CLA Students on Probation

As a student on academic probation you must return to academic good standing by the end of the semester. If you do not, you will be academically suspended.

As a student on academic probation you are required to:

• Meet with Your Academic Advisor.
  Students on academic probation must meet with their Academic Advisor. Failure to do so will result in a registration hold.
• Evaluate your Course Load.
  Students on academic probation are strongly encouraged to enroll in a maximum of 15-16 hours. Some students benefit from an even lighter load. Discuss your course load with your Academic Advisor. Success in your classes can be accomplished by reducing your course load to a manageable number of hours.
• Utilize appropriate campus resources that could assist you in achieving academic success.
• Check your Academic Alerts.
  Academic Alerts are posted three times during each semester. You will be notified by email when an alert has been issued and can access the details of your alert through your Pipeline account.

This page has been created to provide you more information regarding your academic probation and the resources available to you. Please contact your advisor early in the semester to create a plan for success. You will be required to meet with them before registration but students benefit from meeting with their advisors early and often.

• Campus Resources

• Tips for Success

• Frequently asked questions

• Information for parents and family members.

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Campus Resources

As a student on academic probation, you should consider utilizing the following services, depending upon your unique situation.

• Academic Advisor - As a student on academic probation it is critical that you meet with your academic advisor regularly. 
• Tutoring - Learn more about group and individual tutoring options.
• Workshops - the University College Advising Center offers a number of life and study skills workshops.
• Student Counseling Services - Student Counseling Services provides a full range of psychological services.  For more information, visit the office in the KUC Room 329 or call (615) 898-2670.
• University College Advising Center - The primary focus of the UCAC is to provide academic advising services for MTSU students with undeclared majors and students with courses in the University Studies program (prescribed courses) and students in our special populations. In addition, the UCAC coordinates learning communities, the community reading program, the Academic Success Series and other academic and retention initiatives.
• Career Center - Visit the Career Center once you’ve decided upon a major. Their staff can help you explore career options and assist you in building a resume to fit your career aspirations. For more information, visit the center in the KUC Room 328 or contact them by phone at (615) 898-2500.
• Disability Concerns- MTSU's Disabled Student Services office offers a wide variety of services to students with disabilities, including testing accommodations, providing access to the latest in adaptive computer technologies, and acting as a liaison to University departments. DSS is located in the KUC room 120 or contact them by phone by calling 615-898-2783. You may also email the office at dssemail@mtsu.edu.

 Click here to schedule an Appointment to meet with a College Advisor.

Tips for Success

FAQ

Information for Parents

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Tips for Success

• Know the specific deadlines, policies, and procedures relating to your academic status, course withdrawal, course repeats, course registration, and major program application and admission.
• Keep track of all grades in each course. At any point and time in the semester you should know exactly what grade you have in each course. To do this, you must understand how the professor calculates your course grade as described in the course syllabus. Also, you will need to log each test score, paper grade, quiz score, etc. Check D2L for grades or arrange to meet with the professor to go over your grades if you are unsure of where you stand.
• Go to class! It is  impossible to replace the learning that occurs by attending and  participating in class. "Getting the notes" is not the same as  attending class.
• Prioritize and organize your study and personal time into daily and weekly patterns of effectiveness. Maintain regular study hours and establish study environments in order to be productive throughout the entire semester.
• Develop timelines and keep semester, monthly and weekly calendars for dates when course assignments are due. Plan and prepare for exams and papers in advance.
• Go to office hours, ask questions, and talk with instructors.
• Review continuously in your courses. When you get exams and papers back, discuss them thoroughly with your instructor. Studying for final examinations begins now!
• Develop a network of resources. Make a list of phone numbers and email addresses of your faculty, TA's, advisors, tutors, and at least one other student from each class.
• Communicate, collaborate, and correspond with your family and friends as well as your campus support network.
• Utilize the appropriate campus services starting at the beginning of the semester.

Click here to schedule an Appointment to meet with a College Advisor.

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Campus Resources

FAQ

Information for Parents

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am on academic probation; what will happen at the end of the semester?
2. What do I do if I think my grade(s) are wrong?
3. I haven't received my grades!
4. I'm a parent; how can I get my student's grades?

