Because of the GPA requirement to graduate, low grades are a sign of trouble. Academic probation and disqualification are intervention actions that draw attention to the problem and encourage solutions. We present four basic topics. You may scroll through them all or go directly to one of those listed immediately below:
|
Contents: |
Academic Probation
What is academic probation?
Academic probation is an academic standing that draws attention to unsatisfactory
academic performance and sets conditions for continued enrollment.
Why would I be placed on academic probation?
You are placed on academic probation if your cumulative grade-point average
falls below 2.0, or if the dean reinstates you after you become subject
to academic disqualification.
What conditions apply to me while I am on academic probation?
While on academic probation you
- may enroll in no more than 17 units.
- cannot choose the P/NP grading option (but you can take courses with mandatory P/NP grading).
When will I return to regular academic standing?
You will return to regular academic standing when you raise your cumulative
GPA to at least 2.0 and earn at least a 1.5 quarter GPA.
Academic Disqualification
What does it mean to be academically disqualified?
If you are academically disqualified, you are not permitted further enrollment
in regular terms (quarters) at UCSB. Normally, this is intended as a temporary
condition, while you work on resolving the issues that have interfered
with your academic success. Students who have been disqualified may apply
for reinstatement after they have resolved those issues and taken positive
action to demonstrate their readiness to return to study at UCSB. See
Appealing for Reinstatement.
How will I know if I am academically disqualified?
Notification is always sent to students by conventional mail when they
are subject to academic disqualification. In addition, the dean's decision
either approving reinstatement on probation or confirming academic disqualification
is mailed to students. We use the local mailing address (at the end of
fall and winter quarters) or permanent mailing address (at the end of
spring quarter) that students have placed on record with the university.
Please be sure to keep your address information up to date.
What would cause me to be subject to academic disqualification?
You will be subject to academic disqualification if:
- your quarter grade-point average falls below 1.5.
- you complete two quarters on academic probation without raising your cumulative grade-point average to 2.0.
- your quarter grade-point average falls below 2.0 while you are on academic probation.
- your quarter grade-point average falls below 2.2 while you are on reinstatement-probation and your cumulative grade-point average is below 2.0.
Why might I be academically disqualified?
Students are academically disqualified when a review of their record indicates
that they are not likely to succeed in their studies.
What will happen if I am subject to academic disqualification?
The answer depends on timing and other factors:
- If you are subject to academic disqualification at the end of a
fall or winter quarter, the dean will review your situation and take
one of the following actions without calling for information from you:
- Reinstate you on probation for the following quarter. See Academic Probation.
- Place you on an academic enrollment agreement for the following quarter. An academic enrollment agreement is a contract between you and the dean that details conditions you must meet for continued enrollment.
-
Confirm your disqualification from UCSB. This will happen at the end of fall or winter quarter only if you have failed to satisfy the terms of an academic enrollment agreement for that quarter.
-
If you are subject to academic disqualification at the end of a spring quarter, you will need to submit a written appeal for reinstatement before the dean will decide whether to allow your continued enrollment at UCSB. See Appealing for Reinstatement.
-
If you take a break from UCSB, you will need to apply for readmission and submit a written appeal for reinstatement if your academic standing is one of the following.
- Subject to disqualification
- Reinstatement-probation (reinstated on probation)
- Academically disqualified
- Dismissed by Dean's Action
The dean will then decide whether and under what circumstances to allow you to return to UCSB. Once academically disqualified students have removed the obstacles to their success, we hope they will seek reinstatement. For details, please read Appealing for Reinstatement, below. Note, however, that it may be necessary for you to prove your readiness to return to UCSB by earning high grades in a community college and/or University of California summer session.
Appealing for Reinstatement
An appeal for reinstatement is a letter written to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. You will need to appeal for reinstatement if you wish to attend UCSB for a regular quarter and your academic standing is one of the following at the end of a spring quarter or at the end of the last quarter you complete prior to taking time off from UCSB:
- Subject to Academic Disqualification or
- Dismissed by Dean's Action or
- Academically Disqualified or
- Reinstated on Probation
NOTE: Although you may be extremely disappointed with your academic status at this point, do not assume that the best solution is to return to UCSB immediately. Many students write their appeal letter without fully considering the options open to them. You should evaluate your situation thoroughly, and take the steps necessary to ensure your future academic success. We share your concern, and we encourage you to meet with our advising staff (call 805/893-3201 for an appointment). Like you, we hope that you will eventually graduate from UCSB, and we will approve your reinstatement when you provide good reason to believe that you are prepared to succeed.
What information should I include in my letter of appeal to the Dean
of Undergraduate Studies?
Your letter should be thoughtfully written and it should include the following:
- Your name, perm number, address, email address, and telephone number.
- An analysis of the factors that interfered with your academic success when you were at UCSB in the past.
- A description of the steps you have taken to overcome the obstacles to academic success. If a prolonged absence or serious illness was a key factor, you should provide documentation.
- Details about any studies you have undertaken during your absence (including summer session).
