Academic Standing

The quality of a student’s course work is indicated by grades with the following significance:

Midterm Grades

All undergraduate first-year students receive a midterm grade in all classes for the fall and spring semesters. Upper-class undergraduate students receive a mid-term warning in any class at a grade of D or F. Graduate students receive a mid-term warning in any class at a grade less than a B-.

Passing Grades

Course grades are determined in accordance with published course syllabi. Generally, the minimum passing grade in undergraduate courses to earn academic credit is a D-. A higher minimum grade may be required to progress within certain majors/programs, to satisfy certain core requirement courses, and/or to satisfy certain course prerequisite requirements. Refer to specific program criteria regarding acceptable passing grades.

Repeating a Course

Students may not repeat a course in which they have earned a passing grade unless a higher grade is necessary to advance to a sequential course or to progress within a certain major/program. Students may not repeat any course more than once unless it is the only course that meets a specific core curriculum requirement or is a course that only bears institutional credit. Specific major/program criteria may supersede this policy. When a course is repeated, an asterisk is attached to the failing grade on the transcript and the failing grade does not get calculated into the student’s GPA.

Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Grading Option

Students may take no more than four (4) courses required for a degree on a pass/no pass (P/NP) basis. Only one P/NP course may be taken in any given semester. Courses that are only offered on a P/NP basis do not apply to either of these limits. The P/NP option is not allowed for courses that are required for the major/program, for certain key requirement courses (EN 105, EN 106, QR 103F, QR 103P, QR 103S, and RC 101), and/or to satisfy certain course prerequisite requirements. Only one (1) course may be taken with the P/NP option in the minor field. Refer to specific program criteria regarding P/NP limitations. Only P or NP will be recorded on the student’s transcript. The P/NP grade is not computed in the grade point average (GPA); however, earned credits will be applied toward graduation requirements. Students are responsible for filing the appropriate request form with the Registrar’s Office prior to the published deadline. The pass/no pass choice may not be requested retroactively.

Dismissal from an Undergraduate Major or Bachelor’s Completion Degree

Students who earn two (2) or more failing grades in a major subject or make insufficient progress within the major may be dismissed from that major. The maximum number of Ds in courses taken to fulfill the requirements of a major field may be no more than two (2). Determination and authority for dismissal from the major lie within each department or program.

Undergraduate Academic Progression

Class standing is determined as follows:

• To be eligible to enter the sophomore year, students must have successfully completed a minimum of thirty (30) credits.

• To be eligible to enter the junior year, students must have successfully completed a minimum of sixty (60) credits.

• To be eligible to enter the senior year, students must have successfully completed a minimum of ninety (90) credits.

Students who wish to remain on a four-year degree completion plan but have earned fewer than fifty-seven (57) credits by the end of their sophomore year may need to acquire additional Intersession and/or summer Session credits. This requirement does not include institutional credits (See below.).

Undergraduate Academic Standing

The Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising reviews the academic records of all undergraduate students at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters to determine whether a student is in good academic standing. The academic records of students who have any course with an “Incomplete” will not be reviewed by the director of Academic Advising until all “Incompletes” are converted to a letter grade.

Definition of Good Academic Standing

To be in good academic standing, all undergraduate students:

1. Must achieve a GPA of at least 2.0 for each semester, and

2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Academic Alert

A student in good academic standing, as defined above, will receive an academic alert if:

1. The student’s semester GPA is between 2.0 and 2.2, or

2. The student’s cumulative GPA is between 2.0 and 2.2.

The director of Academic Advising will contact students via Regis email who meet the academic alert criteria, as defined above, to advise them on the following:

1. They are receiving an academic alert (note: this is still at a good academic standing level),

2. The definition of good academic standing, and

3. Provide the student with a list of academic resources available for them to access in an effort to remain in good academic standing.

The director of Academic Advising recommends to the Academic Standing Committee one of four levels of academic standing detailed below, for undergraduate students whose academic record does not meet the definition of good academic standing.

Academic Standing Level I

A student will be placed on Academic Standing Level I if the student has not previously failed to maintain good academic standing and:

1. The student completed at least 50% of credits attempted with a semester GPA between 1.00 and 1.99 or,

2. The student has a cumulative GPA of between 1.00 and 1.99.

Requirements

1. A student on Academic Standing Level I must develop an Academic Progress Plan with his/her academic coach. The purpose of the Academic Progress Plan is to outline steps and resources to help the student improve their academic standing by the end of the fall or spring semester following their placement on Academic Standing Level I.

