Scholastic Standards

Student Academic Integrity Policy

The academic community of UMPI recognizes that adherence to high principles of academic integrity is vital to the academic function of the University. Academic integrity is based on honesty. All students of the University are expected to be honest in their academic endeavors. Any breach of academic honesty should be regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. The entire academic community shares the responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards of academic integrity. Each student has an obligation to know and understand those standards and expectations. All students, faculty, and staff are expected to help maintain academic integrity at the University by refusing to participate in or tolerate any dishonesty.

A student who is found to be in violation of academic integrity will be subject to appropriate sanctions. Sanctions will be determined in accordance with the Procedures for Student Violations of Academic Integrity. A copy of the complete policy and procedures may be obtained from the Dean of Students office or accessed online at the following URL: https://www.maine.edu/board-of-trustees/policy-manual/section-314/

Definition of an Undergraduate Student Credit Hour

The University of Maine at Presque Isle defines one Student Credit Hour in an undergraduate program as an expectation, on average, of approximately 45 clock hours of student academic engagement per course. Student Academic Engagement in a course can take many forms, including, but not limited to, class time, testing, reading, writing, studying, discussion group time, laboratory work, internships, practica, practicing, performing, or otherwise working on course content. However, it is understood that 15 hours will be classroom or direct faculty instruction.

Internships, practica, student teaching, studio work, laboratory work, online courses, travel courses, May, summer, and winter terms, and other academic activities leading to the award of credit will organize student work in configurations that do not precisely match this definition. Nevertheless, the amount of student work required per credit hour in these courses or credit-bearing activities at UMPI will reasonably approximate the amount of work required per credit hour in a standard lecture or seminar course.

Good Standing

In order to remain in good standing, students (full and part-time) are required to maintain the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) in the following table. GPA hours may be read from an official transcript or approximated by dividing total quality points by GPA hours.

Four Year Programs

Two Year Programs

Course Load

The normal load for a student is 15-17 semester hours. The minimum load for full-time students is 12 semester hours. A schedule of 18-20 semester hours may be carried by special permission of the student’s advisor. A course schedule exceeding 20 semester hours also requires the approval of the Chair of the College in which the student is a major. Course Overload forms are available in the Registrar’s Office and the Advising Center.

Dean’s List

Students who are matriculated in a degree program at UMPI and who have completed in a fall, spring, or summer semester a minimum load of 12 graded hours of degree credit and who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.60 or higher are eligible for that semester for the Dean’s List. The minimum load must be attained from University of Maine System institutions. A ‘graded hour’ is defined as a credit hour that counts toward the student’s GPA; this does not include credits graded on a pass/fail basis.

Students who are matriculated in a degree program at UMPI and who have completed fewer than 12 graded hours of degree credit but who have completed at least six(6) graded hours and who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.60 or higher are eligible in that semester for the Academic Recognition List.

Students who were not eligible for the Dean’s List or Academic Recognition List at the time of final grading due to having glasses graded with an NP or I, and who later completed those classes and now meet the requirements may contact the Registrar and request to be added to the Dean’s List retroactively.

Graduation with Distinction

Students receive graduation honors of distinction in one of three categories by attaining the requisite Grade Point Averages (GPAs) in all coursework taken at UMPI.

For the purpose of wearing honor cords at the graduation ceremony, coursework taken during the semester prior to graduation will not be used in the calculation of honors. Because semester grades are not calculated until after the graduation ceremony. It is possible that a student’s honors status may change by the time degrees are awarded. The final honors status printed on the student’s diploma and any future transcripts will be based on the student’s cumulative GPA directly following the semester for which the degree is awarded.

Posthumous Degree Policy

A posthumous degree may be awarded if, at the time of death, the student was matriculated in a degree program and near completion of work required for the degree. “Near completion” is defined as having completed at least 75% of the degree program requirements with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. An immediate family member of the deceased student may submit a written request for the posthumous degree to the Registrar, who will verify that the requirements have been met and forward the request to the Provost for final approval. The student’s diploma and record will reflect that the degree was awarded posthumously.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation if his or her cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) at the end of a semester is lower than the minimum required to remain in good standing according to the Scholastic Standards guidelines. Being placed on academic probation in and of itself is not subject to appeal.

