Graduating from college is never a sure thing. The University of Massachusetts, Boston, takes academics very seriously. Courses can be demanding, and professors hold students to high standards. If your grades should slip at any point, you can find yourself facing academic probation or worse.
If you're struggling to keep up and facing an academic sanction, you need to know that you don't have to go through it alone. Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team understand what you're going through and are here to help. They know how the UMass Boston academic standing policy works, and they know how to navigate the bureaucracy. They can make sure you're treated fairly and that you get every possible opportunity to earn your degree.
You may be new to the idea that an attorney can help with student issues, but you owe it to yourself to find out just want the Lento Law Firm can do for you.
Academic Progression at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
First things first: just what is the academic standing policy at UMass, Boston?
In simple terms, you must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average in order to remain in “good” standing. That's easy enough to understand. Should your GPA fall below that number, though, things can get complicated. Here's a basic outline of all the various standing statuses the school uses.
- Alert: If your cumulative GPA should fall below 2.0 after your first semester at UMass, you are placed on “alert” status. There are no real consequences. This is simply a way of letting you know you're struggling.
- Warning: Similarly, there are no consequences for warning status. This is issued when your term GPA falls below 2.0, but your cumulative GPA remains above GPA. Again, this status is designed to “warn” you that you might be getting into academic difficulties.
- Probation: This status is more serious. You're placed on probation any time your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. While on probation, you cannot hold any official leadership position in any student club, and you cannot participate on any athletic team. More importantly, you must meet certain requirements while on probation, or you can be suspended from the university.
- Extended Probation: You may remain on probation until you're back in good standing so long as your term GPA is at least 2.3. These extra semesters of probation are called “extended probation.”
- Suspension: If your cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 and your term GPA remains below 2.3 for more than two semesters, you are then suspended. Suspension lasts for at least one full semester. In addition, it is noted on your transcript.
- Dismissal: If, on returning from suspension, you continue to struggle academically, you are then subject to dismissal. Dismissal is for at least a year, and your return is not guaranteed.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
There aren't many official ways to challenge a standing decision at UMass, Boston. Your progress is reviewed at the end of every semester, and the school assigns your status based solely on your grade point averages. Either these are high enough to remain in good standing, or they aren't.
The one exception is that you can apply for readmission after a semester of suspension or two semesters of dismissal. This involves submitting a formal appeal to the Office of the Registrar. As part of this appeal, you must explain what led to your suspension and what you plan to do to improve. In addition, you must submit transcripts of any work you did at other institutions while you were away from the university.
What do you do, though, to forestall other types of academic sanctions or to prevent a suspension from happening in the first place? It turns out there are a number of informal options for dealing with academic standing issues.
- If your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, like a long-term illness or family emergency, you can try appealing to the dean of your particular school or college for more time to improve.
- If you feel you've been mistreated by an instructor, you should bring that to the attention of the instructor's department head or the dean of your school.
- If you have a disability, you may be entitled to accommodations. This is true even if you haven't been officially diagnosed.
- If your low grades are the result of an academic misconduct allegation, you have the right to appeal your instructor's decisions through the university's official appeals process.
- Some faculty are open to grade negotiation if you have a compelling argument.
- Other faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra credit work, especially to students with borderline grades.
Whether you're looking to file an appeal or take a more informal route to avoid an academic sanction, Joseph D. Lento and his Team can help you put together a plan and put it into action. They're familiar with all the processes and procedures at UMass, Boston. In addition, they have experience crafting strong arguments and gathering evidence. If nothing else, they can help you identify who to talk to and what to say.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
Students sometimes ask: how exactly is an attorney-advisor supposed to help me with academic issues? It's a fair question. It's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades. That's normally a matter of studying harder or finding a tutor.
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 an attorney, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and his 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.
