4. Definitions

4.1. Good Standing: Students are admitted to Cape Breton University to their program of study in good academic standing. Students in good academic standing have met the minimum academic standard that is required for continued and unrestricted study at the university.

4.2. Academic Consultation: A student who does not meet the standards for good academic standing is approved to continue their studies with required academic advising and support to improve performance.

4.3. Restricted Enrolment: Limits a student’s course registration and requires academic advising and compliance with conditions set by an academic committee and Registrar’s Office to support their success.

4.4. Academic Suspension: A student on Restricted Enrolment with a failing cumulative semester average, or more than one failing grade, at the end of the semester on restricted enrolment will be placed on Academic Suspension from Cape Breton University for a minimum of two terms. An academic comment will be placed on the student’s transcript noting the suspension.

5. Good Academic Standing

5.1. CBU students are admitted to their program of study in good academic standing. Students in good academic standing have met the minimum academic standard that is required for continued and unrestricted study at the university. For greater clarity, students are advised that meeting this minimum academic standard to continue as a student at CBU may not be sufficient to satisfy the progression or graduation requirements of their specific program of study.

5.2. To remain in good academic standing, a student must obtain a cumulative semester average that is 5 numerical grade points over the passing grade in their program and/or have no more than one failing grade in the semester.

5.3. Students who do not achieve a cumulative semester average that is 5 numerical grade points over the passing average in their program of study and/or fail more than one course in a semester, are no longer in good academic standing. A student who is no longer in good academic standing will be notified by the Registrar’s Office and appropriate supports, services, or restrictions may be recommended or imposed., There are three stages to this notification and support process.

5.4. Students previously in good academic standing who fail all registered courses in a single academic semester will be moved to Restricted Enrolment without first being placed on Academic Consultation by the Registrar’s Office.

6. Academic Consultation

6.1. A student who does not meet the standards for good academic standing, as outlined in section 2.2, may continue to enrol as a full-time student under Academic Consultation. Students on Academic Consultation will be strongly encouraged to connect to supports and services to support their academic progress. The Registrar’s Office will send each student a notification outlining their Academic Consultation status and connect students to supports and services.

6.2. A student who is on Academic Consultation will return to good academic standing if, at the end of the semester, they earn a cumulative semester average of 5 numerical grade points or more above the passing average for their program of study and do not have more than one failing grade.

6.3. A student who is on Academic Consultation and does not meet the requirements for good academic standing, as outlined above in section 5.2, at the end of their next semester of study will be placed on Restricted Enrolment.

6.4. A student cannot appeal an Academic Consultation decision and there is no notation or restriction placed on the student transcript.

7. Restricted Enrolment

7.1. Working with the Office of the Registrar, the academic committee of the academic school will assess the student’s academic record and determine the level of allowable enrolment for the student who is on Restricted Enrolment. An academic committee is based in each academic school and is chaired by an associate dean or dean’s delegate. Once placed on restricted enrolment, students are required to meet with an academic advisor before they can make any future changes to their registration. The Registrar’s Office will send each student a notification outlining their Restricted Enrolment status and connecting them to available supports and services.

7.2. The academic school committee will strive to view the student’s record as a whole and may impose or recommend other conditions for the student, as appropriate, and in the spirit of academic support and success. In some circumstance, a student may be required to participate in compulsory academic success coaching, adjust future enrolment by adding or dropping a course or changing programs to comply with the academic committee’s decisions.

7.3. A student on Restricted Enrolment, who at the end of the semester, has a failing cumulative semester average or more than one failing grade, but whose overall average remans at least 5 numerical grade points above the passing threshold, may be approved by the academic school committee in consultation with the Registrar to continue under Restricted Enrolment for additional consecutive semester. Should a student on Restricted Enrolment fail no more than one course in a semester, they may also remain on Restricted Enrolment for a consecutive semester if approved by academic school committee in consultation with the Registrar. In both cases, students place on Restricted Enrolment for a second consecutive semester are required to complete academic advising before marking any future changes to their registration.

7.4. Students are entitled to appeal the Academic Standing Decision of “Restricted Enrolment” Information on Appealing an Academic Decision can be found here: Cape Breton University Academic Calendar, Appeal Information

Note: Additionally, the student must complete the “Notice of Appeal” form through the student must fill out the CBU Service Form, Appeal Application, Option 12 if they wish to proceed with further review.

