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Lehman College Strategic Planning

Appeals FAQs


General Appeal Information

How do I submit my appeal? 

All appeal types will be accepted through SM Apply. Please see our instructions for filing your appeal electronically here.

Why am I asked to provide official documentation in support of my appeal?

Although not all appeals will require official documentation, to be consistent in decision making, the Committee has the right to request such documents to validate their decision. This does not mean that the Committee members do not believe and sympathize with the circumstances, but all decisions must be informed and equitable to all students. 

Readmission

When I left school, I wasn’t passing my courses, but now I want to come back and do well.

Congratulations on your determination to improve your academic performance.

Effective Fall 2023: Students who stopped attending for one year (Fall and Spring or Spring and Fall) maintain their active status at the College. During this period students should remain in contact with their academic departments and advisors. Active status does not guarantee access to all campus facilities and services.

Undergraduate students who have stopped attending for more than a year must submit a Readmit Application with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The completed application and a $20.00 non-refundable fee are required; official transcripts of any coursework completed during the absence must also be submitted with the application in order to be evaluated for readmission and transfer of credits. Students who have attended any institution since last attending Lehman must have earned a minimum G.P.A. of 2.3 for any coursework completed during their absence. Students will be readmitted into their most recent academic standing and must settle all holds on their account prior to registration.

Students who left Lehman on academic dismissal or who have had a gap in attendance at Lehman greater than one year while their cumulative G.P.A. is below the minimum standard must appeal to the Lehman College Committee on Admission and Standing in the Office of Academic Standards and Evaluation.

If you have been dismissed, the Lehman College Appeals Committee is eager to welcome you back to the campus if:

  • you have identified the reason(s) why your previous academic performance did not meet academic standards (for example, poor health; working too many hours that you couldn’t devote enough time and energy to your studies; a personal or family situation),
  • you have taken steps to resolve or work around those problems so that they do not keep you from succeeding in the future, and
  • it is possible to improve your record to good academic standing within a reasonable time.

If you have any documents that can help you to prove the existence of extenuating circumstances and/or your readiness to return, you may include them in your appeal. If you would like some help in putting together your appeal, schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor using Navigate.

If your appeal is granted, you may be readmitted on either part-time or full-time probation for the following semester. The Committee on Admission and Standing will set a maximum number of credits you will be allowed to take. The maximum number allowed is decided by the Committee on a case-by-case basis.

  • Students on part-time probation are allowed to take 8 credits.
  • Students on full-time probation are allowed to take a maximum of 13 credits.

Please note that Appeals are heard for the Fall and Spring semesters only. Appeals are not heard for the Summer or Winter sessions, but a student may attend either after their initial semester for which they are granted Readmission.

In order to regain good academic standing, students must meet the required cumulative G.P.A.

Total Credits Attempted Minimum Lehman Cumulative Indices/ Minimum Retention Index
0-12 8-10
13-24 (or first four courses) 1.75
25 or more 2.0

  • Students on full-time probation who do not meet the required cumulative G.P.A. but who meet the required term index (2.3) will remain on full-time probation for the following semester.
  • Students on full-time probation who do not meet either the required cumulative G.P.A. or the required term index (2.3) will be placed on part-time probation for the following semester.
  • Students on part-time probation who do not meet the required cumulative G.P.A. but who meet the required term index (2.3) will remain on part-time probation for the following semester.

Students on part-time probation who do not meet either the required cumulative GPA or the required term index (2.3) will be dismissed.

Students who are dismissed will not be permitted to continue their studies at Lehman College for a minimum of one semester and will be dropped from the following semester courses (not including winter or summer session courses). Students will be permitted to enroll for the winter or summer sessions immediately following their dismissal in an attempt to regain good academic standing. Students who choose to enroll for the winter or summer sessions will not have their courses dropped until five business days prior to the start of the upcoming semester.

How can my probation be lifted?

If you are successful at raising your G.P.A. to your minimum retention index before the end of your probation period, your probation can be lifted. If you believe your G.P.A. meets that standard, consult the Office of Academic Standards and Evaluation by emailing academic.standards@lehman.cuny.edu about lifting your probation stop.

When can I submit an appeal for Readmission?

You may submit an appeal for Readmission during the following times:

  • For the Fall semester: between the third Monday in March until the first Thursday in August
  • For the Spring semester: between the first Monday in October until the first Monday in January

If you attempt to submit an appeal to readmit after the stated deadline for the semester, your appeal will be held until we begin to accept readmission appeals for the following semester. Your appeal application will have the semester altered to reflect this.

When I left Lehman my GPA was below 2.0 and I attended another college(s) since; does that make a difference?

