Academic Policies

Some students enter Bryn Mawr having already earned some credits through exams such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, A levels, etc.

When students enter Bryn Mawr with at least eight credits, they may want to consider accelerating their graduation. Most commonly, students who do accelerate enter Bryn Mawr with a good idea of their majors and with credit for first-year courses in those fields 

Students interested in accelerating should discuss this option with their class dean, as well as faculty members in any departments they are considering majoring in. The Special Cases Committee must approve all requests for accelerated graduation.

Students who plan to complete the degree in seven semesters may work out the details with their class deans and major advisers.  They do not need to petition the Committee but should fill out the application on the Registrar's website.  Such students will receive their degrees in December and will be invited to attend the Commencement ceremony in May with their classmates.

Many other students will choose to complete eight full semesters at Bryn Mawr in order to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities offered at the College.

Students have the ability to withdraw from a course, for any reason, by the Wednesday of the 9th week of classes. If a student is struggling in or failing a particular course(s), the institution believes it is in the best interest of the student to consider a withdrawal so they can devote time and energy, earlier than later, to their success in other courses. It is important to note that students must be enrolled in at least 4 units to withdraw from a course. To successfully withdraw from a course, students must complete the following steps: 

• Students must complete the course withdrawal form. 
• Students receiving financial aid must speak with their Financial Aid Counselor to ensure withdrawing does not negatively impact their ability to receive financial aid.  
• Students must meet with their Class Dean for approval prior to this deadline.  

International students with an F-1 or J-1 visa who are dropping below 3.0 units (below full-time enrollment) must complete the following steps: 

• Make an appointment to meet with Patti Lausch, Assistant Dean for International Student and Scholar Advising. 
• Students must complete the course withdrawal form. 
• Students receiving financial aid must speak with their Financial Aid Counselor to ensure withdrawing does not negatively impact their ability to receive financial aid.  
• Students must meet with their Class Dean for approval prior to this deadline. 

It is important to note that Bryn Mawr College is a full-time, academic, residential community. Students who have missed more than 30% of the course’s scheduled meetings at the semester midpoint in 2 or more of their courses may be placed on an academic leave of absence from the college. Final decisions are made by the students Class Dean and the Dean of Student Success in consultation with the Dean of Student Life. 

In the case of serious illness, mental health crisis, family emergency, or some other emergency that arises during the final week of the semester or finals period itself, students may be eligible for an incomplete. Students may be requested to provide documentation to support their request. 

• Approval is needed from both the faculty and the class dean. 

• If a student’s incomplete request is approved, December 31 (Fall semester) and May 31 (Spring semester) serve as the fall and spring semester deadlines for a student to complete all outstanding course requirements.  

It is important to note that an incomplete is not applicable if: 

• A student has completed less than 50% of course expectations prior to an incomplete request. 

• A student has stopped attending class or has had very sporadic attendance beyond the 6th week of the semester. 

• A student has fallen behind in submitting work beyond the 6th week of the semester without sufficient documentation to support late work. 

• A student is interested in more time to earn a better grade in the course. 

When seeking out approval for an incomplete: 

• A student is required to first meet with their Class Dean. 

• Following this meeting, students will be asked to complete a Student Incomplete Request Form, share this completed form with their faculty, and seek approval from their faculty. 

• If the faculty approve, they should stipulate the work that remains to be completed in order for a final grade to be recorded. 

Once Coursework Has Been Submitted: 

• Outstanding coursework must be completed by the incomplete deadline (December 31 for the fall semester and May 31 for the spring semester). 

• The faculty will review and grade the outstanding academic work and submit a final grade to the Registrar’s Office no later than the first Friday of January (fall) or the first Friday of June (spring). 

• If outstanding coursework is not submitted by the incomplete deadline, students will receive a “0” on those outstanding assignments and a final grade will be assigned. 

 
As always, grades below merit, failures or withdrawals may trigger review by the Committee on Academic Standing. The student may be placed on warning, probation, academic leave, or dismissal from the college. 

