Standards for academic progress
Satisfactory progress depends on maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) and earning at least 12 hours of credit each full-time semester. Since graduation requires a 2.0 GPA, these intermediate goals must be met: in the first year (12-29 hours earned) a 1.50 minimum GPA; after earning 30 or more credit hours a 2.0 minimum GPA.
Academic probation
Any student not meeting these standards for a GPA or hours earned is placed on academic probation for the next semester. Some students may be admitted on academic probation when standard admission requirements are not met. Part-time students will also be placed on probation when showing a pattern of completing fewer than 75 percent of hours attempted.
All students placed on academic warning are notified at the beginning of the semester. The faculty adviser will be informed of the warning action and will be expected to help the student with special efforts to evaluate the academic work. Special referrals may also be made.
During the probation semester, the student will be expected to increase GPA or complete sufficient credit hours to have at least 24 hours in the two consecutive semesters. If these conditions are not met by the end of the semester, the student is subject to academic disqualification.
Academic disqualification
Disqualification is a one-year period (two semesters) of separation from Goshen College and is usually preceded by at least one semester of academic probation. This period away from college is intended to offer a breathing space for self-examination by the student and the opportunity to clarify educational goals while outside the academic context. Readmission to Goshen College is possible at the end of the one-year period upon application for readmission. If readmitted after disqualification, the student may not receive any financial aid for the first 12 credit hours of attendance.
A full-time student is subject to disqualification at the end of a semester of academic probation if specific conditions have not been met, or at the end of the first full year if the student has completed less than 24 hours or has not maintained the required GPA. Full-time students who pass fewer than five semester hours in any given semester of enrollment are also subject to immediate academic disqualification.
A part-time student is subject to disqualification at the end of a semester of academic probation if fewer than 75 percent of attempted hours are completed. Identification of students subject to disqualification is made at the end of the fall semester and May term. The registrar will notify all students subject to disqualification shortly after grades are released. This notice informs students of an appeal procedure that involves presenting a written statement to the Academic Appeals Board within two weeks or at the end of the first day of classes in the next semester, whichever comes first.
Exceptions to academic progress policies may be made by the Academic Appeals Board. Action will be communicated to the student verbally as soon as possible and in writing within several days. Interviews may often be part of the appeal and decision-making process. Committee decisions may be appealed in writing to the academic dean and dean of students.
Academic bankruptcy
Academic bankruptcy is designed to assist the once-disqualified student to return to school under reduced handicap. Only selected students may be considered for bankruptcy status; to qualify the student will: a) have earlier been academically disqualified from Goshen, b) not be enrolled in any college study for at least two years, c) submit a written appeal to the Academic Appeals Board.
Academic bankruptcy can be granted only once for a student and results in the entire Goshen College record up to that time being re-evaluated as a transfer record. This means that: a) only courses with grades of C or better will be retained for credit at Goshen; b) the grade point average will be restarted with no computation for former work at Goshen; c) academic bankruptcy will be clearly marked on the academic record. Clear conditions of probation will be stated to fit the individual situation. Fully meeting these conditions and the maintenance of a minimum 2.00 GPA will be required to continue after academic bankruptcy.