Academic Standing

If a student receives academic suspension for the first time, they will be away from the University for a minimum of one semester (not counting Summer or Intersession).

If a student has been suspended previously for academic reasons, the mandatory time away from the University is extended to a minimum of one full year.

If a student has been academically suspended twice, a third time would result in permanent dismissal from the university.

University Services

The suspension status is shared with several offices, and as a result the student will not be able to access the below services. For specific questions, the student should contact the relevant office directly.

• Registrar’s Office: Cancels the student’s registration for the next semester and authorizes a refund of tuition paid for that semester (in accordance with policy).
• Student Financial Support: Suspends financial aid and work-study aid to the student.
• Housing Office: Cancels the student’s housing contract if the student resides in university housing.
• Office of International Services: Performs duties as required by U.S. federal regulations regarding persons not eligible to study at the university.
• LEED: Students are not eligible to participate in or hold leadership positions within student organizations.
• University Experiential Learning (if applicable): Suspended students are not eligible to hold a student worker position during the suspension period. Students should be in touch with their work supervisor and University Experiential Learning.

During suspension, students retain access to the following university services:

• Academic Advising: The student’s assigned academic advisor is available to meet with them while they are suspended. The goal is to provide continued support and coaching for successful reinstatement.
• Public Facing Spaces: Students can access the library and other public facing spaces on campus.

Non-University Services

Some services or benefits that are outside of the university may be affected by the suspension status, including but not limited to:

• health insurance
• auto insurance
• repayment of student loans

Students should review these and any other services or benefits that are potentially dependent upon full-time student status.

Eligibility

Students who have been informed that they are academically suspended may submit an appeal to the decision. Before submitting an appeal, students must meet with their academic advisor to discuss the likelihood of the appeal being granted. The strongest appeals typically include the following criteria:

• Demonstration of high engagement throughout the academic probation period.
• Use of all available resources.
• An extenuating circumstance that was beyond the student’s control and is high impact with limited in continuity.

Submission

If the student discussed with their academic advisor to proceed with the appeal, they must complete the Academic Suspension Appeal Form. The Academic Suspension Appeal Form includes the following prompts:

• Describe any extenuating circumstances that impacted academic performance.
• Describe actions/interventions/resources that were used in response to the challenges faced.
• Describe the necessary steps that are needed to return to good academic standing next semester. Indicate how the planned approach differs from the approach from this semester.
• Provide alternative plans in the event that the appeal is not granted (e.g., pursuit of academic coursework at other institutions, employment, volunteering, treatment for health concerns, etc.).

Supporting Material

Although supporting documentation is not required for the appeal, students may also submit the following:

• letters of support from academic sources, such as instructor, TA, tutor, advisor
• an incomplete grade contract
• letters from a healthcare provider
• documents confirming personal or family emergency, etc.

Deadline

Students suspended after a Fall semester must submit their appeal to return for the Spring semester by noon on the second Wednesday in January.

Students suspended after a Spring semester must submit their appeal to return for the Fall semester by noon on the second Friday in June.

Outcome

After the suspension appeal has been submitted to OEA, it will be reviewed by the Academic Review Committee (ARC). The ARC will determine if the suspension appeal will be granted or denied. If the appeal is granted, the student will be allowed to continue on academic probation for the next semester. If the appeal is denied, then the parameters of the academic suspension will be upheld. The student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the appeal.

Eligibility

An engineering major who has been academically suspended and wishes to return to JHU must submit a request to the Office of Engineering Advising (OEA). Students who have been academically suspended once or twice are eligible to apply for reinstatement. Reinstatement to the University is neither automatic nor guaranteed.

Students who have been academically suspended for a third time are classified as academically dismissed and are ineligible for reinstatement.

Submission

A Reinstatement Request Form must be submitted by an academically suspended student who would like to be considered for reinstatement. Upon receipt of the reinstatement request, the OEA Academic Review Committee (ARC) will review the reinstatement request and the student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the request.

The Reinstatement Request Form includes the following prompts and supplemental information requirements:

Reflective Writing

The academically suspended student will provide a description of:

• How they have spent their time away from Johns Hopkins University.
• Events and/or conditions that led to unsatisfactory performance.
• How the time away from full-time academic pursuits helped address the factors that led to the previous academic performance.
• Whether or not suggestions outlined in the suspension letter were used.
• Strategies that will be implemented and resources that will be utilized if reinstated.

Semester-by-Semester Plan

Minimally, students will submit an academic plan for at least two semesters. The plan will provide a further understanding of the curriculum in the student’s major in preparation for graduation. The plan should consider prerequisites and workload demands. If the student is changing their major, the semester-by-semester plan will need to be reviewed and signed by either the new department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) or the student’s academic advisor.

Supplemental Materials

Although supplemental materials are not required for reinstatement, they are strongly encouraged to support the request. Students should consider submitting:

• an official transcript of any approved external coursework taken while suspended
  (course progress information from instructors and/or unofficial transcripts can be submitted until official transcripts are ready)
• letters of support from an employer or supervisor
• letters from a healthcare provider

Deadline

Students suspended after a Fall semester must submit their application to return for the next Fall semester by noon on the second Friday in June.

Students suspended after a Spring semester must submit their application to return for the next Spring semester by noon on the second Friday in November.

Outcome

After the reinstatement request has been submitted to OEA, it will be reviewed by the Academic Review Committee (ARC). The ARC will determine if the reinstatement request will be granted or denied. If the reinstatement request is granted, the student will be allowed to return on academic probation the next semester. If the reinstatement request is denied, the student will be given suggestions for what to address before submitting a future request. The student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the reinstatement request.