1. Academic Warning
| Hours Attempted | Minimum Cumulative GPA |
|---|---|
| 1-29 | 1.50 |
| 30+ | 2.00 |
A student who does not earn the required cumulative grade point average according to the number of semester hours attempted will be placed on academic warning. A student who has been placed on academic warning will have until the end of the next regular semester to show significant improvement in grades or be suspended from school.
| Hours Attempted | Minimum Semester GPA (including warming semester) |
|---|---|
| 1-29 | 1.75 |
| 30+ | 2.00 |
If a student has been suspended because of academic reasons, the student will not be allowed to register for classes or attend the University for one full semester (fall or spring). The student will not be allowed to enroll in intersessions and summer terms during the suspension period. After one semester, the student may return to the University on a warning status. The student must make significant improvement and meet the standards defined in the warning section above. If improvement does not occur, the student will be suspended for one year from the date of the second suspension. After one year, the student may seek readmission on academic warning. Failure to earn at least 2.00 grade point average during the returning semester will result in academic dismissal.
A student who believes there is justification for early readmission and chooses to appeal their suspension must submit a written appeal to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The letter of appeal must reach the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs at least five business days prior to registration for the semester for which readmission is sought. Appeals received after that date will not be considered for that semester. The Academic Suspension Appeals Committee will review the case and make a recommendation to the vice president for academic affairs.
Credit earned while on academic suspension from any university, including SAU, will not be accepted by SAU.
2. Grading System
Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, uses the grading system of A, B, C, D, and F.
| Grade | Grade Points per Semester Hour |
|---|---|
| A = excellent work | 4 |
| B = good work | 3 |
| C = satisfactory work | 2 |
| D = minimum passing work | 1 |
| F = failing work |
Other grades that are recorded are AU, audit; CR, credit; I, incomplete work; NC, non-credit; P, pass; W, withdrawal with passing work; and WF, withdrawal with failure. (NC grades may be assigned only in remedial courses and Composition I.)
An incomplete grade may be given only for illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control and must be removed by the deadline as stated in the University calendar or it will be treated as an F grade.
A WF is computed as an F in the grade point average, but a W is not computed in the grade point average.
The grade point average is used to determine a student’s academic rating at any given time. The grade point average is obtained by multiplying the number of grade points awarded for each grade by the credit hour value for the course. Then the total number of grade points received for all SAU courses is divided by the total number of hours attempted at SAU. (For example: If a student has earned 34 grade points on 12 semester hours attempted, the grade point average is 34 divided by 12, or 2.883. Expressed in its letter equivalent, the average is higher than a C, but slightly less than a B.)
EXAMPLE: A student enrolls in five courses (12 credit hours) as follows:
| Class | CH | Grade | CH x GP | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL | 3 | A(4) | 3 x 4 | 12 |
| HIST | 3 | B(3) | 3 x 3 | 9 |
| MATH | 3 | C(2) | 3 x 2 | 6 |
| HS | 2 | C(2) | 2 x 2 | 4 |
| PHED | 1 | B(3) | 1 x 3 | 3 |
| Total | 12 | 34 |
Semester grade point average: 34 GP ÷ 12 CH = 2.833
CH = Credit Hours
GP = Grade Points
In order to receive credit for a course that was not completed successfully or to improve a grade point average, a course may be repeated. A grade of C or higher earned at another accredited institution will be entered on the SAU transcript, but the grade will not be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average. If a course is repeated at SAU, the grade earned the last time the course is taken will be used in calculating the cumulative grade point average. Only 24 semester hours of coursework can be repeated to improve a grade point.
3. Dropping a Course/Withdrawing
A student may drop a course without penalty until the deadline stated in the SAU Academic Calendar, subject to the consultation with the advisor and the charge of a $10 fee to their student account. A student will not be allowed to drop a course after this deadline except for circumstances beyond the student’s control, which are approved by the registrar.
A student who stops attending class but does not officially withdraw may receive a final grade of WN (“withdrawn non-attending”) or F in the course at the course instructor’s discretion.
A student receiving VA benefits will be governed by Veterans Administration regulations regarding the dropping of courses and should contact the Office of the Registrar for information. Other agencies furnishing financial assistance to a student may have regulations affecting the dropping of courses which differ from those of the University policy.
Any student who pre-registers and saves their schedule online or by signing a statement with the Business Office must follow the below withdrawal process.
Early to Mid-Semester Withdrawals
Until the deadline stated in the SAU Academic Calendar, a student who chooses to leave the University for any reason must officially withdraw from that semester/term. The student should submit a request to withdraw via their mySAU account or by contacting the Office of Student Life. The process is not complete until the withdrawal has been approved by each of the following administrative areas: 1) Office of Housing, 2) Post Office, 3) Dean of Students, 4) Magale Library, 5) Business Office, 6) Financial Aid, and 7) Registrar’s Office. The official date of withdrawal will be the date on which the withdrawal request was originally submitted.
Late Semester Withdrawals
If a withdrawal from the University is necessary after the deadline stated in the SAU Academic Calendar, the withdrawal must be initiated by the dean of students.The process is not complete until the withdrawal has been approved by each of the following administrative areas: 1) Office of Housing, 2) Post Office, 3) Dean of Students, 4) Magale Library, 5) Business Office, 6) Financial Aid, and 7) Registrar’s Office. The official date of withdrawal will be the date on which the withdrawal request was originally submitted.
