Student Dismissal Process

It’s important to talk with your academic advisor and family if you’ve been dismissed from the university. Your advisor can help you evaluate your academic standing and identify the steps to be either reinstated at UB, or transfer to another institution. Your family can assist you with planning decisions.

Why was I dismissed?

The criteria for dismissal from the university can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog. Search for Academic Standards Review (Academic Dismissal).

What are my options?

• Sometimes it is in a student's best interest to leave higher education for a year or more to address any personal distractions, to reflect on why they were not successful and to consider applying to re-enter the university after one year. Additional information about taking a break from UB can be found below.
• Dismissed students have the right to appeal their dismissal. More information on the dismissal petition process can be found below. Students admitted to the University on probation or those with a conditional status are not eligible to appeal.

How do I appeal?

A formal appeal of your dismissal must be submitted electronically. The link to the Dismissal Appeal website was included in the dismissal notification correspondence, or can be provided by your academic advisor. The dismissal appeal process is available following spring academic review.

You are encouraged to discuss your situation with your academic advisor who will evaluate your appeal strength. Your advisor can also help you determine if submitting a request for an Academic Withdrawal is appropriate. Be prepared to discuss all the circumstances that contributed to the dismissal, and whether or not these factors can be managed to justify an immediate return to the university. Visit your HUB Student Center to identify your academic advisement unit/academic advisor.

How much time do I have to draft an appeal?

The deadline for filing a spring 2024 dismissal appeal is Monday, June 17, 2024.

Appeals will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and you will receive a notification of the decision via your UB email account in early July. You will be removed from your upcoming fall classes if your appeal is denied. If you are enrolled in a summer course, you are permitted to complete your summer course regardless of the outcome of your appeal. Appeal results will fall into one of three categories:

• Full reinstatement. Only students whose academic standing changes after their dismissal (because of grade changes, request for Academic Withdrawal, etc.) will receive full reinstatement.
• Dismissal deferral. These students must meet certain conditions, including earning a semester GPA of at least 2.0 without any Incomplete grades. Other conditions may also be included in the notification you receive regarding your appeal. While on dismissal deferral, students will be allowed to register for future semesters. However, academic records will be reviewed at the end of the following fall semester and students who do not meet the requirements in the dismissal deferral outlined by the Dean of Undergraduate Education will be subject to final dismissal and their spring registration will be cancelled.
• Dismissal upheld. These students will not be allowed to continue at UB, and must be away from UB for one academic year before applying for reentry. These students should consult with their academic advisors to discuss the possibility of applying to UB at a later date.

Am I eligible for financial aid if I am granted a dismissal deferral or if I am reinstated?

Dismissal deferral and reinstated students' financial aid eligibility will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please visit the Financial Aid website for information on scheduling an appointment with a financial aid advisor.

What should I do if I choose to take a break from UB or my dismissal deferral request is denied?

You are expected to be away from UB for one full year. During that time, if you choose to enroll at another college (SUNY community colleges admit students dismissed from 4-year school as part of their missions) you need to do well. There is no specific criterion GPA you must achieve, but it must, in the opinion of the Academic Standards Committee, be sufficient to indicate your ability to succeed. You should be in touch with your academic advisor about classes to take at the other school and classes to save to re-take when you return to UB. Application of UB’s Repeat Policy can help you improve your UB GPA, but only if you avoid repeating classes with equivalent courses elsewhere in the interim. Prepare your re-entry application to UB early in the second semester away. If you are readmitted, you would like to take advantage of earlier registration if at all possible.

Is it possible for me to take summer or winter classes at UB?

You should discuss the possibility of taking UB summer or winter courses with your advisor. Courses taken elsewhere will not improve your UB grade point average — only UB grades will help you reduce your quality point deficit.
Note: Dismissal appeal decisions are not held based on summer enrollment/grades.

What if I have an Incomplete ("I") grade?

You have the right to complete any courses with a grade of Incomplete. Positive grades that replace grades of "I" may impact the outcome of your dismissal appeal.