Academic Standing Rules

1.  Standard.

To maintain good academic standing, each student must:

1. Earn a semester grade point average of at least 2.0 at the end of each semester, except for the first semester of the first year;
2. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 at the end of each semester, except for the first semester of the first year;
3. In the first semester of the first year, earn grades below C in no more than 9 credits.
4. Receive no more than 2 Fs during the student’s law school career.

Maintenance of good academic standing is a prerequisite to continuation at the law school and for graduation.

A first-year student who receives an F in Applied Legal Analysis and Writing I may not enroll in Applied Legal Analysis Writing II and must repeat Applied Legal Analysis and Writing I the following academic year.

Students with cumulative or semester GPA’s under or equal to 2.70 but not subject to dismissal under the current Academic Standing Rule (requiring a cumulative and semester GPA of at least 2.0 for continued good standing) will be notified by the Associate Dean for Academic Success that they are in good standing, but subject to fulfillment of the conditions of the Enhanced Academic Support Program. 

2.  Procedure.

Notice to Student. As soon as practicable after grades are due each semester, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs shall notify a student in writing that he or she failed to meet the minimum standard of academic performance.

Petition for Reinstatement to Good Standing. The student may submit to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs as chair of the Academic Rules Committee a written petition seeking reinstatement to good standing within 5 business days after the student receives notice.  A student may request an extension of the five day period upon written request to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs delivered before expiration of the five day period. A student may include as part of the petition a written personal statement and written statements from faculty members or other persons whose views may be relevant on the issue of grounds for reinstatement to good standing.

Effect of Failure to Submit a Petition.  A student who does not submit a written petition seeking reinstatement within the five day period (or an authorized longer period) will be dismissed from the law school as of the last date for submission of a petition.

Right to Hearing. A student may request a hearing before the Academic Rules Committee in the petition. If so requested, the Academic Rules Committee shall schedule a hearing as soon as practicable following receipt of the student's petition. The purpose of the hearing is to permit the student to make a statement based on issues raised in the written petition and to answer questions of the Academic Rules Committee. The student must appear alone.  Counsel, witnesses or other observers are not permitted.
 

3.  Presumption Based on Academic Performance.

To merit reinstatement to good standing, the student must present evidence sufficient to overcome the presumption that arises from the student's academic performance that:

The student is unable or unwilling to undertake the discipline of study to succeed in law school and the legal profession; or

The student’s failure to meet the minimum standards of academic performance was substantially attributable to inability or unwillingness to meet minimum academic standards and not to disabling circumstances which the student reasonably could not have anticipated or rectified. (In no case will employment during the semester be considered a disabling circumstance).
 

4.  Finality.

The decision of the Academic Rules Committee on a petition for reinstatement is final and not appealable to the Academic Rules Committee for reconsideration.
 

5.  Effect of Dismissal.

The transcript of a student dismissed for failure to maintain minimum academic standards under this rule will show that the student was dismissed on academic grounds. ABA Standard 505 applies to students dismissed on academic grounds who subsequently seek admission to another law school.