Academic Standing

Academic Standing

Dean’s List

Academic Probation, Suspension,  Warning and Dismissal

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Fresh Start

Academic Standing

A student’s academic standing depends upon the number of degree credits completed and the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Degree credits are the number of course credits completed in courses numbered 100 and above in which a passing grade was earned. The GPA is the overall numerical grade, which may range from 0.00 to 4.00. This is calculated for each semester (the semester GPA) and overall for all courses taken (the cumulative GPA).

The university calculates the GPA by multiplying the number of credits for each course by the numerical equivalent of the letter grade earned for that course (See “Grading System”) This calculation yields the number of quality points earned for that course. The semester GPA is obtained by dividing the total quality points earned in a semester by the total number of credits for which the student was registered that semester, not counting courses from which the student withdrew with a passing grade or courses taken Pass/Fail. The cumulative GPA is the total number of quality points earned at UMaine divided by the total number of credits taken at UMaine. These calculations are carried to two decimal places.

Class levels are determined by the number of credits earned at the end of the prior semester:

 1 to 23.9  credits - First Year

24 to 53.9 credits - Sophomore

54 to 83.9 credits - Junior

84 +         credits - Senior

Dean’s List

The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) maintains a Dean’s List each semester for those students completing a minimum of 12 credits in courses producing quality points. The Dean’s List will be formulated 34 days after the last day of final exams each fall and spring semester. Any final grades or grade changes submitted after that time will not affect a student’s Dean’s List status for that term. A student whose grade point average equals or exceeds 3.800 will be listed with High Academic Achievement. A student whose grade point average for the semester is less than 3.800 but equal to or greater than 3.500 will be listed with Academic Achievement. All previous incompletes must be completed in a satisfactory manner for a student to be considered for Dean’s List status at the end of any given semester. Academic Achievement awarded at commencement is based on all course work taken at UMF. (See Graduation with Honors section for further information.)

Students who attend both the fall and the spring semesters as part-time degree students and who meet the above full-time Dean’s List criteria when the fall and spring semesters are combined are eligible for the academic year Dean’s List at the end of the spring semester. A notation will be made on the transcript of those who earn the academic year Dean’s List distinction.

Academic Actions - Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

Probation and suspension decisions are made at the end of the fall semester and at the end of the spring semester. May term and summer term grades do not change academic standing or probation status until after the following fall semester; winter term grades do not change academic standing or probation status until after the following spring semester.

Academic Probation *

When a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.000 but does not lead to suspension, the student is placed on academic probation. In addition, a student who is referred to the Academic Standards Committee for possible suspension but who is not suspended will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. Finally, a student who is readmitted to UMF following an academic suspension will be placed on probation for the student’s first semester of attendance. Students on probation must earn a semester GPA of 2.000 or above and may not take Incomplete grades. They may also be required by the Associate Provost and Dean of Arts and Sciences to meet additional conditions for continued enrollment. To be removed from probation, a student must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or above.

Academic Suspension **

When a student’s academic performance does not meet certain minimum conditions for continued enrollment, the student will be reviewed for suspension by the Academic Standards Committee. The Academic Standards Committee will make a recommendation to the Associate Provost about whether to suspend a student in the following circumstances:

1. The student earns a semester GPA below 1.000 in any given semester (regardless of probation status).
2. The student receives one or more Incomplete grades while on academic probation.
3. The student earns a semester GPA below 2.000 while on academic probation.
4. The student fails to satisfy conditions imposed by the Associate Provost for continued enrollment.

Students being considered for suspension will receive notification by e-mail. Students who do not request a hearing with the Academic Standards Committee will be suspended automatically.  A student who wishes to discuss their academic situation with the Academic Standards Committee prior to its recommendation must schedule an appointment for a hearing and submit a formal statement detailing the factors leading to their academic difficulties and outlining a specific plan of action to address problem areas. The Academic Standards Committee will make suspension recommendations to the Associate Provost on a case-by-case basis and may also recommend that students not suspended be required to meet conditions for continued enrollment. In cases where the Academic Standards Committee recommends suspension or conditions for continued enrollment, students may appeal to the Associate Provost.

Readmission and Dismissal

Students who have been suspended ordinarily may not enroll in any UMF courses until they have been readmitted. Normally a student who is suspended may not apply for readmission to UMF for a period of one semester. A student who is suspended for a second time may not apply for readmission for two years. A student who is suspended for a third time may not apply for readmission for five years. Students who are suspended for a fourth time are permanently dismissed from the university and may not apply for readmission.

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Students who are matriculated and currently enrolled, both those who have been continuously enrolled and those who have been separated from the university, may request academic forgiveness for one or more courses taken in a single semester at UMF provided that they have completed two consecutive semesters at UMF (not including Winter or May terms) with a semester GPA of 2.000 or above and at least 12 credits earned in each semester.

Academic forgiveness can be granted only once and for no more than 16 credit hours. Once academic forgiveness is granted, it is not reversible. Courses that have been forgiven cannot be used to meet either general education or major requirements. Forgiven courses also cannot fulfill a required prerequisite for another course nor can they have been applied to a previously awarded degree.

The academic detail of forgiven coursework, including grades and attempted credits, will be displayed on a student’s transcript, but removed from the cumulative GPA calculation. A notation of the course(s) forgiven will also be made on the transcript. Students requesting academic forgiveness should be aware that the GPA listed on the UMF transcript is UMF’s GPA and not necessarily what other institutions will use in making admissions decisions. For example, medical school admissions offices may calculate the GPA based on all courses taken regardless of the forgiven courses.

No tuition or fee refunds will be issued for forgiven courses. Academic Forgiveness may impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid due to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Students should discuss this possibility with a financial aid officer before requesting Academic Forgiveness.

Students requesting forgiveness should complete a Request for Forgiveness Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. Provided that the conditions outlined above have been met, the courses will be forgiven.

Fresh Start

Students requesting readmission to the University after an absence of five or more years may be treated as external transfers in the determination of credits and grade point average. Credit is allowed for all UMF courses passed at the level of C- or higher. All grades remain on the academic transcript but are removed from the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. To be eligible for Fresh Start, students must have a minimum of 30 credits remaining toward degree completion and must complete those 30 credits in residence at UMF. Fresh Start may impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid due to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.