The Observer

  Academic probation is a touchy subject for many students. For several people this status is not on account of a lack of effort. The majority of cases are the result of students trying to juggle work and school. Thus, the work won out over school. Students can avoid this issue by way of either cutting back on the amount they work, or cutting down on the amount of credits they take. There is no shame in going part time; progress toward an educational goal is still being made.

  Another issue the committee has encountered on more than one occasion is the unforeseen medical circumstances. Numerous cases of medical issues have taken students out in the middle of the semester and have prohibited them from returning. The academic probation status in this case will only happen after the half-way point of the semester when the drop/audit point has expired. These cases are where the student's meet with the committee to have the grade on the transcript replaced with a W for withdraw and not failing grade of F.

  Most cases that go in front of the committee for review turn out in favor of the student returning to school right away. There are always exceptions though. A few cases they see are students that really just don't have the drive at this point in life. The committee sometimes has to deliver the sad news that the student is plainly not ready to take on the responsibility of higher education. This isn't high school; professors will not hold students hands make sure assignments get done.

  A side note worth mentioning, the committee does remain objective in the case by case determination. They don't let economic circumstances, i.e. low enrollment influence they're decision making.

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