Graduate School Bulletin

Academic Dismissal

Dismissal from the Graduate School can be requested by Departments or Programs in cases where there exist requirements beyond those of the Graduate School for the maintenance of good academic standing. In any such case the following requirements are made of the program:

• All such requirements must be stated clearly in writing and given to each student enrolled in the program. Any requirements not so publicized may not be enforceable.
• No student may be dismissed for poor academic or research performance by any program unless he or she has been on program probation or has received two consecutive semesters of unsatisfactory performance evaluations from the program immediately preceding the dismissal.
• Students must be notified in writing when they are placed on program probation, with a copy of the letter sent to the Graduate School. The letter of notification must be received by the student before the first day of classes of the semester in which the probation takes effect, and it must state the reason(s) for the probation, the possible consequences of the probation and the possible remedies for it.
• Students may be dismissed without having been placed on probation as described above, only in cases where they fail to pass required examinations or milestones as stated in published departmental policy, or in cases of proven academic dishonesty.
• Notifications of dismissal must be made to the student in writing, explaining the reasons for the dismissal. A copy of this letter must be sent to the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School will then send a certified letter to the student informing them of their dismissal from the University. The student will have seven days to respond to this letter before the dismissal is processed and the student is blocked from further registration.
• Students may be dismissed or placed on probation by programs for reasons of academic or research performance only. All other disciplinary matters must be referred to the appropriate office of the University.

A graduate degree may be revoked in cases of academic or professional misconduct by a student during the course of his or her studies. The results of departmental/program hearings are forwarded to the department chair/program director who will forward this to the Dean of the Graduate School with a recommendation concerning any penalties. The Dean of the Graduate School will consult as needed with the Graduate Council. The Dean will determine and implement penalties and may recommend to the President that the degree be revoked. The Board of Trustees of the State University of New York revokes the degree. If the degree is revoked, the degree notation on the official transcript will be removed and replaced by a statement explaining the reason of the revocation.