Academic Records

Registration

Before any student may attend classes at Siena Heights University, he/she must be formally admitted, be registered, and pay the required tuition and fees.

Graduate College Academic Load

Graduate student registration for full-time, half-time, or less than half-time is reflected in the table below. Registration for more than six (6) credit-hours in one sub-session may require the approval of the respective program director.

Note: on this chart, a session consists of both sub-sessions in one 16-week period (i.e. fall 1 and 2, winter 1 and 2, and summer 1 and 2). The Graduate College calendar is based on a three (3) session model.

Undergraduate Academic Load

An average academic load for a full-time undergraduate student is 12-18 credit hours. In some cases, circumstances may suggest that the student take a lighter load. A student may take as few as twelve credit hours and still be considered a full-time student. Any student who wishes to register for more than 18 credit hours during Fall or Winter session, or more than eight hours in one summer sub session must obtain written permission from the Director of Academic Advising.

Siena Heights reserves the right to cancel courses up until the first day of class due to under enrollment or other unforseen circumstances. 

Academic Degree Planning

While Siena Heights University will provide as much help as possible in planning academic programs, each student is responsible for the proper completion of a program and, therefore, should be familiar with the requirements listed in the university catalog. Each student will be assigned a faculty/staff advisor, according to their choice of major, who will assist in course scheduling and establishing educational goals.

The student should take the initiative for requesting academic advising assistance. Academic advisors at our degree completion centers are available to assist CPS students.

Undergraduate Class Standing (based on hours completed)

Graduate College Grading Policies

The responsibility for determining grades rests with the course instructor and reflects the graduate student’s level of achievement of the learning outcomes, goals, and objectives established for each course. Grades are filed with the Office of the Registrar at the conclusion of each term according the following scale:

A graduate student who receives a grade of “C” or lower in any course results in the student being placed on probation, and the course must be retaken with a “B” or better to receive credit towards a Master of Arts degree.

Undergraduate Grading System

The responsibility for determining grades rests with the instructor and reflects the student’s achievement of the academic goals set for each course. A plus (+) or minus (-) attached to a grade earned does not count in grade point averages. Grades are recorded at the close of each session in the following terms:

Hours successfully completed includes all credit hours attached to course grades of A, B, C, D, and CR. Hours attempted includes those successfully completed as well as those attached to courses in which grades of E, I, IP, NC, W, and UW were assigned. 

Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress will result in warning, probation, or suspension and will affect eligibility for financial aid.

Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) Example

To calculate the grade point average, divide the number of quality points (41) by the quality hours (14). Thus, the grade point average in the example is 2.92. The cumulative grade point average (the average of all work at Siena Heights University) is determined by dividing all quality points earned at Siena Heights University by the total number of quality hours attempted at Siena Heights University.

The cumulative grade point average, as reflected upon a student’s academic record (transcript) will be the cumulative grade point average used for all purposes except college honors. The cumulative grade point average will be computed at the following times:

1. The end of each session.
2. Upon conversion of an Incomplete (I) or an In Progress (IP) to a letter grade.
3. When a grade is changed.

Official Grade Reports

Students can access their official grade report while currently enrolled at Siena Heights University via the MySiena portal.

Repeating a Course

If a student wishes to improve his/her Siena Heights University grade point average by repeating a course, only courses taken at Siena Heights University can achieve this objective. Repeat courses taken at other institutions have no impact on a student’s grade point average at Siena Heights University.

Exception: Any student wishing to repeat a Siena Heights University course with a transfer course must have the written permission of the program chairperson and the registrar to repeat this course at another accredited university. It is the responsibility of the student to place this written permission on file at the Registrar’s Office before registering at the other institution. Students are limited to no more than one (1) transfer repeat course. Transfer courses do not replace any Siena Heights University course in the calculation of overall grade point average for the major or for a degree.

Students may elect to improve their grade point average at Siena Heights University by repeating any course with a poor grade that they have taken at Siena Heights University. The original course and grade will permanently be reflected on the student’s record. If the course is repeated, the statement *Repeated* will show on the permanent transcript. The course that replaces the original entry will also show on the permanent transcript with the statement *Replaces a Course*. The credit and honors points for this course can only be counted once. Example: The student originally takes ENG101 and earns a D grade. The student repeats ENG 101 the next session and earns a C grade. That student’s transcript, at the end of the 2nd session, will reflect a repeat statement below the course in the first session and a replaces statement in the 2nd session. The credit can only be earned one time and calculated one time. The C grade will be the entry calculated in the cumulative grade point average.