 

1. I am on probation; what will happen at the end of the semester?

If a student is placed on probation, the student must attain one of the following retention standards:

• a 2.00 GPA for current term, OR
• meet one of the following retention standards: 

00-29.99 GPA hours: 1.50 GPA
30-49.99 GPA hours: 1.80 GPA
50 or more GPA hours: 2.00 GPA

A student on academic probation who does not meet either the current term GPA or overall combined (cumulative) GPA in the above standards during the next term in which enrolled will be suspended. This includes students admitted on probation or who have been previously suspended from another school, i.e., reenrolled or transfer students. (See re-enrollment policy.) Students previously suspended are not eligible for probationary status.

       2.  What do I do if I think my grade(s) are wrong?

Grades—Appeal of Course Grades

Level One
Student appeals concerning a course grade should be resolved by a conference between the student and the faculty member who assigned the grade.In the event of an impasse between the student and the faculty member, a student with an appeal of a grade shall discuss it with the department chair within ten (10) business days of the conference with the involved faculty member. The department chair shall investigate the circumstances, record his/her findings, and send a copy to the student and the faculty member within ten (10) business days of the notification of impasse. Although the department chair does not have the power to change the grade, he/she will make a recommendation concerning the appeal. The recommendation and findings will become a part of the appeals record, and a copy will be provided to the student and the faculty member.

Level Two
If the student is not satisfied, he/she may, within fifteen (15) business days following receipt of the department chair's recommendation, refer the appeal, plus all relevant data, including stated reasons why he/she believes the appeal has thus far not been satisfied, to the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. The appeal to the Provost's Office must occur within forty (40) business days of the graduation date for each term. The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs shall select a college committee to hear the appeal and transmit the appeal documents to the committee chair or to the dean of the college which houses the selected appeals committee.Written notification of the meeting and of an opportunity to appear before the grade appeals committee will be sent by the chair to the concerned faculty member and student. A simple majority of members present constitutes a quorum. The committee will receive documents and testimony regarding the circumstances, will record its findings, and shall render a decision. Notification of the committee's decision will be made to the student, faculty member, department chair, college dean, vice provost for Academic Affairs, and the registrar.The decision of the committee hearing the appeal will be final.

NOTE: In cases where the department chair is the person against whom the complaint is lodged, the dean in whose college the department is located shall assume the duties of the chair in the investigation and decision-making.

Miscellaneous
The number of days indicated at each level above shall be considered the maximum, but every effort should be made to expedite the process.The failure of the student to proceed from one level of the appeal procedure to the next level within the prescribed time limits shall be deemed to be an acceptance of the recommendations and/or decision previously rendered. All further considerations and proceedings regarding that particular appeal shall cease at that point.A grade appeal may be withdrawn at any level without prejudice. However, the stated time frames continue to be applicable if the student determines to begin the process again.All appeal proceedings shall be kept as confidential as may be appropriate at each level.A grade appeals committee shall have reasonable access to all official records for information necessary to the determination of a recommendation.Appeals filed after the spring graduation date will be considered in the summer ONLY under 2 circumstances:if it affects the student's ability to graduate in that term or in the summer; or if the Vice Provost determines that there are extenuating circumstances to warrant a special hearing. Otherwise, such appeals will be held over until the beginning of the Fall semester. If an appeal is to be heard in the summer, an ad hoc committee of the chairs/available members from each grade appeals committee will hear the case. If a chair cannot attend the summer meeting, he/she will (if at all possible) endeavor to provide a replacement from his/her committee. The chair from the college in which the appeal originated shall be excused from the meeting. There will also be a student representative assigned with one alternate, each not from the college from which the appeal originates.

         3.  I haven't received my grades!

Students may view grades and academic standing online each semester by selecting the appropriate option on RaiderNet. No student may view grades on RaiderNet until all debts or obligations owed to MTSU have been satisfied. Students with holds may come to the Registrar's Office in CAB 106 with a photo ID to be informed of their grades.
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of grades and academic standing. Academic standing could be good standing, probation, or suspension, and it is calculated at the end of each term after grades are received, repeats are marked, and GPA is calculated.
Grade changes are processed daily and email notifications of the grade changes are sent to the student's and faculty's MTSU email address. Once the next semester begins, academic standing is not recalculated even if grade changes are received unless a university error was made. An email is sent to the student's MTSU email address if he or she is placed on probation or suspension, but a student should always check his/her academic standing on RaiderNet after each semester.

