Good academic standing is defined as making normal academic progress with GPA and credits and having no academic sanctions more severe than probation. Strict probation or suspension removes a student from good academic standing.

A student's normal progress is based on the number of credits earned at Grinnell and the cumulative grade point average. A student is making normal progress toward graduation if he or she has earned the credits and cumulative grade point average listed below by the end of each specific semester at Grinnell.

*Some first-semester students may be advised to enroll for fewer than 16 credits.

The records of students who fall behind normal progress are reviewed each semester by the Committee on Academic Standing. Actions of the Committee may require students to propose a plan for their subsequent studies (with the help of their advisers) to overcome the credit deficiency in an orderly manner without delay. Students who fall 12 or more credits below the minimum required credit total earn fewer than 12 credits of C in any semester, or who fall below the minimum cumulative GPA are not considered to be making adequate progress toward the degree and should expect some action by the Committee on Academic Standing. Such students may be warned, placed on probation, suspended, or dismissed. Students, their faculty advisers, and their parents are notified of committee actions.

Academic probation is a proving period during which a student's continuance at the College is in jeopardy. During this period the student must give evidence of significant progress toward satisfying the graduation requirements and must meet any requirements that may be specified by the Committee on Academic Standing, or expect to be suspended or dismissed. Students on probation are typically required to complete 16 credits with grades of C or better in each course. The committee may make exceptions to these general rules if warranted by illness or other special circumstances. A student on academic probation should understand that his or her registration for the next semester is tentative and subject to review by the committee.

The College may suspend or dismiss at any time a student whose academic standing is not satisfactory. Usually, students dismissed have previously been placed on probation, but action to suspend or dismiss may be taken if a student shows a sudden semester decline in credits earned or GPA, or has received a previous academic warning. A student also may be dismissed from the College under conditions set forth in the Judicial Policies section of this handbook.

While the primary concern of a student at Grinnell College is academic, the College recognizes the value of extracurricular activities and offers many opportunities for participation. There are a few eligibility requirements, and occasionally, even eligible students may be advised for academic reasons to drop some extracurricular activities.

• The Committee on Academic Standing ordinarily declares a student ineligible for extracurricular activities that are especially time-consuming, or in which the student would represent the College if the student is failing to maintain normal progress. A student may be denied eligibility under the terms of any academic or conduct probation at the time he or she is put on probation or during the probationary period.
• To be eligible to serve as a student adviser or a hall social coordinator, a student must not be on academic or conduct probation.

A student suspended or dismissed may ask for reconsideration by the Committee on Academic Standing. A written appeal must be received by the Registrar's Office by the appeal deadline indicated in the suspension/dismissal notification (usually one week after its receipt). Favorable reconsideration is usually based on presentation of new evidence that previously was not available to the committee, such as evidence of temporary extenuating circumstances for past failures.

Suspended students may be readmitted when there is evidence, for instance, of successful work elsewhere and that the individual has matured sufficiently to be a successful student. Readmission requires favorable action by the Committee on Academic Standing.

Students suspended or dismissed from the College should make immediate arrangements with the Office of Student Affairs to vacate rooms in residence halls or college houses. Students should contact the Assistant Dean and Director of Residence Life to make arrangements for their belongings. Students who do not make arrangements will have their belongings packed and removed for which a fee will be charged. The College is not responsible for the belongings of any student who is not enrolled for classes.