If you've been at the University of West Florida (UWF) for more than a minute, you know how hard it is to keep your grades up. Just getting to that 8 am class you're saddled with this semester is a trial. You've got papers to write, projects to complete, and exams to study for. None of that takes into account the way the university's bureaucracy can sap your energy. There's always another form to file, always another meeting to attend, and always another computer glitch you have to sort out.
The fact is that just trying to navigate the system can have a detrimental effect on your GPA. If you don't know what qualifies as an excused absence, you can lose points on that quiz your econ instructor decided to pop. If you don't know who to talk to about attending a funeral back home, you could lose even more points on the midterm exam you miss. And if you don't know how to prove you uploaded your final paper when the course page says you didn't, you may not pass at all.
No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys. No one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm. Our Educational Law Team can help relieve the pressure on you to deal with the phone calls and the paperwork that are a natural part of college life. We can also show you how to use the system to your advantage, including tips and tricks that can help you keep your GPA up.
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 the University of West Florida
What does academic progress actually mean at the University of West Florida? The goal, of course, is to complete your degree and to do it in a timely fashion. To help you do that, UWF maintains something called an academic standing policy. The point of that policy is to let you know when you're struggling so you have a chance to correct problems before they get out of hand. The policy sets clear standards for you to meet, and there are consequences when you're not meeting those standards.
- Good Standing: The goal is always to remain in good standing. This means you're making steady progress toward your degree, and you have no sanctions to worry about. For most undergraduates, UWF defines good standing as a GPA of 2.0 or above.
- Freshmen Standards: Freshmen standards are a bit lower than those of other undergraduates—1.6 during the first semester and 1.8 during the second semester. Should you fall below 2.0, UWF issues you an academic warning, but you remain in good standing as long as you don't fall below these 1.6/ 1.8 numbers.
- Academic Probation: For everyone else, a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 means academic probation. While on probation, you are limited to no more than 14 semester hours. Your primary goal, of course, is to return to good standing, and you may take as long as you need to do that, provided you improve going forward. Generally speaking, UFW requires you to earn at least a 2.3 term GPA in order to remain on probation.
- Academic Suspension: Should your term GPA fall below 2.3 while you're on probation, UFW then suspends you entirely. The university maintains a reinstatement process. However, your return is not guaranteed.
- Academic Dismissal: A third suspension means complete dismissal from the university with no possibility for readmission.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
UFW doesn't offer any formal means of challenging an academic status change. These changes are based almost exclusively on your GPA, and the university doesn't consider that a matter of debate.
Nevertheless, there are ways to deal with such sanctions and even to avoid them in the first place. If you know how to use the system, you can usually keep your GPA out of the danger zone.
- While there is no formal appeals process for academic sanctions, if you're dealing with extenuating circumstances, like a long-term illness, you should petition the dean of your school or college directly. Such circumstances may entitle you to more time to improve.
- If you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you have the right to file a formal grade appeal at the end of the semester. In the meantime, you should report this treatment to the instructor's department head. Often, this can solve the problem, but at a minimum, it will create a paper trail for your appeal.
- Far more students suffer from learning disabilities than are actually reported. If you're struggling in multiple classes, you should contact Disability Services. You have a right to get tested. If you have a disability, you have a right to course accommodations. You should also be able to retake courses with no penalty.
- A cheating allegation can wreck a course grade. Your instructors have the authority to lower your grades over any type of academic misconduct. You can appeal their decisions, though, and you have a right to refute their evidence at a formal hearing.
- Some faculty are open to the process of grade negotiation. Even if you've failed a course, for instance, your improvement might be enough to ask an instructor for a passing grade.
- The easiest form of grade negotiation is to ask instructors for extra credit or makeup assignments. Many instructors will say no, but if even a few say yes, it can make a big difference in your overall GPA.
Whatever your particular situation, you can count on the Lento Law Firm attorney to help you come up with a plan for moving forward at UWF. We can work with you to file appeals, help you get in touch with Disability Services, or simply protect your rights when they're under threat.
If you've already reached the point of suspension or dismissal, don't panic. We have experience helping students through these processes as well. We're experienced at talking with faculty and administrators, and often, we can find solutions where a situation seems hopeless.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your UWF 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.