Yes. After Academic Standards reviews your Readmission appeal, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will calculate an average of the grades earned at Lehman and those at the other institution(s). Your appeal will be heard by the Committee on Admission and Standing if the combined G.P.A. recalculation is 2.0 or higher, and/or if you have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. If the combined average is below 2.0 and you have not earned an AA or AS degree, you will be notified by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions that your appeal cannot be accepted.

I need to appeal to readmit due to my low GPA and I owe the college money. Does this affect my appeal?

No. If you owe the college money, you may file your appeal and must settle all holds on their account prior to registration.

I want to return to Lehman College and my GPA was above a 2.0; do I need to appeal? 

If your G.P.A. at the time that you last attended Lehman College was 2.0 or higher, you do not need to file an appeal. Instead, you may go directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to readmit. If you have been out only a year or less, it will not be necessary to readmit to the College.

Academic Warning

What is Academic Warning?

Academic Warning is the consequence of letting one's G.P.A. fall below the minimum retention index.

Total Credits Attempted Minimum Lehman Cumulative Indices/ Minimum Retention Index
0-12 (or first four courses) 1.5
13-24 (or first eight courses) 1.75
25 or more 2.0

Students who do not meet the required cumulative GPA by the end of the academic warning semester will be placed on either full-time or part-time probation for the following semester. The determination of full-time or part-time probation status is based on students’ performance during the academic warning semester:

  • Full-Time Probation: Cumulative GPA < 2.0, term index > 2.3
  • Part-Time Probation: Cumulative GPA < 2.0, term index < 2.3
  • Students on part-time probation are allowed to take 7-8 credits. The maximum number allowed is decided by the Appeals Committee on a case-by-case basis.
  • Students on full-time probation are allowed to take a maximum of 13 credits. The maximum number allowed is decided by the Appeals Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Dismissal

Can I be dismissed from Lehman College because of my grades?

As long as your cumulative G.P.A. remains above the minimum retention index, you remain a student in good academic standing and will not be dismissed from Lehman College. These are the following minimum retention indices (that is, the lowest grades you can earn and still remain a student at Lehman College):

Total Credits Attempted Minimum Lehman Cumulative Indices/ Minimum Retention Index
0-12 1.5
13-24 (or first four courses) 1.75
25 or more 2.0

If you let your G.P.A. fall below your minimum retention index, you will be placed on academic warning at the end of the term in which your G.PA fell below the minimum requirement. During the academic warning semester, students may register without credit restriction.

  • Students who do not meet the required cumulative GPA by the end of the academic warning semester will be placed on either full-time or part-time probation for the following semester. The determination of full-time or part-time probation status is based on students’ performance during the academic warning semester: Full-Time Probation: Cumulative GPA < 2.0, term index > 2.3 Part-Time Probation: Cumulative GPA < 2.0, term index < 2.3
  • Students on full-time probation who do not meet the required cumulative G.P.A. but who meet the required term index (2.3) will remain on full-time probation for the following semester.
  • Students on full-time probation who do not meet either the required cumulative G.P.A. or the required term index (2.3) will be placed on part-time probation for the following semester.
  • Students on part-time probation who do not meet the required cumulative G.P.A. but who meet the required term index (2.3) will remain on part-time probation for the following semester.
  • Students on part-time probation who do not meet either the required cumulative GPA or the required term index (2.3) will be dismissed.

Students who are dismissed will not be permitted to continue their studies at Lehman College for a minimum of one semester and will be dropped from the following semester courses (not including winter or summer session courses). Students will be permitted to enroll for the winter or summer sessions immediately following their dismissal in an attempt to regain good academic standing. Students who choose to enroll for the winter or summer sessions will not have their courses dropped until five business days prior to the start of the upcoming semester.

Students may appeal their dismissal to the Committee on Admission and Standing for consideration of readmission. Dismissed students may only be readmitted for the Fall or Spring semesters and must successfully complete an assigned and approved academic intervention prior to their return.

Dismissed students who have met the readmission conditions will be placed on a part-time probation status (maximum of 8 credits). Students will be required to maintain the minimum term index of 2.3 for every semester thereafter until they regain good academic standing. Students who fail to meet the 2.3 term index will be placed on final dismissal. Students placed on final dismissal are subject to the readmission in accordance with the Lehman College Fresh Start policy.

Whether or not it is in your best interest to file an immediate appeal for readmission depends on your readiness to dedicate time and energy to your studies. If you do not feel you are ready for the next semester or have unresolved issues, it may make more sense to work on those first before you file an appeal for readmission to a later semester.

