Academic probation is exactly what it sounds like--you fucked up, and you're
being given one last chance to prove you belong at your university.
If you fuck up again, you're expelled.
Here's a fairly typical academic probation scheme, taken from my own university's guidelines (Section
13 of the University's academic Code):
B. Probation Rules
The following regulations shall be used to determine
a student's probationary status, provided drop rules do not apply:
1. BEGINNING FRESHMEN (LESS
THAN TWELVE SEMESTER HOURS COMPLETED AT TIME OF ADMISSION)
A beginning freshman who does not earn at least a 2.0 (C) average in his
or her first semester or during summer session I and/or summer session
II is placed on a 2.0 probation
for the next semester or summer session I/ summer session II in which the
student is registered. (Code: P1)
2. STUDENTS OTHER THAN BEGINNING
FRESHMEN
a. A student whose cumulative average is 2.0 or better and who does not
earn at least a 2.0 average in any
semester or during summer session I and/or summer session II is placed
on a 2.0 probation for the next semester or summer session I/ summer session
II in which he or
she is registered. (Code: P2)
b. A student whose cumulative average is 1.75 to 1.99 inclusive is placed
on a 2.25 probation. (Code: P3)
c. A student whose cumulative average is less than 1.75 is placed on a
minimum 2.33 probation. (Code: P4)
d. A student may be placed on a "probationary status" at any time when,
in the judgment of the college, his or her scholastic record warrants such
action. Likewise, the
probation rules may be waived when, in the judgment of the college, a student's
scholastic record indicates that the warning provided by the probationary
status is
unwarranted. (Code: P5, P6, P7)
...
5. Removal from probation.
Students on academic probation for failure to maintain the minimum grade-point
average are returned to good standing upon obtaining a cumulative
grade-point average of 2.0 (C = 2.0) or better.
C. Drop Rules
The following regulations shall be used to determine
if a student is to be dropped from the University.
1. A student is dropped
if he or she fails to earn at least a 1.0 (D) average in any academic semester
(not including summer session).
2. A student on probation
who fails to meet his or her established probation level is dropped unless
the student has achieved at least a 2.0 average or better for that semester
and his or her cumulative average is at least 2.0.
3. A student who fails to
make satisfactory progress toward a degree is dropped. (Examples would
be the repeated failure of a required course or failure to meet other conditions
for continuation in the curriculum.)
4. A nondegree or part-time
student who fails to complete the conditions of admission or continuation.
Note: The drop rules
may be waived when, in the judgment of the student's college, his or her
scholastic record warrants such action.
Note the last note, of course. Chances are, if you petition and
complain and be loud enough, the administration won't kick you out and
will give you another chance--they're more than happy to continue taking
your money, after all.
I was on academic probation once (code P2), during the second half of
my sophomore year in college. It certainly lit a fire under me to
improve my gradework and avoid being dropped, which was the intended effect
(even though my parents never found out due to some handy Photoshop alteration
of my report card). It's intended as a wake-up call and even though
being put on it sucks, it's really there to help you--would you rather
the university just drop you without warning due to one bad semester?
The sections of UIUC's adminstration manual Code seen here are taken
from http://www.uiuc.edu/admin_manual/code/section_13.html
Your own mileage may vary, of course, so be sure to check your own University's
probation guidelines--it may save your college career!