A student placed on academic probation must meet with his or her academic advisor to make needed revisions to his or her course schedule. A student on probation may only take twelve credit hours of coursework a semester unless a four-credit course or a required one-credit laboratory course raises the total to thirteen credits. Students who enroll in more than the allowed number of credit hours may be required to withdraw from the extra course or courses. This may have financial consequences for the student in terms of lost tuition and fees and costs for books and supplies. Students should also inquire if the restriction of probation will have any financial aid consequences for their particular case.

A student will also be placed on probation upon achieving a semester GPA of less than 1.00, provided the student’s cumulative GPA is in good standing. Students placed on probation for a semester GPA of less than 1.00 will be required to meet with their assigned professional advisor in order to verify their enrollment in the upcoming semester and discuss a plan for degree progress. Failure to meet with a professional advisor or the Director of Advising by the end of the add period may result in suspension.

Academic Suspension

A student will be placed on academic suspension if, after one semester on academic probation, he or she fails to achieve good standing according to the Scholastic Standards guidelines.

A student will also be placed on academic suspension upon achieving a semester grade point average of less than 1.00 with a cumulative GPA that is not in good standing according to the Scholastic Standards guidelines.

Once suspended, a student must raise his or her cumulative GPA to the minimum required for good standing in order to be eligible to apply for readmission to the University. Raising the GPA average may be achieved by enrolling as a non-degree student at UMPI. No student who has been suspended may take more than nine credit hours of coursework per semester as a non-degree student (unless a four-credit course or a required one-credit laboratory course raises the total to ten credits). Students taking courses as non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid and normally may not live in a residence hall.

International Students studying at UMPI on a VISA MUST meet with the Primary Designated School Official to discuss options that might be available for readmission to the University.

A student may appeal a suspension based on extenuating circumstances by following the Academic Appeals procedure below.

Academic Dismissal

A student who is on suspension will be dismissed from the University if a semester GPA falls below a 1.0. A student who has been dismissed may not take classes, even as a non-degree student, at UMPI or at any other University of Maine System campus for a period of two years.

At the completion of two years of separation from the University, the student may appeal to be readmitted by submitting a written request to the Chair of the Academic Appeals Board. Formal readmission to the University is the responsibility of the Office of Admissions. A student may appeal a suspension based on extenuating circumstances by following the Academic Appeals procedure below.

Academic Forgiveness Policy

This policy allows one complete semester of attendance at UMPI to be removed from a student’s cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Academic forgiveness would result in the removal of all coursework completed during the semester specified by the applicant. The grades and credits for the forgiven semester will remain on the transcript and be given a special designation by the Office of Students Records. The credits will not accumulate toward graduation, and the grades will not affect the cumulative GPA.

This policy is intended for students who have experienced a semester with low grades, been separated from UMPI for at least 24 months, and been readmitted to UMPI. Students may not apply for Academic Forgiveness until they’ve successfully completed at least 24 credit hours after readmission.

Academic Forgiveness will not be granted for a semester average higher than 1.2 or for students with cumulative GPAs higher than 1.8 during the period of study to which Forgiveness is to be applied. Academic Forgiveness can only be awarded once and can only apply to grades earned at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The details of this policy are available in the Advising Center, South Hall, and the Registrar’s Office, 235 Preble Hall.

Academic Appeals

The Academic Appeals Board handles the following processes and procedures for academic appeals. It consists of three faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly for three-year terms. The Dean of Students, or designee, and a Professional Academic Advisor will be additional non-voting members of the Appeals Board. The faculty members on the Board will select the Chair. The Registrar serves as convener of the Board and as a non-voting member.

Academic Appeals Dates 2024-2025

Spring 2024 appeals:

• All Appeals- Second Date: August 7, 2024

Summer 2024 appeals:

• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: September 20, 2024
• Grade Appeals: September 20, 2024

Fall 2024 appeals: 

• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: November 8, 2024
• Grade Appeals: November 22, 2024
• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: January 7, 2025
• Grade Appeals:  January 17, 2025

Spring 2025 appeals:

• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: March 21, 2025
• Grade Appeals: March 31, 2025
• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: June 11, 2025
• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals- Second Date: August 6, 2025

Summer 2025 Appeals:

• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals: July 18, 2025
• Grade Appeals: July 28, 2025
• Suspension or Dismissal Appeals:  August 29, 2025
• Grade Appeals: September 15, 2025

Appeal of Suspension or Dismissal

Procedure:

A student may appeal an academic suspension or dismissal by following these steps:

1. The student must fill out the ACADEMIC APPEALS FORM, which will be emailed to them upon notification of suspension or dismissal. This email will come from the Registrar in the Office of Student Records.

