College students don't always realize just how serious grades are. After all, no one could kick you out of high school for a D or an F. You might have to retake those courses, but you always had the right to an education. That's not true of college.
The moment you find yourself struggling at SIUE, it's important you take swift, decisive action. That may be as simple as increasing how much time you spend studying, visiting your instructors during office hours, or joining a study group. These strategies aren't always enough, though. In a lot of cases, raising a GPA comes down to learning how to properly navigate the university system.
What do we mean? If you experience a bout of depression at some point—lots of students do—you need to know how to convince faculty and administrators to cut you some slack. If you run into a professor who just seems to have it out for you, you need to know where to go to complain. If you decide maybe you have ADD and need more time to get your assignments done, you need to know who to talk to in order to get these kinds of accommodations.
The Lento Law Firm can help. We know how SIUE works, and we can help you navigate the bureaucracy and show you strategies for improving your GPA. We've helped hundreds of students salvage their college careers, and we can help you to do the same.
Call 888-535-3686 today to find out just what we can do for you, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at SIUE
Staying out of academic trouble at SIUE starts with understanding the university's academic standing policy. This policy describes exactly what you need to do to make steady academic progress towards your degree, and it sets up a series of consequences when you do not meet standards.
- Good Standing: This is where you want to be throughout the four years you're at SIUE. As long as you're in good standing, you don't have to worry about transcript notations or extra requirements. To remain in good standing, you need a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.
- Academic Warning: Any time your GPA falls below the 2.0 number, SIUE issues you an academic warning. You are "required" to receive "intensive academic counseling and advising."
- Academic Probation: If you cannot pull your GPA back to good standing levels in one semester, you are then subject to academic probation. As part of probation, you must sign up for a college success course.
- Academic Suspension: Failure to return to good standing after a semester on probation means suspension from the university. Suspensions last for at least one semester. When you return, you are placed once again on probation, and you must meet with an academic advisor at least three times during the semester.
Should you find yourself suspended a second time, you must apply for reinstatement. Typically, the reinstatement committee will set up very specific requirements, and you will need to work closely with an advisor throughout the semester in order to meet them.
Third, suspensions mean permanent dismissal from SIUE.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
SIUE's academic standing policy makes no mention of any formal process for avoiding academic sanctions. The university does not consider your GPA a matter for debate.
Luckily, Lento Law Firm attorneys know the SIUE system well enough to suggest some informal approaches for avoiding such sanctions. For example,
- If you have been dealing with extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family crisis, these may be grounds for more time to improve. You can petition your college dean directly.
- You are entitled to fair treatment in the classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report it immediately to your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- If you struggle consistently in most of your classes, you may have a learning disability like ADD or ADHD. Disability Services offers testing and can help you get the proper course accommodations. You can also ask the university to allow you to retake courses for replacement credit.
- Cheating and plagiarism allegations can result in low grades. However, you have the right to deny the allegations and force a hearing before the Faculty Hearing Panel.
- Some instructors are open to the process of grade negotiation. For instance, if you did especially well on your final exam, you might try arguing that this score should be used as your course grade.
- One of the easiest kinds of negotiation is to ask for extra credit or makeup work. Some instructors will make such assignments; others won't. It never costs you to ask, though.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney will start by going over your particular academic situation. Then, they'll make targeted suggestions for how you might go about raising your GPA to good standing levels. They'll also work with you to implement these suggestions, whether that means getting your proper disability testing or coaching you in the art of negotiating with faculty.
Should the worst happen, though, Lento Law Firm attorneys also have experience filing reinstatement appeals. We can help you uncover evidence of your academic abilities and draft a compelling appeal.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville 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.