- A statement of your academic plans for the future, including choice of major and size of planned study load.
- If you have completed 155 or more units, you should provide a quarter-by-quarter plan for completion of your remaining degree requirements.
Is there a deadline for me to submit my appeal for reinstatement?
The deadline depends on which of the following descriptions fits your
situation:
-
If you are subject to academic disqualification or academically disqualified or dismissed by dean's action at the end of a spring quarter and you want to return the fall quarter immediately following, you must meet the deadline specified in a letter that notifies you of your status. The exact date varies from year to year, but normally it is in late July.
-
If you are seeking reinstatement after an absence (break in enrollment), we encourage you to submit your application for readmission (available from the Registrar) and appeal as early as possible, because readmission is subject to closure without notice. All applications must be submitted no later than the following deadlines:
- Fall quarter - second Monday in August
- Winter quarter - second Monday in November
- Spring quarter - second Monday in February
In addition, transcripts (or other proof of grades) of off-campus work must reach our office no later than three weeks prior to the first day of the quarter to which you are applying.
Is there anything I can do to make it more likely that the dean will
approve my reinstatement?
The most important thing you can do is to examine your personal and academic
situation carefully and take positive steps to remove the obstacles to
your academic success. In addition, please note the following considerations:
- If you have a grade-point deficit (see grade-point average and grade-point balance) of 8 or more overall, you will need to reduce that deficit in University of California summer session before the dean will approve your reinstatement.
- If you have a grade-point deficit of 8 or more in your major or upper-division major, you will either need to reduce the deficit in University of California summer session or find a new academic direction in which you have a history of success.
- If you will be changing academic direction but have not yet established a successful record in your new field, it may be necessary for you to demonstrate success in that field either in a community college or University of California summer session.
What happens during the appeal process?
The deans and staff of the college review appeals. We treat all of the
information that we receive in strict confidence and with sensitivity.
To ensure fair and consistent decisions, cases are summarized at regular
meetings of the full staff of deans and academic advisors. If you are
reinstated, some restrictions may be placed on your registration, such
as an enrollment agreement requiring specific grades in courses for your
next quarter of enrollment.
Why might the College deny my appeal? Why not give me one more chance?
Our review is not intended to be punitive. The primary concern is to find
a way to stimulate your academic advancement and aid you in your quest
for a college degree. Time spent away from UCSB may be used productively
in a number of ways:
- Building study skills at a community college.
- Working through health problems or personal issues.
- Building savings to reduce the need for employment once studies are resumed.
- Examining new major directions.
Academic Status Categories
The following chart summarizes the various categories of academic standing and answers the question "What's next?"
If the student's present status is: |
If the student's grade point averages are: |
Category |
The student will be: |
Depending on grades, the student's category at the end
of next quarter will be: |
| 1. Regular Status | Qtr not less than 1.5 Cumulative less than 2.0 | 1A | Placed on Probation | 2A or B or C or D |
| Qtr less than 1.5 but not less than 1.0 | 1B | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| Qtr less than 1.0 | 1C | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| 2. First Qtr on Probation | Qtr 2.0 or higher Cumulative less than 2.0 | 2A | Continued on Probation | 3A or B or C or D |
| Qtr and cumulative less than 2.0 | 2B | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| Qtr less than 1.5 Cumulative at least 2.0 | 2C | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| Qtr not less than 1.5 Cumulative at least 2.0 | 2D | Returned to Regular status | Regular status or 1A or B or C | |
| 3. Second Qtr on Probation | Qtr 2.0 or higher Cumulative less than 2.0 | 3A | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D |
| Qtr and cumulative less than 2.0 | 3B | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| Qtr less than 1.5 Cumulative at least 2.0 | 3C | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| Qtr not less than 1.5 Cumulative at least 2.0 | 3D | Returned to Regular status | Regular status or 1A or B or C | |
| 4. Reinstatement Probation | Qtr 2.2 or higher Cumulative less than 2.0 | 4A | Continued on Reinstatement Probation | 4A or B or C or D |
| Qtr less than 2.2 Cumulative less than 2.0 | 4B | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| Qtr less than 1.5 Cumulative at least 2.0 | 4C | Subject to Disqualification | If reinstated, 4A or B or C or D | |
| Qtr not less than 1.5 Cumulative at least 2.0 | 4D | Returned to Regular status | Regular status or 1A or B or C |
Except for students who are required to sign an academic enrollment
agreement, those who are subject to disqualification (1B, 1C, 2B,
2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C) at the end of fall and winter quarters are
automatically reinstated on probation for the next term. If these
students take a break in enrollment, they must submit a written
appeal for reinstatement at the time they apply for readmission
to the University.
All students who are subject to disqualification at the end of spring quarter must submit a written appeal for reinstatement before they may complete an additional regular quarter at UCSB.
Students who have been required to sign an academic enrollment agreement will be dismissed from the University if they do not fulfill the terms of that agreement. While on the agreement, they may use their first two registration passes for the following quarter, but further registration activity is blocked until their grades are reviewed.
