In this section, "discontinue" shall mean the case where a student is required to cease to be registered in his or her course of study for an indefinite period of time and "withdraw" shall mean the case where a student is required to discontinue and may not normally enter into any course of study at the University.
There are three levels of academic standing:
- In Good Standing;
- On Academic Probation; and
- Failed.
All students on initial entry to the University are In Good Standing. The academic standing of a student may change to On Academic Probation or Failed as the result of academic performance evaluations, as described in each program's academic regulations.
The purpose of On Academic Probation standing is to raise awareness with the student that he or she is at risk academically so that the student can take corrective action that will improve the likelihood of his or her eventual success. On Academic Probation is noted in the Student Information System but not on official Transcripts of Academic Record. Students will be notified of being placed On Academic Probation as quickly as possible after the end of each term.
Placements of students On Academic Probation standing are evaluated at the end of each academic term (December, April, and August). It is important to note that a student may be assigned a Failed standing directly, and that On Academic Probation is not necessary for a Failed standing to result from unsatisfactory academic performance.
A student On Academic Probation may have restrictions placed on his or her registration as described in each faculty's section on academic regulations (Faculties, Schools, and Colleges). The academic regulations of the program into which he/she is readmitted notwithstanding, a student who had been required to discontinue studies, and later successfully appeals for readmission, may be placed On Academic Probation for their first session of studies upon return and may have restrictions placed on his or her registration by the dean of the faculty concerned.
A student who receives a first academic standing of Failed will be required to discontinue studies for either a set period of time; or until certain requirements set by their faculty are met. A student who receives a second academic standing of Failed will be required to withdraw from the University permanently, based upon the academic regulations of the student's faculty. Normally, the student will be required to discontinue studies at the University starting immediately. However, a student enrolled in and attending one or more courses will be permitted to complete those courses if the determination of an academic standing of Failed is only made after the last date for withdrawal without a W being recorded on the transcript.
A student appealing to be permitted to continue his or her studies immediately, despite having received an academic standing of Failed, may not register for or attend courses while awaiting the results of their appeal, except as noted above. Therefore, a student On Academic Probation should maintain contact with his or her faculty advisor in case circumstances arise that might adversely affect academic performance.