Probation, leave of absence, and readmission
Probation
Many students experience some form of academic difficulty during their college career. For some students, they may simply struggle through a class or two or through a single term. For others, academic difficulty may be more severe and/or long lasting.
Generally, there are 5 main causes of academic difficulty:
- Motivational difficulties
Can include difficulty adapting to and feeling a sense of belonging in a competitive academic environment. - Adjustment to college life
Balancing study with the new freedoms and responsibilities of adult living can be a difficult challenge. - Study skills
Students arrive to college with many levels of academic preparation. - Directions/goals
Some students report having difficulty directing toward a course of study and/or finding a subject matter that fits with their interests and abilities. - Personal issues
At times, and perhaps unexpectedly, personal issues can affect academic performance. For example, issues involving health, personal relationships, finances, and family responsibilities may overwhelm a student's ability to perform well in classes.
Your adviser will work with you to come up with solutions. If you are on probation, please set up an appointment with your adviser by calling 612-625-3339 or e-mailing cehdinfo@umn.edu. To prepare for your meeting, review these materials:
- A message to students on probation [.doc]
- Probation worksheet [.doc]
Leave of absence
The University has a leave of absence policy in case you need to leave school for one semester or longer. If you are in good academic standing and your leave is approved, you may return and follow the academic plan that was in place when you started your major. A leave is valid for up to two years (four consecutive semesters), so if you are gone for more than two years, with or without an approved leave of absence, you must follow the program and University admission requirements for students entering during the term you return. You may return at any time during the leave of absence. Simply reactivate your enrollment by submitting an Application for Readmission to Student Services, 40 Education Sciences Building. Forms are available on One Stop’s Forms Online or at Student Services.
Readmission
Readmission is not automatic. If you do not enroll for classes in a given term (excluding summer) and have not obtained an approved leave of absence (or if your leave of absence has expired), your active student status will be discontinued. If you wish to resume coursework at the University at this point, you will need to apply for readmission. However, you must meet the major’s admission requirements to be readmitted, and if the major has limited space, you may have to go through the competitive admission process. Each situation is different depending upon space in the major and your academic record, and cases are reviewed on an individual basis. Contact Student Services at 612-625-3339 for more information.
Updated April 2008