Academic Standards and Student Status

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic integrity is the foundation of an academic community. Without high standards of integrity the University's mission to educate students in the tradition of Christianity and liberal arts. Although maintaining the standard of integrity is primarily the responsibility of the faculty, all members of the academic community share this responsibility. As teachers, faculty members are responsible for guiding students in learning and then assessing that learning. To carry out this office, faculty members expect that student work submitted for academic credit is the result of the student's own effort and conforms to established standards of academic integrity. All members of the academic community are expected to follow the standards, policies and procedures of academic honesty as articulated in the Assumption University Student Academic Integrity Policy and available on the Assumption University website.

The University views collaboration and sharing information as valuable characteristics of academic communities, and faculty members are responsible to clarify for students the expectations and boundaries about collaborations and information sharing in their courses and their academic disciplines. Unless explicitly approved by the instructor of a course, the use of artificial intelligence at any stage in completing an assignment for submission counts as plagiarism at Assumption (Assumption University Student Academic Integrity Policy, page 4).

In 2009, the Assumption University Student Government Association approved the following pledge to academic integrity that is distributed to all new students at the opening of the fall semester:

We, the students of Assumption University, are resolutely committed to maintaining a high degree of integrity. I hereby pledge to act with character, honor, and honesty in all academic matters. Academic honesty is essential to the existence and growth of an academic community. Without high standards of honesty, the university’s mission to educate students in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and to promote ethical values cannot be accomplished. All members of our Assumption academic community share this responsibility. Entering into this community, the responsibility now lies with me to uphold these values and to foster the academic tradition of Assumption University.

Academic Standing

Good academic standing means making steady progress towards completion of the undergraduate degree, achieving a grade point average of at least 2.0 (C) each semester, towards the 2.0 or C average in both the major and cumulative GPAs, which are required for graduation. If a student fails to achieve a 2.0 grade point average in any given semester, they will be reviewed by the Academic Policy Board and one of four statuses will be assigned: Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Conditional Enrollment, or Required Withdrawal. Those required to withdraw are granted the opportunity to appeal. If placed on Academic Warning, the student remains in good standing. While on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Conditional Enrollment, the student is required to work with his/her academic advisor and staff from the Academic Support Center to earn a 2.0 or higher in the subsequent semester. Those who have regained good standing (2.0) through summer or intersession study prior to the beginning of the next semester are still required to meet with support staff for the following semester.

Leave of Absence

Students may need to interrupt their studies due to illness, a family emergency, military obligations, or other significant personal circumstances. To support students during these situations, Assumption University offers an institutional Leave of Absence (LOA). (This is not a Federal Approved LOA.)

The following conditions apply:

1. Eligibility: Students must be in good academic standing (a cumulative GPA at or above a 2.0) and in good disciplinary standing at the time the leave is requested. Undergraduate students must submit a Leave of Absence request for each fall or spring semester. ABSN and PA students must request a Leave of Absence if they plan to take a leave over summer terms.
2. Financial Aid: Prior to departing, students must consult with Student Financial Services (508 767-7158) to discuss the impact of their leave on financial aid eligibility, loan repayment, scholarships, and other financial obligations.
3. University Property and Financial Obligations: Prior to departure, students must return all University property (including keys, meal cards, and any other issued materials) and settle all financial obligations.
4. Withdrawn Status: Students approved for a LOA are considered withdrawn from the University for purposes of financial aid funding.

Students on an approved Leave of Absence will retain access to the AU Student Portal.

Students who plan to enroll at another institution while on leave must obtain prior approval from the Registrar's Office for any courses they intend to transfer back to Assumption University. During the leave period, a maximum of four transfer courses may be accepted, of which no more than two courses may be applied toward the Foundations Program.

Please contact the Registrar's Office to obtain the necessary paperwork.

Readmission to the University

Students who have withdrawn from the University and wish to return must submit a readmission application, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their departure. The application must explain the reason for their departure, the reasons they wish to return to Assumption University, and how the circumstances that led to the student's withdrawal have changed.

For readmission to the spring semester, completed applications must be received by December 21. For readmission to the fall semester, completed applications must be received by July 1.

Students who were required to withdraw from the University for academic or disciplinary reasons are not eligible to apply for readmission until they have been away from the University for at least one full fall or spring semester. In addition to the readmission application, these students must submit official transcripts for all academic work completed since leaving the University and letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or other appropriate individuals in support of their application.

Other materials may be required in order to demonstrate that all issues leading to the student’s required withdrawal have been addressed by the student during his or her time away. If readmitted, the student will be required to meet regularly with a designated staff person, and must follow any and all conditions set at the time of readmission.

Withdrawal From the University

A student who voluntarily withdraws from the University must:

1. Complete the required withdrawal form and exit survey;
2. Return all University property; and
3. Satisfy all outstanding financial obligations to the University.

Students who withdraw without completing the required withdrawal process may be subject to administrative withdrawal from their current courses and may receive failing grades, as permitted under University policy. Tuition refunds, if applicable, are determined in accordance with the University's published refund policy.