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| Apr 23, 2021
By Beth Tidball, Director of Academic Advising
When you sent your student off to college, you probably didn’t expect they would end up on academic probation. The adjustment to college expectations, freedoms, and requirements takes time and, on occasion, may result in students finding themselves on academic probation. They will need to rely on their support networks in order to get back on track to academic success. And parents are key members of those support networks!
It is important to remember that being placed on probation is not a punishment. Students on probation are valued members of the Marian community. Probation is simply a warning that students may need to address personal or academic issues in order to get back on track. It is important to recognize that being on probation is not a reflection of a student's academic ability or future success.
What is probation?
Students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) to graduate. Students are placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below the minimum requirement based on the total credit hours they have attempted.
| Total Credits Attempted | Minimum Cumulative GPA |
| Up to 17.99 | 1.50 |
| 18.00-34.99 | 1.75 |
| 35.00-51.99 | 1.90 |
| 52 or more | 2.00 |
Students enrolled in COL099, MAT090, or MAT095 will also be placed on Academic Probation if they fail to earn a C or higher in those classes.
Why do students end up on probation?
There is no one reason that students find themselves on probation. Every student's situation is different. In order to overcome obstacles from previous semesters, the first step is to identify issues that led to academic struggles. Common issues often include:
- Poor time management
- Lack of motivation
- Major/minor wasn't a good fit
- Personal (health, family, financial, etc.) issues
- Poor study skills
- Under-utilizing campus resources
How will Marian support my student?
The Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) will provide advice, support, encouragement, and resources to students on probation as they work to return to good academic standing. Students will be assigned an Academic Success Coach who will meet with them weekly throughout the semester. Success Coaches tailor their approach to match each student's needs. Some common areas of assistance include:
- Setting short-term and long-term goals
- Determining the minimum grades/cumulative GPA required to return to Good Academic Standing
- Recommending and connecting with appropriate campus resources
- Tracking grades and due dates for assignments/tests
- Developing strong study skills
- Improving time management
There are also wide variety of free resources available to Marian students. Utilizing campus resources can help students improve confidence and develop the skills necessary to return to good standing and meet their academic goals. In addition to working with their Academic Success Coach, students on probation should consider making use of the following resources:
- Academic advisor
- Peer Tutoring, the Math Center, and Supplemental Instruction
- Academic Success Seminars
- The Speaking Center
- The Writing Center
- Counseling and Consultation Services
- The Exchange
Please note this list is not exhaustive--students will talk to their Academic Success Coach about other campus resources that may be best suited to their individual needs.
How can I support my student?
Students may be hesitant to tell their friends and family they are on probation. While they may want to keep their academic standing to themselves, it helps to open up and share with people who will encourage and support them. It’s important to help your student understand that their current academic standing is not a reflection of their academic ability or potential! Parents can help students:
- Identify the issues that may have contributed to their academic standing
- Identify courses the student was successful in and how to apply that approach to other courses
- Develop goals and plans for the upcoming semester
- Feel comfortable making use of the many resources on campus
- Set a schedule to check in with supportive friends and family throughout the semester
Please visit Student Academic Standing for more information. Parents and students with questions about academic standing can contact:
Beth Tidball
Director of Academic Advising
(317) 955-6577
