Academic Standards Board

1255 Angell Hall
(734) 764-0332

Located within the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center, the Office of Academic Standards and Academic Opportunities provides guidance and support to LSA undergraduates in the pursuit of their degrees. Working within Student Academic Affairs (SAA) alongside the general academic advisors in the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center and the College faculty, Academic Standards advisors guide both students who encounter or anticipate academic difficulty and students who require special programmatic assistance during the course of their college career. In their role as teachers and mentors, Academic Standards advisors help students master the art of succeeding in varied opportunities offered by the College.

The Office of Academic Standards and Academic Opportunities is responsible for developing and managing processes aimed at improving the academic performance of students. Academic Standards Board advisors provide guidance and support to students who are pursuing joint degrees with other U‑M Schools and Colleges, who are returning after long absences, who are encountering difficulty in making progress toward degree requirements, or who are returning adults. In addition, the office assists students with special advising needs, e.g., students with disabilities, cross-college transfer students, and other special student groups. The office also coordinates the Individual Major program and the Bachelor in General Studies degree program.

A major function of the Office of Academic Standards and Academic Opportunities is to uphold academic policies, established by the faculty of the College, that govern LSA students. While students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with College and departmental requirements, Academic Standards advisors are available to help students understand academic policies as they apply to them individually. Academic Standards advisors also act as consultants to faculty and staff on matters of College policy and explain College rules for parents and other interested parties outside the College. 

Petitions from LSA students for exceptions to the College's rules and regulations are reviewed by the Academic Standards Board. Exceptions may be granted if the student presents evidence of unusual circumstances or has an alternative proposal to meet a specific requirement that is consistent with the spirit of the requirement. Students who are members of the Honors Program petition the  Honors Academic Board; Residential College students petition the RC Board on Academic Standing.

The Academic Standards Board manages the Grade Review process each term, including judgments of probation, suspension, dismissal, and reinstatement. At the end of each term, the Board reviews records of students who show evidence of academic difficulty and determines the academic status of those students based on the policies described here.