Undergraduate Catalog

Academic Policies and Procedures » Academic Warning, Probation & Dismissal

Students at New Paltz are expected to maintain satisfactory levels of academic achievement and to progress towards timely degree completion and graduation. Among the requirements for graduation, a student must attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.  Some majors and programs may require higher GPAs either for admission to the major (or program), for specific courses within the major, or to ensure adequate completion of the major. At the close of each semester the Office of Records & Registration processes all grades, and the student’s semester GPA and cumulative GPA are then used to determine whether the student is in good academic standing. A student who is not in good academic standing will be issued an academic warning, placed on academic probation, or dismissed from the university.

Criteria. The following criteria are used to assess a student’s academic standing. Although these criteria are applied automatically, any student subject to a first-time dismissal will be invited to appeal that determination to the Committee on Academic Standing and Appeals.

After completing the first semester of study, any student whose semester GPA

• is below a 1.0 is placed on academic probation;
• is between a 1.0 and 2.0 receives an academic warning.

Thereafter, a student whose semester GPA

• is below a 2.0 will receive an academic warning if the student’s cumulative GPA is at least a 2.0 or will be placed on academic probation if the cumulative GPA is between a 1.0 and a 1.99;
• is at least a 2.0 and whose cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 will be placed on probation;
• is below a 2.0 and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 1.0 will be dismissed.

The table below summarizes the criteria for those who have completed at least a second semester of study.

At the end of any third consecutive semester on probation a student whose cumulative GPA is not at least a 2.0 will be dismissed.

The only grades used in determining academic warning, probation or dismissal are the grades earned in courses taken at New Paltz. Any notice of academic warning or probation will appear on a student’s unofficial transcript, as well as the student’s progress report. Only the notice of academic dismissal will appear on a student’s official transcript.

Notification. A notification of warning, probation, or dismissal will be sent to the student’s official New Paltz email address prior to the commencement of the next semester. Any communication of probation may also set forth conditions requisite to the continuation of study at New Paltz.

Appeals. Neither an academic warning nor an academic probation may be appealed. However, a student may appeal to reverse a first-time dismissal. Details regarding the appeals process will be communicated to the student by email. A student who is dismissed for a second time may not appeal.

Probation. As noted above, the Committee on Academic Standing and Appeals has the right to set forth conditions on a student’s probation. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to devise an appropriate course load and to attain a balance between study and other activities.

Dismissal. The first time a student is dismissed they have the opportunity to appeal for a reversal of the decision. Any student whose appeal is denied or who chooses not to appeal will not be allowed to return to the university for two full semesters. A summer session is not considered a full semester, and a dismissed student may not enroll in any classes during a summer session. For example, a dismissal following the spring semester means that the student will be required to remain out for the subsequent fall, spring, and summer semesters.

A student who is dismissed for a second time will not be permitted to reapply to New Paltz.

Readmission. To be considered for readmission, an academically dismissed student is required to complete at least 12 credits of academic course work at another institution, with at least a 2.75 GPA.

Students who are academically dismissed but who subsequently reapply for admission must meet the college-wide requirements in force at the time of readmission. Students academically dismissed from the College are also dismissed from their major(s). Upon readmission, students must re-declare their majors and must meet the major requirements (e.g., GPA) in effect at that time. Readmission to New Paltz does not necessarily guarantee clearance for enrollment and registration, financial aid, or student health services. These clearances are based on criteria other than academic standing, including but not limited to open accounts, proof of immunization, or other unresolved business with the college.

All required documents for readmission must be received in the Office of Undergraduate Admission by these dates:

• Fall Semester – April 1*
• Spring Semester – November 1*

There is no summer readmission.

*The College reserves the right to alter due dates without prior notice.

For details about the readmission policy, please see Readmission to New Paltz.

EOP students. Students who are admitted under the Educational Opportunity Program will be reviewed by the EOP Committee on Academic Standing. EOP students are subject to additional regulations relating to academic probation and dismissal. These regulations are outlined in the EOP Student Agreement Form, which EOP participants sign. 

Approved by Faculty Senate October 3, 2018
Approved by Provost for implementation November 30, 2018
Implementation effective for Spring 2019