Getting into the University of Arizona is an impressive accomplishment, one you can be proud of. It doesn't guarantee a degree, though. For that, you have to go to classes, study hard, write papers, and ace exams.
That's not always as easy as it sounds. Keep in mind that when you were doing all the work to get in, you were living at home. Now you're on your own, learning to be independent, establishing your own limits, and figuring out how to adult. It can be hard juggling coursework with having a social life and learning to do laundry. Not everyone manages it well.
If you're struggling to meet academic progress requirements at UA, you should know: there's help out there. Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know what you're going through, and they'll do whatever they can to make sure your future stays bright. Not sure how an attorney can help you with academics? As you learn more about the processes and procedures involved in UA's academic standing policy, you'll quickly come to see that an attorney may be exactly what you need.
Academic Progression at the University of Arizona
Like every other school in the country, the University of Arizona maintains what's known as an “academic standing” policy. Basically, these policies keep students on track as they move toward their degrees. At UA, the primary measure of whether you're making adequate progress is your cumulative grade point average. “Good” standing, which keeps you eligible to enroll in courses, requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. Anything below that number is subject to a change in academic status.
- Academic Review: As long as you're meeting that 2.0 cumulative mark, you remain in good standing. However, if at any point your term GPA should fall below 2.0, you are placed under academic review. When you are under review, you can count on your school or college to contact you and offer academic assistance.
- Academic Warning: When your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, you are placed on academic warning status. As part of this status, you must complete an “academic intervention.” Assuming your cumulative GPA rises above 2.0, you return to good standing. Otherwise, you are subject to academic probation.
- Academic Probation: Academic probation follows any semester in which you were on academic warning and failed to raise your cumulative GPA above 2.0. Once again, while on probation, you are required to participate in an academic intervention program. More importantly, if you continue to struggle during this semester, you become ineligible to register for further courses.
In most cases, ineligibility applies to your ability to register for courses in your college or school. You may attempt to transfer to another college or school. However, you'll be placed on probation after your transfer, and further academic deficiencies mean permanent disqualification from registering for any UA courses.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
What do you do if you're struggling and worried about dealing with a warning, probation, or outright dismissal?
In the case of dismissals, UA offers an appeals process that can gain you an additional semester of probation. Generally speaking, though, appeals are usually granted only in cases of extenuating circumstances, like an illness or a family emergency.
What do you do if you don't have such extenuating circumstances, or if you're not fighting dismissal but some lesser sanction like probation? In simple terms, you deal with the problem more directly by trying to raise your grades. Obviously, the fastest way to do that is through your coursework. However, there are sometimes situations when fixing a low grade isn't just about studying hard.
- Low grades can occasionally be the result of a recording error or a simple miscalculation. If that's the case, you should be able to get a grade change just by providing your instructor with copies of your coursework.
- It is unfortunate, but sometimes a low grade is the result of classroom mistreatment. If you feel an instructor is treating you unfairly, you always have the right to bring that to the attention of the instructor's department head or the dean of your college. Again, you'll likely need some form of documentation to back up your claims.
- Cheating is apparently on the rise, and in reaction, many faculty have become a bit trigger-happy when it comes to accusing students and a bit too harsh in coming up with sanctions. If you've been unfairly accused, or if you feel the sanction you've been given is too extreme, you have the right to appeal your instructor's decisions.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of grade negotiation. Maybe you have a specific argument: your final exam grade was higher than your other coursework, and you think it merits a higher course grade. Often, though, you can simply ask an instructor to reconsider your work from the semester, and that may be enough to convince them you deserve better scores.
- You may also come across faculty who are willing to assign makeup or extra credit work. However, usually, you won't know this is an option unless you ask.
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team know all the many possibilities for improving your GPA and avoiding academic sanctions. They're also highly experienced at working with students. Whether you need help drafting an appeal or coaching in how to talk to a professor, you owe it to yourself to see what they can do for you.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Many students ask: how exactly can an attorney-advisor help you with academic issues? It's a fair question. It's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades.
As the information on this page suggests, though, succeeding in college is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team are on your side. They understand that no one is perfect, and they're committed to the idea that a few mistakes shouldn't keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career. They'll fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get all the rights you deserve. You've worked hard to get to this point. Don't let that hard work go to waste. To find out more about how you can fight dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
