Bowling Green (BGSU) doesn't just give degrees away. Courses are tough, professors are demanding, and if you want to make it to graduation, you have to measure up to the university's strict academic standing policy.
What do you do if you find yourself struggling to do all that? How do you deal with a difficult course or a difficult semester? How do you juggle a personal crisis while trying to keep your GPA up?
You contact the Lento Law Firm. Our Education Law Team is dedicated to your success. That's not just a nice sentiment. We back up our commitment to you with knowledge of BGSU's administrative procedures and a long record of helping university students get the rights they deserve.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a little time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Bowling Green
We mentioned Bowling Green's academic standing policy earlier. That policy sets the standards all students are required to meet, and it describes the penalties you face when you fail to do so.
- Good Standing: Good standing at BGSU is pretty basic. To remain in good standing, you need to keep your cumulative grade point average above 2.0. That's it. Of course, that's easy to say but not always easy to accomplish.
- Academic Warning: This is just what it sounds like—a warning that you're struggling and could face worse consequences if you don't improve. All of BGSU's academic statuses are based on how many hours you've completed, though, so sorting out why you've been given a warning and what you need to do to get back to good standing can be tricky.
- Freshmen are issued warnings any time their GPA is between 1.5 and 1.99.
- Sophomores receive warnings for a GPA between 1.70 and 1.99.
- For juniors, the warning range is between 1.80 and 1.99.
- For seniors, the range is 1.90 and 1.99.
- Academic Probation: If your GPA is below the warning cutoff number, you're subject to academic probation. Probation is an additional warning, but it is a more serious status. Many BGSU organizations, for instance, bar students on probation from participation. More importantly, you must improve your GPA to at least a warning status, or you can wind up suspended from the university.
- Academic Suspension: If you fail to return to at least warning status while on probation, BGSU then suspends you for two consecutive semesters (including summer semesters).
- Academic Dismissal: Should your GPA fall below warning status again while at BGSU, you're then dismissed from the university for a period of at least three years.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're facing suspension or dismissal, BGSU offers an appeals process that can allow you to continue at the university for an additional probationary semester. Generally, appeals are only granted to students who are dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or a serious illness. Your Lento Law Firm attorney is familiar with how such appeals work and can help you organize evidence and draft the appeal itself. They know what all the various college appeals committees look for in these documents and how to make you look your best on paper.
You are always better off, though, if you can avoid suspension or dismissal in the first place. Luckily, Lento Law Firm attorneys also know a number of useful strategies for keeping your GPA out of the danger zone. For example:
- Classroom mistreatment can be grounds for a grade appeal. If you've suffered unfair treatment of any kind, you should report this immediately to your instructor's department head.
- If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, you might consider getting tested for a learning disability. If you do have such a disability, course accommodations could help you get back on track. In addition, you can petition the university to set your low grades aside and allow you to retake those courses for replacement credit.
- Your GPA could also suffer if an instructor decides you've cheated or committed some type of plagiarism. They have the right to punish you with lower grades. However, your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you file an appeal with your academic dean.
- You can always try asking an instructor for extra credit or makeup work. If they're willing to assign such work, this can often be the fastest, easiest way to raise a grade and, thus, your GPA.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate grades along other lines. If, for example, your final exam grade was higher than your course grade, you might try asking them to use it in place of your course grade.
No two academic standing issues are alike. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know that your case is unique. They'll sit down with you, talk in-depth about your situation, and work with you to come up with a solution that is tailored to that situation. In addition, they'll help you to implement strategies, whether that means drafting an appeal, coaching you in negotiation, or simply finding out who you need to contact.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You
Your BGSU diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students just like you respond to academic issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
