Academic, Enrollment, and Student Services Information - A

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• Policies & Procedures
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• Academic Action
• Advising Centers
• Academic Advisor
• Academic Honors
• Academic Probation
• Academic Suspension
• Adding/Dropping A Course
• Admission To A Degree Program
• Advising "Tips"
• AIDS Awareness Program
• Alcohol & Drug Awareness Program
• Athletics

ACADEMIC ACTION

UMA requires all candidates for graduation to earn a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. To help monitor your progress toward this goal, we have established a Probation and Suspension Scale. This scale shows minimum grade point averages required per level of course work completed. Students who do not attain the required level will receive a letter placing them on academic probation and they ultimately may be academically suspended. If you have any questions regarding your academic status, consult your academic advisor or college office.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

(Please see Probation and Suspension Scale)
The student whose grade point average indicates that s/he will have difficulty graduating with a 2.0 GPA is placed on academic probation. S/he is still entitled to all rights and benefits of other degree candidates. However, students on probation are required to meet with their advisor before they can register for the next semester. Academic probation may have an impact on financial aid awards.
Contact Registrar's Office in Augusta.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

(Please see Probation and Suspension Scale)
If, after at least one semester on probation, a student fails to raise his or her GPA to an acceptable level, the registrar, upon the recommendation of the appropriate college dean, will take suspension action against the student. The student will not be permitted to register at the University for one semester (summer term may not be used as the suspension semester), but may submit an appeal to the Provost's Office if he or she feels the Academic Standing Committee should consider other information. The student may resume studies for the next term after consultation with an academic advisor. Students in limited capacity programs will be converted to Liberal Studies and will be required to meet program entrance requirements and to submit a Change of Program form to be considered for re-entry to the program. Students who are suspended for a second time will lose their degree status, but may apply for readmission after a semester of suspension.
Contact Registrar's Office in Augusta.

PROBATION AND SUSPENSION SCALE

*The college dean has the authority to place a student with a GPA in the suspension range on probation when the student has earned a GPA of 2.0 for his or her most recent semester. For more on how to compute your GPA, see the GPA section.

FORGIVENESS POLICY

To be considered for forgiveness, students must apply in writing to their college dean. (Please note that this policy is only for students with broken enrollment and is NOT intended to address the issue of students with continuous enrollment.)

1. There must be EITHER at least a one year separation from UMA since the semester(s) to be forgiven and the student must have an overall GPA of less than 2.0 OR the student must have been academically suspended.
2. Student must be enrolled in a UMA degree program or have applied for readmission to a UMA degree program. A student applying for forgiveness and readmission concurrently will be awarded forgiveness at the conclusion of the add/drop period.
3. The student may request up to a maximum of 15 credit hours to be forgiven, subject to the approval of the appropriate Academic Dean. "Appropriate Academic Dean" being the dean to whom responsibility for the student will fall.
4. All credits forgiven must have been taken within a two-year time period.
5. A student may be granted forgiveness only once during his or her academic career.
6. For the first two semesters of enrollment after forgiveness is granted, an advisor's signature is required for registration.
7. The student is encouraged to meet with the learning support specialist or a student services coordinator.

ACADEMIC ADVISOR

All students who are in degree programs are assigned an academic advisor to assist them with their degree program planning. In most cases, the advisor will be a faculty member; in some cases, professional staff may act in this capacity. Students who have not yet matriculated into one of UMA's degree programs, are matriculated elsewhere, or who are taking courses on a "non-degree" basis, can access advising assistance through the Advising Center in Augusta, the Advising Center in Bangor, or Advising in Lewiston-Auburn. It is imperative that students maintain contact with their academic advisor to receive assistance in appropriate selection of course work, explanation of current University policy, and for clarification of other issues which may affect students' academic decisions. Be sure to read the "Advising Tips" section of the student handbook to help you make the most of the advising process. Augusta: Contact Advising Center, college office; Bangor: Contact Advising Center, college office; Lewiston-Auburn: Contact Advising.

ACADEMIC HONORS

(Also see Honors Program)
A dean's list is published at the end of each semester comprising the names of students registered for 12 or more credits (exclusive of pass-fail courses) whose average rank is of honor grade (3.25). A dean's list for part-time students is published at the end of the spring semester, comprising the names of students who have earned a total of at least 12 credits during the fall and spring semesters, during which no more than 11 credits were earned in each of those semesters, and whose average is 3.25 in both semesters. Students who have an "Incomplete" (I) or a "Missing Grade" (MG) designation in a course are not included on the dean's list. Students who request confidentiality will not be published on the dean's list.

Degrees with Latin Honors are conferred at commencement for the following attainments of rank
summa cum laude: 3.75 or higher GPA;
magna cum laude: 3.50 to 3.74 GPA;
cum laude: 3.25 to 3.49 GPA.

These criteria state that the average grade is based on the student's work at the University of Maine at Augusta and must include 50% of the total degree hours required in the student's program of study, whichever is greater.
Augusta: Contact Admissions & Records; Bangor: Contact Admissions and Student Enrollment Services; Lewiston-Auburn: Contact Registrar Office in Augusta.

