Academic Status

CLASSIFICATIONS

Classification is based on the number of St. Olaf full-equivalent courses completed by and only on October 1, as follows:

Sophomore: 6 courses
Junior: 15 courses
Senior: 23 courses

Because reclassification is completed only once each year, it is important that all work completed at another institution be transferred to St. Olaf before the reclassification process begins. A student's classification may affect "room draw," choice of residence hall, registration time, or other benefits. For purposes of classification the term "course" means a full (1.00) equivalent course.

Students who graduated from high school six or fewer months prior to entering St. Olaf as "new students" may not, as the result of six or more Advanced Placement, high school, post-secondary, and/or college summer courses, claim sophomore status for purposes of room-draw or waiver of some requirements afforded "college transfer" students who have a high school graduation date of 11 months or more prior to entrance into St. Olaf.

CLASS RANK

Each graduated senior is ranked in his/her class according to cumulative grade point averages (G.P.A.). Class rank is recorded on the permanent transcript for those students whose names appear in the Commencement program in May of a given year.

Participators in Commencement are ranked according to their cumulative G.P.A. after Spring Semester of the senior year. Rank is not changed even if further St. Olaf course work is used to complete degree requirements or used by diploma graduates for additional credits.

Class rank is also computed for non-seniors at the end of each academic year, but is not recorded on the transcript. Class rank is available upon request at the Registrar's Office. Picture identification is required.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

A student will be placed on academic probation, or be continued on probation, with:

A cumulative grade point average of 1.50-1.80 in the first year, 1.75-1.90 in the sophomore year, and 1.87-1.95 in the junior and senior year, or
Two or more grades of D, F, N, or U in any semester, or
Fewer than two and one-half courses of C- or better during a semester, or fewer than five and one-half courses of C- or better during an academic year.

A student on probation may not participate in a St. Olaf-sponsored off-campus program or in an interim exchange program. Institutionally-controlled gift assistance or financial aid may be reduced if a student is placed on academic probation.

College decisions involving probation are not subject to appeal.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

A student may be dismissed if he/she is on probationary status and fails to achieve minimal academic progress. Minimal academic progress may be defined as that combination of course completions and grade points that suggest the probable completion of graduation requirements in four years with at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Such progress is expected to approximate the following scale:

Cumulative G.P.A. of 1.87 after the completion of 26 credits.
Cumulative G.P.A. of 1.75 after the completion of 17 credits.
Cumulative G.P.A. of 1.50 after the completion of 8 credits.

Normally a student cannot be on probation longer than one semester before being academically dismissed.

There is usually a waiting period of one year prior to consideration of an application for readmission following dismissal.

Decisions resulting in academic dismissal or the placement of a student on academic probation are made by the academic standing committee, which includes an associate dean of students, a representative of the registrar's office, the director of the academic support center, director of multicultural student services, and a representative from the faculty. Parents are notified when academic dismissal occurs. Students placed in dismissal status may appeal the dismissal decision to an appeals board composed of the dean of the college, the dean of students, and the registrar. The appeal must be made in writing and sent to the registrar within seven days of the date of the dismissal letter.