Incomplete Grades

An Incomplete is a temporary grade which the instructor may give to a student for extenuating circumstances such as illness, death in the family, necessary absence, or other reasons beyond the student’s control which prevent satisfactory completion of the course requirements by the end of the session. The Incomplete should only be issued when there is, in the judgment of the instructor, a reasonable probability that the student can complete the course successfully without attending regular class sessions. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all course work independently, without re-enrolling in the course. This grade should not be given as a substitute for a failing grade or failure to submit work through negligence.

The issuing of an Incomplete grade (“I”) on a final grade roster by a faculty member must be accompanied by the Request for Incomplete Grade form filed electronically. Request for Incomplete Grade forms are available as part of Web grading.

A grade of “I” must be removed by the instructor who issued it or, in exceptional circumstances, by the program coordinator or division chairperson. The unfinished course work must be completed independently by the conclusion of the following session, excluding summer sessions - or a shorter period of time as designated by the instructor. Make-up of Incomplete forms are available through the Registrar’s Office, at any site office, or on the Registrar’s Office Web site. The instructor must complete and submit this form for processing by the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office is the only office that is able to record the make-up of incomplete on the student’s permanent academic record.

The Make-up of Incomplete form, indicating the student’s final grade must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office no later than the conclusion of the following session, excluding summer sessions. If the Registrar’s Office does not receive the Make-up of Incomplete form, the incomplete will automatically be converted to the pre-assigned letter grade indicated by the instructor. If no letter grade was pre-assigned, the incomplete will automatically be converted to an “E” or “NC,” depending on the grading system selected by the student, in which case the student would need to register for the course again and complete the course as a “repeat” to receive credit.

Extensions are only granted for serious reasons and will be limited to one additional session. Extensions must be requested in writing and approved by the course instructor and the Registrar. A longer extension may be granted in exceptional cases, only when the instructor and the appropriate Dean agree. The extension approval must be on file in the Registrar’s Office prior to the conversion of the initial incomplete.

Credit/No Credit Grading

The Credit/No Credit option (CR/NC) for undergraduate students allow a student to take a course without earning a letter grade. Instead, a grade of CR (credit) or NC (no credit) will be assigned. These grades have no effect on a student’s grade point average.

This policy is governed by the following rules:

1. No course required for a major or minor may be taken on a CR/NC basis. This includes any and all cognates required by the program (See below for specific exceptions).
2. No more than 8 credit hours of CR/NC work may be taken by any student earning a baccalaureate degree. No more than 4 credit hours of CR/NC work may be taken by any student earning an associate degree. These totals will include all NC grades.
3. The deadline for electing the CR/NC option is the beginning of the third week for 15-week courses. The deadline for electing the CR/NC option will be prior to the second class meeting for  courses which meet for 7 weeks.
4. Students who wish to choose the CR/NC option for a class will do so through the Registrar’s Office, and not through the instructor. Instructors will assign letter grades to all students and the system will convert the grade to credit or no credit. The CR grade will be used for the letter grades A, B, and C. The NC grade will be used for the letter grades of D and E.
5. Once a course has been elected using the CR/NC option, no other grading option will be possible.
6. Specific exceptions include courses offered only on a CR/NC basis, and do not count toward the limitations listed in 1 and 2 above.
7. Any exemptions from any part of this policy can be made only by the appropriate Dean. Students seeking any exemption must do so in writing to the Dean.

For Graduate Students: Credit (CR) is equal to a letter grade of A or B but is not used in the calculation of the graduate student’s grade point average. No more than six (6) credit hours of a CR option may be applied toward the Master of Arts degree. No Credit (NC) is equal to a letter grade of C or below and is not used in the calculation of the grade point average. A no credit (NC) grade is not acceptable toward the Master of Arts degree.

Auditing a Course

1. An auditor is a student enrolled in a course for which he or she will receive neither grade nor credit.
2. The auditor is permitted to attend the class but is not required to submit assignments or take examinations.
3. Only part-time students may audit courses.
4. Audit tuition charges are stated each session at www.sienaheights.edu under Tuition and Fees.
5. Students may not receive financial aid for Audit courses.
6. Audit registrations may be converted to credit registrations not later than the last day to add a class during the session or sub session in question. To convert from audit to credit the student must:
   1. Be admitted by the Office of Admissions or appropriate site.
   2. Pay the differential between audit tuition and credit tuition at the time of the conversion from audit to credit.

For graduate students, an Audit (AU) indicates no credit earned and no grade points awarded. An AU is utilized when course requirements extend beyond the session of initial registration.

Transfer Credit

All documentation, except as otherwise specified by University policy, submitted to Siena Heights University for the purpose of determining the acceptance of credit will be evaluated as follows:

1. Accepted credit will be determined by the Registrar. Such credit will be transcribed and will be applicable toward the elective credit required for the degree and, where found applicable, toward the Liberal Arts requirements or major requirements.
2. Accepted credit will be determined only from “Official Transcripts” and other appropriate documents.
   
