Academic Probation
UVA Engineering believes in the importance of learning from academic setbacks and failure. We use grade point averages at the end of the fall and spring semesters or two failing* grades in a required** course to identify students in need of support. Therefore, following any fall or spring semester where a student receives a semester grade point average below 2.000, we put the student on Academic Probation and expect the student to engage in reflection through an Academic Success Plan and empower the student to form an Academic Success Team.
Academic Suspension
Students who were on academic probation in Fall 2022 and after being suspended from the University following any semester in which both their current and cumulative GPA is below 2.000. We also use three failing* grades in a required** course to identify students for suspension.
The term of the first suspension is one semester.
We extend students previously on probation the option of avoiding academic suspension through completing an Academic Recovery Plan and form an Academic Success Team. To avoid suspension, we require students to create this plan the month following notification of suspension to stay enrolled in courses the next semester.
*An NC earned under the COVID-19 Grading Policy does not count as failed.
**A “required” course is one that is specified by their program of study or by the general education requirements of the School of Engineering as being required of all students to earn a degree.
A student can apply for reenrollment from suspension through the Return to University form in SIS (bottom left) and follow the deadlines under REENROLLMENT. The student should briefly describe their activities since suspension and future academic goals. Students can request to transfer 3-4 academic credits taken elsewhere while on academic suspension. Students must be readmitted to the School of their previous enrollment. That is, even if a student plans to transfer from UVA Engineering to another undergraduate school at the University, the student must first be readmitted to UVA Engineering.
A second suspension is final, and the student is not allowed to return to the University.
Appeals from Students
Appeal of Academic Decisions
Appeal of Academic Sanctions
The vast majority of CAS cases relate to academic sanctions, including suspension and early readmission. Students who are subject to academic sanctions according to the policies of the School of Engineering and Applied Science will be notified in writing, via email, by the appropriate Assistant Dean. Students have the right to appeal the sanction to the Committee on Academic Standards, a committee of faculty members representing the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The action by the committee on the appeal is final inasmuch as the committee acts for the full UVA Engineering faculty in these matters.
All petitions to the CAS must be submitted to the Associate Dean by email and contain the following:
The deadline for appeal will be clearly stated in the communication from the Associate Dean about the sanction. The committee’s decision will be communicated to the student within 30 days of receiving the petition, and the committee’s decision is final; there is no further mechanism for appeal.
The CAS meets several times per year, usually at the beginning and/or end of the semester (dates vary; contact the Undergraduate Programs Office for specific dates), when academic standards actions take place. It is crucial that students promptly submit their petition–especially related to actions taken as a result of Fall semester academic performance–so that the CAS can promptly issue a decision (that might impact Spring semester enrollment). No students will be re-admitted/re-enrolled after the semester has begun.
- Students should refer to the STUDENT ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE POLICY to appeal other academic decision
- The UVA Engineering Committee on Academic Standards (CAS) considers petitions from students for circumstances/requests not otherwise covered by specific Engineering or University policies or regulations, or in circumstances that have not been satisfactorily resolved with the instructor concerned, the faculty advisor, or the student’s major department. The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs chairs the CAS and convenes the committee to hear petitions from students.
- ACADEMIC STANDARDS PETITION COVER PAGE or RETRO-ACTIVE MEDICAL WITHDRAWAL FORM
- a narrative letter describing, in your own words, the rationale for the appeal specifically addressing any mitigating circumstances (address this letter to the UVA Engineering Committee on Academic Standards)
- A current, unofficial transcript
- If you cite medical issues in your narrative letter, supporting documentation from medical care providers (e.g., a letter from a medical care provider) addressing how your health impacted your academic performance. Students are not obligated or required to provide protected medical records to the CAS as part of an appeal
- (optional) Supporting documentation from your advisor, instructors, or others with knowledge of your situation (submit only if relevant to your case)