Special Cases

The Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing considers petitions from students who propose alternative ways to meet degree requirements or for exceptions to the academic regulations of the College. If you think your situation warrants an exception, discuss your situation with your dean before petitioning the committee. 

Guidelines for Submitting Petitions:

Students Petitioning to Enroll in 5.5 Units

The Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing considers petitions from students who want to enroll in 5.5 units in one semester. Any student in good standing who has completed at least one semester at Bryn Mawr may apply to enroll in 5.5 units. Requests must be sent by the end of the second week of the semester. The Special Cases Subcommittee will review petitions during the third week of the semester. The committee will expect the student to   

• discuss their plans with their dean,
• present an academic record that predicts success in the proposed program,
• identify the specific courses she plans to take, and
• present compelling reasons for enrolling in these specific courses during this specific semester.

Students who receive permission to enroll in 5.5 units will be held to the same deadlines, procedures and expectations as students who enroll in a normal course load.

Students Petitioning to Accelerate

The Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing considers petitions from students who want to graduate in six semesters rather than eight. Any student in good standing who has completed at least one semester at Bryn Mawr may apply to accelerate (that is, to graduate in six semesters). The committee will expect the student to

• discuss the student's plans with the student's dean,
• demonstrate that the student has accumulated at least 8 extra credits and
• present a viable plan to meet all graduation requirements, including the residency requirement, within the student's remaining semesters.

Please note that accelerating precludes studying abroad during the academic year.

The Special Cases Subcommittee will review petitions for acceleration three times a year. Students petitioning to accelerate should submit their petitions by the following deadlines: Nov. 1 (for students in their second or third year only), Feb. 1, or April 1.

Rather than petitioning the committee, students who plan to complete the degree in seven semesters should work out the details with their deans and major advisers and follow the directions on the Registrar's website regarding graduating in December: https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/academic-information/registrar/undergraduates/degrees-graduation/finishing-august-or-december.

Students Petitioning to Repeat a Course

The Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing considers petitions from students who wish to re-enroll in a course in which they have previously earned a grade of 1.0, 1.3, or 1.7. The Faculty created this opportunity to allow students to repeat an essential course (such as a required course in their major, a course that serves as a prerequisite to another required course, a course required by a graduate program, or a course towards the foreign language requirement) to enable them to move forward with their academic plans. A student will receive credit only for the first enrollment. The second enrollment will appear on a student's transcript with the grade. Both grades would count towards the overall GPA. A student may repeat no more than two total classes and no more than one in any given semester. If you think your situation requires that you retake a course, discuss your situation with your dean and any other appropriate adviser (major advisers, pre-health adviser, etc.) before petitioning the committee.

Students Petitioning for Other Exceptions

The Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing considers petitions from students who propose alternative ways to meet degree requirements or request exceptions to the academic regulations of the College.  If you think your situation warrants an exception, discuss your situation with your dean before petitioning the committee.

Students Petitioning for Acceptance into the A.B./M.A. Program

Unusually well prepared undergraduates who are interested in working towards a master’s degree while still completing their bachelor’s degree should follow the instructions regarding the Combined A.B./M.A. Program and submit hard copies of their signed proposals to Judy Balthazar, Undergraduate Dean’s Office, Guild Hall, lower level.

Most courses are cumulative and are designed to enable students to complete work within one semester. The instructor’s assessment is based on the contributions made and work completed within that time period. For these reasons, it is important to your learning, to your classmates, and to your instructor that you do your part by preparing for and attending classes regularly and by submitting assignments and taking quizzes/tests/exams on the schedule devised by your instructor and within the college-wide deadlines for the semester. 

Nonetheless, situations may arise that interfere with a student’s ability to meet one of their deadlines and a student may reach out to their instructor to request an extension. Please note that an extension is not guaranteed and your instructor is not required to provide one.

During the 14 weeks of classes  

If you think you will be unable to meet a deadline set by your instructor, here are some guidelines about your next steps. 

