Catalog

Academic Status

The following are policies on academic standing, class standing, grade point average, president’s list, dean’s list, academic probation, academic suspension, appeal of academic suspension, academic administrative withdrawal, extracurricular eligibility, and leave of absence.

Class Standing

Students with fewer than 26 hours are classified as freshmen. Students with at least 26 hours but less than 56 hours are classified as sophomores. Students with at least 56 hours but less than 88 hours are classified as juniors. Students with 88 hours or more are classified as seniors.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Southern Virginia University uses a four-point grading system:

4.00 A
3.67 A-
EXCELLENT. The grade of A is given for excellence in individual assignments, examinations and performances, and for consistently outstanding work over the course of a semester. Depending upon the subject matter of the course, and upon whether the course is introductory or more advanced, an A may indicate one or more of the following: thorough knowledge of facts and major ideas; application of methods or concepts to new situations; mastery of skills; creativity and independence of thought; critical, evaluative thinking; clear, lucid expression; and responsible, enthusiastic participation in course activities.
3.33 B+
3.00 B
2.67 B-
GOOD. The grade of B is given for work which shows significant achievement in most or all of the course goals, but which lacks some of the consistency, depth of understanding, mastery of skills, carefulness of execution, or creativity of A-level work. A grade of B for the semester indicates that the student is well beyond the level of proficiency required to move on to more advanced studies in the same subject.
2.33 C+
2.00 C
1.67 C-
AVERAGE. The grade of C is given for work that broadly satisfies course requirements, but without achieving the depth of proficiency in the difficult concepts and skills required for A-level and B-level work. A grade of C may also indicate carelessness in execution, a lack of consistency in performance, and a failure to achieve the creativity, independence, and depth of thought found in A-level and B-level work.
1.33 D+
1.00 D
MINIMAL PASSING. The grade of D is given for performance that merits passing credit, but which shows considerable deficiencies, and which typically indicates that the student is not prepared for more advanced studies in the course subject. For individual assignments, a grade of D indicates fulfillment of basic requirements of the assignment, and some academic achievement, but with serious defects or errors, or failure to master important concepts and skills.
0.00 F FAILURE. The grade of F for the semester indicates that the student’s work does not merit any college credit. For an individual assignment, a grade of F may indicate failure to complete the assignment or performance, or a failure to fulfill minimum standards of acceptable work.

Grade point averages are calculated by assigning numeric values called “quality points” to letter grades. One credit hour of A earns four quality points, one credit hour of B earns three quality points, one credit hour of C earns two quality points, one credit hour of D earns one quality point, and one credit hour of F or I (Incomplete) earns no quality points. Plus and minus (+/-) grades earn increments of quality points as shown in the above table.

A student’s GPA is calculated by dividing the sum of earned quality points by the sum of attempted credit hours for all courses receiving a grade used in calculating the GPA. Grades A through F and the grade of I are used in calculating a student’s GPA. Other grades such as AU (Audit), NC (No Credit), P (Pass), SP (Satisfactory Progress), T (Transfer), W (Withdrawal), WA (Administrative Withdrawal), and WIP (Work in Progress) carry no quality points and are not used in calculating the GPA. A grade with an asterisk (*) has been forgiven in the GPA because the course has been repeated. Only work taken at Southern Virginia University is used in the GPA.

President’s List

The President’s List, compiled at the end of each semester, includes all full-time students who achieved a semester grade point average that places them in the top 10 percent of current students.

Provost’s List

The Provost’s List, compiled at the end of each semester, includes all full-time students who achieved a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

Academic Performance Policy

Students are responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic performance. Students and the University should work together to help students avoid Academic Probation or Suspension. The purpose of Academic Probation is to put the student in the best position to succeed academically and encourage students to use the many support systems to build the strongest possible relationship and sources of motivation to help the student succeed. When a student is given Academic Probation or Academic Suspension a notification will be sent to the student, academic advisor, student success, and any other interested parties (coaches, directors, program coordinators, etc.) to provide as much help as possible for the student.

Good Academic Standing 

Students are responsible for making academic progress towards graduation. The requirements for graduation are a minimum of 120 credits, GPA of 2.0 or higher, and the completion of required core and major classes. A student is in good academic standing if they are maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and are passing at least 2/3 of attempted credit hours.

Probation

Any student who, after full-time enrollment of at least two semesters, has a cumulative grade-point average below 1.80 and/or has passed less than 2/3 of attempted credits will be placed on Academic Probation, but will not be suspended from attending school. All students will have to increase their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 by their 3rd semester to avoid being suspended. Students with a GPA below a 1.0 after their first semester may also be put on academic probation. 

Suspension

A student that does not raise their cumulative GPA above a 2.0 and/or pass 2/3 of their attempted credits the semester after being placed on academic probation will be suspended.

Appeal of Academic Suspension

Appeals of academic suspension are reviewed and decided by the Office of the Provost. Students must submit appeals in writing to registrar@svu.edu within 10 days from the date of the notice of a student’s suspension. 

Academic Administrative Withdrawal

The University administration reserves the right to administratively withdraw at any time a student whose conduct or academic standing they regard as unacceptable. In such a case the student will receive grades of “WA” in all classes. Fees and tuition will be refunded according to the standard refund schedule. Students who are administratively withdrawn for academic reasons are considered on academic suspension and any appeal of such a withdrawal and the terms for reinstatement at Southern Virginia are governed by the University’s policy regarding academic suspension.

Extracurricular Eligibility

Part of the ethos at Southern Virginia University is an ideal of developing the whole self; as such, students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that will complement and extend their curricular pursuits in the development of mind, body, and spirit. That said, extracurricular activities at Southern Virginia University are a privilege. As a result, the eligibility threshold for participation in extracurricular activities at Southern Virginia is the maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.80 for freshmen, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for sophomores, juniors and seniors while passing 2/3 of attempted credit hours.

Extracurricular Participation: 

The goal for every student is to see progress towards graduation in a timely manner. This policy is aimed at ensuring academic progress while students engage in extracurricular activities sponsored by the University. 

Students are eligible for participation in extracurricular activities until they are suspended from the university.

Appeal process for suspension may result in:

  1. Rejection of appeal, suspension sustained
  2. Appeal granted for academic attendance, extracurricular participation limited

Note: The appeal process is academic in nature and information from persons outside of the student will be gathered only as solicited by the Registrar or the Office of the Provost.

Leave of Absence

A student who wishes to leave Southern Virginia University by his or her own choice, for any reason, may apply for a Leave of Absence with the Registrar’s Office for a specified period of time not to exceed 180 days in any 12-month period. For re-admittance to Southern Virginia University, the student must notify the Admissions Office of his or her intent to return, provide an updated Ecclesiastical Endorsement, honor pledge, and transcripts from any school which the student attended in the interim. If a curriculum program has been discontinued during the student’s absence, Southern Virginia is under no obligation to complete that program for the student. Students who do not return for the specified term will be withdrawn retroactive to their leave date and may face financial consequences.