   Official Transcript definition:
   1. Issued to Siena Heights University and sent directly from the issuing institution to Siena Heights University.
   2. Issued to Siena Heights University and sent directly from a third party transcript service; i.e. Parchment.
   3. Hand-carried in a University-sealed envelope from the issuing institution to the Admissions’ Office or Registrar’s Office.
3. A course for which the grade point is less than a 2.0 on the grade point scale will not be accepted by Siena Heights University unless that credit:
   1. has been included within an associate degree awarded by an institution other than Siena Heights University.
   2. has been earned at the institution awarding the associate degree.
   3. is part of a baccalaureate degree.

4. All accepted credit, which may be applicable, will be subject to further evaluation by the chairperson in whose department/program a major or minor will be completed. Some programs will not accept “D” grades in transfer to their major or minor.
5. Completion of any course, either at Siena Heights University or at another institution, which duplicates a course or courses previously accepted in transfer will result in the loss of the transfer credit accepted.
6. Siena Heights University does not issue transcripts until the first letter grade at Siena Heights has been recorded.

Technical Training Transfer Credit

Transfer credit for Allied Health and Technical Training from programs not accredited by North Central or another regional accrediting body will be approved for a Bachelor of Applied Science degree major if all the following apply:

1. The credit award is at least thirty-five credit hours.
2. A program was completed as defined by the sponsoring school.
3. The program can be documented by an official transcript or a detailed letter from the school administration.
4. Competence can be demonstrated by professional licensure or registry, or the successful completion of a standardized entry-level examination (if applicable to field of study).
5. Documentation for two years of relevant work experience, within the past four, can be secured.
6. Students may not use any credits from this award for Prior Learning credit.

Transfer Credit Limitations for Undergraduate Students

A student may transfer between 90 – 110 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree from other accredited institutions and/or technical training as described above. Within the 90 – 110 hours of transferable credit toward the bachelor’s degree, there is a maximum of:

4 credit hours of physical activity courses
6 credit hours of developmental courses
18 credit hours of Prior Learning credit
24 credit hours of Cooperative Work Experience
36 credit hours of College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Transfer Credit Limitations for the Graduate College

A maximum of 25% of total graduate credit-hours required to complete a master’s degree at Siena Heights University may be transferred from graduate programs at other institutions. In rare and unusual circumstances, students may petition the Graduate Council to transfer in more than 25% of those credits. The authority to grant such exceptions rests solely with the Graduate Council.

The primary criteria for the acceptance of credits to be applied toward the Master of Arts degree are the timeliness and appropriateness of the credits and course descriptions for the respective graduate program requirements. Course work will be accepted for transfer if it is directly equivalent to courses required in the degree plan. Credits accepted for transfer toward the Master of Arts degree must be equivalent to courses 500 level or above offered at Siena Heights University and have a grade of “B-” (3.0 on a 4.0 grade point scale) or better. Transfer credits must have been earned within the time limitation of the student’s graduate work for the degree.

The student is responsible for providing the official transcript and the syllabus for each course to be considered for transfer credit. In rare circumstances, when the syllabus is not available, a course description from the catalog may be accepted. The authorization and application of the accepted credits toward the degree are made after the student has completed a minimum residency of nine (9) credit-hours of graduate credit at Siena Heights University. The credit accepted for transfer is determined by the respective program director. Credits accepted from other institutions for the purposes of teacher certification (and not for the Master of Arts degree) are not posted to the Siena Heights University graduate transcript.

The Education student who has successfully completed a graduate-level research course, which is approved for transfer to the Siena Heights University transcript, may be required to enroll in TED 602 Research And Professional Writing In Education  on an audit basis (one-credit-hour of tuition) prior to registration for GRS 694 Thesis/Project Seminar . Enrollment in TED 602  is intended to enable the student to develop the required thesis/project proposal.

Graduate College Credit for Special Offerings through Intermediate School Districts

Occasionally, workshops and seminars sponsored by school districts and organizations are approved for graduate credit through Siena Heights University as a result of a formal evaluation of the proposed courses. Workshop participants do not need to undertake the application process unless they have completed nine (9) credit-hours of graduate study at Siena Heights University. The materials for registration are provided at the first session of each offering. Graduate students enrolled in degree programs or certification programs should consult with their advisors or program directors before registering for credit to ensure that the credit is applicable to the student’s purposes and degree program. Students who begin a graduate program having accumulated credits for special offerings are not guaranteed that the credits will apply toward the Master of Arts degree or for teacher certification purposes. A maximum of nine (9) credit-hours of graduate study earned through special offerings may be applied to a graduate degree.

Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Program

The MIGS program is a cooperative inter-institutional arrangement that permits graduate students to take advantage of educational offerings available at other participating institutions but not available at their own. Graduate students who are in good standing in a degree program are eligible to elect courses at several schools in Michigan with the approval of the faculty at both the host and home institutions. Courses must be approved in advance of enrollment by the graduate student’s advisor or program directed and the MIGS liaison officer at both the host and home institutions. Admission by the host institution is contingent on the availability of space and resources. Additional information is available in the Graduate College office.

Grade Appeals

When a student has verifiable evidence that a final grade for a course may be questionable, the following procedure for appealing that grade shall be followed. The Director of Advising or appropriate site director may assist the student or other parties at any stage. Other third parties (e.g. lawyers, parents, friends) are not permitted to participate in any meetings regarding grade appeals, unless this is mutually agreeable to the student and whichever faculty are involved in the process. The appeal process must be initiated no later than six months after the final grade is recorded. Only the faculty member who issued the grade originally may change the grade. Students entered into the grade appeal process should expect a response, at each level, within 14 calendar days.

1. The student writes a detailed appeal to the faculty member who issued the grade. The student and faculty member discuss the issue. The faculty member writes a response, either supporting or denying the appeal. If the appeal to the faculty  member is denied, the next step in the process may be taken.
2. The student writes an appeal to the program coordinator/director and the division chairperson or appropriate site director. The faculty member involved will be advised by the division chair or appropriate site director that the appeal process is continuing. The division chair or appropriate site director will write a response to the appeal. If the appeal is still denied, the final step in the process may be taken.
3. The student writes an appeal to the Dean of the appropriate College. All persons involved to this point will be advised by the Dean that the appeal process is continuing. The appropriate Dean will write a final response to the appeal.

Grade Changes

A request to change a grade may be made only by the instructor, by completing the Change of Grade form available in the Registrar’s Office, any site office, or on the Registrar’s Office web site. The grade may be changed if the first grade recorded was in error. The Change of Grade form must be submitted certifying the reasons why the first grade was in error. The instructor or an appropriate school official must then submit the Change of Grade form to the Registrar’s Office, no later than one session, excluding summer sessions, after the end of the session for which the grade was recorded. In the event of suspension, a suspension appeal and a grade appeal may occur concurrently with the suspension continuing until the grade appeal is resolved.

Dean’s List

To qualify for the Dean’s List a student must:

1. Be classified as a full-time undergraduate student. A full-time student is defined as one who is registered for twelve or more credit hours of Siena Heights University credit during one session.
2. Earn during the appropriate session not fewer than twelve credit hours of letter graded Siena Heights University credit and a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better. The grade point average will be computed only upon earned grades of A, B, C, D and E.

For purposes of determining eligibility for the Dean’s List:

1. All “I” and “IP” grades will be calculated as if they were “E” grades. The grade of “CR” will be excluded from the GPA calculation.
2. Courses taken concurrently at other institutions will be excluded from consideration.

The Dean’s List is prepared only for students enrolled during the fall and winter sessions. The Dean’s list is a “frozen” picture of a student’s record at a particular time. Changes to a student’s record after this particular time will not change the list or letters issued by Siena Heights University.

Academic Achievement List

To qualify for the Academic Achievement List a student must:

1. Be classified as a part-time undergraduate student. A part-time undergraduate student is defined as one who is registered for not more than eleven credit hours of Siena Heights University credit during one session.
2. Earn during the appropriate session (or concurrent eight-week sub sessions) not fewer than six and not more than eleven credit hours of letter graded Siena Heights University credit and a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better. The grade point average will be computed only upon earned grades of A, B, C, D and E.

For purposes of determining eligibility for the Academic Achievement List:

1. All “I” and “IP” grades will be calculated as if they were “E” grades. The grade of “CR” will be excluded from the GPA calculation.
2. Courses taken concurrently at other institutions will be excluded from consideration.

The Academic Achievement List is prepared only for students enrolled during the fall and winter session (or during concurrent eight-week sub sessions). Changes to a student’s record after this particular time will not change the list or letters issued by Siena Heights University.

University Honors for Baccalaureate Degree Recipients

University honors are recognized at the time of graduation for superior academic achievement.

