Academic Standing and Retention Standards Policy
Once admitted to the University, students who meet all requirements for continuing enrollment are considered members of the student body. However, it is the policy of the University to require each registered student to annually reaffirm the desire and intention to retain membership in the student body. Completing or updating a Housing or Commuter Contract is required during the Spring semester. Advance deposits are required each semester as indicated in the financial section.
Standards for acceptable academic progress at Gardner-Webb University are set to assist students in assessing the quality of their performance. Academic probation and suspension are used to alert students to potentially serious academic difficulty in their progress toward degrees.
Students are placed on academic probation as a warning that their academic performance is below the minimum level expected of students in their class. If the student’s academic performance fails to reach the minimum standard for continued enrollment in the ensuing semester, he/she will be suspended from the University.
Students will be placed on probation when their Gardner-Webb grade point average falls below the minimum standards listed below.
| Freshmen |
0 to 29 hours |
1.5 |
| Sophomores |
30 to 59 hours |
1.7 |
| Juniors |
60 to 89 hours |
1.9 |
| Seniors |
90 hours and above |
2.0 |
A student placed on academic probation remains on probation for the entire semester and may not register for more than 15.5 credit hours during any semester while on probation. In order to be removed from academic probation, the student’s Gardner-Webb GPA must return to the appropriate minimum standard. If the student fails to bring the grade point average to a satisfactory level during the probationary semester but the semester’s GPA is at or above the minimum required, probation will be continued for another semester.
If at any time while on academic probation the student’s semester GPA and Gardner-Webb GPA fall below the minimum requirement, the student will be suspended for one semester. After the one-semester suspension a student desiring readmission must submit a formal application for readmission to the University through the standard application process. If approved, the student may register for classes and will be automatically placed on academic probation.
Should a second or third academic suspension occur (even if the first or second suspension is waived on appeal), the student must remain out for at least two semesters. After a two-semester suspension from the University, the student must submit a formal application for readmission to the University through the standard application process. If approved, the student may register for classes and will be automatically placed on academic probation.
Readmission requires the approval of the Readmission Committee. Students suspended from the University are not automatically reinstated upon reapplication. Readmission approval may include recommendations or be contingent upon specific stipulations determined by the Readmission Committee. A student who wishes to appeal the denial of reinstatement may do so through a written appeal to the Provost. A student who wishes to appeal being placed on academic suspension may do so through the Office of the Provost. Suspensions that are waived on appeal are still noted on the student’s academic transcript.
Students on either academic or disciplinary suspension are not allowed to participate in dramatic, musical, athletic, or other practice sessions since they are not to represent the University or participate in the public performance of such events.
Summer study at Gardner-Webb University may be used to improve one’s academic standing. A student’s academic standing can be affected as a result of summer school enrollment. Students who are on academic probation or suspension may not use study at another institution to improve their Gardner-Webb academic standing.
See “Readmission of Former Students” for policies concerning students seeking readmission after leaving Gardner-Webb University while on probation or suspension.