   1. A student may take intersession or summer session courses in an attempt to improve their academic standing prior to the fall or spring semester following their placement on Academic Standing Level I.

   2. A student may submit a written petition to the director of Academic Advising prior to the add/drop deadline of the subsequent fall or spring semester seeking removal from Academic Standing Level I.

Restrictions

A student on Academic Standing Level I:

1. May not hold student office (e.g., in student government or other student clubs/organizations), and

2. May not participate in intercollegiate athletics, and

3. May only enroll in a maximum of five (5) courses during their semester on Academic Standing Level I.

Failure to meet the requirements of Academic Standing Level I, as detailed above, will result in the student being placed on Academic Standing Level II.

Academic Standing Level II

A student will be placed on Academic Standing Level II if:

1. The student was on Academic Standing Level I during the previous semester, but did not achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 and/or their cumulative GPA is not a 2.0 or better, or

2. The students’ semester GPA is below 1.0 with no more than two (2) Fs or WFs earned during the semester; and/or

3. The student’s semester and/or cumulative GPA are below 1.0.

Requirements

1. During the semester in which a student is on Academic Standing Level II, the student must increase their cumulative GPA by earning a grade no lower than a (C) or (P) in all courses.

2. A student on Academic Standing Level II must develop an Academic Progress Plan with their academic coach. The purpose of the Academic Progress Plan is to outline steps and resources to help the student improve their academic standing by the end of the fall or spring semester following their placement on an Academic Standing Level II.

   1. A student may take intersession or summer session courses to improve their academic standing prior to the fall or spring semester following their placement on Academic Standing Level II.

   2. A student may submit a written petition to the director of Academic Advising prior to the add/drop deadline of the subsequent fall or spring semester seeking their removal from Academic Standing Level II.

Restrictions

A student on Academic Standing Level II:

1. May not hold student office (e.g., in student government or other student clubs/organizations), and

2. May not participate in intercollegiate athletics, and

3. May only enroll in a maximum of five (5) courses during their semester on Academic Standing Level II.

Failure to meet the requirements of Academic Standing Level II, as detailed above, will result in the student being placed on Mandatory Academic Remediation (MAR).

Mandatory Academic Remediation (MAR)

A student will be placed on MAR if:

1. The student failed to meet the requirements of Academic Standing Level II, as detailed above; or

2. The student earns three (3) or more Fs or WFs grades during a semester, or

3. The student fails to successfully complete fifty (50) percent of attempted credits in any semester.

The Academic Standing Committee may use its discretion to give special consideration to first semester freshmen who fail to successfully complete fifty (50) percent of attempted credits.

Requirements

1. A student on MAR is required to drop down to part-time status with a maximum of two (2) courses,

2. A student on MAR must develop an Academic Progress Plan with the director of Academic Advising during their semester as a part-time student at Regis College,

3. A student on MAR must earn a grade no lower than a (C) or (P) in all courses and,

4. At the end of the semester of the MAR, the student may submit a written petition to the APRC (via the director of Academic Advising) to be considered for re-instatement to Regis College as a full-time student.

Restrictions

Students on MAR:

1. May only enroll in a maximum of two (2) courses at Regis College as a part-time student,

2. May not participate in any Regis extracurricular activities (including intercollegiate athletics, Regis sponsored clubs and/or organizations) and,

3. Will be removed from Regis housing.

Failure to meet the requirements of Mandatory Academic Remediation, as detailed above, will result in the student being placed on Academic Mandatory Leave. 

Academic Mandatory Leave (AML)

A student will be placed on AML if:

The student failed to meet the requirements of Mandatory Academic Remediation, as detailed above.

Requirements

1. A student on AML must meet with the director of Academic Advising to discuss academic options.

The Academic Standing Committee will place a student in a status level based on the criteria stated above for each particular status level. The Academic Standing Committee may, however, exercise its discretion to place a student within a status level even when the student does not satisfy the criteria for that status level based upon a written analysis of some or all of the following factors:

1. Previous academic standing history,

2. The student’s personal, medical, or family circumstances, or

3. A violation of Academic Integrity Policy or the Classroom Code of Conduct.

Academic Standing Appeals

Students may appeal their academic standing status level to the Director of Academic Advising within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice of their academic standing status level.

Academic stand appeals must be in writing and based upon new information not previously available to the Academic Standing Committee or the Director of Academic Advising.

