Academic Standing Policy

In determining satisfactory progress, the Sawyer Business School expects students to maintain a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and a grade point average of 2.0 in the major field of study. Failure to maintain these degree requirements may result in academic probation or dismissal.

As a part of our Academic Standing, the following review processes are completed after every Fall and Spring term and at the end of both Summer Sessions.

Early Warning Systems
To monitor student progress during the semester, several Early Warning Systems provide feedback to students at risk, faculty advisors, and administrators:

Early Alert: In the sixth week of the semester, instructors of all undergraduate courses identify students who are in academic difficulty and/or who have excessive absences.

Majors at Risk: Students who have received grades below “C” in a major course are identified. In order to continue in the major, students need to meet to discuss their choice of major with both their faculty advisors and with the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs in the Business School.

The Academic Standing Committee monitors grades of I, L, W and may issue an academic action to students with excess numbers of I, L, or W grades. Also monitored are course load requirements, grades of F, and grades of D and below in writing, communications, and quantitative courses.

Undergraduate Academic Actions
Students who fail to achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 will receive a warning letter.

Students who fail to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 will be placed on probation and will be informed in writing of conditions for continued matriculation.

In the semester following the first probationary period:

If conditions are met and the cumulative GPA is at least 2.0, then the student is removed from probationary status.

If conditions are met and the cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, then the student is placed on a second semester of probation.

If conditions are not met, the student may be dismissed from the University.

FINANCIAL AID: Please note that the academic standing review is an academic process and is separate from the guidelines from the federal government that manage access to student aid. It is possible to be allowed to continue at a university academically and not be allowed to continue to have financial aid. We recommend ALL students who have financial aid and find themselves in academic difficulty to meet with the financial aid advisor to understand their personal situation.

Applying to Return to the Sawyer Business School after Dismissal
Students who have been dismissed may apply for readmission after one semester by providing the Undergraduate Programs Office with a written letter of petition. Please address the letter to: "The Academic Standing Committee.” We suggest that this letter contain three main sections:

1) Address the difficulties you had while you were enrolled at Suffolk University.

2) Describe what steps you have taken while away from Suffolk University to improve your personal situation (such as academic performance, personal issues, medical conditions, financial hardship). Be sure to attach any supporting documentation (such as transcripts from other institutions, letters from a doctor or current faculty member).

3) Create an action plan for your return (if reinstated) and describe what you would do to succeed for the future.

Letters should include your personal contact information and be sent to:
Lauren Mahoney, Assistant Dean
Sawyer Business School, Undergraduate Programs
8 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-2770.

For more information, please call the Undergraduate Programs Office at (617) 573.8345 or email Lauren Mahoney at lmahoney@suffolk.edu.