Academic Suspension

As a result of an academic suspension, in compliance with Board of Regents Policy 301.9, the University of Montana requires a semester of non-attendance following an academic suspension and a student may not take additional classes at the university until academically reinstated. If a registration exists for the following semester, those classes will be dropped and a hold placed on further CyberBear registration until a reinstatement is transacted. Students may appeal a suspension in cases where there are compelling and documented circumstances.

Appeal of Suspension Form

We understand that a student can get in over his or her head in college, and that an academic suspension may feel like a dead end.  However, every student who has been placed on academic suspension has the opportunity to apply for reinstatement to the University of Montana after the student has sat out the following semester. We encourage students to use the time away to develop a plan which will maximize opportunity for success when studies are resumed.

Academic Reinstatement Plan Form

Students are rarely suspended because of one bad grade, or even just one poor semester. More typically there is a pattern of underachievement.   Your education is an investment in your future, and it should be approached with the same degree of careful consideration you would give any other long-term investment.

An undergraduate student will be academically suspended at the end of a semester if placed on academic probation during the previous semester of attendance and the student's cumulative graduate point average (CGPA) remains below the 2.00 CGPA required for good academic standing.

Students who have been suspended for academic reasons and seek reinstatement must receive the approval of the academic dean of the school or college in which they intend to enroll. [If seeking reinstatement in the Missoula College, contact the Retention and Advising Coordinator at MC.] Typically, retroactive grade changes, dropped courses or withdrawals do not reverse the academic suspension status that is recorded on the transcript, unless there was an error or grading mistake.

Academic reinstatement is not automatic.The student must provide the reasons for previous poor academic performance along with a carefully prepared plan for improvement that is completed with the help of an academic advisor. A student denied reinstatement may appeal the denial in writing to the President of the University within ten days of receiving the notice of denial. The decision to deny reinstatement normally will not be reversed unless there is evidence the decision was made arbitrarily.

If a suspended and reinstated student has not attended UM for more than two years, the student must also complete an application for readmission through the Registrar's Office. The readmission form re-activates the student's record and, along with the reinstatement form, allows the student to register for courses.

Your required semester of non-attendance will give you the opportunity to re-assess your educational goals.  We encourage you to meet with your academic advisor and discuss your academic difficulties and how to best resolve them.  You may apply for reinstatement after you've prepared an Academic Reinstatement Plan in consultation with the reinstatement advisor in your major's academic department.  

The Plan will cover both the academic and out-of-classroom issues that impacted your prior academic performance.  The meeting serves as an opportunity for you and the advisor to explore the factors that led to your suspension, and develop strategies to address the identified issues.  For example, an Academic Reinstatement Plan often includes referrals to the Office for Student Success, math tutoring, STUDY JAM group tutoring sessions, the Financial Aid office, study skills courses, and other appropriate resources.  

We encourage you to begin working with your advisor early. Your Academic Reinstatement Plan is then submitted for approval by the academic Dean of your college.  If you are denied reinstatement by the academic Dean, you may appeal the decision in writing to the University President within ten days of receiving the notice of denial. 

For 4-year degree seeking students:

If your major is: 

• General Studies(undeclared)
• Pre-Nursing
• Pre-Media Arts

If your major is not listed above, see your assigned departmental advisor.  If you do not know who that is, contact the Dean's Office in your school or college.

For 2-year degree or certificate program students: