Standards of academic progress
You must demonstrate academic progress with good academic standing to continue your enrollment at Sandburg, which is defined as a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and a minimum cumulative 67% completion rate for attempted credits.
What is academic standing?
Academic standing is based on your cumulative grade point average (GPA) and cumulative completion rate. You’ll have the following:
Term
- Completion rate: The percentage of classes you successfully completed for the term of enrollment.
- GPA: Your grade point average of the classes you completed for the term of enrollment.
Cumulative
- Completion rate: The rate at which you are progressing through your program of study. You must complete at least 67% of credits attempted with a grade of A, B, C, D or P. Grades of W, F and I count against your completion rate.
- GPA: The overall GPA, or grade point average, of all courses you completed at Sandburg. W grades are not included in GPA calculations.
Review the cumulative totals section on your transcript on mySandburg / Self-Service Menu / My Classes / View my grades/transcripts to check your cumulative GPA and completion rate.
What is academic warning?
If you fall below a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) or a cumulative completion rate of 67% of attempted credits, you’ll be placed on academic warning. You can still enroll in courses, and continued enrollment is based on your academic standing as reviewed at the end of each term of enrollment:
- A cumulative 2.0 GPA and completion rate of 67% = Returned to good standing
- A semester GPA of 2.0 and a semester completion rate of 67% = Remain on academic warning
- A semester completion rate below 67% or semester GPA below 2.0 = academic notice
What is academic notice?
If you don’t improve while on academic warning, you’ll be placed on academic notice, which allows you to enroll, providing you show academic improvement. Continued enrollment is based on your academic standing, which is reviewed at the end of each term of enrollment:
- A semester GPA of 2.2 and completion rate of 75% = Remain on academic notice until good academic standing achieved
- A semester GPA below 2.2 and completion rate below 75% = Academic notice II
What is academic notice II?
When you’re placed on academic notice II, it’s your last semester to improve your academic standing before you’re separated from the college. As such, additional restrictions are placed on your enrollment:
- If you’re placed on academic notice II, you’re required to schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to evaluate and revise your existing academic plan.
- If you’re placed on academic notice II, you’ll be restricted to enrolling in 12 credit hours or less per semester, and a registration restriction is placed on your account.
Your academic standing is reviewed at the end of the enrollment term:
- A semester GPA of 2.2 and a completion rate of 75% = remain on academic notice II until achieve good academic standing
- A semester GPA below 2.2 and a completion rate below 75% = academic separation I
What is academic separation I?
If you’re on academic separation I, you’re required to sit out for one or more semesters. A restriction is placed on your account to prevent registration, including auditing courses. If you’re placed on academic separation I at the end of the fall semester, you’ll be restricted from enrolling in both winter and spring semesters; if placed on academic separation I at the end of the spring semester, you’ll be restricted for both the upcoming summer and fall semesters.
If you’re on academic separation I, you must appeal to the student development faculty committee to be considered for future enrollment.
- If there are extenuating circumstances, you can appeal to immediately re-enroll after being placed on academic separation I; however, you’re encouraged to sit out for the full separation period before appealing for re-enrollment privileges.
- You must complete the academic separation appeal form to be considered for reinstatement by the committee. You must schedule a meeting with your academic advisor or student success coach to develop an academic improvement plan for the form. Your appeal must include a detailed explanation of the changes you plan to make to satisfy the standards of academic progress.
If your academic separation I appeal is granted:
- You must earn a semester GPA of 2.2 and a semester completion rate of 75% each semester until you return to good academic standing.
- You’ll be restricted to enrolling in 12 credit hours or less per semester, and a registration restriction is placed on your account.
- The student development faculty committee or vice president reserves the right to impose additional restrictions or conditions of reinstatement based on what best supports the student’s academic success in their opinion.
If your academic separation I appeal is denied:
- You cannot enroll for one or more semesters.
- You can re-appeal to the vice president of academic services or the vice president of student development if new evidence or additional supporting documentation is available, extenuating circumstances were a factor.
- The vice president’s decision is final.
- Your separation remains in place for the time period outlined above.
If you’ve been reinstated and allowed to re-enroll while on academic separation I and fail to earn a semester GPA of 2.2 and a semester completion rate of 75%, you’ll be placed on academic separation II.
What is academic separation II?
If you’re on academic separation II, you must sit out for one or more semesters. A restriction is placed on your account to prevent registration, including auditing courses. If you’re placed on academic separation II at the end of the fall semester, you’re restricted from enrolling in both winter and spring semesters; if placed on academic separation II at the end of the spring semester, you’re restricted for both the upcoming summer and fall semesters.