1. University honors are awarded only at the time the baccalaureate degree is granted.
2. To be considered for university honors a student must have earned a minimum of ninety (90) credit hours in graded courses at post-secondary institutions which are authorized by the appropriate state agency to offer either an associate or a baccalaureate degree. Transfer credit from post-secondary institutions which are not authorized to offer either an associate or baccalaureate degree cannot be considered in the computation of university honors. Examples of such credit are:
   1. Hospital-based allied health programs in medical technology, respiratory therapy, and nursing.
   2. Electronic, mechanical, and other engineering technology programs completed at proprietary institutions not authorized to grant associate or baccalaureate degrees.
3. University honors will be computed on all work attempted at Siena Heights University and on all work attempted at all other degree-granting institutions from which transfer credit is accepted. This means that all “D” and “E” grades which were reflected on the student transcript, but for which credit was not accepted by Siena Heights University, will be computed in university honors. A student can choose, however, not to have transfer credit accepted by Siena Heights University. If the student chooses not to have transfer credit from a designated institution accepted by Siena Heights University, none of the credit earned at that institution will be accepted by Siena Heights University or used in the computation of university honors.
4. University honors will be computed on the grades of A, B, C, D, and E. Grades of Credit/No Credit and Pass/Fail will be excluded from the university honors computation. The grading scale established by each institution from which transfer credit was accepted will be the scale used in computing university honors on course work taken at that institution. Because Siena Heights University has a 4.00 grade scale (A=4.00, B=3.00, C=2.00, D=1.00 and E=0.00), grade points can only be computed using that grade scale. Thus, a three (3) credit hour course for which the student received an “A-” will be assigned 12 quality points (3 credit hours x 4.00 = 12). Other institutions may use different grade scales, thus, a three (3) credit hour course for which an “A-” is specified as a 3.70 will be assigned 11.1 quality points (3 credit hours x 3.70 = 11.1)
5. Credit earned by means of the Michigan Occupational Competency Assessment Examination, Employer Work Experience Evaluation, Prior Learning Credit and The College Entrance Examination Board’s College Level Examination Program and Advanced Placement Program, will not be included in the computation of university honors.
6. International transcripts are not calculated for University Honors.
7. To graduate with university honors, a student must earn the following cumulative grade point average:

   Summa Cum Laude	3.90+
   Magna Cum Laude	3.70 – 3.89
   Cum Laude	3.50 – 3.69

Athletic Eligibility

Siena Heights University as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) enforces the following academic standards for athletic eligibility:

• A student-athlete must be enrolled for 12 or more credit hours each semester he/she participates in inter-collegiate athletics.  Graduate student athletes must be enrolled in 9 or more credit hours each semester he/she participates in inter-collegiate athletics.
• A traditional first-time entering freshman student athlete must meet one of the following options in addition to receiving a determination of eligilbility by the NAIA website PlayNAIA:
  • Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.3 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Meet two of the three requirements:
    • 2.0-2.29 (on a 4.0 scale)
    • Have an 18 ACT or 970 SAT score
    • Be in the top 50% of high school class
  •  Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.20-2.29 (on a 4.0 scale) and have earned 9 post-secondary credits with a grade of “C” or better prior to identification at any institution of higher education AND accepted on the certifying NAIA institution’s transcript.
• Home school incoming freshman must meet one of the following options in addition to receiving a determination of eligibility by the NAIA website PlayNAIA:
  • Graduate from home school program AND earn a 20 ACT or 1040 SAT score
  • Graduate from a home school program AND have earned 9 post-secondary credits with a grade of “C” or better prior to identification at any institution of higher education accepted on the certifying NAIA institution’s transcript
• A student-athlete must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours each academic year. (Summer hours may be included.)
• First-time freshmen athletes must pass 12 credit hours and achieve a 1.75 GPA to retain their eligibility for second semester. These same students must have a 2.0 at the end of their freshman year along with passing at least 24 credit hours to participate in athletics their sophomore year.
• Courses taken at Siena Heights University which repeat courses previously taken at either Siena Heights University or at other institutions and for which credit was earned will not fulfill the requirement for the 24 credit hour eligibility rule or the 12 credit hour eligibility rule.
• There are a number of other NAIA regulations that regard transfer students, semester of eligibility, etc. Contact the athletic director for additional information.
• Athletic eligibility is jointly determined each semester by the athletic director, the NAIA faculty representative, and the Registrar.
• Transfer student-athletes are required to have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 on all hours attempted at all previous institutions in order to be eligible their first semester at Siena Heights University. If they do not have a 2.00 cumulative GPA at the time they matriculate at Siena Heights University, they must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA on at least 12 hours at Siena Heights University before they can be eligible.
• It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to determine if he/she is in compliance with athletic eligibility requirements.

