Introduction to Academic Difficulty

Students experiencing difficulty in one or more courses are encouraged to seek help in resolving the problem(s). The first step always should be a full discussion with the instructor in whose course the problem exists. Conversation with one’s Academic Advisor, the Director of Academic Services, the Coordinator of First-Year Programs, the Labor Supervisor, or Collegium may help to pinpoint the source of difficulty. If the problem seems to be rooted in circumstances outside one particular course, such as study skills, time management, or a personal situation, assistance may be sought from the Learning Center or from counselors at the College Health Service. Any students experiencing academic difficulty may elect to enroll in GST 101: Strategies for Academic Success.

Following each regular term, the Office of Academic Services sends announcements of probation and suspension to the student’s Campus Post Office box and through postal mail to the mailing address presently cited in the student’s academic record for contact information. This announcement includes the reason for the assigned status, related conditions for resolution of the status, any impending threat to one’s eligibility for financial aid, instructions for student action, and the appeal process.

Students on Academic Probation are offered support from a centrally-administered academic intervention team that will work closely with Academic Advisors to review academic schedules, course load and course distribution over regular and summer terms, and discuss with at-risk students the degree to which their work in the Labor Program, as well as extra-curricular, co-curricular, and social life activities, are likely to contribute positively to the ultimate goal of earning a baccalaureate degree from Berea College. Students on Academic Probation cannot participate in internships, independent studies, team-initiated studies, Berea Term Abroad, or international travel in Summer terms (including Berea International Summer Term or KIIS). Students who wish to participate in the above activities may appeal to the SAAS Committee for a waiver to conditions of Academic Probation.

• Introduction
• Academic Probation
• Academic Suspension
• Appeals of Academic Suspension

• Grades
• Periodic Academic Progress Checks
• Academic Difficulty

• Introduction
• Attendance Checks
• Mid-Term Grade Report
• Midpoint Degree Check
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Performance Checks Program