• Review your notes, your syllabus and Moodle for any policies your instructor may have announced regarding work completed after a deadline.
• Contact your instructor as soon as you become aware that you are unlikely to meet a deadline. This is not only a courtesy and sign of respect; it is also a practical step that enables your instructor to partner with you to devise a solution.
• Carefully and honestly assess for yourself the reason you are behind.  In many cases, it is a combination of things: time management, unexpected disruptions to day-to-day life, illness, a personal or family emergency.  You do not need to go into details with your professor, but you do need to provide an honest explanation. Along with asking your instructor for an extended deadline, consider what changes you might need to make in order to meet the new deadline and to meet future deadlines in this course and in others.
• If you find you are behind in more than one course, or that you are asking for repeated extensions, consult with your dean about how to proceed. You may also want to consult with the Office of Academic Support. Your instructor may also ask you to talk with your dean before they can approve the solution you propose. 

Extensions into finals week

Your instructors have designed your courses to enable you to complete all but a final exam, paper, or project while classes are in session. To give students time during finals week to focus on the final pieces of work for their classes, students are expected to submit all other assignments by 5:00 pm on the last day of classes, known as the “deadline for written work.” Occasionally, a student might receive permission from their instructor to submit work during finals week. Students in this situation should work with their instructor directly to set priorities so that they can complete all work for the semester, including their work for finals, by the last day of exams. Extensions into finals week do not require class dean approval.

Temporary (Short-Term) Absences

During the semester a student may have a short-term situation that may result in a temporary interruption of a student's academic life.

Regardless of the type of temporary absence, it is important to note that faculty make the ultimate decision regarding excusing absences in their classes. Students are advised to consult their course syllabus, keep up with coursework as much as their health allows, and contact their individual faculty (beforehand or upon return to campus) to obtain information on how absences will be handled for each class or to discuss the possibility for make-up work. 

The information below will minimize the impact and disruption to the educational process and ensure faculty are provided rationale for a student’s absences while preserving the integrity of the delivery of academic coursework.

Events that may result in a temporary (short-term) absence:

• Students seeking treatment and/or recovering from a medical or mental health event.
• Students are away from campus for a family emergency/crisis.
• Short-term hospitalization.

Documentation for Temporary Leave

Prior to acting on behalf of a student to notify faculty of a temporary absence window:

• A student’s Class Dean or the Assistant Director of Student  Support Services will request documentation (e.g., documentation from a licensed health care provider, an obituary, etc.) supporting the requested temporary absence.
• If supporting documentation is not readily available, the Assistant Director of Student  Support Services will inform a student’s faculty of their temporary leave while explaining that the Undergraduate Dean’s Office is awaiting supporting documentation.  

Serious Illness or Medical Condition

If, in the judgment of Bryn Mawr College’s Health Services staff, a student will be out of class due to a serious illness or medical condition (as opposed to a common illness) including but not limited to:

• Mononucleosis, which may require bed rest and/or removal from campus
• Hospitalization and/or surgery
• Highly contagious diseases (e.g., chicken pox, measles)

the following protocol will take place:

• - The Health Services staff will contact the Assistant Director of Student Support Services. 
• - The Assistant Director of Student  Support Services will then contact the student’s faculty.
• - The Health Services communication to the Assistant Director of Student  Support Services will serve as the documentation needed by the Class Dean.
• - If the student is seeing an off-campus health care provider, the student will provide relevant documentation from that provider to the College’s Health Services staff for review.

Mental Health Concerns

A temporary absence window for mental health concerns will be provided for acute mental health issues and are not the result of a student being in on-going treatment at the Counseling Services or with an off-campus mental health provider. The College’s intent is to ensure our students are able to fully commit to their academic endeavors by providing a robust set of college services designed to support the mental health needs of our students.

• If a student needs to miss class for reasons related to their mental health, they are encouraged to be in contact with Counseling Services.
• Students will provide Counseling Services with appropriate documentation from their external mental health provider.
• Upon review of this documentation, Counseling Services staff may support a student’s short-term absence and communicate with a student’s Class Dean and the Assistant Director of Student  Support Services following a student’s written permission to do so.

