Scholastic Performance Requirements

Class Attendance

Baruch College is a non-attendance taking institution. All students are expected to attend every session of their courses. A grade of WU will be assigned to students who attended a minimum of one class, stopped attending, but did not officially withdraw.

Policy on Religious Holidays

No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student at Baruch College for the reason of inability to attend classes because of religious beliefs or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular day or days.

Any Baruch student who is unable, because of religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements.

It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of the College to make available to all students who are absent from school because of religious beliefs an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that they may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to these students such equivalent opportunity.

If classes, examinations, study, or work requirements are held on Friday after 4:00 pm or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, study, or work requirements shall be made available on other days, where it is possible and practicable to do so. No special fees shall be charged to students for these classes, examinations, study, or work requirements held on other days.

In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials of the College to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any students because of availing themselves of the provisions of this section.

Students who are aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding in the Supreme Court of New York County for the enforcement of their rights under this section.

Maintaining an Acceptable Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average (GPA) is the numerical equivalent of a letter grade (A, B, C, etc.). In order to meet the College’s scholarship requirements, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. The GPA is also used to determine scholarship eligibility. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of his or her GPA. Baruch students may verify their grades and GPA by accessing their transcript through CUNYfirst self service. (Effective Spring 2019)

The cumulative grade point average (GPA) is the numerical equivalent of a letter grade (A, B, C, etc.). In order to meet the College’s scholarship requirements, a student must achieve a stipulated GPA according to the table below. The GPA is also used to determine scholarship eligibility. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of his or her GPA. Baruch students may verify their grades and GPA by accessing their transcript through CUNYfirst self service.

(Fall 2018)

It should be noted that there are different GPA requirements for eligibility for financial aid programs (state and federal) and for retention within the College. See the financial aid section of this bulletin or the Office of Financial Aid Services for the minimum standards for eligibility for financial aid awards.

Computing the Grade Point Average

Grade point averages are computed by multiplying the credits attempted by the grade point equivalent. The grade point average is then computed by dividing the total grade points (GPs) by the total credits attempted. Below is an example of computing a GPA on a five-course, 16-credit semester program load.

Changing a Grade/Extra Credit 

No change of final grade for a completed course will be made without the approval of the instructor’s dean. Deans will consider the grade change upon the receipt of the instructor’s written explanation. No grade will be changed after a degree is awarded. Extra work may not be submitted for a higher grade.

Your GPA and Credits Earned at Another College

Approved CUNY e-Permit course(s) are calculated in the cumulative credits earned and GPA; for institutions outside of CUNY, only courses with a grade of C or better are transferred for credit and are not calculated in the GPA.

Grades received for work completed at another college  are used to calculate the pre-business GPA for eligibility to the Zicklin School of Business; these grades are calculated according to Baruch’s Academic Policies.

Academic Probation

First-semester freshmen and first-semester transfer degree seeking students who fail to meet the minimum acceptable GPA will be assigned an academic standing of ‘Eligible to Continue.’ Students should view this classification as an alert to work diligently to improve their academic performance. Improvements will prevent academic sanctions. The student is urged to utilize the resources offered by the College, including the Office for Undergraduate Advisement and Orientation and the Student Academic Consulting Center (SACC). The services of these offices include mapping out courses, tutoring, workshops, and career advice. 

Students will be placed on academic probation at the end of the fall/spring semester if their cumulative GPA falls below the minimum level indicated previously. Students will have one semester in which to raise their cumulative GPA.  Failure to maintain a GPA of a C (i.e. 2.00) during the semester will result in academic dismissal. (Effective Spring 2019)

While on academic probation, a student will be restricted to no more than four courses (13 equated credits) each semester.

The following are restrictions for students on academic probation:

• Holding office in student government or on publications, sitting on College committees, or engaging in varsity sports (club activities should also be limited) (Effective Spring 2019)
• Registration for subsequent semesters will be withheld until all grades are posted.