Your dismissal letter includes instructions to follow when submitting an appeal. If you have any documents that can help you to prove the existence of extenuating circumstances and/or your readiness to return, include them with your appeal. If you would like some help in putting together your appeal, consult an Academic Advisor by visiting your appropriate general education advising location.

I was dismissed from Lehman because I'm not passing my courses, but I want to keep taking classes.

Students who are dismissed will not be permitted to continue their studies at Lehman College for a minimum of one semester and will be dropped from the following semester courses (not including winter or summer session courses). Students will be permitted to enroll for the winter or summer sessions immediately following their dismissal in an attempt to regain good academic standing. Students who choose to enroll for the winter or summer sessions will not have their courses dropped until five business days prior to the start of the upcoming semester. Students may appeal their dismissal to the Committee on Admission and Standing for consideration of readmission. Dismissed students may only be readmitted for the Fall or Spring semesters and must successfully complete an assigned and approved academic intervention prior to their return. Taking winter or summer course is only suggested if you feel that you will be able to perform and raise your index. Keep in mind that winter and summer sessions must cover the number of hours of a regular semester, thus they are very intense and demanding of your time.

What if I decide not to appeal to remain in the college?

If you feel you are not ready to appeal to continue, you may submit an appeal for readmission for the semester you feel you are ready to return. The timeframe to submit a readmission appeal is the following:

  • For the Fall semester: between the third Monday in March until the first Thursday in August
  • For the Spring semester: between the first Monday in October until the first Monday in January

Reinstatement of SAP

I am told I need to file an appeal for federal financial aid because I did not make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Should I file my SAP appeal with the Office of Financial Aid or Academic Standards and Evaluation?

You may submit your Reinstatement of SAP appeal via SM Apply. In your letter, please explain what issues have affected your academic performance. Please see the “Right to Appeal” section of this page for more instructions about what to include in your appeal.

Please note that if your SAP appeal appeal to reinstate federal financial aid is granted, it is for one probationary term of Financial Aid. Continued eligibility for federal student aid is contingent upon your meeting Federal SAP requirements by the end of this probationary period. Failure to do so will result in the loss of all Federal Title IV Student Aid. Please note that waivers for consecutive semesters cannot be granted. See below for the SAP requirements that must be met by the end of the probationary term:

  • Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and/or a 2.3 semester index
  • Earn at least 66% of all credits attempted
  • Not have attempted more than 180 undergraduate credits

In addition, you must adhere to the following academic plan:

  • Achieve a GPA of 2.0 and/or a 2.3 semester index
  • Earn 100% of all credits attempted
  • In all courses attempted, grades of F, WU, WN, and INC are not acceptable 

If your SAP appeal is denied, you may not have met the requirements stated below:        

  • Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 
  • Earning credits from at least 66% of all credits attempted 
  • Not attempting more than 180 undergraduate credits

TAP Waiver

I have been decertified for my TAP award. What can I do to have it reinstated? 

If you believe you have a justifiable reason for not meeting New York State's grade point average (G.P.A.) and program pursuit (number of credits earned over time) requirements for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), you must first visit the TAP Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar, by emailing TAP.Audit@lehman.cuny.edu. Once you have filled out a form of TAP ineligibility, it must be included in your appeal submitted to Academic Standards and Evaluation through SM Apply. When submitting this appeal, please choose “Other” and include the TAP form as a supporting document. If the form is not included, your appeal will not be accepted. Please note that this is a one-time TAP waiver appeal and is granted only under extraordinary circumstances. For further information, consult the TAP Coordinator through TAP.Audit@lehman.cuny.edu.

Deletion/Refund of Tuition Liability

CUNYfirst shows a course I didn't want to register for; what do I do?

If CUNYfirst shows a course you did not intend to register for and the enrollment or late enrollment period is still open, go back into the system and swap the courses (Please refer to the Registrar’s Office for specific information about how to swap or drop courses). If the swap was unsuccessful, you will need to file an appeal for the deletion of the course you intended to drop in the swap. 

You should not be attending a course for which you are not enrolled on CUNYfirst. Only under extraordinary circumstances should you file an appeal for Retroactive Enrollment in a course.

I would like to obtain a tuition refund for a course(s) I withdrew from or a course(s) I no longer wish to attend. What can I do? 

You may appeal to request a tuition deletion (also known as a tuition refrund) with documented cause. Please note that once you register for a course(s), you are liable for the full tuition. In addition, if you withdrew and obtained a partial refund and are appealing for a 100% refund, there is a refund schedule set by CUNY. That is, the University has guidelines about the amount of refund a student may obtain based on their withdrawal date. Students must abide by the published withdrawal and refund schedule which is available each term through the Office of the Registrar on the Undergraduate Academic Calendar for each term. 