If the duration of the short-term absence, due to acute mental health concerns, undermines the student’s ability to complete the academic work required, Counseling Services and the Undergraduate Dean’s Office may encourage the student to pursue a leave from the College.
Family Emergency

A temporary absence as a result of a family emergency (e.g., a death in the family or a family member suddenly falling severely ill) is appropriate when unexpected circumstances arise that necessitate a brief absence from classes. Family emergencies will be reviewed by the Assistant Director of Student Support Services on a case-by-case basis. It is possible that a student may be required to provide appropriate documentation to support their request for a temporary absence.

If a family emergency occurs:

• A student is requested to contact their Class Dean immediately to communicate what has occurred. The Class Dean will then submit a report of concern form on behalf of the student to notify the Assistant Director of Student  Support Services
• If warranted, the Assistant Director of Student Support Services will then contact the faculty to make them aware of what has occurred. 
• It is also possible that the Assistant Director of Student  Support Services will inquire with each faculty member to evaluate how a student is performing in class to better understand the impact of a temporary absence on a student’s academic performance.

Student Support Services

When a student encounters health or medical issues, mental health concerns, and/or family emergency, it’s very possible that faculty may also receive communication from Student Support Services, in addition to the Class Dean. The Assistant Director of Student Support Services in these situations will often assist a student by emailing faculty and offer support for any flexibility that may be provided as the student works to balance their wellness needs and academic responsibilities. The Assistant Director communicates to the student that it is up to the discretion of the faculty to determine if and how they provide flexibility. It is also communicated to the student that it is their responsibility to follow-up, in a timely manner, with faculty about any specific request. 

The Honor Code embodies the ideals and values according to which both academic and social life at Bryn Mawr ought to be conducted. The Honor Code assumes that students are trustworthy, that they will live and work with integrity. This assumption confers a number of privileges upon students. The most tangible of these are unproctored self-scheduled and take-home exams; a less tangible but more far-reaching privilege has to do with an environment of self-governance, mutual trust, and dialogue. Clearly, such privileges carry with them enormous responsibility: to live with integrity, to speak honestly to others even when to do so is not easy, to hear what others are saying when that, too, is not easy.

The Honor Board has the primary responsibility for ensuring that all Bryn Mawr students are educated about their responsibilities as members of a community governed according to an honor code. Alleged violations of the code are handled by the Honor Board. While the Board is run by students, the deans participate in this process in a variety of ways: the Dean of the Undergraduate College is an ex officio member of the Academic Honor Board; a student who is brought before the Academic Honor Board is accompanied by her dean; and finally, both students and faculty members will sometimes talk with deans about the implications of the Honor Code for the conduct of academic and social life at the College.

Because of the Honor Code's centrality to campus life, it is each student's responsibility to familiarize themself with its basic provisions, to consult it whenever they are uncertain, and to bring their questions to the members of the Honor Board.

The Honor Board handles potential Honor Code violations in two ways—a traditional hearing or an alternative resolution process. 

The Honor Board chooses to hold a traditional hearing when they feel as though the confronting and confronted parties’ perspectives differ, they do not have a clear understanding of the events that took place, and they want to ask clarifying questions. A traditional hearing is also usually held when the Dean of the Undergraduate College and the Head of the Honor Board feel that bringing representatives from the board in to ask questions and weigh in on the situation would be useful to come to a fair resolution that is proportionate to the breach of the code. 

An alternative resolution process usually occurs when there is consistency between the confronting and confronted parties’ statements, a clear understanding of the events that took place, and the Dean of the Undergraduate College and the Head of the Honor Board have minimal clarifying questions for either party. An alternative resolution process typically occurs as a small-group meeting with both the confronted and confronting parties, the Head of the Honor Board, the Dean of the Undergraduate College, and the student’s dean, where everyone discusses the situation and comes to a common understanding about what a proportionate resolution would look like in the given situation.

