2020-2021 Academic Catalog

Probation and Dismissal

Academic Probation

CSB/SJU students are required to maintain the minimum academic standards of a cumulative GPA of greater than 1.8 after the first semester of college and 2.0 thereafter.

A student may be placed on first academic probation for the following reasons:

  • Cumulative GPA at the end of a semester falls below minimum academic standards,
  • Inadequate progress toward degree, i.e.; not earning at least 24 credits in the two preceding semesters.

A student may be placed on final academic probation for the following reasons:

  • Not meeting conditions of first academic probation,
  • Multiple failing grades in a semester,
  • A cumulative GPA of less than 1.0.

A student on final academic probation is required to sign a contract acknowledging the conditions of continued enrollment.  If the student does not meet these conditions, (s)he will be dismissed.

A student may be dismissed for the following reasons:

  • Not meeting conditions of final academic probation,
  • CSB/SJU reserves the right to dismiss a student from the college for cause at any time.

Special cases of academic probation and dismissal will be subject to the judgment of the Academic Dean or the Dean's designee.

Consequences of Academic Probation

CSB/SJU students who are placed on academic probation are subject to the following consequences during the probationary semester:

  • Are ineligible to participate in varsity athletics; but practice may be allowed by petition through academic advising,
  • May be ineligible to hold any office or representative position, including club sports and extracurricular activities,
  • May not take a course for Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grading, unless course is only offered on an S/U basis,
  • Are not eligible to receive an incomplete grade,
  • Must earn 12 credits during probationary semester,
  • Are expected to earn a grade of C or higher in all attempted courses,
  • May experience a reduction of financial aid.

Dismissal

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University reserve the right to dismiss students for infractions of regulations; unsatisfactory academic standing; unsatisfactory progress towards the degree; or other reasons that materially affect the health, safety, property, or welfare of the individual student, of the colleges or their processes or of other members of the college communities. The colleges reserve the right to require a student to undergo professional evaluation and treatment regarding personal health issues as a condition for continuing enrollment.

Disciplinary Probation

Saint John's University students who are placed on disciplinary or academic probation or those who are officially sanctioned for whatever reason may be ineligible to hold any office, representative position or to participate in varsity athletics at the discretion of the university.

Athletic Eligibility

Saint Benedict's and Saint John's follow the MIAC and NCAA regulations that require that students must be enrolled in 12 credits or more, be in good standing (i.e. not on academic or disciplinary probation) and be making normal progress toward a degree to be eligible for intercollegiate athletic training and contests. All other regulations of the conference and association must also be fulfilled.

Any continuing student whose cumulative GPA at the end of either semester falls below the minimum academic standards resulting in academic probation is ineligible (see previous section on minimum academic standards). Students on academic probation for not making normal progress toward a degree (i.e. not earning at least 24 credits in the two preceding semesters) or as the result of a successful dismissal appeal are ineligible (see previous section on academic probation). Students on disciplinary probation may be ineligible (see previous section on consequences of academic or disciplinary probation). Transfer students should consult with their coach and the faculty athletic representative before their first competition to determine their eligibility.

An ineligible student, for reasons of having a cumulative GPA below the minimum academic standard, who has made significant improvement in his or her level of achievement at the end of the probationary semester and has succeeded in reducing his or her cumulative grade point deficiency may be declared eligible by the academic dean or the dean's designee.

Withdrawal from College

Voluntary Withdrawal, Leave of Absence and Involuntary Withdrawal
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University recognize that students may decide to discontinue their enrollment either during the semester or between semesters for a variety of reasons. Students may voluntarily withdraw or seek a leave of absence. There are also circumstances that may result in the involuntary withdrawal of a student.

Voluntary Withdrawal
A withdrawal from college is most appropriate for a student who is discontinuing enrollment at CSB or SJU to attend another college or university or a student who has decided to pursue options outside higher education. The proper withdrawal form must be completed for the withdrawal to be official. Withdrawal forms are available at the Residential Life Office at Saint Benedict's, the Campus Life Office at Saint John's, or the Academic Advising Office on either campus.