Note: Students on AML are allowed one appeal for the Admission, Progression, and Retention Committee (APRC) to review for the semester that they have been placed on AML.

I. Voluntary Leave of Absence

Students may request a voluntary leave of absence for personal or financial reasons. This option may not be used in lieu of facing disciplinary action due to any violation of Regis rules, regulations, policies, or practices. A voluntary leave of absence has no effect on a student’s academic or disciplinary status; that status remains in effect upon a student’s potential return from a voluntary leave of absence.

Request

1. The student should discuss a voluntary leave of absence with their academic advisor.

2. The student must contact the director of Academic Advising in writing requesting a leave of absence. The director of Academic Advising will review and approve or deny the leave request in consultation with the appropriate academic and administrative offices, including but not limited to, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Bursar, Financial Aid, Campus Police, and the Registrar.

3. The terms and conditions of an approved leave shall be set forth in the approval letter.

Duration

The duration of a voluntary leave of absence will be a minimum of one (1) academic semester to a maximum of one (1) calendar year. After a leave has commenced, a student may request an extension or reduction of the leave period. A request for an extension or reduction of the leave period must be submitted in writing to the director of Academic Advising and must show good cause. Extension or reduction of the leave period will be made by the director of Academic Advising in consultation with the appropriate academic and administrative offices, including but not limited to, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Bursar, Financial Aid, and the Registrar.

1. No less than three (3) weeks prior to the first day of classes of the semester in which the student seeks to return, the student must petition the director of Academic Advising, in writing, of their intention to return at the conclusion of the stated leave period.

2. The director of Academic Advising will contact the appropriate academic and administrative offices, including but not limited to, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Bursar, Financial Aid, Police Department, and the Registrar to determine the eligibility of the student to return from the voluntary leave of absence.

3. The director of Academic Advising will notify the student and the appropriate academic and administrative offices, in writing, of the approval or denial of their petition to return from the voluntary leave of absence.

4. If the return is approved, the student must schedule an appointment with their academic advisor to register for courses in advance of the start of the semester.

5. The student must also notify the Office of Residence Life if they plan to return to on-campus housing. Housing is provided on a space-available basis and is not guaranteed.

II. Academic Mandatory Leave of Absence

See above for the full Academic Mandatory Leave (AML) policy and procedure.

III. Voluntary Medical Leave of Absence

Students may take a voluntary medical leave of absence for medical or psychological reasons. The following information pertaining to a voluntary medical leave of absence request applies to both undergraduate and graduate students 

Request

1. All students - both graduate and undergraduate - are encouraged to discuss a voluntary medical leave of absence with their academic advisor and/or graduate program director with respect to any impact such a leave may have on their progress within the academic program. Staff members in Undergraduate Student Affairs, Graduate and Professional Student Affairs, and the Regis Center for Health and Wellness are also well equipped to assist in the process. International students on a F-1 or J-1 visa should discuss their plans with the Director of the Center for Global Connections regarding a leave. 

2.  Students are strongly encouraged to consult the Center for Student Services to discuss any impact the leave may have on their financial aid. 

3. Undergraduate students must contact the director of Academic Advising in writing requesting a medical leave of absence. The director of Academic Advising will approve or deny the leave request for undergraduate students. Graduate students must contact the office of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs in writing using the leave of absence request form available on SPIKE. The Associate Vice President of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs will review the leave request for graduate students.  

4. The terms and conditions of an approved leave, including the conditions for a student’s return, which may have program-specific considerations, shall be set forth in the formal approval letter sent to the student. 

Duration

For any student (graduate or undergraduate), the duration of a voluntary medical leave of absence will be a minimum of one (1) academic semester to a maximum of one (1) calendar year. After a leave has commenced, a student may request an extension or reduction of the leave period. Undergraduate students must submit a request for an extension or reduction of the leave period, in writing, to the director of Academic Advising and must show good cause. Graduate students must submit a request for an extension or reduction of the leave period, in writing, to the office of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs, and must show good cause. Extension or reduction of the leave period will be made by the appropriate administrator in consultation with the appropriate academic and administrative offices, including but not limited to, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Bursar, Financial Aid, and the Registrar. 

IV. Return from Voluntary Medical Leave of Absence

1. No less than three (3) weeks prior to the first day of classes of the semester in which the student seeks to return, undergraduate students must petition the director of Academic Advising, in writing, of their intention to return at the conclusion of the leave period. Graduate students must petition the office of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs, using the End Leave of Absence form available on SPIKE, of their intention to return at the conclusion of the leave period. 

