Appealing Suspension/Dismissal

Download Information for Students Academically Suspended/Dismissed.

Read the following information carefully:

A student at Northern Michigan University is academically removed from attendance in one of three ways: 1) a new freshman or transfer student who earns less than a 1.00 grade point average in their first semester of enrollment (eight credits or more) is academically suspended; 2) a student on academic or freshman probation who does not meet specific GPA requirements is academically suspended; or 3) a student who returns to NMU after being academically suspended previously, and fails to meet specific GPA requirements, is academically dismissed. For further information regarding probation and GPA requirements, visit www.nmu.edu/acac or consult the respective academic or freshman probation agreement students were asked to sign when placed on probation.

Note: Typically, all state-funded colleges and universities honor the terms of academic suspensions and dismissals; a student suspended or dismissed from one Michigan four-year institution will usually not be allowed to enroll at another Michigan four-year institution.

Length of Suspensions and Dismissals

• Academic Suspension – A student is academically suspended for one calendar year. After one calendar year, the student may, after completing the appropriate re-entry procedure, re-enroll at NMU. If a student feels they have extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness) that may have affected their ability to achieve a required GPA, the student has the option to appeal the length of the suspension and may return sooner if the appeal is granted.
• Academic Dismissal – A student that is academically dismissed is indefinitely removed from NMU and may not appeal their dismissal for one calendar year. The student may re-enter NMU only after being granted an appeal.

Appeals

Students may appeal the length of an academic suspension (to be allowed to re-enter earlier than one calendar year) and may (after one calendar year) appeal to return to NMU after being dismissed.  Appeals for students that were suspended after being on freshman probation are heard by the Freshman Probation Program Directors.  Appeals for students suspended or dismissed after being on academic probation are heard by the Admissions and Academic Policies Committee (AAPC) of the Academic Senate.  In both cases, the decision of the appeal body is final.

Appeal Form-rtf
Appeal Form-pdf

The following must be included when submitting an appeal:

• a completed appeal form (see above links) describing extenuating circumstances leading to the suspension/dismissal and detailing how the problem has been resolved;
• documentation of the extenuating circumstances (such as illness, etc.) and its resolution, reflecting that it will no longer interfere with academic success;
• transcripts of college work completed at another institution since the last enrollment at NMU. (If currently enrolled in course work, progress reports from current instructors should also be included),
• letters of support from NMU professors and/or your academic adviser;
• a resume and/or letter of support from your current employer;
• filing a re-entry application with the Admissions Office.

A completed appeal form and all supporting materials should be addressed to:

Academic Proficiency Officer
Northern Michigan University
Academic and Career Advisement Center
3302 C. B. Hedgcock
1401 Presque Isle
Marquette, MI  49855

Call 906-227-2971 or fax 906-227-1751 with questions.

Re-entry applications are available through the Admissions Office, 2212 C. B. Hedgcock.

Contact Information

For questions or further information, please contact the Academic and Career Advisement Center, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855, 906-227-2971 or via e-mail at acac@nmu.edu.

Important Financial Aid Information

A student’s financial aid eligibility at NMU, at the time they are suspended or dismissed, is immediately voided. To have eligibility restored, a student must either:

• successfully appeal to return early from a suspension or from a dismissal, eligibility will be restored without the student filing an appeal with the Financial Aid Office, or
• after waiting one calendar year to return from a suspension, file an appeal with the Financial Aid Office, and have the appeal granted.