Students will be placed on academic probation at the end of the fall/spring semester if their cumulative GPA falls below the minimum level indicated previously. Students will have one semester in which to raise their cumulative GPA.  Failure to maintain a GPA of better than C (i.e. 2.01) during the semester will result in academic dismissal.

While on academic probation, a student will be restricted to no more than four courses (13 equated credits) each semester.

The following is a list of violations of probation:

• Grades, in any course, of FIN, WN, WU, or F that have not been removed from the cumulative GPA by the repetition of the course with a grade of C or better
• Holding office in student government or on publications, sitting on College committees, or engaging in varsity sports (club activities should also be limited) (Fall 2018)

Violations of GPA probation will result in automatic dismissal at the end of the semester. Students who are dismissed must remain separated from the College for a minimum period of one semester. The deadline for submitting appeals to the appropriate committee on academic standing for reinstatement for the fall semester is April 1; for the spring semester, November 1. Students must also file a reentry application with the Office of the Registrar.

All applications for reinstatement should be submitted to the appropriate committee on academic standing based on the student’s official major. Until they have been admitted to a specific school, they must file their appeals with the Joint Committee on Academic Standing through the Office for Undergraduate Advisement and Orientation . Each application should include documentation that supports the student’s appeal for reinstatement. It is recommended that students meet with an advisor in the Office for Undergraduate Advisement and Orientation prior to filing the appeal for reinstatement.

Be advised that all recipients of financial assistance must be making satisfactory pursuit and progress toward a degree. There are different formulas used to make this determination, one for federal aid programs and one for TAP. The GPA requirements for financial assistance differ from the College’s scholarship requirements. Please consult the Office of Financial Aid Services for Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for state and federal financial aid programs.

Rate-of-Progress Probation and Dismissal Policies

The following courses are required for any bachelor’s degree: ENG 2100, ENG 2150, and minimally, a 2000-level mathematics course (and/or an H or T version of these courses). Failure to complete one or more of these courses after three registrations will result in dismissal from the College. Students who take, but do not pass, one of the aforementioned courses for the second time will be placed on rate-of-progress probation and should see an academic advisor as soon as possible. Failure to complete the course(s) in question by the end of the third attempt will result in dismissal. While on rate-of-progress probation, a student will be restricted to no more than four courses (13 equated credits) each semester.

Students who have failed an ESL course once will be placed on probation for the following semester. While on probation, a student will be restricted to no more than four courses (13 equated credits) each semester, including the ESL course. Students who fail to pass the ESL course after two attempts will be dismissed from the College. Students who have been dismissed from the College for failure to pass an ESL course after two attempts will be encouraged to register at a CUNY community college to complete their ESL program. Before students who are dismissed for their failure to pass their ESL course may return to Baruch College, they must present a transcript showing that they have passed all three CUNY Basic Skills Tests and that they are eligible for credit-bearing mathematics courses.

Registration for the subsequent semester after the third attempt will be withheld. Students who are dismissed may not continue at Baruch College.

Repeating Courses 

Undergraduate students may replace a maximum of 16 credits of failing grades if the same courses are repeated with a minimum grade of C. It will not retroactively effect the pre-existing academic status. The cumulative GPA will be recomputed to reflect only the passing grade.  The following points should be noted:

