Suspension Appeal Process

Students who have been suspended are immediately withdrawn from all their current courses and may not register for additional courses. Within ten (10) calendar days following receipt of the notification of suspension, students may appeal the suspension decision by writing to the Provost or designee.  Students must provide evidence to support their appeal and must include plans for academic improvement. The letter of appeal must contain the following elements:

• Those internal and external factors that contributed to the student's inability to meet the program's conditions for remaining in good standing,

• The specific action(s) the student will take to prevent a recurrence of the difficulties that led to the program faculty's decision and action impacting program standing.

The student shall receive a written decision from the Provost or designee generally within fifteen (15) business days of the submission of the appeal. 

If the Provost or designee does not grant an appeal, the student is dismissed from the College. If the Provost or designee grants an appeal, the student will be given an academic performance contract for the next semester. Any changes to this academic performance contract must be pre-approved by the Provost or designee. If the student does not fulfill the contract, the student will be suspended again.

All appeal decisions are considered final.

Academic Reinstatement to the College

Students in academic dismissal status are not eligible for reinstatement for at least 16 weeks or one term, whichever is longer, from the date of dismissal. However, the College recommends that students wait a full academic year before petitioning the Provost or designee for reinstatement to the College and that they use their time away to pursue academic and other activities that will demonstrate their capability and readiness to succeed at Keuka College. If the Provost or designee grants reinstatement to the College, the student will be given an academic performance contract for the next semester. If the student does not fulfill the contract, the student will be suspended again.

Students petitioning the Provost or designee must present a compelling, persuasive written statement explaining those circumstances which led to poor academic performance and how those conditions have changed or will change upon reinstatement.  The statement must present a thoughtful educational plan that includes specific academic and career goals and strategies for achieving them (for example: enroll in fewer studies, utilize academic support, or reach out to my instructors early in the term if I fall behind). Students are encouraged to complete and provide official documentation of course work at another accredited institution of higher education, with a grade of C or higher for a minimum of two classes; at least one full-time semester is preferred.  Additional pertinent information may be submitted at the student’s discretion, such as medical documents, letters of reference, and/or recommendations from individuals who can attest to their readiness to regain good academic standing and successfully complete a degree at Keuka College.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid

The probation and suspension policies governing attendance at Keuka College also affect eligibility for financial aid. For purposes of financial aid, a student on academic probation is considered in “good academic standing” and is therefore eligible for financial aid.

A student who loses federal student aid eligibility because they failed to make satisfactory academic progress may appeal that result on the basis of personal injury or illness, death in the family or other extenuating circumstances. A student unable to prove mitigating circumstances is not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress and is therefore ineligible to receive federal and institutional aid.

An appeal worksheet will accompany the official notification of suspension from the College. Documentation of mitigating circumstances should accompany the student’s appeal of suspension to the Provost or designee. The decisions regarding attendance at Keuka College and eligibility for financial aid are separate. The appeal worksheet includes both the academic and financial aid requests; however, the decisions are separate and independent.