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Contact Information

registrar@utk.edu
Phone: (865) 974-2101



Academic Review and Dismissal FAQs


What is "academic review"?
"Academic review" is a policy designed to assist undergraduate students in achieving and maintaining good academic standing. Good academic standing [term and cumulative grade point averages (gpas) of 2.0 or better] is required for remaining enrolled at the university, and students must maintain good academic standing in order to graduate. Undergraduates who fail to maintain good academic standing are placed on academic review, which requires participation in special advising during terms of enrollment in order to outline a plan for achieving academic success.

Why was I placed on "academic review"?
Students are placed on academic review when one or both of the following occur:
  • The cumulative grade point average (gpa) falls below the minimum acceptable level of 2.00; AND/OR
  • The semester gpa falls below the minimum acceptable level of 2.00 for two consecutive terms of enrollment.

What is "pending academic dismissal" status?
Any undergraduate student whose cumulative gpa falls below 2.0 is placed in "pending academic dismissal" status. This status is the result of serious academic difficulty, and could lead to release from the college and possible dismissal from the university if some measure of academic success is not gained during that term of enrollment. All students on "pending academic dismissal" status (p.a.d.) will be considered for academic dismissal from the university.
Students in "pending academic dismissal" status during a term WILL be automatically dismissed at the end of that term if the following criteria are met:

  • The cumulative gpa is below a 2.0; AND
  • The quality point deficiency is 15 or more (see below for how to determine a quality point deficiency); AND
  • The term gpa is below 2.0; AND
  • The term enrollment includes at least six attempted hours of graded (A-F) hours.
Students in "pending academic dismissal" status during a term MAY be dismissed at the end of that term if :
  • The cumulative gpa is below 2.0; AND
  • The term gpa below 2.0.
What is a "quality point deficiency" and how is it calculated?
A quality point deficiency is the number of quality points lacking for the calculation of the GPA to result in a 2.0. Therefore, it is a good measure of a student's academic difficulty.

To calculate, multiply your cumulative hours attempted by 2 (because two quality points are earned for each hour of C) to get the number of quality points required for a 2.0 cumulative GPA (a C average); subtract the total quality points earned from the quality points required to find the quality point deficiency.


Please see the following page for more information:
Grade Point Averages

How do I get back into "good standing"?

A student who has been in "academic review" status returns to "good standing" when at the end of the term the following criteria are met:
  • The cumulative gpa is 2.0 or higher; AND
  • The term gpa is 2.0 or higher.

How well do I have to do to not be academically dismissed?
The university wants you to make progress toward getting back into good standing. Therefore, if you earn at least a 2.0 term gpa, then you will not be academically dismissed that semester. However, in order to actually pull your cumulative gpa up, it is important to earn over a 2.0 term gpa. For more information about how a gpa is calculated, please see our web page about grades and gpa calculation at: gpa.html.


What happens if I am released from my college, but not
academically dismissed from the University?

If you are released from your college and not dismissed from the university AND have at least a 2.0 term gpa, then you may seek admission to an alternate college and major. However, if you have below a 2.0 term gpa, then you will be classified as a "University" student. "University" students receive their advising from the College of Arts and Sciences.

If I am academically dismissed from the University, am I
allowed to apply for readmission?

Students who are academically dismissed must remain away from the University for a mandatory absence and should use the period of dismissal to reflect on and address the factors that led to poor performance.

  • First Academic Dismissal
    A student dismissed for the first time may not be readmitted until a full semester (not including summer) has elapsed.

  • Second Academic Dismissal
    A student dismissed for the second time may be readmitted after one calendar year has elapsed and after completing a minimum of 12 semester credits of academic coursework with at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average from an accredited institution(s) of higher education. Students who have been dismissed twice are required to meet with the Undergraduate Council Appeals Committee. Students may be readmitted only when they present evidence that they are capable of performing at the level required to meet university academic standards and completing all degree requirements within a reasonable length of time.

  • Third Academic Dismissal
    After a third dismissal, a student is ineligible to attend the university and may not apply for readmission.

Additional information is available on the Web site of the Student Success Center at http://studentsuccess.tennessee.edu/ard.html.

Readmission is not automatic. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (865-974-2184) or visit the Admissions website at http://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate/readmit.shtml.


What if I think my dismissal was in error?
If you believe your dismissal was a result of extraordinary circumstances or an error in records and therefore was unwarranted, you may submit a written appeal to the Appeals Committee. For details about the appeal process, please visit the Student Success Center.
.
What should I do while I am academically dismissed and not
attending the University?

That's an important decision to make and it depends completely on your circumstances and the reasons you were not successful in your studies at UT. Give this decision a lot of thought and talk it over with someone who knows you well. You can consider the following:

  • Get a job and work for a while. Often this helps students who have had academic difficulty get a better focus so that they are motivated and have direction when they return to the University;
  • Attend a community college; discuss this carefully with an advisor.