I would like to obtain a tuition refund because I have to leave the country due to a family emergency or I have to change my work schedule due to financial hardship. Can I do that?

You have the right to appeal, but be aware of the fact that the College does not refund tuition for reasons of personal hardship. 

I would like to obtain a tuition refund because I have experienced technical difficulties with CUNYfirst and/or Blackboard/Brightspace. What do I do?

You may appeal with documentation from either the instructor or the Information Technology (I.T.) department that handles Blackboard/Brightspace (contactc the I.T. department at help.desk@lehman.cuny.edu) verifying that the technical issues are documented.

I would like to request the deletion of my tuition liability due to a medical emergency. How can I go about that request?

Appeals to delete tuition based on medical reasons are not heard by the Office of Academic Standards. To make such a request, please visit the Medical Emergency Deletion Request page on the Division of Student Affairs website.

Withdrawal after the Deadline without Penalty

A student can officially withdraw up until the withdrawal deadline in the tenth week of the semester. Consult the academic calendar for the deadline each term. Additionally, as of Fall 2021, an unofficial withdrawal (WU) grade will not have punitive impact on a student’s GPA. The information in this section pertains to inquiries one might have regarding courses with WU grades from semesters prior to Fall 2021 only.

I could not withdraw officially from my course(s) in a given semester prior to Fall 2021. Can I withdraw without penalty?

If you were forced to stop attending classes due to unforeseen circumstances and can provide documented proof of the reason behind your unofficial withdrawal, consult an Academic Advisor about an appeal for a late or retroactive withdrawal. Appeals after the withdrawal deadline are not usually granted unless there are documented reasons such as: change of employment schedule, hospitalization, or leaving the country for an urgent matter.

If you do not file an appeal for retroactive withdrawal or if your appeal is denied, please refer to appeals for Substitution Under the CUNY F Policy.

Can I withdraw from my course(s) this semester?

If you want to withdraw from a class without academic penalty, you may do so before the withdrawal deadline, which appears each term in the Undergraduate term calendar published by the Office of the Registrar, without appealing, but make sure you check with Financial Aid as to the financial repercussions that this action may have on your tuition responsibility. If you require assistance in the withdrawal process, please refer to the Office of the Registrar.

If you must withdraw after the deadline, you may submit an appeal to the Office of Academic Standards via SM Apply, explaining the reasons why you did not do so in time. The Committee will wait until final grades are submitted before a decision is rendered. Your appeal should include a written statement on official stationery from your instructor(s) with regard to your attendance and grade earned to date. If relevant, you may also include documents that prove the extenuating circumstances behind your late withdrawal. Appeals after the withdrawal deadline are not usually granted unless there are documented reasons such as: change of employment schedule, hospitalization, or leaving the country for an urgent matter.

If I want to withdraw due to medical reasons, what do I do?

If you withdraw before the withdrawal deadline, you can do so yourself without penalty. If you withdrew after the deadline, you must file an appeal for a late withdrawal and attach all relevant official documentation for consideration.

I am filing an appeal for Withdrawal after the Deadline. What documentation do I need to provide with my appeal?

Here are some examples of required documentation for the most common reasons for an appeal to Withdraw after the Deadline: 

  • In the case of a personal medical emergency, provide official documentation verifying dates of hospitalization and/or statement from the physician as to projected leave from school. 
  • In the case of a work schedule change, provide an official letter from your employer verifying the time conflict and the start date of that change. 
  • In the case of having to leave the country due to an urgent matter, provide a copy of your boarding pass, a copy of official stamps on your passport, and a copy of a death certificate (if appropriate). 

If I have earned a grade I do not wish to have on my transcript, can I appeal for a retroactive withdrawal? 

No, you may not appeal. An earned academic grade cannot be reversed to a withdrawal. 

I withdrew officially from a course, but I stayed in the class and the professor is willing to give me a grade. Can I have the withdrawal changed to a grade?

No, a withdrawal is a personal decision; it stands on the record and may not be changed to a grade.

Substitution under the CUNY F Policy

I want to take the F out of my G.P.A. for a course I failed but I do not want to/cannot retake the same course. Is there some other way I get rid of the F?

The course that you are taking in substitution of the penalty grade you earned must be chosen from the same Flexible Core area if you choose not to repeat the same course. If this is the case, you must file an appeal with the Office of Academic Standards and Evaluation via SM Apply. Your letter should include the courses taken, grades earned, and the semesters they were taken for both the original and the repeated courses. The penalty will be removed from the G.P.A. as long as you have not utilized more than the 16 credits allowed to be removed from the G.P.A. under the CUNY F Policy.

