Students may be involuntarily academically withdrawn from DigiPen for several reasons including grade point average (GPA), PACE (Percentage of Attempted Credits Earned), not achieving passing grades in enough courses at the rate of attempt: 67%+, and other factors. Student Success Advisors review a report at the end of each semester and determine students that meet the relevant criteria. Students may submit appeals materials to Vice President for Student Engagement within two working days of their initial letter.
Students who do not have their initial appeal granted may apply for readmission to DigiPen after one full semester of suspension (Fall, Spring, Summer). Withdrawn students applying for readmission must include a request to the Academic Appeals Committee with their readmission materials.
Appeal/Readmission materials should be comprised of a letter or video stating the reason(s) for a request and supporting documentation. Supporting documentation could be transcripts from another institution showing academic progress during the semester the student was not enrolled at DigiPen, documentation of personal or professional accolades, statement of change of behavior or circumstance or something similar. All documentation should be given to the Vice President for Student Engagement.
The Academic Appeals Committee is comprised of members from the Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Enrollment divisions and the Chief Operating Officer of the Institution and will evaluate the students’ records and appeal materials. Members of Academic Affairs will be chosen based on student program and other factors that require their unique insights. The Committee members will advise the Chief Operating Officer on desired outcome of the appeal however, the Chief Operating Officer will make the final decision. The vote on each candidate will be recorded. The committee is chaired by the Vice President of Student Engagement. The levying of the decision is completed by the Chair.
The Committee will meet following grade submission each semester and review pending appeals for withdrawal and readmission. A vote will be completed, per student, following the review of the materials by the designated committee for each student. Notice of the decision must be provided to the student within three working days following the committee meeting.