Academic Probation & Suspension Criteria (Undergraduate Students)

1. For the purposes of Academic Probation and Suspension Criteria, a session is defined as an official term in which the student is enrolled. Official terms are Summer, Fall, and Winter. 
2. Academic probation is based on the grade point average (GPA) of coursework at Siena Heights University (SHU). The grade point average required to remain in good standing increases as the number of hours toward a degree at SHU accumulates, including all transfer credit hours. 
3. Academic performance may also affect eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Please contact the Financial Aid office for additional information. 

Probation

Students will be placed on probation and notified of their status by the Academic Review Board if:

• The student’s SHU cumulative GPA does not meet the following levels toward their degree requirements (hours include all transfer credit):
  • After 15 hours, 1.75 SHU GPA (15-35 hours)
  • After 36 hours, 1.9 SHU GPA (36-59 hours)
  • After 60 hours, 2.0 SHU GPA (60 and over hours)
• The student fails to succeed in at least 2/3 of attempted cumulative credit hours. Please see Financial Aid office for additional information.

Students on Academic Probation must meet the conditions of their probation as established by university administrators. 

Suspension

A student may only remain on probation for two consecutive sessions. At the end of the second consecutive session the cumulative GPA must reach the level indicated above or the student will be notified of their suspension by the Academic Review Board. Suspended students must remain out of residence for a minimum of one full academic session.  

Reinstatement from suspension

A student may seek reinstatement after serving a suspension of at least one full academic session. Students must submit a petition for reinstatement to the Academic Review Board at least one calendar month prior to the session the student desires to return. In addition, a student must also submit the Application for Readmission to the Adrian campus Office of Undergraduate Admission or to the appropriate Graduate and Professional Studies site in tandem with the petition for reinstatement. Reinstatement petitions may be submitted electronically to academicreviewboard@sienaheights.edu.

The petition for reinstatement must be submitted in a typed format on a single page as an attachment. There is no guarantee that the petition will be successful. The petition must contain the following information: 

• Identification in the form of your name, phone number, address, email, student ID.
• A clear explanation of the circumstances that contributed to poor academic performance.
• A clear explanation of the specific strategies you would adopt (if reinstated) to address the circumstances that contributed to poor academic performance. 
• A clear statement of your academic goals for the session for which you are requesting reinstatement.
• A statement of the academic session you would like to return (if reinstated).

Additional information may include: 

• Applicable documentation of any previous extenuating circumstances, such as letters of support from physicians, counselors, advisors, hospital records, pertinent legal documents, etc. 
• Any evidence of academic success from other institutions that occurred since the suspension.

Dismissal

If reinstatement is granted to a student after a suspension, he/she will be placed on probation, and must attain a cumulative GPA in accordance with the schedule defined above for bachelors and associate degrees. If the student fails to reinstate good standing within the first two sessions after reinstatement and readmission, the student will be dismissed from Siena Heights University for a period of at least two full years. Reinstatement after dismissal follows the same process as the reinstatement after suspension outlined above. Reinstatement following a dismissal can occur no earlier than two years from the date of the student’s dismissal. A student will be subject to current probation guidelines when granted a return from dismissal. 

Academic Probation & Suspension Criteria (Graduate Students)

Determining probation and/or suspension status is reviewed at the end of each official session. (Session = Fall, Winter, Summer, Sub-session = Fall 1, Fall 2, Winter 1, Winter 2, Summer 1, Summer 2)

• Students admitted on-condition who do not earn a grade of B- or better in any course may be held to the standards communicated within their admissions acceptance letter, in accordance with the “Academic Probation & Suspension Criteria (Graduate Students) policy”.

The following policies apply to all Graduate College programs, individual/dual master’s/dual degree/double major/dually enrolled/and or certificates.

Probation

When a graduate student earns a letter grade of “C” in any course, the result is placement on academic probation at the end of the session. The course must be retaken with a “B-” or better to receive credit towards a graduate degree. The progress of a graduate student on academic probation will be monitored by the appropriate program director or college administrator.  While on academic probation, a student may be required to take non-program degree foundational courses as defined by the University, to strengthen academic skills. The student must maintain their session GPA at 3.0 or greater. Once the student’s GPA has risen to at least a 3.0 by repeating courses until a grade of a “B-” or better, is earned in each subsequent 600 level course, the student may be upgraded to regular academic status.

A graduate student who is placed on Academic Probation is informed in a letter from the Dean.

Suspension

Regular Admission Students:

Academic Suspension occurs when:

• a graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for more than one session; or,
• earns a second letter grade of “C” in any course; or,
• earns a single course grade of “D” or “E”.

Once on Suspension, students may not continue program courses or register for additional courses. Until the Suspension is removed, the student is ineligible for graduation.

In some cases, Suspensions lead to permanent dismissal.

