Suspension Appeals

This page addresses appeals for Academic Suspension only. For financial aid appeals, contact Financial Aid. For admission appeals, contact Admissions.

All Academic Suspension Appeals (Academic Dismissal Appeals) must be received by the deadline posted each semester (see below), in order to be reviewed by the Suspension Appeals Committee.

The appeal form will be live on May 1, 2025.

The deadline for appeals submitted following a Spring 2025 suspension is May 21, 2025, at 5:00 pm.

Notification of the decision by the Suspension Appeals Committee will be sent through your Lamar email before the beginning of the next semester. For appeals submitted following the Spring 2025 suspension, emails will be sent on May 28, 2025, by 5:00 pm.

Lamar University is deeply committed to supporting its dedicated and capable students who are earnestly pursuing their college education. Students who maintain satisfactory academic progress (a GPA of 2.0 or higher) and meet all university standards are empowered to continue their studies. However, there may be moments when a student faces significant challenges that can impact their academic performance, leading to a status of Academic Suspension.

Academic Suspension from LU is not intended to be punitive. Academic deficiencies serious enough to result in suspension are an indication of a student's need to reassess personal educational objectives, capabilities and readiness. We encourage students who are on Academic Suspension to utilize the period of suspension identified in LU’s suspension policy for self-evaluation of abilities, academic preparation, and goals, and to develop a plan for their return to LU that outlines how they intend to repair their academic record and meet requirements to achieve their educational goals.

We also understand circumstances beyond our control can sometimes impact student success, and we believe our students deserve an opportunity to explain their situation and appeal their suspension. Therefore, LU has implemented policies and procedures to assist students who have experienced extenuating circumstances and who wish to request the opportunity to be reinstated under Continued Academic Probation rather than sitting out the required suspension period.

Appeal Requirements
- Completion of Suspension Appeal electronic form, including acknowledgment of the seven statements of student responsibility:
  - I acknowledge the submission of this form does not guarantee an appeal will be approved
  - I acknowledge that if my appeal is approved, conditions may be set to help ensure my future success. The specifics of these conditions will be communicated to me through an appeal approval email sent to my LU email
  - I acknowledge that if conditions are set, they will be completed during my next term of enrollment at Lamar University
  - I acknowledge that failure to meet the conditions set may result in the denial of future appeals
  - I acknowledge I am expected to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in the next semester of enrollment or be suspended without further appeal
  - I acknowledge all information submitted on this form is true and accurate
  - I acknowledge any forms submitted after 5:00 pm CST on the published deadline, may not be considered
- Personal statement, 1-2 pages in length, uploaded and attached to the electronic form. The personal statement must include:
  - Student name and Lamar Student ID number.
  - Description of the extenuating circumstances contributing to the student’s unsuccessful academic situation.
  - The steps the student has taken already to address these issues.
  - A plan of action, or steps the student intends to follow, in order to improve academically and raise their grade point average (GPA). This should include but is not limited to, utilization of college support services, plan for better study skills, resiliency plan to address how to overcome inevitable obstacles, etc.
- Additional documentation that supports the assertions made in the personal statement is strongly encouraged. This is not mandatory, but any supporting documentation will be considered by the Committee. Examples include, but are not limited to, medical reports, emails, letters of support, police report following an accident, obituary, etc. Documentation should be uploaded and attached to the electronic form.
The Appeal Review Process
Appeals for Academic Suspension will be reviewed by the Suspension Appeals Committee, which is comprised of staff and faculty from across the LU campus. It is important to understand that members of the Suspension Appeals Committee do not suspend a student. The LU faculty and administration, over an extended period of time, established policies regarding eligibility for enrollment. The academic achievement of all students is monitored at the end of every term. The Suspension Appeals Committee’s responsibility and involvement in a student’s academic situation do not begin until the student submits a formal appeal following an Academic Suspension.

The Committee will make a determination (approval or denial) based on the evaluation of seven criteria:
- Well-written personal statement by the student, requesting consideration of appeal and addressing all of the required information outlined above.
- Demonstration of students’ understanding of challenges that led to current academic standing.
- Consistent improvement in GPA and academic progress towards the degree.
- Use of campus academic resources (examples include, but are not limited to, STARS Tutoring, Writing Center, Accessibility Resource Center, Academic Coaching, meetings with instructors and Academic Advisors, etc.) while attending Lamar University, particularly during terms leading to Academic Suspension.
- A clear plan of action for academic success; should include, but is not limited to, utilization of college support services, plan for better study skills, resiliency plan to address how to overcome inevitable obstacles, etc.
- Inclusion of documentation that supports the assertions made regarding extenuating circumstances.
Next Steps
Upon submission of an appeal for Academic Suspension, the student will receive an automated response to confirm the successful submission. The email will include the statements of student responsibility that the student acknowledged on the Suspension Appeal Form. If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact suspensionappeals@lamar.edu.

Students will be notified through their Lamar University email of the decision of the Committee. If an appeal of Academic Suspension is approved, the student will be reinstated and academic standing will be updated on the student’s transcript to “Continued Probation.” Students granted reinstatement on Continued Probation must complete the following requirements during their next semester of enrollment:
- Meet the GPA requirements for Academic Probation.
- Complete the required two success appointments with their College Success Coach.
- Ensure that all additional conditions established by the Suspension Appeal Committee are met. These conditions should direct the student to campus resources that can help address their extenuating circumstances and support their academic progress. Additionally, consider any determination regarding the need to limit credit hour enrollment during their probationary term(s).
A student who does not fulfill the conditions of their approved suspension appeal will not be given the opportunity to appeal any future Academic Suspensions. Email notifications of approved appeals will state the conditions of the approved appeal and the consequences of not meeting them. Students may also refer to the Academic Probation Next Steps Guide for more information.

If an appeal is not approved, the student will be required to sit out of classes at LU for the required semester(s). Records will be notified to remove the student from any classes that semester(s) in which currently enrolled, and Housing will be notified to cancel the housing contract. Students may also refer to the Academic Suspension Next Steps Guide for more information.

Students who appeal their Academic Suspension are not guaranteed appeal approval (see Student Responsibility Statements). If the appeal for early reinstatement is disapproved, and the student wishes to appeal this decision to a higher level, the student may submit a final appeal to the Office of the Associate Provost. The decision of the Office of the Associate Provost is final.

Students who want to discuss probation/suspension policies at Lamar University, or who are seeking information about returning after suspension, should make an appointment with their Academic Advisor or with the Registrar’s Office.
Note on suspensions for non-academic reasons
"Students who are suspended or expelled for non-academic reasons will be ineligible to re-enroll at Lamar University. Until this status changes, these students will have a note on their transcript indicating, “student is ineligible to re-enroll". Texas Education Code § 51.9364.

Definitions:

The following are defined as such:

Suspension – Separation from the university for a definite term during which the student shall not be permitted to earn university credit at Lamar University, be on the university owned property, participate in any university activity, or use any university service.

Expulsion – Permanent separation from the university. A student who has been suspended or expelled from any Texas State University System institution shall be ineligible to enroll at any other system institution during the period of suspension or expulsion. In addition to Lamar University, the Texas State University System includes Texas State University, Lamar State College - Port Arthur, Lamar State College-Orange, Lamar Institute of Technology, Sam Houston State University, Sul Ross State University, and Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College.

Ineligible to Re-enroll - Unable to register for or attend any Lamar University course either online or face-to-face.

Appeal Form