The scholastic standards policy of the university is presented in the UNC catalog. As stated by the policy, students may immediately appeal their suspensions if extenuating circumstances exist. These circumstances include factors beyond the student’s control (e.g., family emergency, serious illness, death, etc.) and must be documented. Appeals due to other circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

The student must file an appeal on forms available from the College Transition Center according to the deadlines presented on the forms. The CTC is available to answer questions for students preparing suspension appeals. All supporting documentation from third parties must be included with the appeal submitted by the student to the College Transition Center. When the appeal is complete, the CTC will forward the appeal to the Academic Review Committee members for review. Committee members include the associate vice president for academic affairs, the executive director of enrollment services, the dean of students and the dean or dean's representative of each college. Appeals not received by the College Transition Center by the applicable deadline will not be considered by the committee.

A suspension appeal will be examined for:

• clearly documented extenuating circumstances
• evidence whether the student has identified and addressed the reasons leading to poor academic performance
• demonstration of continually increased GPA since placed on academic probation
• a specific and realistic academic plan following College Transition Center guidelines (see the following page)
• evidence that the student can return to good academic standing if granted one additional semester of probation

Should a student’s appeal be granted, they must complete the conditions set by the Academic Review Committee. One such condition will require the student to raise his or her cumulative GPA to a 2.00 or higher in one additional semester to return to good academic standing. If this condition is not met, the student will be suspended from UNC. Such a student may, under the provisions of the scholastic standards policy, appeal that second suspension using the appeals procedure. Another condition requires the student to meet with the College Transition Center staff three times during the probationary semester. In addition, it is strongly recommended that the student meet with the advisor in their major department.

The College Transition Center will have a representative present at all meetings of the Academic Review Committee, and will assume the responsibility of notifying the student of committee action and conditions therein. Proceedings of the committee relative to academic suspension will be privileged and not available for general discussion or distribution. The College Transition Center will not have a vote in any proceedings of the committee.

Following the conclusion of fall/spring, students who have been academically suspended may have pre-registered for the next semester. The registration will remain valid until such time as all written appeals are acted upon. At the conclusion of the actions relative to written appeals, the class registration of all students who did not appeal their suspension or who filed an unsuccessful appeal will be dropped.

All appeal files shall remain in the College Transition Center following committee action. For more information, please contact the CTC at (970) 351-1391.

Tips on Writing your Suspension Appeal

1. Type or word process your entire appeal to make it look professional and organized.
2. Proofread your appeal for correct spelling and correct use of grammar.
3. Be detailed, descriptive, and specific.
4. Work with an advisor in the College Transition Center to review your appeal.
5. Research all areas you can utilize to return to good standing.
6. Reference your UNC academic record when appropriate.
7. Include the Suspension Appeal Form as the top page of your appeal.
8. Address the areas of the appeal one by one:
   
   • Paragraph #1
     Explain and address the first area of the appeal: “A detailed account of the reasons that you did not achieve your academic potential. Please enclose appropriate documentation (medical records, funeral announcement, etc.)”
   
   
   • Paragraph #2
     Explain and address the second area of the appeal: “A description of the circumstances that have changed to allow you to perform at a satisfactory level.”
     • Changes you have identified as beneficial in any of the following areas: academics (campus resources, habits, study skills, faculty, staff, etc.), campus activities, family, social, work, etc.
       
   • Paragraph #3
     Explain and address the third area of the appeal: “A specific plan of action that you will follow to attain academic success.” Using specific examples, address any of the following areas pertinent to your plan:
     • Number of credit hours you will be taking in the next semester. What GPA do you need to reach a cumulative 2.0 in one semester (utilize the grade prediction area in Webster).
     • What grades will you need in each class to return to good standing. How will you get those grades? What changes might you need to make to attain those grades?
     • Goals for the semester and how you will achieve them.
     • Short term and long term goals.
     • GPA requirement for your major.
9. Attach any supporting documentation to the back of your appeal packet.