2. All students on voluntary medical leave of absence must submit documentation at the time of petition via confidential fax, mail, or email to the Regis Center for Health and Wellness. This documentation must be from the student’s current treating medical or mental health professional and must address the student’s ability to successfully pursue a course of study, inclusive of any additional clearances required for practica or clinical placements. If the student is requesting to live in a residence hall on campus the professional must also address the student’s ability to safely live in residency on campus. 

3. Documentation will be reviewed by Regis Center for Health and Wellness and/or the director of Counseling Services. If documentation is deemed insufficient to make a determination regarding the petition to return, Regis Center for Health and Wellness and/or the director of Counseling Services may request additional information. 

4. In addition to submitting documentation, students on a voluntary medical leave of absence, either for a mental health or a physical heath reason must call the Center for Health and Wellness to schedule an appointment with, as appropriate, either the director of Counseling or a nurse practitioner. The student’s ability to successfully pursue a course of study, inclusive of clinical or other outside placements required for the degree, and suitability for residency if the student is requesting to live on campus will be assessed during the appointment. 

5. The Dean of Academic Support Services (or their designee), or Associate Vice President of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs (or designee), in consultation with the Associate Dean of Center for Health and Wellness and/or the Director of Counseling Services and any other appropriate academic and administrative offices, will determine the eligibility of the student to return from the voluntary medical leave of absence. 

6. The director of Academic Advising will notify undergraduate students and the appropriate academic and administrative offices, in writing, of the approval or denial of the student’s petition to return from the medical leave of absence prior to the start of the semester. An administrator from the office of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs will notify graduate students and the appropriate academic and administrative offices, in writing, of the approval or denial of the student’s petition to return from the medical leave of absence prior to the start of the semester. 

 
Note: In certain cases, a student’s return to active status may include specific conditions designed to clarify expectations, provide appropriate support, and ensure student success. These conditions will be set by the appropriate administrative office (e.g. Dean of Academic Support Services (or their designee), Associate Vice President of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs (or designee) in collaboration with the director of Academic Advising, faculty advisor, and the academic program director/chair. For example, if there is a potential need for temporary or ongoing disability accommodation, the student will be referred to the director of Student Accessibility Services. 

 
Note: Students in certain programs may be required to meet additional criteria to return to the program. This could include retaking courses or specific requirements related to clinical/practica placements. Students should review their program-specific Handbook Addenda for specific information. 

7. If the return is approved, the student must schedule an appointment with their student support advisor (online programs)/academic advisor/academic program director, or the director of Academic Advising to register for courses in advance of the start of the semester. 

8. Please note that residential students must also notify the Office of Residence Life if they plan to return to on-campus housing. Housing is provided on a space-available basis and not guaranteed. 

V. Academic Program Considerations

Some academic programs and departments have program-specific requirements and/or criteria required for successful completion of the academic program. These program- specific criteria, inclusive of any necessary clearance required for clinical or practica, may require that a student on leave provide additional medical documentation and/or meet additional criteria for return in the context of voluntary medical leave of absence. Therefore, a student considering a leave should consult their academic program or department regarding the leave of absence in terms of its potential impact on their academic progress. Students who do not provide the additional medical documentation or who do not satisfy the additional criteria necessary to return to a specific academic program as specified in the letter granting the medical leave of absence will not be permitted to return to that academic program but may be permitted to return to Regis College into a different academic program. 

VI. Financial Aid Considerations

Taking a leave of absence may also include financial implications. Before taking any leave of absence, the student should consult the Center for Student Services to discuss any impact the leave may have on their financial aid.

VII. Appeal Procedures

A student may file an appeal related to a leave of absence only in the following circumstance:

Denial of Return from Voluntary Medical Leave of Absence

An undergraduate student who is denied their return from medical leave of absence petition may appeal the decision to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs (or their designee) within three (3) business days (excluding weekends and federal and state holidays) of the decision. A graduate student who is denied their return from medical leave of absence petition may appeal the decision to the office of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs within three (3) business days (excluding weekends and federal and state holidays) of the decision. The appeal must be made in writing and should set forth the basis for the appeal. Appeals will only be considered if new evidence that was unknown at the time of the initial decision has become available which would have significantly altered the decision. All Leave of Absence Appeals will be reviewed by the Leave of Absence Appeal Committee, which shall review the record and any additional information submitted by the student and will make a decision to affirm or reverse the decision prior to the start of the semester. The decision made by the Leave of Absence Appeal Committee is considered final.