Student Rank

A student's academic rank or classification is determined by the number of hours earned indicated as follows:

               Hours Earned        Rank                                        Hours Earned         Rank

                1-23                         Freshman                               55-90                       Junior

                24-54                       Sophomore                             91+                          Senior     

Minimum Acceptable Academic Progress

A student's academic performance will be reviewed fall and spring semesters based on GPA. Normal academic progress, based on grade point average, will be determined after each semester based on cumulative hours attempted. A student must meet minimum acceptable academic progress by complying with the standard in order to achieve and/or maintain good academic standing. Any student with a 0 to 0.5 term GPA may be suspended.  

Note: Compliance with standards of minimum acceptable academic progress does not imply that students meet program criteria applicable to particular major fields. In addition, student athletes must adhere to the standards of their individual sports program in order to maintain athletic eligibility. 

                Required GPA       Earned Credit Hours

                        1.25                         1-23

                        1.50                         24-47

                        2.00                         48 and above

Students must also earn 66.7% of hours attempted each term. Students can receive financial aid for up to 192 hours attempted, including grades of W, F, I, repeats, and transfer hours.

Minimum acceptable academic progress, based on grade point average, and on quantitative measure of percent of attempted hours that were earned, will be determined after each semester based on cumulative hours attempted. Students failing to meet minimum acceptable academic progress, as outlined above, are subject to the following sanctions.

Warning Semester:  Students who fall below the minimum acceptable standards for academic progress for the semester will be placed on warning for the following semester. During the warning term, sanctions may include repeating of courses, limitation of credit hours, structured study times in the Academic Success Center, development of individual learning contracts, adjustment of housing assignments, or limitation of participation in non-class, College-sponsored activities. Student status will be reviewed at the end of the warning semester. 

Probation Semester:  At the end of the warning semester, students who continue to fall below the minimum acceptable standards for academic progress will be placed on probation. Probation sanctions may include those named in the warning sanctions, as well as financial aid sanctions. While probation is in effect, a student is subject to suspension from the College at any time when, in the opinion of instructors and the Vice President for Academic Affairs or Associate Dean, the student's academic effort or social conduct fails to demonstrate a responsible approach to studies. Student status will be reviewed at the end of the probation semester. 

Note:  Federal Financial Aid regulations mandate that students who are placed on probation must appeal their probation and have an approved plan to return to good academic standing in order to retain financial aid eligibility.   

Suspension Semester:  At the end of the probation semester, students who continue to fall below the minimum acceptable standards for academic progress will be suspended from the College for a semester. When this happens, a student has the following options for gaining reinstatement: 

1. During the suspension term, the student cannot take classes. The suspended student may write a letter to the Admissions Committee requesting re-admittance to the College. The letter should outline a plan for being successful upon return to the College. Re-admittance should not be assumed. Classes taken at another college or university during the suspension semester will not be accepted as transfer credits to LWC.
2. A student who is suspended for a fall or spring semester can be reinstated for the following term by enrolling in and successfully completing 3 to 6 credit hours with a grade of C or higher. Students suspended for the fall term may enroll in 3 hours during the Winter term, and students suspended during the spring term may enroll in 3 to 6 hours during the summer. If a student successfully passes the course or courses with a C or better, the student will be permitted to enroll the next fall or spring semester. 
3. If taking a class or classes during the winter or summer term is not an option, a student may write a letter of appeal to be reinstated for the next semester. Letters of appeal are less likely to result in reinstatement than committing to academic work as outlined in number 2. Student appeals to the Academic Affairs Council will be reviewed individually according to the following considerations:  
   • Past performance;
   • Mitigating circumstances (e.g., health, family, personal considerations);
   • The performance trend as reflected in the GPA performance over earlier semesters;
   • Achieving the minimum GPA for the student's credit hour standard as defined above;
   • Performance/compliance within the programs assigned as condition of probation; and
   • Other individual circumstances and considerations.

Other Causes for Academic Suspension

Students who demonstrate a callous disregard for learning as stated in the Student Codes section of The Student Handbook may be subject to suspension by the Academic Affairs Office, together with either the Vice President for Student Services or the Dean of Students. In addition, students who commit academic dishonesty may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the College (See Academic Integrity policy). 

Readmission after Academic Suspension

Students may be readmitted to the College after a semester through application to the Admissions Committee. The readmission decision will be based upon students' compliance with conditions of suspension, evidence suggesting potential for improvement, and/or other individual factors. Re-admission to the College is not guaranteed and should not be assumed. 

Academic Bankruptcy Policy

A student may write a letter to the Registrar requesting academic bankruptcy under the following conditions:

1. If fewer than three calendar years have elapsed since the semester for which the student seeks to declare academic bankruptcy, the student may declare bankruptcy for all coursework taken during that semester provided that the student has successfully completed at least 18 credit hours at the College since the semester for which bankruptcy declaration is sought. None of the course work, including course work that was successfully completed, taken during the semester for which bankruptcy is requested will be counted in the student's cumulative GPA or hours earned.
2. If more than three calendar years have elapsed since the semester(s) for which the student seeks to declare academic bankruptcy, the student may declare bankruptcy for 1 to 3 semesters provided that the student has successfully completed at least 18 credit hours at the College since the most recent semester for which the student seeks to declare bankruptcy. None of the course work, including course work that was successfully completed, taken during the semester for which bankruptcy is requested will be counted in the student's cumulative GPA.
3. Students who declare bankruptcy during their college career are not eligible to graduate with honors. 

When academic bankruptcy is declared, the term "Academic Bankruptcy" will be reflected on the transcript for each semester affected. The phrase "Academic Bankruptcy Implemented" will be stamped on the transcript for the semester in which bankruptcy is implemented. Students may declare academic bankruptcy only once. Students should be aware that academic bankruptcy may not be recognized by graduate or professional schools. 

Petitions for Exceptions to Academic Policies

Petitions requesting exceptions to academic policies are written to the Academic Affairs Council. Petitions must be submitted by November 1 for consideration during the fall semester and by April 1 for consideration during the spring semester.