Fresh Start

Jul 30, 2019

Scope:  Who is Covered by this Policy?

All undergraduates and prospective undergraduate students.

Policy

The Undergraduate Fresh Start Policy is designed to help Miami University undergraduate students return to good academic standing after an absence of at least two calendar years. Students who have been academically suspended or dismissed or who voluntarily left the University with a cumulative GPA below 2.00 are eligible for Fresh Start after a two-year absence.

Fresh Start status must be requested within one semester (fall or spring) of completing at least 12 graded credit hours on which a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher has been earned. The Fresh Start option applies only to courses taken before re-enrollment. The Fresh Start option cannot be applied to graduate level courses taken as an undergraduate. 

After Fresh Start status is approved, a notation will be added to the student’s academic record indicating that all Miami University credit hours earned prior to re-enrollment will be subject to the following conditions:

  1. Courses taken prior to Fresh Start are excluded from the cumulative grade point average calculation, and the student starts with a new cumulative grade point average.
  2. Grades from all coursework taken at Miami University after Fresh Start will be used in calculating eligibility for graduation with honors.

Students choosing to re-enroll under the Fresh Start policy are subject to the academic regulations and degree requirements in effect at the time of their re-entry. Fresh Start students must re-declare their major or majors, or re-apply for admission to the major if admission is required, and must complete all current academic requirements. Fresh Start status is applicable only to associate and baccalaureate degrees and may be granted only one time. Following re-enrollment, students opting for Fresh Start must complete at Miami a minimum of 50 percent of the total hours required for their undergraduate degree program with Miami undergraduate coursework; gradaute course hours cannot be applied toward this minimum. Fresh Start status will be recorded on the student’s academic record as follows: “(Date) Fresh Start Approved. New Grade Point Average Established.” Catalog year is changed to reflect the first term of re-enrollment after the term of Fresh Start is established. The Transfer Student Policy applies for students who completed transfer credits while absent from Miami University.

Related Form(s)

Not applicable.

Additional Resources and Procedures

Not applicable.

FAQ

Not Applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officer

Senior Associate Registrar

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

Yes

Revision History

Separated from SH. 1.1 July 2019; Amended July 2022

Reference ID

Student Handbook 1.1

Reviewing Bodies

  • University Senate
  • Administrative