The Academic Policies of NYU Abu Dhabi are summarized below. Unless otherwise noted, students should direct all questions or concerns regarding these policies to their Faculty Mentor, who will liaise with the appropriate members of the university administration as needed. Academic Standing is run at a point in time after the semester has concluded (usually two to three weeks). Grade changes and incompletes completed after the academic standing review has been completed do not impact the initial determination of the academic standing and the initial academic standing remains for the semester(s).
I. Good Standing
NYU Abu Dhabi expects undergraduate students to make satisfactory academic progress toward their undergraduate degree every term and cumulatively to be in good standing. Good academic standing is typically achieved by successfully completing 16 credit hours during each fall and spring semester, and three credit hours during each of two January terms. A student who falls more than four credit hours behind this target, or who has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of less than 2.00, ceases to be in good academic standing. Additionally, a student who fails to successfully complete at least 12 credits during a regular semester, or who earns a term GPA of less than 2.00, ceases to be in good standing. A term withdraw will result in a student no longer being in good standing until they complete a semester coursework with a full load and meet all other good standing requirements.
II. Academic Support
The university has developed a series of steps designed to help students achieve their academic goals and to communicate with students and their faculty mentors when a student is experiencing difficulty maintaining good academic standing. Typically, coordinating the communication and academic response is handled through the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and the Office of the Dean of Students. Academic support can include such things as tutoring, mentoring, and English Language support. The Office of the Dean of Students can also provide coaching, wellness services and other holistic support.
NYU Abu Dhabi recognizes that there are situations in which appropriate academic support may include a reduced course load. When a reduced course load has been formally approved by the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education (VPUE), student progress toward the degree is measured against the approved reduced course load rather than against the typical 16 credit hour load. Students who believe that they would benefit from a reduced course load must apply for formal approval through the ARC prior to the end of the add/drop period for that term. Students must discuss their plan with an academic advisor at the ARC and/or their faculty mentor and submit a request co-signed by an advisor or mentor for approval. Approval is at the discretion of the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education.
III. Definitions
Committee on Academic Standing
The Committee on Academic Standing is chaired by the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and includes the four Divisional Deans or their designees, a member of the standing faculty, and other members as determined by the NYUAD Provost. The Committee meets at the completion of each regular semester.
Probation
A student who is not in good standing is considered to be on probation. Students who are on academic probation are expected to refocus their energies on academic success. Unless specifically permitted by the Committee on Academic Standing, students on probation are not eligible for semester study away, course overloads, summer internship or research funding, or extra-curricular travel (including for team sports). Campus employment and membership in student interest groups, while not prohibited, should be strictly limited and not allowed to adversely impact academic progress. Students on probation remain on probation until such time as they return to good academic standing. If a student fails to successfully complete all of his or her course work while on probation, or if after two semesters on probation (consecutive or not) a student has not returned to good standing, s/he will be referred to the Committee on Academic Standing for review.
Suspension
Suspension separates a student from NYU Abu Dhabi for a period of at least one semester. It isintended as a time for students to reflect upon the reasons for their academic underperformance and to put in place such measures as will help them to succeed upon their return. Suspended students may opt to pursue university studies at another institution (at their own expense), during their time away from NYU Abu Dhabi. A maximum of 8 credits from such a study may be transferred to NYU Abu Dhabi following the policies and protocols for transferring credit.
Dismissal
Dismissal represents the permanent separation of a student from NYU Abu Dhabi. A dismissed student cannot reapply for admission.
IV. Academic Review
If a student ceases to be in good academic standing, s/he will automatically be placed on academic probation. In severe cases, the VPUE may refer such cases to the Committee on Academic Standing to consider enforcing additional support measures such as a reduced course load or mandatory meetings with an academic advisor or mentor.
The Committee on Academic Standing will review all cases in which a student has been on probation for two or more semesters and still has not achieved good academic standing. The Committee will ordinarily recommend that such students be suspended from the university for a period of one semester. Additionally, the VPUE may bring other students before the Committee for suspension consideration if their performance is particularly problematic—even if they have not had two semesters on probation. The final decision to suspend rests with the NYUAD Provost.
Students who return from suspension will remain on academic probation until they return to good academic standing. Upon return to NYU Abu Dhabi, such students are expected to successfully complete all of their courses with grades of C or better and no withdrawals (W grades). Failure to do so will result in a referral to the Committee on Academic Standing. The Committee on Academic Standing may recommend allowing such students additional time on probation if, upon their return, they are accumulating credits at the normal rate and have a term GPA above 2.0. However, for students who continue to perform poorly upon return, the Committee will ordinarily recommend dismissal from NYU Abu Dhabi. The final decision to dismiss rests with the Vice Chancellor who has sole authority to dismiss students from the University.
V. Non-Academic Review
The Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education will inform the student of any suspension or dismissal recommendation of the Committee on Academic Standing and enquire as to whether there are non-academic issues so compelling as to suggest an alternate sanction. Students asserting such a claim must document the non-academic issues. In the case of Health and Wellness reasons, this will ordinarily require that the student sign a release granting the Dean of Students (DoS) and the VPUE access to records that would otherwise be protected under privacy regulations. The DoS and the VPUE will review these potentially compelling non-academic issues. In cases where they believe that a significant non-academic reason exists for the academic deficiency AND that there is reason to believe that the significant non-academic reason has been mitigated to an extent that prior academic deficiencies are not likely to be repeated, the DoS and VPUE will produce a formal recommendation suggesting a modification or even complete retraction of the recommendation of the Committee on Academic Standing. When no such non-academic reason exists, the DoS and VPUE will issue a formal statement in support of the recommendation by the Committee on Academic Standing.
VI. Decision
The decision to suspend or dismiss a student lies with the NYUAD Provost (for suspension) or Vice Chancellor (for dismissal) based upon the recommendation of the Academic and/or Non-Academic review.
VII. Appeal
Suspension and dismissal decisions may be appealed to the NYUAD Provost acting in conjunction with the Vice Chancellor, by delivering (via e-mail, hand delivery, delivery service, or mail) a written notice of appeal that arrives at the Office of the Provost within two weeks of a suspension or dismissal notification being sent to the student. There are only two grounds for appeal: a violation of the procedures outlined in this policy or evidence of factual error. The Provost will advise the student, the Committee on Academic Standing, and the Dean of Students in writing of his/her final determination. The decision of the Provost and Vice Chancellor of NYUAD will be final and binding.
VII. Reporting
Academic Standing status will not be recorded on official transcripts or other public documents, or released outside the institution without the student’s knowledge. Academic standing will, however, be part of the student’s internal NYUAD academic record and accessible for advising and mentoring purposes.