Appeals

The application should include: Unofficial Transcript, Letter, Action Plan ( Financial, Career and Academic), Documents (Academic Success Contract, Academic Success Plan and Career Counseling Action Plan) and Verification of Medical or Personal circumstances.

1. Unofficial Transcript must be from the Registrar's Office (not from Scorpion Online)

2. Letter -Please write an essay that a) explains the reasons for your poor academic performance and b) details your plans to succeed academically in the future.

a) Provide a detailed and concise explanation of those mitigating circumstances that led to your poor academic performance and that are relative to your academic probation and/or suspension.  Be sure to include a semester by semester explanation of the circumstances which led to your current academic status. 

 b) Provide a detailed plan for returning by explaining how you will meet your financial, career and academic goals.  Development of this plan requires that you use the services of the Student Success Center (MRC North Annex, 882-8292) and the Academic Advising Center (Lightner Center, 882-7514).  You will need to reference the Academic Success Contract, Academic Success Plan and Career Counseling Action Plan to develop each part of your plan.  Copies of these documents must also be submitted (see 3. Documents)

1.     Financial -Write an explanation of how you will pay for classes. Consider these possibilities: financial aid, if approved; wages from work; other benefits, such as VA, Social Security, Unemployment, Workmen’s Compensation; family and friends; savings or assets; other.

2.    Career -Write an explanation of how you will reach your long-term career goals. Include how you can develop the skills that are necessary for the jobs you are interested in. You should include how the Career Counseling Action Plan you developed with a counselor has helped you. Areas you should address include work habits, study strategies, and relevant work experience (part-time, internships, volunteer).

3.    Academic -Write an explanation of how you will change your behavior to be more academically successful. You should include how the Academic Success Plan you developed with an advisor has helped you. Areas you should address include time management, study skills, regular attendance, visits with faculty, and visits with advisors. Identify the campus resources and services you will use when you return.

 3. Documents

• Attach a copy of your completed Academic Success Contract and your Academic Success Plan, which you obtained from your advisor at the Academic Advising Center when your first learned of your academic status. Sample

• Attach a copy of your completed Career Counseling Action Plan which you developed with a counselor at the Student Success Center.(Sample).

  4. Verification of extenuating circumstances

• Medical Circumstance (Physical and/or Mental)

  • Provide documentation from doctor or hospital indicating dates of absence from school, diagnosis, treatment plan, and a schedule of when you will be ready to return to school.

• Personal Circumstance (affecting you and/or immediate family such as a divorce, death in the family, financial problems, job loss or other hardship)

  •  Provide documentation from counselor, clergy, lawyer, court, bank, employer, etc, to verify the specific circumstance.

Appeals must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs in person to Gorgas Hall, D100 or FAX to (956) 882-6522. Appeals will only be reviewed if the form has been filled out completely and all supporting documentation has been attached. Students will be notified of the decision made by the Academic Standing Appeal Review Committee via mail. The decision of the committee is final.