General Information

Students' academic progress is reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee (ASC) each semester to determine their academic standing as defined below. The ASC will examine students' academic records based solely on Mills academic work and cross-registration courses. Consideration does not include transfer course work.

Individual graduate programs may establish and administer more stringent requirements governing probation and dismissal in a specific program. Failure to achieve the required level of academic proficiency within the specified time period will lead to automatic dismissal.

Satisfactory Academic Standing

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as:

• minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (2.75 for post-baccalaureate certificate students)
• minimum term GPA of 3.0

Warning

Students in all programs except post-baccalaureate certificate are issued a warning letter if their cumulative GPA is at least 3.0 but term GPA is below 3.0 and show normal progress toward the degree.

Post-baccalaureate certificate students are issued a warning letter if their cumulative GPA is at least 3.0 (2.75 in their first semester) but term GPA is below 3.0 (2.75 in their first semester) and show normal progress toward the degree.

Probation

Students in all programs except post-baccalaureate certificate may be placed on probation if:

• their cumulative GPA is lower than 3.0; or
• their cumulative GPA is at least 3.0 but their term GPA is lower than 3.0; or
• normal progress toward the degree is not present.

Post-baccalaureate certificate students may be placed on probation if:

• their cumulative GPA is lower than 3.0 (2.75 in their first semester); or
• after their first semester, their cumulative GPA is at least 3.0 but their term GPA is lower than 3.0; or
• normal progress toward the degree is not present.

Students who are placed on probation will have the permanent notation of "Probation" placed on their transcript for the specific semester in which their academic standing was not satisfactory.

Removal from Probation
Students placed on probation are required to achieve a term and cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for the subsequent semester to be removed from probation.

Students on probation who take a leave of absence will be considered as on continued probation.

Disqualification

All students who have been placed on probation, either on entry or after their first semester in attendance, and whose progress for the following term meets the definition of probation (above) are subject to disqualification (dismissal). Individual graduate programs may establish and administer more stringent requirements governing probation and disqualification in a specific program. Failure to achieve the required level of academic proficiency within the specified time period will lead to automatic dismissal.

Appeal of Disqualification
Students who are disqualified (dismissed) will have this notation on their transcript unless they successfully appeal the disqualification, in which case a notation of "Probation" will replace the notation of "Disqualification." In either case, the notation is permanent. To appeal the disqualification, students may write to the Academic Standing Committee (ASC) with an explanation of the circumstances which led to their poor academic performance. Letters of support from two faculty members who have worked with the student are also required. Appeals must be received no later than the deadline for the first ASC meeting of the semester immediately following the disqualification.

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Academic Standing Committee (ASC)

Students who wish to request an exception to academic policy or procedure must petition the ASC, which meets each week during the term. Completed petitions, supporting documentation, etc., must be delivered to the M Center two business days before the next scheduled meeting. Students should not petition a member of the ASC directly. Students should not assume that an exception will be approved and are advised to continue with their current program in the meantime. Students wishing to appeal a grade should not petition the ASC (see Grade Appeal Procedure).

For more information, including the ASC meeting schedule, contact the M Center. Petitions to the ASC are available online and in the M Center.

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Student Misconduct and Expulsion

The College may suspend or expel any student for any of the following reasons:

• lack of cooperation in maintaining the ideals and standards of the College or failure to profit by its purposes and policies
• conduct contrary to the standards, rules, and regulations applicable to students which are established from time to time by the College, student government, and faculty
• conduct of any nature that endangers the health or safety of the student or any other person

Cases involving misconduct are customarily heard by the student Judicial Board established by the Associated Students of Mills College (ASMC) Constitution. Such cases are subject to the specific procedures established from time to time by the ASMC Constitution, unless the College exercises its right to decide the case as described below.

The College reserves its right at all times to suspend or expel a student, whether or not the Judicial Board has acted in the matter, provided that the student be given:

• written notice explaining the nature of the charge;
• an opportunity to respond in person to the official or committee making the recommendation to suspend or expel; and
• a written decision explaining the reasons for any action taken.

In addition, the College may suspend any student on an interim basis of no more than 10 class days without notice of any other procedure in the event of conduct involving an imminent threat to the health or safety of the student or any other person. The president of the College may delegate the investigation or hearing of any disciplinary case to a committee appointed by the president to provide the procedural rights noted above.

The College is not obligated to afford any procedural rights or remedies to students in cases involving misconduct that result in a decision to suspend or expel, except the procedures outlined above, including the Tuition and Fees Adjustment Policy and the Return of Federal, State, and Institutional Financial Aid.

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