It's hard enough just getting to class every day at Southern Illinois - Carbondale (SIU - Carbondale), keeping up with the reading, completing assignments, and studying for exams. Those everyday problems that come up—personal emergencies, illnesses, and IT headaches—can make it virtually impossible.
The Lento Law Firm can help. Writing papers and finishing group projects—those are on you. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no attorneys know more about educational bureaucracy than the ones who work for the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team. We can tell you who to call if you think you might have a learning disability. We can help you file an appeal if extenuating circumstances are dragging your grades down. We can even coach you on how to negotiate with your professors.
First, though, you have to contact us. Call 888-535-3686 today, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Let's start at the beginning. What does academic progress actually mean at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale? You'd be surprised how many of our clients don't realize their universities maintain strict policies that describe exactly what you need to make it to graduation and that set clear penalties when you do not measure up in the classroom.
SIU - Carbondale's academic standing policy sorts students into three categories based on GPA.
- Good Standing: This is where you begin and where you want to remain if you possibly can. Good standing means you're making steady progress toward your degree, and you don't have to deal with any sanctions. At SIU - Carbondale, it is defined as a cumulative grade point of at least 2.0.
- Academic Probation: Should your GPA fall below that 2.0 number, SIU - Carbondale places you on academic probation. You are one step removed from suspension, but the university offers you an additional chance to save yourself. While on probation, you are limited to no more than 14 hours per term. You may also be prevented from changing your academic program. Of course, your main goal while on probation should be to return to good standing. As long as you keep your term GPA above 2.0, you can take as long as you need to do that.
- Academic Suspension: If your term GPA falls below 2.0 while you're on probation, you then face suspension. Suspension means complete separation from the university for a minimum of two semesters. At that point, you can petition for reinstatement, but your return is not automatic. You must be able to show clear evidence of your academic potential, which usually means coursework from other institutions.
The policy makes no direct mention of dismissal. However, an unsuccessful suspension petition amounts to a permanent separation from SIU - Carbondale.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
SIU - Carbondale doesn't offer any formal appeals process for challenging academic statuses or sanctions. For better or worse, status decisions are based on your grade point average, and the university doesn't regard that as a matter of debate.
There are ways to deal with the threat of a sanction, though. If you know how to use the SIU - Carbondale system effectively, it's often possible to keep your GPA out of the danger zone.
- SIU - Carbondale doesn't offer a formal appeals process, but if you are experiencing extenuating circumstances like a serious bout of depression or a death in the family, you can appeal informally to the dean of your school or college. Such circumstances are often grounds for more time to improve.
- If you should discover you have a previously undiagnosed learning disability, that disability entitles you under the law to necessary course accommodations, like access to special technologies or extra time to complete assignments. It also entitles you to drop low course grades from your GPA and retake those courses for replacement credit.
- If you've been accused of cheating, plagiarism, or some other form of academic misconduct, your instructor has the authority to lower your grade on the assignment or lower your course grade. You don't have to accept such accusations, though. You can appeal your innocence, and, in fact, even if you are guilty, you can appeal the severity of the sanction.
- Some faculty are open to assigning makeup and extra credit work. This is especially true if your grade is borderline. You cannot expect this option in every class, but usually, you can take advantage of it in enough courses to keep your GPA healthy.
- You can also try negotiating with faculty on other grounds. For example, a high grade on a cumulative final exam might warrant a higher course grade, but you may have to ask for it.
- Finally, you are always entitled to fair treatment in the classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report this to the instructor's department head. This can result in immediate relief. At a minimum, it will lay the groundwork for a formal grade appeal at the end of the semester.
Your advisor may not tell you about these and other options. They may not know about some of them. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have been helping students for many years, and we know all the tips and tricks for using the system to your advantage. We'll work with you to outline a plan, and we'll help you to implement that plan as well.
Of course, if you have already reached the point of suspension, we can also help with readmission petitions. We're clear on what SIU - Carbondale expects in terms of evidence and we're practiced in completing the paperwork.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your Southern Illinois - Carbondale diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, 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 progress 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.