8. Academic Suspension

8.1. A student on Restricted Enrolment with a failing cumulative semester average, or more than one failing grade, at the end of the semester on restricted enrolment will be placed on Academic Suspension from Cape Breton University for a minimum of two terms. When reviewing students’ academic performance at this stage, the students’ cumulative average across all semesters should be taken into consideration. Students with a cumulative average of 5 points above their program’s passing average, may remain on restricted enrolment for a second semester rather than moving to suspension.

8.2. A student on Academic Suspension may not enrol in any courses at CBU during the terms of Academic Suspension. A notation of Academic Suspension with the year will be added to the student’s official transcript. This will remain on the student record. Cape Breton University will not accept transfer credit for courses taken while on Academic Suspension. The Deans Office will send each student a notification outlining their Academic Suspension with the details outlining the conditions of the suspension.

8.3. In egregious circumstances, the Dean, in consultation with the Registrar, may choose to skip the Academic Consultation stage and move directly to Restricted Enrolment or Academic Suspension.

8.4. Students are entitled to appeal the Academic Standing Decision of “Academic Suspension” Information on Appealing an Academic Decision can be found here: Cape Breton University Academic Calendar, Appeal Information

Note: Additionally, the student must complete the “Notice of Appeal” form through the student must fill out the CBU Service Form, Appeal Application, Option 12 if they wish to proceed with further review.

8.5. Students with the status of Academic Suspension due to academic performance are not eligible to continue in their studies in different program at Cape Breton University until the terms of their suspension have been met.

9. Re-Admission to Cape Breton University after an Academic Suspension

9.1. Students who are approved by the Registrar and Dean for re-admission to Cape Breton University following an academic suspension must meet with an academic advisor, or a designated academic resource, prior to registering for courses. Upon re-admission, students will be placed on Restricted Enrolment for one academic semester.

9.2. If the student achieves a cumulative semester average of at least 5 numerical grade points above the required program average, with no failing grades, they will return to good academic standing and be permitted to enrol without restrictions.

9.3. Students placed on Academic Suspension for a second time, will not be eligible to apply for re-admission for a minimum of six consecutive academic semesters. A third academic suspension will result in indefinite suspension or expulsion from the University.

9.4. Special Circumstances: If a student demonstrates academic difficulties in a program in specific course or subject area, the Dean and Registrar may review their performance to determine whether dismissal from the program is warranted. In such cases, the student will be dismissed from the program but not from Cape Breton University. The student may be offered the opportunity to enrol in a new program under restricted enrolment standing. A notation regarding the program dismissal will be included on the student’s official transcript. This approach allows the student to continue their academic journey in a different field while acknowledging the academic challenges encountered in their previous program. This consideration must take place prior to a student being placed on suspension and should be discussed during academic advising.

10. Appeals: Academic Decisions

10.1. Students have the right to appeal an academic decision under this policy as outlined in the Cape Breton University Academic Calendar, Appeal Information.

11. Student Record

11.1. At all times, the Office of the Registrar, is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and privacy of a student’s academic record.  To ensure the consistent application of the academic performance policy, the Registrar’s Office will also provide administrative support to deans and academic committees of the schools and collegial review of decisions that restrict student enrolment, or progression.

12. Professional Programs

12.1. Certain professional programs are excluded from the Determination of Categories of Academic Performance Policy because they either adhere to their own distinct policies and/or are governed by accreditation standards that may supersede institutional regulations. These programs, include the Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Social work, Bachelor of Science Nursing, Education Diploma programs, and Master’s level programs, operate under specific frameworks that align with the professional regulatory requirements of their respective fields. Their unique progression structures ensure compliance with accreditation standards, uphold professional standards, and maintain program specific integrity, which many not fully align with the broader institutional academic performance policy. To ensure consistency and fairness in decision making, the Dean, Academic School Committee (or designate) in collaboration with the Registrar, may use the institutional policy in combination with the program specific progression framework. This approach supports for informed decisions that appropriately address student progression while respecting both the institutional and program specific standards.

These programs include:

• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Science Nursing 
• Bachelor of Social Work

In summary, the Determination of Categories of the Academic Performance Policy provides a clear, inclusive and consistent framework for assessing and categorizing student academic performance across programs. It ensures transparency, fairness, and alignment with institutional standards while allowing for program specific considerations where necessary. By balancing institutional policies with accreditation and professional requirements, the policy supports student success and maintains academic integrity of the institution.