        4.  I'm a parent. How can I get my student's grades?

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, we are unable to provide you with your student's grades unless your student has given the University permission to release that information to you. Please discuss this policy with your student. You can learn more about "Confidentiality of Student Records" in the Undergraduate Catalog. You can contact the University Registrar's office with questions or to receive more information about this policy at 615-898-2600.

The Partners In Education (PIE) program is designed to strengthen the three-way partnership among the student, the family, and the University so as to maximize support of the academic success of the student. By completing and signing a Student Release of Confidential Informationform, students may allow designated persons access to specific academic information otherwise protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These designated persons will have access to grades and progress reports of their student members, letters concerning certain types of disciplinary dispensations, and may telephone or e-mail the University College Advising Center for other information related to their students - academic progress, financial aid, and account information as long as the membership is active. Students may withdraw permission to release information at any time. Learn more about PIE here.

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Campus Resources

Tips for Success

Information for Parents

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Information for Parents and Family Members

Your student was, in part, admitted to Middle Tennessee State University due to their potential for academic success in college. In addition, it's safe to assume your student enrolled with the intent of being academically successful at MTSU. However some students find they are unable to maintain academic good standing for a variety of reasons – both academic and personal.

To learn more about why your student is not in good academic standing, you are encouraged to discuss with your student the circumstances which surround their academic performance – ultimately their academic probation or dismissal. At this important point in your student's academic career, you have the important role of being supportive and understanding, while encouraging them to perform at his or her full potential. Your student needs as much support and encouragement as possible in order to achieve academic and personal success.

Once you learn of your student's academic status, your first reaction might be to contact the University. Please understand that the University can only provide you with information about your student's academic or disciplinary record if your student has given the University written permission as a result of The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). FERPA is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their student's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

You can learn more about FERPA online or by writing to Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5920.

Parent vs. Student Responsibilities

The University recognizes that as a parent you may feel out of the loop in regard to your student's education. While it may be difficult to let your student assume full responsibility for his or her academics, you can be supportive by providing enough assistance to make sure your student gets the job done on his or her own – ask your student what he/she has done to address the issue(s) which have contributed negatively toward a negative academic performance.

How or when do I know my student is in academic trouble?

Many times, you, as a parent, are the last to know when your student is struggling academically. For a number of reasons, students are hesitant to share with their parents that they are having academic struggles. The key to finding out as soon as possible if your student is in academic trouble is by having sincere, honest communication with your student. Students can view the academic standing on their unofficial transcript through their Pipeline account and they are also notified by email to the MTmail account if they have been placed on academic probation or suspension. Students on probation also will receive academic alerts (see below) periodically throughout the semester to notify them of their academic standing in each class.

Accessing your student's grades

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) the University is not permitted to share your student's academic record with you (grades; transcript; current schedule; etc.). Students will have access to their grades and overall academic record through Pipeline by using their user name and password.

The Partners In Education (PIE) program is designed to strengthen the three-way partnership among the student, the family, and the University so as to maximize support of the academic success of the student. By completing and signing a Student Release of Confidential Information form, students may allow designated persons access to specific academic information otherwise protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These designated persons will have access to grades and progress reports of their student members, letters concerning certain types of disciplinary dispensations, and may telephone or e-mail the University College Advising Center for other information related to their students - academic progress, financial aid, and account information as long as the membership is active. Students may withdraw permission to release information at any time. More information and enrollment forms can be found here: http://www.mtsu.edu/pie/.

Academic Alert

Faculty members are required to periodically submit Academic Alerts for students on probation. Students are notified of any alerts through the MTSU email and can access their alerts through their Pipeline account. Ask your student to check email frequently. Since faculty must submit alerts three times in the semester they are not always negative. Check the details of the alert. It may be that the faculty has no concerns or has just given a mid-term grade. Here are the alert deadlines for Spring 2013:

• January 25-February 3    Faculty report all mandatorily monitored students in all courses, any issues/concerns for students enrolled in general education courses, as well as any other students faculty would like to report.
• March 4-22   Faculty report all mandatorily monitored students in all courses, any issues/concerns or D+ or lower grades for student enrolled in general education courses, as well as any other students faculty would like to report.
• April 8-12   Faculty report all mandatorily monitored students as well as any other students faculty would like to report.

Academic Advisor

It is extremely important that students on academic probation meet with their academic advisor. Ask your student about his or her advisement appointment! Click here to schedule an Appointment to meet with a College Advisor.

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Campus Resources

Tips for Success

FAQ