Academic Standing
Undergraduate students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 and an average GPA of at least 2.0 in their major(s) and minor(s) to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Academic standing for the fall or spring semester is calculated on the basis of semester grades only. Summer and winter classes do not change the academic status as assigned at the end of a preceding semester.
Students whose academic performance fails to meet these conditions at the end of the fall or spring semester may be subject to academic warning, academic alert, academic notice, continuing academic notice or academic dismissal.
Please refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin’s section on Academic Retention Standards for additional information, including definitions of these terms.
Additionally, all students are held to UAlbany’s Standards of Academic Integrity. We encourage you to explore UAlbany's resources and guidance for maintaining academic integrity.
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Grade Changes that Affect Academic Standing
Students with grade changes that affect their academic standing should submit the Reporting a Grade Change for an Updated Academic Standing Form after they see the updated grade posted on their record.
The form cannot be processed until the new grade has been posted and the form cannot be used to request a grade change.
Note: It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Undergraduate Education of a grade change, as the office is not notified otherwise.
Academic Recovery Program
We understand that life doesn’t stop just because you’re in college and things happen that can affect your academic performance. We’re here to help you overcome those academic difficulties and navigate a path to success.
The Academic Recovery Program (ARP) provides personalized, collaborative academic support to students who are in academic alert or academic notice standing — helping you return to and stay in good academic standing.
Only students currently on Academic Alert whose cumulative GPA has fallen below 2.0 may participate in the Academic Recovery Program, which is available in person or online.
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
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Guidance for Students on Academic Warning or Academic Alert
If you’re on Academic Warning or Academic Alert, we recommend you immediately meet with your academic advisor(s) to discuss your situation and whether you should participate in the Academic Recovery Program
You should stay in contact with your advisor about your academic progress throughout the semester. You must earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA to continue taking classes and raise your cumulative GPA.
Participate in the Academic Recovery Program (ARP)
To sign up, you must complete the Academic Recovery Program Application.
If you’re admitted to the program, you must complete the Academic Recovery Contract & Academic Plan. Then, you’ll be assigned an Academic Recovery Advocate.
You’ll meet with your advocate and academic advisor(s) to discuss your academic standing, how you’ll improve your grades and the program’s expectations.
During the program, you will be expected to:
- Meet weekly with your advocate to discuss your academic strengths and weaknesses and to identify strategies and options
- Receive individual and/or small group tutoring to better understand and apply your coursework
- Attend workshops on time management, study skills, organization and other topics
You will also be enrolled in an academic skills course to improve your academic confidence, motivation and goal setting.
Testimonials from ARP Participants
“After being dismissed and away from the University for two years, I was readmitted for the Spring 2020 semester. Participating in the Academic Recovery Program (ARP) was a part of my readmission conditions. In the beginning, I felt it was very unnecessary and a complete waste of my time. Luckily, I was paired with a great ARP Advocate that contributed to my academic success this past semester. I expressed to my ARP Advocate that I had issues with time management. He shared different strategies with me to improve my time management skills and was also a huge support system for me, which motivated me to do more than what I thought was just enough. I can honestly say that I’ve learned great habits and still speak with my ARP Advocate on a weekly basis.”
“The Academic Recovery Program was a wonderful resource made available to me. During my time within the Academic Recovery Program, I was able to effectively set goals and plan ahead with my Academic Recovery Program Advocate. As a student who struggles with time management and organization, weekly meetings with my ARP Advocate allowed me to efficiently complete work, while being prepared for upcoming assignments and unforeseen events. My ARP Advocate also helped me grow as a person. Although academics were the foundation of our relationship, he helped me grow socially, professionally, personally and emotionally. Although I am not longer in the program, he constantly checks on me, and we FaceTime on a weekly basis.”
“My experience as a student in the Academic Recovery Program was great. When I started at the University, I had a hard time transitioning to college life and I ended up flunking two semesters back-to-back. By myself I was able to slightly raise my GPA and, alone, it would have taken me too long to get everything together in time to avoid being academically dismissed. With the help of ARP Advocate, not only was I able to raise my GPA from the 1.0 into the 2.0, but I earned a 3.35 GPA for the semester. The type of support I was given made me feel as if I did not have to struggle alone. In addition, the program helped me become more confident in my academic performance through utilizing the skills my ARP Advocate and I developed together.”
“As a transfer student, my transition from a smaller institution to a larger institution was very difficult. The big lecture classes and the campus environment was a major shock for me, which led to a poor academic performance in my first semester. However, the Academic Recovery Program helped make my transition much easier. My academic advisor really helped improve my academic performance because of our weekly meetings and academic goals. I became more organized with my classes because she gave me a planner, which helped me keep track of everything. Ever since I have been a part of the Academic Recovery Program, my overall GPA improves every semester. I am glad I was a part of this program because, without it, my college experience would have been very difficult.”