• A maximum of 16 credits of failing grades (F, FIN, WU) may be deleted from the calculation of the cumulative GPA during an undergraduate’s enrollment in CUNY. Whether students remain at a single college or transfer from one CUNY college to another, no more than 16 credits of failing grades can be replaced in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Should the 16-credit limit be reached at a college other than Baruch, a student will not be permitted to replace failing credits at Baruch.
• The course(s) used to replace failing grades must have been taken in the fall 1990 semester or later.
• If a course for which a student wants the failing grade to be replaced by a grade of C or better was taken prior to September 1, 1984, the student must receive the approval of the appropriate committee on academic standing.
• For a grade of C or better to replace a grade of F in the calculation of the cumulative GPA, the failing grade cannot have been received at another college. The repetition of the course must take place at Baruch; it may not be taken on permit to another institution.
• A failing grade may not be partially replaced. If a student has replaced 14 credits of failing grades and subsequently receives a grade of C or better in another 3-credit course previously failed, the failing grade cannot be replaced.
• If a student has received more than one failing grade for the same course and subsequently earns a grade of C or better in the course, the failing grades will be deleted from the calculation of the GPA, subject to the 16-credit limit.
• If a student fails a course that was taken on a pass/fail basis and subsequently retakes the course, a grade of C or better must be earned in order for the failing grade to be replaced.
• If the course number or title of a course was changed in the period between the receipt of the failing grade and the repetition of the course but the content remained the same, the failing grade will be replaced if a grade of C or better was received in the repeated course.
• If the content of the course was changed in the period between the receipt of the failing grade and the repetition of the course, or when a student has been allowed to substitute one course for another, the declaration of course equivalency for the purpose of deleting the failing grade from the calculation of the cumulative GPA will be at the discretion of the appropriate committee on academic standing.
• The cumulative GPA calculated on the basis of this policy is to be used for purposes of retention and graduation from the College and the admission to and continuance in a major or specialization. It will not be used to calculate graduation honors, the Dean’s List, or departmental honors at graduation.
• Students may not repeat courses for which credit has already been earned, either at Baruch College or in transfer from another college. Students who register for a course where credit has previously been earned will be dropped from the course or have credit removed from the subsequent attempt. It is the policy of the College’s three schools that students will be allowed to register no more than three times for any single course.

Any student who does not want a repeated course to replace a previously recorded failing grade should notify the Office of the Registrar so that the replacement does not take place. This request may be made at any time after the latest enrollment, but before the latest grade is recorded.  Note: Any failing grade(s) already replaced cannot be reversed.

*** Effective Fall 2018 through Spring 2020: Two-Year Pilot Program for Repeat for Mastery (Precalculus)

A student who has received a grade of C-, D+, or D may re-register for Precalculus. The credit for that course will be applied toward the degree once.  In order to repeat the course, students must apply through the Office of the Registrar.

• Courses repeated for mastery will be included in the maximum 16 credit limit.
• A student must earn a C grade or better and not have exceeded the 16 credit limit in order for the grade to be replaced. 
• If a student earns less than a C grade or has exceeded the 16 credit limit, both grades earned will be factored into the student's GPA.

Withdrawal

Courses dropped during the refund period, do not appear on the student’s transcript. New students who drop all their courses (withdraw from the College) during the refund period of the semester must apply again for admission prior to future registrations. Consult the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Other students who withdraw from the College during the refund period must apply for reentry.

Students may withdraw from the College during the first ten weeks of the semester. After the refund period, they will receive W grades.  Appeal to drop a course after the deadline must be made to the Committee on Academic Standing.

Students who have received permission to carry a credit overload may not drop any course.

Once students have officially dropped a course they may not attend or audit the course.

Students who are SEEK, first-semester freshman, athletes or International and wish to withdraw, modify their schedule or fall below full-time status must get the approval of the appropriate office.

The Committees on Academic Standing

Each school has a committee on academic standing. These committees adjudicate students’ appeals in academic matters. Each committee is composed of faculty, students, and administrators. Information and appeal forms can be obtained in the Office for Undergraduate Advisement and Orientation. These are some of the appeals handled by the committee:

• Request for W in a course or total resignation after the deadline (10th week of the term)
• Request for reinstatement if dismissed
• Curricular adjustments or waivers of academic rules
• Change of grade that is initiated by the instructor

All requests should be documented with supporting evidence: medical notes, military papers, etc.

The filing of an appeal does not guarantee a favorable decision; the committee weighs all the information presented by the student and arrives at a conclusion based upon the application of College policies and the appropriateness of the request. 

The student is informed in writing of the committee’s decision. Students do not appear before the committee.

Committees on Academic Standing

• Zicklin School of Business
• Weissman School of Arts and Sciences
• Marxe School of Public and International Affairs
• Office for Undergraduate Advisement and Orientation (students without an official academic plan)