Academic Distinction and Standing

Dean’s List

A student who achieves a semester grade point average of 3.5 or above will be named to the Dean’s List. In order to qualify, a student must have completed a minimum of five courses of 3 credits each. The student will be informed of the honor by letter, and it will be recorded on his or her transcript. Dean’s List students are given priority in registration for courses, Academic Travel and housing placement requests.

Graduation with Distinction

At the time of graduation, students who finish with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2–3.59 will receive their degrees with Distinction; those who finish with a grade point average of 3.6 or better will receive their degree with Highest Distinction. Distinctions are not recognized for students who participate in the graduation ceremony but who still have degree requirements pending.

Warning Probation and Dismissal

A student will be placed on academic warning if the semester grade point average Falls below 2.0 but the cumulative GPA remains above 2.0.

If, at the end of a semester, a student’s cumulative grade point average is below 2.0, the student will be placed on Academic Probation for the following semester, which will be recorded on the permanent record. After one semester on Academic Probation without noticeable improvement, the student may be subject to dismissal from the College. The academic dismissal will be recorded on the student’s permanent record.

Probationary status initiated in any semester will continue through the end of the following semester of regular enrollment. Summer grades will not affect probationary status for the Fall. Any instance in which a student’s cumulative GPA drops below 2.0 for a third semester (for example: the student has already been placed on probation twice) will make the student subject to immediate dismissal. In addition, exceptionally poor academic performance in any given semester may be grounds for dismissal. All actions of dismissal will be taken at the discretion of the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standards and the Deans of the College.

A student who is dismissed from the College must satisfactorily complete one or two semesters (12-30 credits) at another regionally accredited institution before applying for re-admission to Franklin College. The number of semesters required is specified in the student’s letter of dismissal.

Students placed into the Academic Bridge Program must complete a single tier in no more than two semesters: non-completion of a tier in the required time period will subject the student to dismissal from the College for academic insufficiency.

Appeal Process Against Dismissal

A student who has been academically dismissed from the College may appeal the decision. That appeal should include explanatory information and any new evidence not previously considered by the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standards . The appeal must be in writing, addressed to the Chair of the Committee, and submitted within two weeks of the date on the notification of dismissal. A student will not be allowed to register for regular or summer session courses while an appeal is in progress. Where an appeal is submitted, the Chair of the Committee will review the student’s academic record, taking into account any relevant material contained in the letter of appeal and make a further recommendation to the Provost or his/her delegate. The decision of the Provost based upon this final recommendation will be binding.