Honor Code Reporting form for Undergraduate or Post-Baccalaureate Student

Please use this form to report a possible violation of the Honor Code by another student. The Head of the Honor Board will read this report and will contact you about next steps. Once all documents have been submitted by the confronting party and the responding student, the Head will consult with the Dean of Student Life to decide whether to convene the Honor Board for a hearing. Please keep in mind that all parties, including the responding student, will be able to read the documents submitted.

The Heads may decide that 1) a hearing before the full Honor Board is warranted; 2) an alternative approach involving a conversation among the student, faculty, and Honor Board Heads is appropriate; 3) a Dean’s Panel should be convened; or 4) no further action should be taken. Please review the Honor Code for information about procedures.

Tonja Nixon, the Vice Chair of the Honor Board, will work with you to schedule subsequent meetings. If you have any questions at all please contact the Head of the Honor Board, Xenya Currie (xcurrie@brynmawr.edu).

Student Form to Respond to Confrontation under the Honor Code

Please use this form to respond if you have been confronted about a possible violation of the Honor Code. The Head of the Honor Board will read this report and will contact you about next steps. Once all documents have been submitted by the confronting party(ies) and the responding student(s), the Head will consult with the Dean of the Undergraduate College to decide whether to convene the Honor Board for a hearing. Please keep in mind that all parties involved will be able to read the documents submitted.

The Heads may decide that 1) a hearing before the full Honor Board is warranted; 2) an alternative approach involving a conversation among the student(s), confronting party(ies) and the Honor Board Heads is appropriate; 3) a Dean’s Panel should be convened; or 4) no further action should be taken. Please review the Honor Code for information about procedures.

Tonja Nixon, the Vice Chair of the Honor Board, will work with you to schedule subsequent meetings. If you have any questions at all please contact the Head of the Honor Board, Xenya Currie (xcurrie@brynmawr.edu).

Honor Code Reporting Form for Faculty/Staff
Please use this form to report a possible violation of the Honor Code. The Head of the Honor Board will read this report and will contact you about next steps. Once all documents have been submitted by the confronting party and the responding student, the Head will consult with the Dean of Student Life to decide whether to convene the Honor Board for a hearing. Please keep in mind that all parties, including the responding student, will be able to read the documents submitted.

The Heads may decide that 1) a hearing before the full Honor Board is warranted; 2) an alternative approach involving a conversation among the student, faculty, and Honor Board Heads is appropriate; 3) a Dean’s Panel should be convened; or 4) no further action should be taken. Please review the Honor Code for information about procedures.

Tonja Nixon, the Vice Chair of the Honor Board, will work with you to schedule subsequent meetings. If you have any questions at all please contact the Head of the Honor Board, Xenya Currie (xcurrie@brynmawr.edu).

Although the Honor Code provides the guiding principles of the Bryn Mawr community, the College also has in place a set of administrative policies to deal with circumstances that are inappropriate for the Honor Board to address.

A Dean's Panel is conducted in the spirit of the values affirmed in the Bryn Mawr Honor Code: a belief in the integrity of each individual, a concern for others, and a commitment to dialogue. A Dean's Panel may be convened to investigate and resolve certain concerns about a student's behavior raised by students, faculty or professional staff.  All members of the community should realize that being called before a Dean's Panel in no way implies a presumption of guilt.

In general, a Dean’s Panel will be convened to deal with (a) disciplinary issues inappropriate to the Honor Board; (b) circumstances in which the well-being or safety of undergraduate students may be in jeopardy; (c) circumstances in which College resources, policies or property have been abused. In determining whether or not a Dean’s Panel is appropriate, the Dean (or her designee) will consult with the head of the Honor Board and such members of the professional staff of the College as circumstances indicate.

For more information, please consult the current Student Handbook.

Like all colleges, Bryn Mawr has a set of defined measures which constitute Satisfactory Academic Progress. These are established by the Bryn Mawr Faculty, in compliance with regulations set by the Department of Education. 