ADVISING CENTERS

Advising centers help students locate helpful resources and services, obtain information and plan their academic programs, and establish career goals. Peer (student) advisors, faculty, and professional staff collaborate to: explain how placement test results relate to course selection; explain course requirements in degree programs; assist students with appropriate course sequencing; help students arrange class schedules consistent with their goals and priorities; discuss transfer opportunities; explain University policies and procedures; and clarify issues which may affect students' academic and career decisions. Augusta: Contact Advising Center; Bangor: Contact Advising Center/Student Development; Lewiston-Auburn: Contact Advising.

ADDING/DROPPING A COURSE

All changes in a students class schedule should have the approval of the advisor. Non-degree students should submit changes in writing directly to the Registrar's Office in Augusta. A student is not allowed to add a course after the regular add period as listed in the course schedule for that semester. A student who wishes to withdraw from a course must submit an add/drop card to the Registrar's Office or call the Information Center. During the first half of a semester a student dropping a course shall be assigned a grade of "W" (Withdraw). During the second half of a semester, a grade of "WF" (Withdraw Failing) will be submitted if the student is failing the class at the time of withdrawal. "W" is not computed into the grade point average. "WF" is computed as an "F" (Failed).

WARNING: Failure to formally withdraw from courses when a student stops attending a class may result in failing grades of "F" or "L". Augusta and Bangor: Contact academic advisor, Admissions and Records, UMA Information Center; Lewiston-Auburn: Contact LAC Business Office, UMA Information Center.

ADMISSION TO A DEGREE PROGRAM

Those interested in admission to an Augusta/statewide degree program should contact the Office of Admissions in Augusta. Anyone interested in admission to one of the programs at the University College of Bangor should contact the Office of Admissions and Student Enrollment Services in Bangor. Online applications are available.

ADVISING “TIPS”

What are some advising benefits?

• To help you to clarify your values and goals
• To help you understand the nature and purpose of higher education
• To provide you with accurate information about educational options, requirements, policies and procedures
• To help you plan an educational program that is consistent with your interests and abilities
• To help you integrate the many resources of UMA to meet your unique educational needs and aspirations
• To help you understand your past educational achievements and how they are related to your current educational goals
• To help you become aware of your abilities and talents through the use of test results and other data

What are your responsibilities in the advising process?

• Learn the name, office hours, phone number, and campus address of your advisor early in the semester
• Schedule an advising appointment to register for your courses
• Keep a folder that has a copy of the latest course guide, your updated transcript, and a list of questions or concerns you want to share with your advisor, and bring it with you to each advising appointment
• Know and be able to clearly state your interests, personal values, and goals
• Know your degree program and graduation requirements
• Meet with your advisor if you experience academic difficulty
• Talk to your advisor before changing majors, transferring to another college, or withdrawing from college

What are your advisor's responsibilities?

• To become familiar with your personal, educational, and career goals
• To have some knowledge of your academic ability and background by reviewing your college transcripts, student file, and other documentation you may provide
• To ask you about your academic progress
• To be available to you during posted office hours
• To know your program requirements
• To know about general education requirements and academic policies and procedures
• To be aware of and refer you to campus programs and services (counseling, career planning, study skills workshops, etc.) when appropriate

AIDS AWARENESS PROGRAM

Consistent with the University of Maine System General Statement on AIDS, UMA has instituted an AIDS Awareness Program to provide students, staff, and the community with the most current and accurate information and referrals regarding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Contact: Counseling Services.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM

The UMA Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program has been designed to increase awareness and to educate students, faculty, and staff regarding facts on alcohol and drug use and abuse. This program offers to the UMA community an extensive referral service. The prevention program features an integrated approach, which emphasizes education, intervention, and prevention. The education component is extensive with a specific certificate program in substance abuse studies. The educational opportunities for drug and alcohol awareness and abuse prevention are enhanced by the following:

• Educational workshops providing detailed information about substance abuse and misuse through lectures, films, and workshops on campus and in the wider University community
• Distribution of information packets
• Community agencies, which are used for networking and referrals
• Support group meetings on campus
• Meeting lists and handouts to provide specific information on where to get help
• Books and tapes available in the library regarding substance abuse, eating disorders, and family issues
• Guest speakers present in classrooms and UMA forums
• Counselors are available to provide referrals to community agencies

Students are obligated to read the state and federal mandated information in the policies and procedures section of this handbook (see University Policy on Alcohol & Illegal Drugs). Contact: Counseling Services.

ATHLETICS

As members of the United States College Athletic Association, our men and women play a challenging New England basketball schedule. Most of the home basketball games are played at the Augusta Civic Center, one of the finest courts in the state of Maine. The women's soccer team plays a strong, independent schedule and offers new students a great opportunity to meet other students, become fit, and visit other campuses. Regionally, our intercollegiate teams compete in the Yankee Small College Athletic Association. Contact: director of student life in Augusta.