Students who are on academic probation or non-academic probation, do not achieve a 2.90 Fall GPA, a 3.00 cumulative GPA, fail a course, fail the comprehensive exam, or demonstrate other academic or non-academic unsatisfactory performance as defined and determined by the MSBS Program may be required to meet with the MSBS Student Performance Committee (MSBS-SPC) to discuss options. In consultation with the Associate/Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, students may also be referred to the MSBS-SPC for violations of the RVU Code of Conduct. Students with a Fall GPA under 2.70 are automatically dismissed. Students with a Fall GPA of 2.90-2.99 automatically progress to the Spring semester on an Academic Improvement Plan, but are encouraged to participate in a voluntary expedited SPC meeting with representatives of the committee to further help diagnose student barriers and make plans for success.
Procedure
If requested to appear before the SPC, students must appear at the appointed time and place.
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The student shall receive notice of the time, place, and subject of the meeting and must confirm receipt of the notice. Such written notice may be in the form of an official University email, U.S. mail, or a hand-delivered written message.
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Appearance before the MSBS-SPC is mandatory. Lack of attendance at a required SPC meeting forfeits the student's opportunity to discuss circumstances with the Committee and may lead to dismissal from the program.
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Legal representation and/or other supporting persons is prohibited.
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The student will be given the opportunity to present a statement to the SPC in written and oral form and will answer questions posed by the MSBS-SPC.
Proceedings of the SPC are closed and confidential. Members of the SPC are not permitted to discuss issues brought before the SPC outside of a formal SPC meeting. SPC meeting minutes, recordings, and notes are not formally part of the student academic record and are, therefore, not accessible to students. The Program Director's decision is accessible to the student.
Where deemed appropriate, the MSBS-SPC may recommend any one of the following options:
- Remediation of a course or comprehensive exam;
- Repetition of a course;
- Non-academic probation;
- Dismissal from the University; or,
- Other appropriate course of action.
The final decision will be made by the MSBS Program Director and may or may not align with the recommendation of the MSBS Student Performance Committee. There is no guarantee that remediating courses, repeating courses, or remediating comprehensive exams, or other options will be offered. A student may appeal a Program Director decision for dismissal as per the section ‘Student Education Records; Dismissal Policy and Right to Appeal” in the RVU Student Handbook and Catalog. Specific requirements regarding remediation and/or other course of action will be made on an individual basis after considering pertinent circumstances, which may include, but are not limited to, the student’s academic record, consultation with the course director, and consultation with the student involved.
Lack of attendance at a required SPC meeting forfeits the student's opportunity to discuss circumstances with the Committee and may lead to dismissal from the program.