Office of Student Success
North Foundation Hall Rm 157
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester ,
MI
48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-4480
Fax: (248) 370-4485
studentsuccess@oakland.edu

Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissal is the academic status for students who were on academic probation, attempted 24 or more credit hours and do not have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00. Academic dismissal occurs at the end of each semester after official grades have been completed.
Students who are part of the Emerging Scholars program have set requirements to complete, and receive communication from Undergraduate Admissions at the conclusion of their first year.
Important Information for Winter 2021:
Any "F" grade for fall 2020 will be changed to a "U" (Unsatisfactory) and not count toward the student's overall grade point average (GPA). However, if the newly calculated GPA does not meet the minimum required GPA, a student will be academically dismissed. Note, if a student receives "F's" in all fall 2020 courses, those will be changed to "U" and there will be no semester GPA and no academic dismissal.
Students who are academically dismissed should consult their Academic Adviser about whether to appeal their dismissal or utilize the temporary S or U option.
The Office of Student Success is committed to guiding students in understanding what dismissal means and whether or not to complete the Academic Dismissal Appeal Request Form.
Email us to
- set up a virtual meeting with a Student Success staff member
- ask any questions about this process and next steps
There are three academic dismissals that a student can receive based on the grade point average: First Academic Dismissal, Second Academic Dismissal, and Third Academic Dismissal.
Students who did not earn the cumulative GPA with the designated credits as noted in the Academic Probation Policy, are academically dismissed for the first time and are notified by the Office of Student Success by phone, email and a hard copy letter. At this time, students have two options:
1) appeal the dismissal or
2) decide not to appeal and comply with the two semester absence from the institution with the option to reapply after the two semester absence to be considered for readmission.
Option One: appeal the dismissal.
Students who have been dismissed for the first time, may appeal their academic dismissal by completing the online Academic Dismissal Appeal Request form within the seven calendar day time frame as stated in their dismissal email and letter. Appeals are reviewed by the Academic Standing and Honors Committee for a final decision. Once appeals are reviewed, the Office of Student Success notifies the students of the outcomes. The decisions made by the Academic Standing and Honors Committee are final and cannot be appealed.- Students who are granted the Academic Dismissal Appeal are then placed on Academic Dismissal Status (ADS), which requires students to earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.00 or higher every semester until their cumulative GPA places them back into good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
- Students who are denied the Academic Dismissal Appeal take a two semester absence from the university. The Academic Standing and Honors Committee may place additional stipulations on students prior to applying for readmission, such as requiring students to take a set number of credits at a community college that will transfer back to the institution, earning a minimum of 2.5 GPA. These stipulations are created to encourage the student to continue with their studies while building academic habits to prepare for a successful return to Oakland University. The student can reapply after the two semester absence to be considered for readmission.
There are two types of second academic dismissal:
1) If a student does not meet the stipulations of Academic Dismissal Status (ADS) with a minimum semester GPA of 2.00 or higher, they are academically dismissed for a second time.
2) Students who were readmitted and then dismissed again, are also considered second academic dismissal. Both populations of students are notified by the Office of Student Success by phone, email and a hard copy letter. The student would have a two semester absence from the institution with the option to reapply after the two semester absence to be considered for readmission. The second academic dismissal cannot be appealed.
The first time a student is dismissed, they have the opportunity to appeal the dismissal. This must be done through completing the online form within 7 calendar days after the grades have been calculated for the semester.
- Complete the online form, and be sure to scan and attach documentation that supports the appeal reason.
- Appeals will be reviewed by the Academic Standing and Honors Committee (ASH).
- Continue to attend your OU classes during the appeal process, however you are encouraged to have alternate plans, such as register for community college classes so you do not miss community college registration deadlines if appeal is denied.
If your appeal is approved, you will be allowed to continue taking classes and must complete the stipulations given from the Academic Standing and Honors Committee, and earn a semester GPA of a 2.00 or higher until your overall GPA is back to Good Standing (2.00).
If your appeal is denied, you would follow any of the stipulations stated in the appeal letter and not attend Oakland University for 2 consecutive semesters. After this time has passed and you have completed the stipulations, you can then re-apply for readmission to Oakland University by the due dates provided on the readmission form.
- a crisis situation with letter on letterhead from employer, legal, medical or other relevant professional;
- military duty with copy of official orders for active duty;
- a medical condition with doctor’s letter on letterhead verifying nature of conditions and dates of treatment;
- a job conflict with employers’ letterhead confirming date and necessity of job changes;
- financial problems with documentation of university error directly causing the financial problem.
If this is a First or Second dismissal, the student is academically dismissed from Oakland University for two consecutive semesters. If this is a Third dismissal, the dismissal is permanent. Review the Academic Dismissal Policy for more information.
If this is your First dismissal, refer to the Academic Dismissal Appeal tab for more information.
- contact your Academic Adviser for the best courses for you to take at another institution;
- take new courses and do not repeat courses you have already taken at OU;
- earn a 2.5 or higher GPA.
- Complete study skills workshops to enhance their academic performance;
- Meet with a faculty adviser to discuss academic success strategies for when the student hopes to reapply to Oakland University;
- Job shadowing in the career they are interested;
- Meet with a member of the Office of Student Success.