Academic Policies

On this page:

• Academic Mediation
• Academic Probation/Dismissal

Academic Mediation

Intent

To mediate and help resolve disputes between faculty and students over grades or other academic evaluations in which the student feels that he or she has been treated or graded unfairly while preserving the rights of both faculty and students, maintaining academic freedom, and upholding the aims of the university.

Recognizing that students should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudice or capricious academic evaluations and recognizing that they are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled, the university adheres to the following procedures for such protection:

1. It will be recognized that the burden of proof in such cases rests with the student.
2. A student who believes he or she has received a grade or an evaluation based on improper consideration must first consult with the instructor involved.
3. Should the student not be satisfied with this consultation, the student may then contact the respective Unit Director to discuss the situation and review the next steps of the academic mediation process.
4. The next step involves submitting a formal appeal to the dean. A student who has earned over 30 hours at the end of the semester in which the disputed grade was issued must submit the appeal before the final exam period of the semester immediately following the term in which the grade was issued. The appeal should include the following:
   1. A statement of the specific complaint.
   2. A factual summary of the circumstances leading to the complaint.
   3. Presentation of supporting documentation to substantiate the complaint. Such documentation can include, but would not necessarily be limited to, a course syllabus and graded material such as tests and homework.
   4. A statement indicating all previous attempts to resolve the complaint informally.
5. After submitting the appeal, the student may schedule a meeting with the dean to discuss any details and respond to any subsequent questions. The dean will review the appeal before contacting the instructor, who may submit a written response. The dean will then attempt to resolve the dispute, producing a summary report within 30 calendar days from its receipt to be distributed to the student, the instructor, the director of student affairs, and the dean.

For additional information, please refer to Petitions, Comments, and Complaints Procedures for Students.

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Academic Probation/Dismissal

The Lake Campus academic probation and dismissal process is based on Wright State University's Academic Standing policy.

A student on probation who fails to achieve a cumulative 2.0 GPA or above in their subsequent term of enrollment will be eligible for dismissal.

Dismissal action is taken by the dean of the college or school to which the student is assigned, in consultation with the head of the respective program unit or the academic advisor. In taking dismissal action, the academic officer will generally consider the student's progress toward meeting degree requirements, as well as overall academic performance.

Notice of dismissal from the university will be sent directly to the student by the dean or his or her designee of the college, school, or division to which that student is assigned.

Specifically, for the Lake Campus, students will be notified, in writing, of their probation status by the Lake Campus dean/chief administrative officer. Students who are dismissed from the university may, at the discretion of the dean/CAO, have the opportunity to appeal this decision.

The dean/CAO will designate an Appeals Board to review student appeals to dismissal. The board will include one academic unit director, the director of student affairs, and one academic advisor. The appeals board will meet in a timely manner to review the submitted appeals and make a final recommendation based on the documentation submitted by the student. This final recommendation is submitted to the dean/CAO for the final decision. Students who choose NOT to appeal or who do not win their appeal will be dismissed for one year per the above policy in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Appeal Form (PDF)

Students who are granted an appeal will receive additional information about requirements. After an appeal is granted, failure to meet with academic advising staff and/or inability to raise the cumulative GPA to 2.0 or greater will result in dismissal with no opportunity for a second appeal.

Students who are dismissed will need to petition for readmission after one year. For more information please view the petition information admissions page. Dismissed students may also choose to consider Fresh Start after a three-year period.

For more information, please contact Student Services at 419-586-0300.