If you've been at CUNY Baruch for more than a minute, you know: you can't make it to graduation without hard work and discipline. The college's progression requirements are tough. You've got to get to class. You've got to study. It helps to visit professors during the office hours. It's never a bad idea to join study groups.
By this point, though, you should also know that hard work and discipline aren't always enough to make it through. You also have to know how to navigate the system. You have to know who to call if you wake up with a fever of 102. You have to know where to go if you think you might have a learning disability. You have to know how to handle a professor who just doesn't seem to like you.
It also helps you know how to get help when you need it. If you're floundering in calculus, you may need to find a good tutor. If your problems have to do with CUNY Baruch's bureaucracy, though, you need a different sort of help. You need an attorney from the Lento Firm on your side.
The Lento Law Firm was founded to protect student rights, and over the years, we've helped hundreds of students make it to graduation. Our Education Law Team knows exactly who to call when you have a problem, and we know exactly what to say. We'll make sure you're treated fairly and that you have every reasonable opportunity to earn your degree.
What can we do for you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686. Or take time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at CUNY Baruch College
You came to CUNY Baruch to learn, so you can't very well complain when the college holds you to that. In fact, CUNY Baruch maintains an academic standing policy ensure you're accountable for getting to class and studying. Success is based on your GPA, and if you can't meet standards, there are consequences.
Here's what the policy has to say.
- Good Standing: Your goal is always to remain in good standing. In simple terms, good standing means you're doing what you need to in order to make steady progress towards your degree. CUNY Baruch defines good standing as keeping your cumulative grade point average above 2.0.
- Academic Probation: If your GPA falls below 2.0 at any point, the college places you on academic probation. As the name suggests, this is a warning status, a last chance to improve. In addition, it comes with some requirements. You are, for example, limited to just 13 credit hours a semester. In addition, you may not hold office in student government, sit on a college committee, or participate in varsity sports. You have just one semester to return to good standing.
- Academic Dismissal: If you cannot return to good standing after a semester on probation, CUNY Baruch then dismisses you from the college for a minimum of one semester. Dismissal means complete separation from the school. You can apply for readmission after a semester. However, you should know that your return is not guaranteed. Further, should you continue to struggle after readmission, you can face more serious sanctions, including the possibility of permanent dismissal.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
CUNY Baruch's standing policy does not mention any type of appeals process. Decisions about probation and dismissal are based entirely on your GPA and are essentially made automatically at the end of each fall and spring semester.
There are, however, informal ways to deal with the threat of an academic sanction. For example,
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a serious bout of depression or a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the dean's office for more time to improve.
- Consistently low grades can be a sign of an undiagnosed learning disability. The school's disability services office can get you tested and can work with you to get accommodations in place if you need them. You can also petition the college to allow you to retake courses with no penalty once accommodations are in place.
- The college allows you to retake up to 16 hours for replacement credit if you've failed courses. Your GPA does not change until you've earned a higher grade, so you cannot use this policy once you've already been given probation or dismissal, but it can be a useful way to manage your GPA before problems occur.
- If you've been given a low grade on an assignment or a low course grade because of an academic misconduct allegation—cheating or plagiarism—you can challenge your instructor's allegations to the Dean of Students.
- Further, you always have the right to file a formal grade appeal if you feel your instructor isn't grading you fairly.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate grades if you have a compelling argument. If, for example, you showed improvement over the semester, you might ask an instructor to pass you even if your scores don't add up to a passing grade.
- Perhaps the easiest way to negotiate with an instructor is to ask for extra credit or makeup work. Not all faculty offer such opportunities, but this can be a quick and easy way to raise a borderline grade and, thus, your GPA.
Your advisor may not tell you about all these possibilities. In fact, they may not know about some of them. Your Lento Law Firm attorney will. They've been at this long enough to know all the tips and tricks. They can also help you decide which strategy is best for your particular situation, and they'll work with you to develop a plan and put it into action.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your CUNY Baruch 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.
