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Students are expected to make consistent progress toward a degree. Full
time students must complete graduation requirements within five calendar
years, half time students within ten years. Satisfactory progress on
units attempted is measured in increments as outlined below.
Full Time
1st Year 5 units
2nd Year 12 units
3rd Year 20 units
4th Year 28 units
5th Year 36 units
Half Time
1st Year 3 units
2nd Year 6 units
3rd Year 9 units
4th Year 12 units
5th Year 16 units
6th Year 20 units
7th Year 24 units
8th Year 28 units
9th Year 32 units
10th Year 36 units
Transfer students and students who change majors or elect to pursue
a second major will be allowed 150% of the time stipulated above for
completing degree requirements.
Satisfactory progress is also measured by grade point average. The minimum
acceptable grade point average at the end of the first year is 1.50.
At the end of the sophomore year it is 1.80. At the end of the junior
year and thereafter it is 2.00.
Although students normally take four years to graduate from Birmingham-Southern,
it is possible for some to complete their requirements sooner by taking
overloads during regular terms, by taking summer courses, by participating
in the cooperative course exchange program, and by using International
Baccalaureate credit, Summer Scholar credit, Advanced Placement credit,
and transfer credit. Students wishing to obtain a degree in less than
the normal time should work closely with their advisors to plan their
course schedules carefully.
A student will be placed on academic probation for any one of the following
reasons:
(1) Failure to make at least a 1.00 grade point average in any term.
(2) Failure to meet the academic year grade point requirement for the
Birmingham Southern average and cumulative average.
(3) Failure to satisfy the Provost of the College that satisfactory
progress is being made toward a degree.
During the probationary period, a student may not hold any student office,
participate in intercollegiate athletics, or make any public appearances
as a representative of the College.
A student remains on probation for at least one term excluding the interim
term. To be removed from probation, a student must attempt at least three
full unit courses or the equivalent during a regular term, or two full
unit courses during a summer term, and must satisfy the Provost that
he or she is making consistent progress toward a degree by meeting the
academic year grade point average requirements.
A student who has not been removed from probation after the required
time may be allowed to remain in college on probation if, in the judgment
of the Provost, the student has made reasonable progress toward attaining
the required academic year grade point average. Although the Provost
may allow a student to remain in college on probation beyond the required
probationary period, a veteran or other eligible person may not receive
V. A. educational benefits for more than one term or the equivalent while
on probation.
A student who is on academic probation will be suspended for academic
reasons if at the end of any term the student fails to satisfy the Provost
that he or she is making reasonable progress toward a degree. A student
on academic suspension is not permitted to engage in an interim term
project or to enroll in the College during the regular term or summer
term that follows immediately the date of suspension. Courses taken at
another institution during academic suspension are not transferable to
Birmingham Southern College.
A student who has been readmitted to the College after academic suspension may be dismissed from the College for academic reasons if he or she continues
to fail to make satisfactory progress toward a degree.
A student who is enrolled during any term may
withdraw from the College only with permission of the Provost. A student
who discontinues studies
without permission of the Provost will receive an “F” in
all courses that term.
In order to obtain permission to withdraw, a student should first consult
the Office of the Provost and then the Office of Financial Aid. If
the student must withdraw for medical reasons, his or her request must
be supported by a physician’s certificate.
The College reserves the right to require at
any time the withdrawal of any student whose conduct or academic standing
it regards as undesirable,
either for the student’s sake or for the College’s.
See catalog section “Admission to the College” under “Refunds” for
information on refund of tuition to which a student may be entitled upon
withdrawal.
A student may apply for a leave of absence from the College for a specified
period of time for purposes related to the educational program of the
College or for other reasons approved by the Provost. Students may receive
a leave of absence for medical reasons, including pregnancy, as provided
by Title IX of The Higher Education Act.
Formal application for a degree should be filed with the Office of Records
and Research before the beginning of the term in which the candidate
expects to complete degree requirements. Failure to file such application
may delay graduation.
A graduation fee of $85 is charged each applicant
for any degree. This fee covers costs of the student’s diploma
and academic regalia and is added to the bill for the last term of
residence. All financial
obligations to the College must be discharged prior to graduation.
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