Students who are having difficulty meeting their academic commitments are monitored by the Office of the Dean of Studies in conjunction with the students’ dons. The College works with students to help identify the source of their academic challenges and identify appropriate sources of assistance.
At the end of each semester, the Committee on Student Work reads all evaluations of students, and the Office of the Dean of Studies sends academic status letters to students who have poor evaluations and/or have received grades of C– or lower. The College appraises students’ progress based on their evaluations and final course grades. Students who have a persistent pattern of poor evaluations or grades below C– or who have failed courses in a single semester may be placed on academic probation or suspension. In either case, parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are notified of the student’s standing.
Academic Probation
Students on academic probation must adhere to the following terms for two academic semesters:
- quality of work normally expected for undergraduates at their level
- consistent attendance and application
- receive no grades of C– or lower and complete all courses on time (permission to request an incomplete must be approved by the Office of the Dean of Studies)
- no violations of the College’s academic integrity policy—whether resolved formally or informally
Probationary students are reviewed at the end of each semester and, if the terms are met, are permitted to return for the second semester, but remain on probation. If the terms are not met, the student is suspended and parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are notified.
In rare cases, students who have failed multiple courses may be suspended without first being placed on probation as such failures indicate that the student has not engaged with course instructors or with the available academic resources to address the impediments to their work.
Students on academic probation are not permitted to register for more than 15 credits, apply for study away, sit on campus governance committees, participate on athletic teams, serve on Student Senate, or serve as resident advisers, orientation leaders, peer mentors, or admissions tour guides/interviewers.
Academic Suspension
The College reserves the right to suspend students if they are not making satisfactory progress toward their degree. Students who have been suspended are eligible to apply for reinstatement after two academic semesters and must appeal to the Committee on Student Work to be reinstated. Students will be notified of the reinstatement procedures in the letter of suspension. Students who have been suspended for academic reasons may not receive a Sarah Lawrence degree until they have been reinstated and have successfully completed additional full-time course work on the Bronxville campus.
Policy for Student Presence on Campus While a Student is Separated from the College
Students who have been suspended do not have the rights and privileges accorded to full-time enrolled Sarah Lawrence College students. Such students may visit the campus only with permission, given in advance, by the Office of the Dean of Studies and Student Life. Failure to abide by this expectation may adversely affect the decision to reinstate.
Reinstatement Process
A student wishing to be reinstated from academic suspension must request to return in writing to the Office of the Dean of Studies. A request to return should be sent to deanofstudies@sarahlawrence.edu by November 1 for spring return or April 1 for fall return. Requests should be accompanied by a letter from the student’s don.
Reinstatement Process After a Second Academic Suspension
Students who are suspended after having been reinstated may not apply again for reinstatement for two academic years (four semesters) and are required to appear before the Committee on Student Work. To initiate an appeal, the student should send a letter addressed to the Committee on Student Work, and sent to deanofstudies@sarahlawrence.edu, by November 1 for spring return or April 1 for fall return. The letter requesting reinstatement should discuss the following:
- the issues that led to suspension from the College and the measures taken to address them;
- the reasons the student feels ready to resume study at this time; and
- the plans made to support the student’s progress upon resumption of studies.
The committee bases its decision on evidence that the student has identified and addressed the issues that impeded academic work in the past and demonstrates a readiness to re-engage with the academic demands of the College. As such, the committee strongly recommends that, if possible, students participate in meaningful activity (work, volunteer, take classes) elsewhere in preparation for a return to Sarah Lawrence College.
Students who are reinstated after suspension return to the College on academic probation. Students who have been reinstated to the College following an academic suspension are required to enroll full time for at least one semester in order to receive a Sarah Lawrence degree.