Graduation Requirements

An over-all average of at least 2.00 (out of 4.0) is required for graduation. Courses taken at Lafayette, on Lafayette-sponsored or affiliated study-abroad programs, or at one of the other members of the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) under the cross- registration agreement are considered in determining the cumulative average.

Students must complete an approved major program with an average of at least 2.00 in courses taken in the major.

Members of the senior class must be registered as full-time students at Lafayette. “Full-time” is defined to be a minimum of three courses per semester.

Although faculty advisers will help students plan their academic programs, students are responsible for determining that they have satisfied all requirements for graduation. To participate in the commencement ceremony, students must have completed all degree requirements.

Class of 2009

For the Class of 2009, all A.B. and B.S. students, except those in engineering, need to complete 32 courses to graduate. They should plan on taking four courses per semester. Engineering students should consult the “Fall Course Registration Guide” for the fall semester program.

Dean's List

Students achieving a 3.45 term average or higher in at least three courses with no pending incompletes are named to the Dean’s List for the follow-ing semester. Notation is made on the permanent academic record. This information is forwarded to each student’s local newspaper by the Public Information Office and is printed at the discretion of the newspaper.

Latin Honors

Students who have high cumulative averages (based upon four years’ work) at graduation are awarded their degrees summa cum laude (3.80 or higher), magna cum laude (3.65 to 3.79), or cum laude (3.50 to 3.64).

Departmental Honors

Students receive departmental honors awarded after successful completion of a thesis or comparable academic project. Candidates are formally enrolled in the honors program in their senior year. To be eligible for entrance to the program, students must have a cumulative average of at least 3.20 in the major and 3.00 in all subjects. Additional prerequisites may be established by individual departments.

Scholastic Standing

At the end of each semester, the Academic Progress Committee evaluates the performance of all students whose semester grade point averages, cumulative grade point averages, or grade point averages in their majors fall below 2.00 or whose progress toward graduation (number of courses passed) falls below the required minimum for their class. These students may be issued a letter of warning, placed on academic probation or, in severe cases, asked to withdraw from the College. Students who are required to withdraw from the College normally are expected to spend a year away from the campus.

Readmission to the College is not guaranteed, but depends upon an analysis of each individual case and the space available in the College.

Academic Probation

Students not making satisfactory progress may be placed on academic probation by the Academic Progress Committee. Factors such as cumulative averages, averages in the major field, and progress toward graduation are among the criteria used in evaluating students, but each case is considered individually. When students are placed on probation, the probation-ary period is in effect until the end of the following semester.

Students on academic probation may not take more than two unexcused cuts in any course and may be required to withdraw unless they show during the next semester improvement sufficient to demonstrate clear promise of eventual graduation. (A probation period need not precede action requiring students to withdraw.) First-year students (includ-ing students who have not completed six courses) on academic probation may not hold office in student or social organiza-tions or represent the College in any offi-cial capacity (including intercollegiate athletics or club teams). Sophomores must have at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average to participate in fraternity or sorority pledging.