To reenroll after being placed on academic separation II, you must appeal to the vice president of academic services or the vice president of student development.
- If there are extenuating circumstances, you can appeal to immediately reenroll after being placed on academic separation II; however, you’re encouraged to sit out for the full separation period before appealing for re-enrollment privileges.
- You must complete the academic separation appeal form to be considered for reinstatement by the vice president. You must schedule a meeting with your academic advisor or student success coach to develop an academic improvement plan for the form. Your appeal must include a detailed explanation of the changes you plan to make to satisfy the standards of academic progress.
If your academic separation II appeal is granted:
- You must earn a semester GPA of 2.2 and a semester completion rate of 75% each semester until you return to good academic standing.
- You’re restricted to enrolling in 12 credit hours or less per semester, and a registration restriction is placed on your account.
- The vice president reserves the right to impose additional restrictions or conditions of reinstatement based on what best supports the student’s academic success in their opinion.
If a student’s academic separation II appeal is denied:
- The vice president’s decision is final.
- Your suspension remains in place for the time period outlined above before you can appeal for future enrollment.
If you’ve been reinstated and allowed to reenroll while on academic separation II, and if you fail to earn a semester GPA of 2.2 and a semester completion rate of 75%, you’re restricted from future enrollment at Sandburg. No further appeals will be considered until you meet one of the following criteria:
- Demonstrate substantial academic progress (e.g., completion of at least 12 degree or certificate credit hours, or the equivalent, within two consecutive academic years with a minimum 2.25 GPA) at another accredited college or university by sending official transcripts directly from the institution.
- Sit out for a minimum of two full consecutive academic years and provide evidence of a change in circumstances, resources or support that improves your chances of academic progress and success.
If you meet either criteria and wish to reenroll at Sandburg, you can appeal to the vice president of academic services or vice president of student development. You must appeal using the academic separation appeal form and include an academic plan developed with the help of a Sandburg academic advisor. The vice president’s decision is final, and no further appeals will be considered.
How do I submit an academic appeal?
If your academic standing declines to academic separation status, you may be eligible to submit an academic appeal. The appeal process, instructions and deadline for receipt are included in the suspension or dismissal letter. Depending on the status of your suspension, appeals are reviewed by a committee consisting of faculty members or the vice president of academic services. Appeals should contain proper grammar and include as much information as possible to address the circumstances of your academic status.
Outline for an academic appeal
- Using the academic suspension appeal form, describe the circumstances involved or your reason for appealing. The committee or vice president will review your entire academic history at Sandburg, not just your last semester. Include details of the difficulties that contributed to your academic standing during your enrollment at Sandburg. If possible, give dates and reference specific time periods and how these events affected your performance in the past.
- Include any supporting documentation, if applicable, include a letter confirming medical treatment or confirmation of a death in the immediate family, etc.
- Explain how your circumstances have changed, and why they no longer pose a threat to your academic progress.
- Provide a plan for academic success and show responsibility for improving your academic progress. Describe what you’ve done or plan to do in the future to improve your academic performance, and give specific examples. Use free resources available to you at the college such as tutoring, counseling, advising and library services.
If you need help writing an appeal, contact the Tutoring Center or your academic advisor. Use free grammar-check websites, such as Grammarly or GrammarCheck.
Check out these resources.
To help you maintain good academic standing or appeal any decisions, take advantage of the various free resources you have at Sandburg.
Tutoring Center
The Tutoring Center for Sandburg students can help with all core subjects, from math to English to science. 24/7 online free tutoring is available through the chat-based platform, Brainfuse, accessed on mySandburg / Brainfuse.
For more information, visit the Galesburg center in the student center, email the center, or call 309.341.5454. Carthage: For more information at the Carthage campus, email, or call 217.357.3129, ext. 7243.
Disability Support
Disability Support at Sandburg helps make the classroom environment (whether in-person, virtual or online) equally accessible to students with disabilities. For more information email academic support services, or call 309.341.5262.
Sandburg library
The library supplies a wide variety of traditional and innovative materials and services to support your educational needs. For more info, stop by, email the library, or call 309.341.5257.
Academic advising & counseling services
Academic advisors can help you plan academic goals and overcome obstacles along the way year-round. They’re also a great resource to help you with time management and study skills. Make an appointment with your advisor to develop an individual plan to complete your degree. Email them, or call 309.341.5237.
Counseling services are a free resource to Sandburg students. Whether you are a first-time college student or returning to school due to a life transition, sometimes it helps to talk with an objective listener. Email them, or call 309.341.5237.
Academic standings levels
