The academic year is divided into two periods for the purpose of handling most questions of academic deficiency that may result in either probation or separation from the college. The first consists of the fall and January terms. The second consists of the spring term and summer term. Students are placed on probation or are separated for academic deficiency at the end of either period if their work falls below the standards set by the college as described below. In the event a student does not attend January term, decisions regarding probation and separation will be made after the fall term. In the event a student does not attend the summer term, decisions regarding probation and separation will be made after the spring term.
PROBATION
At the end of an academic period, students will be placed on academic probation if their Randolph-Macon College GPA is below the value required in the table below. Placement on Academic Probation may not be appealed.
| Number of Credit Hours Attempted at RMC | Minimum Cumulative GPA to Avoid Probation |
|---|---|
| 1-17 | 1.50 |
| 18-34 | 1.67 |
| 35-47 | 1.81 |
| 48-55 | 1.92 |
| 56 or above | 2.00 |
SEPARATION FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY
Students will be automatically separated for academic deficiency when one or more of the following conditions are present:
- They earn a GPA of 0.00 for either fall term or spring term.
- They do not remove themselves from academic probation at the end of an academic period.
- Their Randolph-Macon College GPA is below the value indicated in the table below at the end of an academic period:
Separation Number of Credit Hours Attempted at RMC Minimum Cumulative GPA to Avoid Separation 1-17 1.00 18-35 1.25 36-54 1.45 55-69 1.60 70-83 1.70 84-97 1.75 98-108 1.79 109-119 1.83 120-130 1.86 131+ 1.90
The Committee on Academic Policies may permit students who have completed one academic period on probation to continue on probation for one succeeding academic period provided that, in the opinion of the committee, they have shown satisfactory improvement in their academic performance.
The committee may permit students more than two consecutive academic periods on probation. In every such instance, however, students must have earned a GPA above 2.00 in their most recent academic period and, in the opinion of the committee, be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of their degree requirements.
Students separated for academic deficiency for earning a GPA of 0.00 in either fall or spring term or for falling below the GPA separation threshold may not appeal their academic separation. Students who are separated for academic deficiency for failure to remove themselves from academic probation may appeal to the college’s Committee on Academic Policies for reconsideration of their separation.
Students who have been separated for academic deficiency are eligible to apply for readmission on probation after one fall or spring term has elapsed. (See Probationary Regulations.) Normally students who have twice been separated for academic deficiency will not be readmitted.
Students also must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid in order to be eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Review Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid for eligibility and contact the Financial Aid Office with questions.
Probationary Regulations
Randolph-Macon College considers education as the primary purpose of its students. Those students who are not making satisfactory progress toward finishing their degree should devote their energies and time to their academic work. The primary obligation of students on academic probation is to remove themselves from probation.
Consequently, students on academic probation may not drop below 12 semester hours nor take more than 14 semester hours without permission of the registrar. Among these hours, there may be no more than one one-semester-hour course. Students on probation may not compete in intercollegiate athletics. Students on academic probation may have certain additional regulations imposed upon them. Compliance with such regulations will be enforced by appropriate action by the registrar. (See Course Load and Eligibility.)