2. Upon receiving the student’s submission, the Registrar shall notify the Academic Appeals Board that an appeal has been submitted.  The Board shall review the submission(s) of appeal and other relevant documents, schedule meetings as appropriate, and/or other direct communication with the student. The Academic Appeals Board will inform the student of its decision via email with a formal notification letter attached within two weeks of reviewing the student’s appeal.

3. If the student disagrees with the decision of the Academic Appeals Board, the student may request that the Provost review the decision, by emailing umpi-provost@maine.edu. The Provost may request all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. The Provost’s decision shall be final and not subject to further review.

Academic Appeal - Appeal of Academic Policy Decision

Purpose:

To establish an appeals procedure for a student with a grievance concerning the rules of the University relating to academic policy including but not limited to leaves of absence and withdrawals after the deadline and academic forgiveness.  To be considered, an appeal of academic policy must be initiated within two weeks of the date of the official notification of the decision.

Procedure:

A student may appeal an academic policy decision by following these steps:

1. In order to guarantee fair and equitable consideration, a student must first prepare an appeal in writing and meet and discuss it with the University employee whose actions gave rise to the grievance in a good faith attempt to resolve any misunderstanding. If, after such a meeting, the student is not satisfied with the result, the student may appeal to the Academic Appeals Board. The student should email the Registrar at umpireg@maine.edu. 

2. The student will be provided with an ACADEMIC APPEALS FORM, which must be completed and submitted no more than two(2) weeks after the date of notification. The Academic Appeals Board will provide a decision in writing within two weeks of the appeals hearing date.

3. If not satisfied with the decision of the Academic Appeals Board, either party may request that the Provost review the decision, by emailing umpi-provost@maine.edu. This request must be received in writing no later than two weeks after the date of the Appeals Board’s written decision in Step 2. The Provost may request all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. The Provost’s decision shall be final and not subject to further review.

Academic Appeal - Appeal of Grade

Purpose:

To establish an academic appeals procedure for a student with a grievance concerning a final grade or instances of perceived unfair treatment which a student believes may have negatively impacted his or her final grade. It is the intent of these provisions to guarantee fair procedure rather than to interfere with the prerogative of the faculty to evaluate the quality of a student’s course work.  Pursuant to the UMS Student Appeals Policy for Academic Affairs, this process “provides each student an objective review of an academic grievance.”

When to Appeal a Grade:

A student may appeal only the final grade for a course.  A grade may be appealed when a student believes that an inaccurate final grade has been assigned through an unfair or inequitable grade issuance, inconsistent grading practice, or calculation error. 

In all cases, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate that a grade has been unfairly or incorrectly assigned.

An appeal must be made in writing, submitted either through email or post mail, to be considered.

Issues of academic dishonesty are adjudicated separately from an Academic Appeal under the terms set forth by the UMS Academic Integrity policy.

Procedure:

A student may appeal a final grade by following these steps:

1. The student must discuss the concern directly with the instructor involved within 14 calendar days of the last published date of the semester/ session.  This can occur in person or through distance technology, including email. If the instructor does not respond to the outreach within 5 business days, the student may proceed directly to step 2. 

2. Should a student feel the matter insufficiently resolved following a discussion with the instructor, the student may appeal to the Academic Appeals Board. The student should email the Registrar at umpireg@maine.edu.  The student will be provided an ACADEMIC APPEALS FORM to complete the appeal; the Office of Student Records can provide the necessary guidance in the completion of the form and any required materials .  This appeal must be made within 14 calendar days following the discussion with the instructor, and include: instructor; course/section/session; semester/year; and request to change grade from __ to __. The student is encouraged to consult with their faculty or professional advisor for assistance. The Appeals Board will provide a written decision to both parties and the Provost within two weeks of receiving the student’s appeal.

3. If either party disagrees with the decision of the Board, the party may request that the Provost review the decision, by emailing umpi-provost@maine.edu. This request must be received in writing no later than 14 calendar days after the date of the Academic Appeals Board’s written decision in Step 3. The Provost may request all relevant documentation and may meet with the parties concerned. The Provost’s decision is final and not subject to further review

Approved 9/1/24; Revised 8/14/24