The process of monitoring satisfactory academic progress is overseen by the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS), a small board of faculty and deans designed to help students who encounter academic difficulties. The committee convenes at the close of every semester to review student records and identify paths forward when they discover that a student is not making satisfactory academic progress towards the degree. 

A full description of the regulations regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) can be found in the Academic Program pages of the Catalog, but in practical terms, the following summary may be more helpful.

The Committee on Academic Standing, a small board of faculty and deans designed to help students who encounter academic difficulties, meets periodically to identify paths forward when a student is not making satisfactory academic progress towards the degree.  The Faculty have identified three main criteria for evaluating satisfactory progress. 

• Standard of Work in the Major Subject:  Students are expected to maintain grades of 2.0 or above in all courses in their major.
• The Merit Rule:  Students are expected to earn grades of 2.0 or above in at least half of the total number of units they take each semester and cumulatively at Bryn Mawr.
• Satisfactory Progress Towards the Degree:  Students are expected to complete course work satisfactorily and meet college deadlines for making progress towards the degree.

With these criteria in mind, the Committee reviews a student’s record when the student has

• earned a grade below 2.0 (“below merit”) in the major,
• earned a failing grade (0.0 or NC) after a previous failure,
• earned grades below 2.0 (“below merit”) in more than half their class units in a given semester,
• completed fewer than 2/3 of the course units they attempted in a given semester,
• completed fewer than 3 units total in any given semester, or
• otherwise failed to make satisfactory progress towards the degree.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The following guidelines regarding satisfactory academic progress meet the standards set by the Faculty of Bryn Mawr College and those mandated by the Department of Education.

1. Qualitative Measures for Satisfactory Progress toward the Degree: Academic Standard of Work

At the close of every semester, the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) reviews the records of all students who have failed to meet the college’s academic standard of work. The record of any student who has received a grade below 2.0 in a course might be reviewed (see below). Upon review, students must meet the requirements set by CAS.

The Merit Rule requires that a student attain grades of 2.0 or higher in at least one half of the total number of courses taken while at Bryn Mawr. Courses from which the student has withdrawn are not considered. Covered grades for courses which the student elects to take Credit / No Credit are considered. The student may be excluded from the College at the close of any semester in which the student has failed to meet this requirement and is automatically excluded if more than one-half of the student’s work falls below 2.0 at the close of the student’s junior year. A student who is excluded from the College is not eligible for readmission.

The Standard of Work in the Major requires that every student working for an A.B. degree maintain grades of 2.0 or higher in all courses in the major subject. No student may choose as the major subject one in which the student has received a grade below 1.0 or one in which the student’s average is below 2.0. A student receiving a grade below 2.0 in any course in the major subject (including a course taken at another institution) is reported to the Committee on Academic Standing. After consulting with the student’s major department, the Committee may require the student to change the major. At the end of the junior year, a student having a major subject average below 2.0 must change the major. If the student has no alternative major, the student is excluded from the College and is not eligible for readmission.

Repeated Failure:
A student who has incurred a grade of 0.0 or NC following a previous 0.0 or NC will be reported to the Committee on Academic Standing. 

Deterioration of Work:
A student whose work meets these specific standards but whose record has deteriorated (for example, who has earned two or more grades below merit) will be reported to the Committee on Academic Standing.

2. Quantitative Measures for Satisfactory Progress toward the Degree

Students may request exceptions to these quantitative measures by petitioning their deans or the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing. Only the records of those students who fail to meet these standards or to secure an exception will be reviewed at the close of the semester by the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS). Upon review, students must meet the requirements set by CAS.