Academic Dismissal Appeals
Students facing academic dismissal may petition the Committee on Academic Standing to be reinstated to the University in the upcoming semester.
Your appeal must be supported by documentation you provide, including a letter from you, letters from staff on your behalf and any evidence that speaks to your current situation.
Appeals are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please use this guidance as you develop your appeal:
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Prepare to Appeal
- Meet with your academic advisor(s) and/or Academic Recovery Advocate to discuss your academic performance and create a plan of action.
- Gather documentation that explains your academic performance.
- When answering appeal questions, provide a clear description of your circumstances and, most importantly, address how you will perform better next semester.
- Proofread your appeal to correct spelling and grammar errors. Ask your advisor, advocate or someone you trust to review your appeal.
Answer Appeal Questions
Four questions will appear at the bottom of your academic dismissal letter. You must answer all four in your appeal.
The first question asks you to explain any events happening in your life that affected your grades. In your answer:
- Address the reason(s) your GPA fell below 2.0 in detail
- Describe what has changed about the situation and how those changes will allow you to perform better academically if you are allowed to return to UAlbany
The second question asks you to describe the steps you’ve taken to improve your grades and the specific plan of action you’ll follow if you are reinstated. In your answer:
- Identify the on-campus programs and services you’ll take advantage of, as well as how often you’ll meet with your advisor(s) and instructors
- Explain why your next semester at UAlbany would be different than your previous semester(s)
The third question asks if there are any errors in your transcript. If there are none, please write “Not Applicable.” If there are errors, in your answer:
- Identify the errors and what you’ve done to fix them
- Supply emails between you and the instructor(s) involved, if available
The fourth question asks whether you have any Incomplete (I) grades. If you have none, please write “Not Applicable.” If you do have Incompletes, in your answer:
- Describe the work you have left to complete and when you expect to turn in that work, using exact dates
- Supply documentation of this information, such as emails or other communications with your instructor
Collect Supporting Documentation
Your documentation should support the specific statements and claims you make in your appeal.
The evidence you submit depends on your individual circumstances. The following are examples of supporting documentation that may be appropriate for certain situations.
Physical and/or Mental Health Concerns
- Letter from a physician, therapist, counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist or professor
- Hospital discharge papers or statement of treatment
- Letter from Disability Access & Inclusion Student Services (DAISS)
- Letter from a domestic violence or sexual violence survivor advocate
Death of a Loved One
- Obituary or death certificate
- Letter from a parent or guardian, if applicable
Financial Concerns
- Bank statement showing financial struggle
- Eviction notice
- Letter from a sheltering program
- Documentation of decreased income
Other Concerns
- Police report
In some situations, it may not be possible to provide documentation of a specific occurrence or concern.
In these cases, do your best to explain your situation to the extent you are comfortable. Supporting documentation helps immensely but is not mandatory.
Submit an Appeal
Make sure your appeal is formatted properly and includes all required components.
- Put your name at the top of the document.
- Answer all four questions, which were included in your academic dismissal letter.
- Document your answers whenever possible to provide proof for your answers.
- Provide your contact information, so you can receive a decision.
- Submit your appeal by the deadline. Late appeals are not accepted.
Submit your appeal using the Academic Dismissal Appeal Form.
Receive an Appeal Decision — Reinstatement
If you are reinstated after appeal, you will be allowed to continue your enrollment at UAlbany, but you won’t automatically return to good academic standing. Your academic standing remains until your cumulative GPA is at least 2.0.
You should immediately contact your academic advisor(s) to discuss strategies for improving your academic performance.
The goal of reinstatement is to help you become a better student by increasing your skills, repairing your GPA and returning to good academic standing.
If you are reinstated, you will be required to participate in the Academic Recovery Program. Closely review the information you’re sent to understand the conditions of your reinstatement.
Receive an Appeal Decision — Denial
If your appeal is denied, we encourage you to meet with someone from the Academic Recovery Program and meet with your academic advisor(s) to ask questions and discuss next steps.
We’re committed to helping you navigate this process, even if you’re not registered as a UAlbany student.
You may also want to meet with someone at Career & Professional Development about volunteer and/or job opportunities to help you gain experience, explore your interests and earn money.
You can also shadow professionals in the fields you’re interested in to learn more about the work and determine what career path could be a good fit for you.
We recommend you commit to spending two semesters to take care of yourself and complete courses at other institutions before you apply for readmission to UAlbany.
Start with your most immediate needs, such as treating physical and/or mental health concerns and addressing housing or food security issues. The Academic Recovery Program can help connect you with the right services.
Next, we encourage you to explore courses at other institutions. Community college is a good starting point. SUNY Schenectady and Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) are both near UAlbany.