On-Condition Admission Students:

Academic Suspension occurs when:

• a graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for more than one session; or,
• earns a letter grade of “C” within the initial three graduate program courses; (600 Level) or,
• earns a second letter grade of “C” in any course; or,
• earns a single course grade of “D” or “E”.

A graduate student who is placed on academic Suspension is informed in a letter from the Dean, of deadlines and procedures for an appeal of the Suspension. All suspensions last at least one (1) academic session (i.e., fall, winter, or summer). Graduate College official sessions are Summer, Fall, and Winter. During Suspension, the student must submit a written appeal to the Dean for reinstatement. Written appeals must be received within one (1) month of the onset of the Suspension. Upon the timely receipt of a request for reinstatement, the Dean will ask the Academic Suspension Subcommittee of the student’s respective program to review the appeal letter and relevant evidence and to make a recommendation to the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council reviews the request and makes a decision regarding reinstatement within a reasonable time frame so the entire appeal process does not exceed one full 16-week session after the notification of Suspension. The Graduate Council may vote to dismiss a student, may reinstate the student, or may delineate conditions for reinstatement. A student who is suspended a second time will be dismissed from the University permanently with no opportunity for appeal.

International students should recognize that suspension may have serious consequences in relation to their immigration visa status. International students facing suspension should immediately contact both the International Office and their Graduate College advisor.

Graduate Assistants in Athletics should be advised that a suspension may affect the status of their assistantship. Students should work closely with the Dean of Students if they experience a suspension.

Academic Progress

Satisfactory academic progress includes the maintenance of at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a grade of “C” in any course is placed on academic probation. Students will return to “good standing” based on satisfactory completion of the conditions in the “Probation” letter. In addition, a graduate student whose GPA falls below 3.0 more than one session or receives more than one (1) grade of “C” in any course, is automatically suspended from the program and is therefore ineligible for graduation. A graduate student who receives a “D” or “E” is suspended from the program. (See “Suspension” paragraph above.)

Students Applying for or Receiving Veterans Benefits

The State Approving Agency (SAA) has imposed the following requirements on Siena Heights University in order for students to receive veteran’s benefits.

1. Satisfactory Grade (Cumulative GPA & Probation):
   All students receiving veteran’s benefits must comply with the Academic Probation and Suspension guidelines of the University. A student who is placed on probation may not be continued on probation more than two sessions in order to raise the cumulative GPA to that required for graduation and come off probation. If the student fails to come off probation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) will be notified electronically.
2. Withdrawal and Last Date of Attendance:
   The veteran’s certification office will inform the USDVA of any change in credit hours and dates of attendance.
3. Credit for Previous Training:
   All students who are requesting veteran’s benefits when enrolling at Siena Heights University will be given credit for previous training, where appropriate. The total length of the training program will be reduced proportionately. The student and the USDVA will be advised in writing of the credit given to the student and the appropriate reduction in the total length of the program. All students receiving veteran’s benefits must have transcripts and other documents showing credit for previous training on file in the Registrar’s Office by the end of the first session of enrollment. Failure to do so will result in no further certification for veteran’s benefits until those transcripts have been provided.

Add/Drop/Withdrawal Policies

ATTENDANCE:

Siena Heights University is not an attendance taking institution. Attendance is strongly encouraged as it is recognized as a key component of student success. Instructors are permitted to establish their own guidelines for attendance within their respective courses and these guidelines are published in their syllabi. Please also see the Siena Heights University policy on officially excused absences.

DROP/ADD:

Students may drop or add classes in consultation with the instructor and academic advisor until the published drop/add deadline.  If the student wishes to drop or add a class after the drop/add deadline, permission must be granted by the instructor, the academic advisor, and the academic dean. Dropping and/or adding classes may have an impact on billing, financial aid, and/or athletic eligibility. Please see the institutional refund policy. 

ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION

The instructor will verify that a student has attended class or partaken in an academically related activity defined by federal financial guidelines. Verification is reported at the end of week 1 (new deadline for Winter 2022 semester) for the full 15-week session, or at the end of week 1 for each sub-session. If the student fails to attend or partake in an academically related activity during the verification period, they are administratively dropped from the course. Being dropped may have an impact on billing, financial aid, and/or athletic eligibility. Please see the institutional refund policy.  

GRADES:

E (Failing): This grade is assigned to signify that the student has completed the course but failed to pass the course objectives.

UW (Unofficial Withdraw): This grade is assigned to signify that the student did not officially withdraw from the course but failed to participate in course activities through the end of the session or sub-session. It is used when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed assignments or course activities or both were insufficient to allow evaluation of academic performance. In such cases the grade of UW appears on the transcript, the credits are deemed as attempted, but there is no GPA impact. The withdrawal date is recorded as the midpoint of the session or sub-session. Withdrawing from classes may have an impact on billing, financial aid, and/or athletic eligibility. Please see the institutional refund policy. 

