Retention Program

It is recognized that freshmen at AUI go through a difficult adaptation process as they move from high school to university, from a directive to a less directive system, from studying in Arabic or French to studying in English, from living at home to living away from home often for the first time. All these factors cause students to experience adaptation problems.

In accordance with the policy of detecting academic problem cases early and taking remedial action, the Freshman Year Student Evaluation Committee is set up to identify students with academic problems during their freshman year (less than 30 earned credits) and take the necessary remedial steps to improve their performanc

Psychological and academic counselors, along with undergraduate coordinators and faculty advisors, work together to provide assistance to students in need. In addition to Freshman FAS courses, academic success workshops are offered and made mandatory for students at risk of failure. These students are also required to draw up a learning contract with their instructors and meet with the retention officer regularly to monitor their progress.

Undergraduate students with less than 30 earned credits are governed by the Freshman Year Committee regulations. A student is added to the Freshman Committee at-risk list when they have obtained a SGPA* of less than 2.0. Once a student is placed on the Freshman Committee’s at risk list, he/she will remain on the list and Freshman Committee regulations will apply, even after earning 30 credits, until he/she returns to satisfactory academic performance.

If an at-risk student earns 30 or more credits while “on watch” status, he/she will no longer be considered by the Freshman Committee, but instead will be subject to the probation regulations of Enrollment Services.

* Note that actual Language Center English Program grades (converted to letter grades instead of P/F) will be taken into consideration.

The evaluation is done based on instructors’ assessment of the student’s academic performance (midterm, final examination, quality of work, participation, papers, quizzes, etc.). In appeal cases, behavior (attendance, academic integrity, relations with the instructor and other students) and potential (ability to improve with proper guidance and support) will also be considered.

Summer grades will not be taken into consideration.

This information is used by the committee to take one or more of the following actions:

1. No specific action as the student is performing adequately overall and making good progress
2. Issue a Warning, Strong Warning, or Last Chance-

When a warning, strong warning, or last chance is issued, conditions will be specified. They include, but are not limited to:

1. Reach a given performance level
2. Minimum number of courses to complete
3. Specific courses to complete
4. Dismissal from the University (after the second semester)
5. Other action the Committee sees fit to further its mission

A student’s history on the Freshman Committee at-risk list is cleared after two consecutive semesters in good academic standing.

One year after a student has been dismissed by the Freshman Committee, they may reapply for admission (see readmission process).

Important Notes: 

• Actual Language Center English Program grades (converted to letter grades instead of P/F) will be taken into consideration.
• All students on the at risk list are required to complete 4 courses each semester (students may not withdraw from any courses).
• Failing grades are D, F, or WF.