Units:
Thirty-two units are required to complete the A.B. degree. Students normally carry a complete program of four courses (four units) each semester and are expected to complete the full-time course of study in eight enrolled semesters. A student may register for 3.0, 3.5, 4.5 or 5.0 units per semester with the approval of the student’s dean. To enroll in 5.5 units, the student must also secure the permission of the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Pace:
Full-time students must earn a minimum of fifteen units before the start of the junior year. These units may include transfer credits. At the end of the second, third or fourth semester, students who are unable to present to their dean a viable plan to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

All students must be on pace to complete the A.B. degree within 150% of the standard thirty-two units. To meet these guidelines, students must complete at least 67% of all courses attempted in any single semester and at least 67% cumulatively. Courses in which a student has earned the following grades for any reason, including non-attendance, will count as units attempted but not completed: W (withdrawal), 0.0 (failure), NC (a failure earned in a course taken credit / no credit), or NGR (no grade). Officially dropped and unofficially audited courses count as neither units attempted nor completed. Courses in which a student has earned a grade of UI (unauthorized incomplete) or I (incomplete) will not be counted as a unit attempted until the final grade has been assigned. These standards apply to students enrolled in dual degree programs. The maximum timeframe for a transfer student may not exceed 150% of the thirty-two units minus the number of units accepted for transfer at the point of matriculation. Students who are unable to meet this expectation may petition their dean for an exception.

Acceptance into a Major Program:
By the end of the sophomore year, every student must have declared a major. At the end of the fourth semester, any student who has failed to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Completion of requirements:
Before the start of the sophomore year, all students must have completed the Emily Balch Seminar Requirement. At the end of the second semester, any student who has failed to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Before the start of the junior year, all students who matriculated in August 2011 or later must have completed the physical education requirement. At the end of the fourth semester, any student who has failed to meet this expectation must petition the Department of Athletics for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Before the start of the senior year, all students must have completed all remaining requirements, including the distribution, foreign language and quantitative requirements, and for students who matriculated prior to August 2011, the physical education requirement. At the end of the sixth semester, any student who is unable to present to her dean a viable plan to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

3. Procedure: The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS)

At the end of every semester, the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) reviews the records of all students who have failed to meet the academic standards of the College or to make satisfactory progress towards the degree. A student whose record is reviewed by CAS must meet the requirements set by CAS.

Each student whose record is reviewed will receive an official letter from the Dean of Studies on behalf of the Committee which lays out an academic plan and specifies the standards the student must meet by the end of the following semester or before returning to the College. In addition, the Committee may place restrictions upon a student’s course load or course selection. The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified that the student’s record has been reviewed by the Committee and informed of any resulting change in student status.

Any student whose record has been reviewed will be put on academic warning or major subject warning the following semester, or the semester of the student’s return if the student has been required to withdraw. If the student receives financial aid, the student will also receive a financial aid warning. While on academic or major subject warning, the student will be required to meet regularly with the student’s dean and the student’s instructors will be asked to submit mid-semester reports regarding the student’s work. If the student meets the standards specified by the committee, the warning is lifted. If a student on warning or probation does not meet these expectations and requirements, the Committee on Academic Standing will place them on Academic Leave from the College and provide guidance about ways to prepare to return. Alternatively, students may ask the Committee for permission to continue for an additional semester on academic probation (and, if appropriate, for a semester of financial aid probation) by submitting this appeal form. The student’s appeal should specify the reasons the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress (such as health issues, family crises, or other special circumstance) and the changes that have taken place that ensure that the student can make satisfactory progress in the upcoming semester. The student may supply documentation to support the appeal.

Any student whose record is reviewed by CAS or who appeals to CAS to return on academic probation or major subject probation may be required to withdraw from the College and present evidence that she can do satisfactory work before being readmitted on probation. A withdrawn student may not register for classes at the College until she has been readmitted. The CAS may also recommend to the president that the student be excluded from the College. An excluded student is not eligible for readmission to the College.

4. Readmission process for students who have been required to withdraw

Students who have been required by the CAS to withdraw may apply to return on probation when they have met the expectations set by the CAS and can demonstrate they are ready to do satisfactory work at the college. Students who hope to return in September must submit a re-enrollment application and all supporting materials by May 1. Those who hope to return in January must submit their application and materials by November 1. Re-enrollment applications are reviewed by CAS in June and in December.