W (Withdraw): This grade is assigned to students who officially withdraw from a course by the published withdrawal deadline for the session or sub-session. Students must initiate their intention to withdraw from a course by meeting with their advisor to complete the withdrawal form and submit it in the Registrar’s office for processing. In such cases the grade of W appears on the transcript, the credits are deemed as attempted, but there is no GPA impact. The withdrawal date is recorded as the date the student begins the official withdrawal process by meeting with their academic advisor or otherwise provides such notification to the academic advisor. Withdrawing from classes may have an impact on billing, financial aid, and/or athletic eligibility. Please see the institutional refund policy.

I (Incomplete): This grade is assigned to students who were unable to fully complete course activities through the end of the period and who have reached a written agreement with the instructor to complete the course after the term has ended. Please see the policy on Incomplete Grades.

ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL:

An administrative withdrawal may occur 1) in the event a student has received a student conduct sanction which would prevent the student from completing the session or sub-session; or 2) if the student is a threat to him/herself or others or the student is causing significant disruption to the university community; or 3) other circumstances that, at the discretion of the academic dean of the college make it impossible for students to complete the session or sub-session. In such cases grades of W appear on the transcript for every course that session or sub-session, the credits are deemed as attempted, but there is no GPA impact. Withdrawing from classes may have an impact on billing, financial aid, and/or athletic eligibility. Please see the institutional refund policy. 

COMPASSIONATE WITHDRAWAL:

Siena Heights University recognizes that students may find it necessary to withdraw from the university after the official withdraw deadline due to serious and compelling medical reasons for themselves or an immediate family member. In these situations, students may request a compassionate withdrawal.  Immediate family members are defined as parents, guardians, siblings, spouse, children, spouse’s parents, child’s spouse, grandparents and grandchildren.  Students can file an application for this type of withdrawal to the Office of the Dean for Students before the last day of the session or sub-session.  In such cases grades of W appear on the transcript for every course that session or sub-session, the credits are deemed as attempted, but there is no GPA impact. Withdrawing from classes may have an impact on billing, financial aid, and/or athletic eligibility. Please see the institutional refund policy. 

DEFINITIONS:

ACADEMIC ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION IN AN ACADEMICALLY-RELATED ACTIVITY:  The criteria that are used to determine whether a student has ceased attendance.

Criteria include but are not limited to:

ON CAMPUS CLASSES

• Physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students
• Submitting an academic assignment
• Taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction
• Participating in an online discussion about academic matters
• Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course.

ONLINE CLASSES

• Submitting an academic assignment
• Taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction
• A posting by the student showing the student’s participation in an online study group that is assigned by the institution
• Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course.

Living in the residence halls and/or participating in the meal plan, participating in academic advising and/or counseling, or logging into an online class are not examples of an academically related activity per federal guidelines.

CENSUS DATE: Date identified by the institution to mark matriculation for the enrollment period.

DROP PERIOD: The period during which a class can be unregistered. The drop period begins the first day of registration for the session or sub-session and ends on the specified drop/add deadline for the session or sub-session. Classes that are unregistered during the drop period will not appear on the transcript.

ADMINISTRATIVE DROP: The process of unregistering a student from a class they do not attend or for which they do not partake in an academically related activity during the enrollment verification period.

STUDENT-INITIATED DROP: The process by which a student removes him or herself from a course during the drop period.

WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: The period during which a student may withdraw themselves from a class. The withdraw period begins immediately after the drop period is complete and extends to the official withdrawal deadline. Classes that are withdrawn during the withdrawal period will appear on the transcript with the grade of W.

STUDENT-INITIATED WITHDRAWAL: The process by which a student removes him or herself from a course by the withdrawal deadline.

ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION PERIOD: The period beginning on the first day of the session or sub-session and extending to the second Friday of the session or the first Friday of the sub-session.

ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION REPORT: A report in which the instructor validates the enrollment of a student that appears on a class roster. Verification will be evidenced by attendance during that period or participation in an academically related activity.

INSTITUTIONAL AID: Any scholarship or grant awarded by Siena Heights University.

MIDPOINT: The moment when 50% of the course days have been completed for a particular session or sub-session.

RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS (R2T4): The calculation required when a recipient of Title IV aid withdraws from an institution during a payment period/period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance. The calculation compares the amount of Title IV aid the recipient earned to the amount disbursed and determines whether funds must be returned, or the student is eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement.

TITLE IV FUNDS: Direct loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS), Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), TEACH Grant