere with class attendance and/or academic performance. The student must have been or currently be under medical care during the current semester and must provide verification from a primary caregiver in order to be considered for a medical withdrawal from all classes. The medical withdrawal policy covers both physical health and mental health difficulties.

A student may request and be considered for family leave when extraordinary personal reasons, not related to the student’s personal physical or mental health interfere with class attendance and/or academic performance. Examples include care of a seriously ill parent, sibling, child or spouse, or a death in the student’s immediate family. Documentation from appropriate sources must by submitted in order for such a request to be considered.

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 reentry 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 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.