There are three possible outcomes to Committee review: a period of academic warning, major subject warning or a period of withdrawal from the College. The student is informed of the outcome of review in writing. It is the Customs of the College to also inform parent(s)/guardian(s) of these results.

Outcomes of the Committee’s Initial Review

A student who has not met the Standard of Work in the Major will be evaluated by their major department as well as by the Committee and will either be allowed to continue in the current major or be required to declare a new one.  In either situation, the student will be placed on Major Subject Warning for the following semester or, if the student is first placed on an Academic Leave (see below), for the semester of return.  Students clear Major Subject Warning by earning grades of 2.0 or above in all courses in their major subject.

A student who has not met other academic standards will be placed on Academic Warning for the following semester or, if the student is first placed on an Academic Leave (see below), for the semester of return.  Students clear Academic Warning by earning grades of 2.0 or above in all courses.

Students on Academic or Major Subject Warning work with their dean and their major advisors to design a structured plan and support system for the semester that may include close work with their dean, advisor, instructors, a counselor and/or another member of the faculty or staff such as the Academic Support and Learning Resources Specialist.  They may not enroll in more than 4.0 units nor take courses outside of Bryn Mawr and Haverford.  They are expected to limit nonacademic commitments so that they do not interfere with academic responsibilities and may participate in intercollegiate athletics only with the explicit permission of their dean, their coach, and the director of athletics.  The Dean’s Office may solicit periodic reports from instructors concerning their progress in an effort to make sure that any problems are identified early enough for students to get help.

When a student’s record raises concern about their ability to move forward at the College, the student will be placed on Academic Leave for a semester or a year to resolve the issues that are interfering with their success and, when appropriate, to complete coursework elsewhere. It is the custom of the College to also inform parent(s)/guardian(s) of these results.  The student must then demonstrate through the re-enrollment process that they have met any conditions that the Committee set for them and that they are ready to succeed upon return.  If approved, the student will re-enroll and embark upon a semester of Warning.

Rarely, the Committee will allow a student to study abroad during a semester of Warning.  In these situations, the student will continue the Warning status upon return to the College.

The Committee may review the record of a student whose coursework is recorded as “Incomplete” at the end of the semester.  If it appears likely that the student will not meet the Standard of Work once the Incomplete is replaced with a grade, the Committee may place that student on Warning.  The Warning is lifted if the student does meet the Standard of Work once the grade has been recorded.

Re-evaluation Following a Semester on Warning

At the end of each semester, the Committee re-evaluates the records of students who had been on Warning and notifies those whose warnings will be lifted. Those who have not met the standards set for them are placed on Academic Leave for a semester or a year to resolve the issues that are interfering with their success and, when appropriate, to complete coursework elsewhere. They must then demonstrate through the re-enrollment process that they have met any conditions that the Committee set for them and that they are ready to succeed upon return.  If approved, the student will re-enroll and embark upon a semester of Major Subject Probation or Academic Probation.  Students on Probation again work with their dean and other members of the faculty and staff to design a structured plan.  They are subject to the same restrictions as students on Warning.

A student may ask permission to begin a semester of Probation without first being placed on an Academic Leave by submitting a written Appeal as soon as final grades are posted.  Appeals must be received by January 8 or May 30.  If the Committee is persuaded that the student has presented a realistic plan for success with a second semester of support, the student will remain enrolled and embark immediately upon a semester of Probation.

Re-evaluation Following a Semester on Probation

The records of all students on Probation are evaluated again by the Committee on Academic Standing at the end of the semester.  Those who have met the standards that had been set for them will no longer be on probation.  Those who have not will be placed on Academic Leave.

Permanent Exclusion

Although very rare, Permanent Exclusion without the possibility of return to Bryn Mawr College has been established by the Faculty as the automatic result in the following very specific situations:

• Students at the end of junior year who have grades below 2.0 in more than half of their courses.
• Students at the end of junior year who are required to change their major and have no alternative major.

The Committee strives to minimize the number of students at risk of permanent exclusion.