Grading Policies
Academic Complaint
A student with a specific complaint about a course should, where appropriate, speak directly with the faculty member concerned. If such a conversation would be inappropriate under the circumstances, the student should formally communicate with the Program Coordinator in whose program the course resides. This communication must occur within 60 days from the time the grade is posted in the Registrar’s Office.
If the matter is not resolved with the Program Coordinator, the student should submit a letter to the appropriate Academic Dean. This letter should include the specific reason(s) for setting aside the decision of the Program Coordinator.
Appeal of a Final Course Grade
A student who seeks to appeal a final grade in a course should first speak with the faculty member concerned. If the student wishes to proceed further with the appeal, the student should formally communicate with the Program Coordinator in whose program the course resides. This communication must occur within 60 days from the time the grade is posted in the Registrar’s Office.
If the matter is not resolved with the Program Coordinator, the student should submit a letter to the appropriate Academic Dean. This letter should include the specific reason(s) for setting aside the decision of the Program Coordinator.
Request for a Hearing—Final Course Grade or Academic Complaint
If there is a question about the decision of the Academic Dean regarding the appeal of a final course grade or an academic complaint, a student can register a grievance in writing to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs to determine if the matter warrants a hearing before the Academic Review Committee. This letter should include the specific reason(s) for taking the student’s grievance beyond the Academic Dean. If the Assistant Vice President determines that a hearing is appropriate, the Academic Review Committee will be convened and a copy of the student’s letter will be forwarded to the committee. Should the Assistant Vice President determine that a hearing is not warranted, the student will be so informed within 10 business days. The decision of the Academic Review Committee or the Assistant Vice President will be final.
Probation, Suspension and Academic Standing
A student is expected to make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Failure to achieve this progress may result in academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University, to be determined by the Academic Review Committee.
Undergraduate
An undergraduate student will be considered to have unsatisfactory academic standing if the cumulative grade point average falls below the following minimum requirements:
| Credit Hours Earned | Cumulative GPA |
|---|---|
| 1-30 | 1.6 |
| 31-60 | 1.8 |
| 61-120 | 2.0 |
The Academic Review Committee will meet after each block (every 7 weeks) to review academic records. For the first occurrence, a student with a cumulative GPA below the designated minimum requirement will be placed on academic probation. A second occurrence of unsatisfactory academic progress may result in continued probation or academic suspension from the institution. Third and subsequent occurrences could also result in continued probation, suspension, or permanent suspension from the institution.
A student on probation will be limited to a maximum load of 12 credit hours (less, if recommended by the Academic Review Committee) and will not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities. A suspended student may be reinstated on a probationary status by presenting and receiving approval of a written appeal to the Academic Review Committee chairperson. The suspended student must wait a complete academic year after the suspension was issued before submitting the letter of appeal to the Academic Review Committee Chairperson. Decisions of the Academic Review Committee shall be considered as final.
Any student who receives an institutional scholarship or tuition assistance from Wilmington University is required to maintain a 2.0 grade point average each semester. Failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of the institutional award from the student’s account for the following semester.
Graduate
The following leads to academic probation for graduate students:
- A cumulative GPA of less than 3.0
- An “F”, “FA” or “NA” grade in a credit course
The Academic Review Committee will meet after each block (7 weeks) to review academic records. For a first occurrence, a student with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. A second occurrence of unsatisfactory academic progress may result in continued probation, academic suspension, or permanent suspension from the institution.
A graduate student placed on probation will be called in for advisement by the appropriate Program Coordinator. While on probation, a student may enroll in no more than three courses per semester with no more than two courses in any one block; it is strongly recommended that a student enroll in no more than one course per block.
A suspended student may be reinstated on probationary status by presenting a written appeal to the Academic Review Committee chairperson. A suspended student must wait one full semester after the suspension was issued before submitting an appeal to the Academic Review Committee Chairperson.