Your request to use the CUNY F Policy to remove a failing grade from your index must be received in the Office of Academic Standards and Evaluation with enough time to be processed by the Office of the Registrar before conferral of your degree. After a degree has been conferred, your record is sealed and no further action can be taken on the official transcript.

Please note that once the penalty has been removed from your G.P.A., the original grade will always show on the face of the record. 

I would like to submit an appeal to remove a penalty grade from my G.P.A. involving a course in my major/minor. Does this require anything in addition to my appeal?

If you have a grade of F or FIN in a course in your major/minor, and you have taken an equivalent course other than the one that you failed, you will have to obtain a recommendation from the academic department so that the appeal can be heard. Once you have received the final grade for the course you would like to be used as a substitution and if the department agrees to allow it, the departmental recommendation must be submitted via their Lehman faculty email address to academic.standards@lehman.cuny.edu. The penalty will be removed from the G.P.A. as long as you have not utilized more than the 16 credits allowed to be removed from the G.P.A. under the CUNY F Policy. Your request to use the CUNY F Policy to remove a failing grade from your index must be received in the Office of Academic Standards and Evaluation with enough time to be processed by the Office of the Registrar before conferral of your degree. After a degree has been conferred, your record is sealed and no further action can be taken on the official transcript.

Please note that once the penalty has been removed from your G.P.A., the original grade will always show on the face of the record.

I earned a penalty grade (F) in a course, but I retook the same course and earned a grade of C- or better. Do I need to appeal? 

No, you do not need to appeal as the penalty grade is removed automatically from your grade point average as long as you have not utilized more than the 16 credits allowed to be removed from the G.P.A. under the CUNY F Policy.

Please note that once the penalty has been removed from your GPA, the original grade will always show on the face of the record. 

Other

I thought that I had finished registering, but one of the courses is not showing on my schedule. What do I do? 

If you believe that you registered for a course, are in attendance, and fulfilling all requirements, but you do not see it on your class schedule, you can file an appeal for retroactive registration in the Office of Academic Standards and Evaluation on SM Apply by choosing the ‘Other’ option. Your appeal must include a full explanation as to what you believe transpired in the enrollment process. Your instructor will need to send an email to academic.standards@lehman.cuny.edu from their Lehman faculty email address to verify your attendance and the grade that you have earned.

If your appeal is granted, you may be liable for a tuition increase.

I am registered for one section of a course but am attending another. How can I get my grade? 

It is illegal for you to be registered for one section of a course and attend another. You must drop the course and add the section that you are indeed attending by utilizing the swap feature on CUNYfirst. Please refer to the Office of the Registrar if you require assistance with the swap feature. 

I need one of my graduation requirements waived or changed. 

All students must fulfill graduation requirements. In some instances, a departmental advisor may find an appropriate substitution for a required course in the major. In such cases, a substitution will be submitted via eRMR (Electronic Record Modification Request) to the Office of Academic Standards for approval. If the approval is granted, the Office of the Registrar will receive electronic notification.

Appeals Not Heard in Academic Standards

I am not happy with the grade I earned for my course. What can I do?

If you received a grade and believe that you should have received a different grade, please refer to the Undergraduate Change of Grade and Policy Process. This type of appeal is not within the jurisdiction of the Office of Academic Standards and Evaluation.

In general, however, if you wish to contest a grade, contact the course instructor. The possibility always exists that the grade is the result of a clerical error and a simple discussion with the instructor may be enough to correct the situation. If after a discussion with your instructor you still believe that your work has been evaluated unfairly, you have the right to file a written appeal with the Chair of the department that houses your course as outlined in the Undergraduate Change of Grade and Policy Process.

According to the 2024 CUNY Uniform Grade Policy, students and faculty have the following deadline for requesting a change of grade:
“Application for a change of grade, assigned by a member of the faculty, may be made at any time within one year from the end of the semester in which the course was taken. Either the student or the instructor may make this request according to campus procedure…Grades cannot be changed once a student has graduated and their academic record is closed.”

I missed the first few days of the semester and got a WN grade, but my instructor is willing to let me back into the course. How can I get the WN grade removed so that my instructor can give me the grade I will earn?

Your instructor must fill out a form in the Office of the Registrar in order to remove the WN grade. If the form to reinstate you in the course is not filled out at the beginning of the semester, the instructor must submit an eGrade change verifying the final grade earned.

I have a WA grade due to vaccination noncompliance; can I appeal this grade?

Academic Standards does not hear appeals pertaining to administrative withdrawal grades. Please reach out to the Office of the Registrar for more information.