Spring Break
UConn's academic probation policy is unreasonable
Ali Mirza
Issue date: 6/15/09 Section: Commentary
Due to her performance in that one semester, she is now officially on academic probation. But the story gets worse: her second semester of her junior year is just as bad. She is still dealing with personal issues, which are the source of much distraction and disorganization. She earns a 1.9 GPA for that semester as well. This knocks her overall GPA down to a 3.3.
Now, due to two consecutive semesters of poor performance, she faces expulsion from the university, despite the fact that she has an overall GPA of 3.3, equal to a B+ at UConn.
That is simply absurd. It amounts to a slap in the face by the university. UConn's policy might as well be interpreted as "it doesn't matter to us."
It doesn't matter that you were a stellar student for two years or more. It doesn't matter what particular program you are in. It doesn't matter that you are an overall B+ average student who is involved in campus life. You screwed up for two semesters in a row….get out!
As crude as that definition sounds, is it untrue? It is easy to read a hypothetical story written for the purpose of making an argument. But this is a very real problem. There have no doubt been students in the past who have faced comparable situations to our hypothetical friend Jenny...maybe even worse.
UConn should work to change this policy; it is unfair and unreasonable. Part of what makes a higher learning institution great is how it treats its students. No amount of prestige, funding, faculty reputation or impressive statistics can override that. The academic probation regulation is meant to serve as a safety net, a chance to examine one's performance and make the necessary improvements, not a specter hanging over one's head with the threat of expulsion because of unreasonable expectations.
Now, due to two consecutive semesters of poor performance, she faces expulsion from the university, despite the fact that she has an overall GPA of 3.3, equal to a B+ at UConn.
That is simply absurd. It amounts to a slap in the face by the university. UConn's policy might as well be interpreted as "it doesn't matter to us."
It doesn't matter that you were a stellar student for two years or more. It doesn't matter what particular program you are in. It doesn't matter that you are an overall B+ average student who is involved in campus life. You screwed up for two semesters in a row….get out!
As crude as that definition sounds, is it untrue? It is easy to read a hypothetical story written for the purpose of making an argument. But this is a very real problem. There have no doubt been students in the past who have faced comparable situations to our hypothetical friend Jenny...maybe even worse.
UConn should work to change this policy; it is unfair and unreasonable. Part of what makes a higher learning institution great is how it treats its students. No amount of prestige, funding, faculty reputation or impressive statistics can override that. The academic probation regulation is meant to serve as a safety net, a chance to examine one's performance and make the necessary improvements, not a specter hanging over one's head with the threat of expulsion because of unreasonable expectations.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Bob Paris
posted 6/14/09 @ 9:27 PM EST
I believe that you have a well thought out argument, however you ignore an imortant facts of college life. College is supposed to prepare you for your "working adult life". (Continued…)
Sarah Melchior
posted 6/14/09 @ 10:01 PM EST
I think you could benefit from a little more research.
http://web.uconn.edu/uconnconnects/resources/probation_dismissal.htm
This is a link to the University's probation and dismissal policies. (Continued…)
Sammy
posted 6/24/09 @ 9:05 AM EST
this article is a bit silly. If you read the policy very directly, yes it seems scary, but the university wont kick you out after two semesters with a bad GPA when your overall GPA is still B+. (Continued…)
Gabby
posted 10/22/09 @ 11:25 AM EST
i agree with those policies but you people need to not be to striked!
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