New Academic Policies 2025-2026
The undergraduate and graduate program committees (UPC and GPC) approved changes to a number of academic policies for the 2025-2026 academic year. Unlike curriculum changes, policy changes apply to all students at the time of implementation, regardless of their program catalog year. Changes were made to bring these policies in line with modern best practices and to support overall student success.
For more information on these policies, please review the Academic Regulations/Policies and Procedures section in the Undergraduate Catalog or Graduate Catalog.
Who to Contact for Help
- Contact your academic advisor for guidance on how these updated policies apply to your individual situation.
- Visit the Registrar’s Office website for deadlines and official forms.
Add, Drop, Withdrawal Policy Information
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Drop/Add Period
- Drop/Add time period:
- Full fall/spring semester: First 5 class days
- Mini-terms and summer sessions have a shorter but equivalent drop/add period; see the academic calendar for these dates.
- Impact of drops on registration: The course is removed from your schedule and will not appear on your transcript (no grade assigned).
- Limit: You can drop or add as many courses as you need during this time period.
Why It Matters
All courses on your schedule at the end of the drop/add period will remain on your transcript with the grade you earn (including any W grades). You should use the drop/add period to verify your course schedule, swap courses if needed, and confirm your class choices with your advisor. - Drop/Add time period:
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Individual Course Withdrawals
- New deadline: You can now withdraw from a course until the 60% point of the semester (instead of the midpoint of the semester/term). This allows you more time to work on your grade in a course before deciding whether to withdraw or not.
- After the 60% point of the semester: No withdrawals are allowed beyond that point unless you have approved, documented extenuating circumstances (e.g., serious medical issue, death in immediate family, military deployment) that support the request for a late withdrawal. There is an official, rigorous process for requesting approval for late withdrawals.
- After the end of term: No withdrawals are allowed after the last day of the semester.
- Withdrawal grades:
- W = Standard withdrawal (Limited; see below)
- WE = Withdrawal for approved extenuating circumstances
- Course Withdrawal Limit: Maximum of five course withdrawals (W) during your entire academic career.
- Withdrawals after you reach this limit are not allowed. Students will receive the grade that is earned based on the grading rubric for the course.
- University Withdrawals: If you completely withdraw from the university in a given term, the individual course withdrawals for that semester do not count towards your limit of five.
- Course Withdrawal Limit: Your withdrawal limit depends on the number of total required hours in your degree program:
- 36 hours or fewer: up to two course withdrawals
- 37–59 hours: up to three course withdrawals
- 60 hours or more: up to four course withdrawals
- Withdrawals after you reach this limit are not allowed. Students will receive the grade that is earned based on the grading rubric for the course.
- University Withdrawals: If you completely withdraw from the university in a given term, the individual course withdrawals for that semester do not count towards your limit.
Why It Matters
You have a limited number of withdrawals, and they can only be used in the first 60% (roughly nine weeks of a full semester) of the semester.
- After the withdrawal deadline, you may not withdraw from a course and will receive the grade you earn.
- Once you’ve reached the limit of withdrawals, you may not withdraw and will receive the grad you earn.
Plan carefully and speak with your advisor before withdrawing.
Academic Standing Policy
Academic standing is reviewed at the end of every semester (fall, spring, and summer).
- Minimum GPA: You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at all times to remain in good standing.
- No credit-hour requirement: There is no minimum number of credits you must earn each semester.
- Note: The old sliding GPA scale and earned-hour requirement have been removed.
- Minimum GPA: You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at all times to remain in good standing.
- Grade requirement for individual courses: Grades below B- (2.7) may trigger the Academic Alert process.
Why It Matters
Falling below the minimum GPA can affect:
- Your ability to register for future courses
- Financial aid, VA benefits, and NCAA athletic eligibility
- Graduation timelines
Academic Alert Process
If you fall below the required GPA for good academic standing (2.0 undergraduate / 3.0 graduate), you will enter the Academic Alert process. This process uses updated, clearer terms to replace the old probation system.
Progressive Levels
- Academic Notice (formerly Academic Probation)
- Academic Warning (formerly Continued Probation)
- Academic Suspension
Important Rules
- You are allowed only two total semesters with a GPA below the required standard before suspension.
- These two semesters are cumulative and do not have to be consecutive semesters.
- Summer terms do not count toward the two allowed semesters, so you can attend summer terms to work on your GPA.
- Once suspended, students may not attend fall/spring semesters until they return to good standing. The options for suspended students include:
- Taking summer classes at LR to raise the GPA, or
- Using the Academic Renewal process to be readmitted.
- Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- If GPA falls below 2.0, you enter the Academic Alert process.
- Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Individual course grades below B- (2.7) can also trigger the Academic Alert process.
Why It Matters
Students only have two total terms of academic notice before being suspended. Once suspended, students may only attend LR during the summer until back in good standing or use Academic Renewal to return. Being on academic notice or suspension can affect:
- Your ability to register for future courses
- Financial aid, VA benefits, and NCAA athletic eligibility
- Graduation timelines
Academic Renewal Policy
The Academic Renewal Policy allows eligible students who return after suspension to reset their GPA and make a fresh academic start.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must:
- Have been away from LR for at least one full calendar year.
- Apply for readmission to the university.
- Meet specific academic benchmarks during your first term back.
How It Works
- If you meet all eligibility criteria, your GPA will be reset by removing the impact of grades below a C- while allowing you to retain credit for any passed courses.
- This reset gives you a clean academic slate so you can continue working toward your degree without past grades weighing down your GPA.
Undergraduate & Graduate Students
The policy applies to both undergraduate students and graduate students, with criteria and benchmarks determined by each program’s standards.
Why It Matters
In the past, students did not have the availability to reset their GPA and just had to continue taking classes to raise the GPA. The Academic Renewal policy allows students to refocus on their academic plans and then have support by providing a starting GPA point to enhance success.