No official record of attendance for that term is kept if a student withdraws from school during the first four weeks of the semester. Students who withdraw from school after that date, but before the final 16 class days of the semester, receive a grade of W for all courses registered for that semester. Official withdrawal during the last 16 class days of any semester is not possible.

In the event of a withdrawal pursuant to this policy, the normal tuition refund schedule will apply. If a student withdraws from school before completing 60% of a semester, the College or University may be required to return some or all of the federal or state financial aid awarded to the student.

Students who have withdrawn from Saint Benedict's or Saint John's may choose to apply for readmission to the colleges in order to continue their studies. Consult the Admission Office for further information on readmission.

Leave of Absence
A leave of absence is most appropriate for a student who is temporarily discontinuing enrollment at CSB or SJU for a period of time. Circumstances that may merit a leave of absence include medical situations or family emergencies. The Dean of Students and Office of Academic Advising will determine whether a leave of absence is to be granted. The length of the leave shall be no more than two semesters, one semester being the one in which the student was granted the leave. The proper leave of absence form must be completed for the leave to be considered. Leave of absence forms are available at the Residential Life Office at Saint Benedict's, the Campus Life Office at Saint John's, or the Academic Advising Office on either campus.

No official record of attendance for that term is kept if the student is granted a leave of absence from school during the first four weeks of the semester. A student who is granted a leave of absence from school after that date, but before the final 16 class days of the semester, receives a grade of W for all courses registered for that semester. A leave of absence during the last 16 class days of any semester will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

In the event of a withdrawal pursuant to this policy, the normal tuition refund schedule will apply. If the date the leave of absence begins before the student has completed 60% of a semester, the College or University may be required to return some or all of the federal or state financial aid awarded to the student.

Students who take a leave of absence from Saint Benedict's or Saint John's may choose to re-enroll in order to continue their studies. Consult the Admission Office for further information on re-enrollment after a leave of absence.

Involuntary Withdrawal
A student may be involuntarily withdrawn if the student is unwilling or unable to voluntarily withdraw and if the Vice President for Student Development or Dean of Students deems it necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or others. Any decision must consider not only the overall functioning of the student, but also the broader emotional impact and safety of the campus community.

No official record of attendance for that term is kept if the student is involuntarily withdrawn from school during the first four weeks of the semester. A student who is involuntarily withdrawn from school after that date, but before the final 16 class days of the semester, receives a grade of W for all courses registered for that semester. The record of a student who is involuntarily withdrawn from school during the final 16 class days of the semester will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In the event of an involuntary leave pursuant to this policy, the normal tuition refund schedule will apply. If a student is involuntarily withdrawn from school before completing 60% of a semester, the College or University may be required to return some or all of the federal or state financial aid awarded to the student.

A student who wishes to return to Saint Benedict's or Saint John's after an involuntary withdrawal must submit documentation from an appropriate health professional attesting to the welfare of the student. This documentation must be released to the Dean of Students and will be reviewed in consultation with the Director of Counseling and Health Promotions and others as deemed appropriate. Additionally, the student must apply for readmission to the colleges. Final authority on returning to classes will rest with the Vice President for Student Development or the Dean of Students. 

Exemption/Substitution

In exceptional circumstances students may petition for exemption/substitution from specific academic regulations. Forms for requesting an exemption/substitution are available from the registrar. Students should first consult with their academic advisor. Department chairs are the approving officials for exemption/substitutions from requirements within majors and minors. Exemption/substitutions from academic regulations beyond major and minor fields require the approval of the academic dean or the dean's designee. Requests for these non-departmental exemption/substitutions should be directed to the Academic Advising Offices. The guiding principle in considering requests for any exemption/substitution is fidelity to the academic standards of the colleges.