Ability of a College to impose additional graduation requirements, including GPA-based standards

[Advice to Professor Alan Jackman, Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science 3/31/2004]

In previous advice on the authority of faculties (see entries for 10/28/2003 and 11/24/2003 above), CERJ concluded that both the Standing Orders of the Regents and Senate bylaws give the faculties strong and protected rights with respect to curricular matters.  A particular divisional bylaw relevant to the case you present is DDB 138, which reads:

Each Faculty is authorized to establish requirements for graduation in addition to University requirements.

CERJ concludes, therefore, that the power to establish "gateways," including ones that set GPA standards that may end up with students in good standing being ejected from the major, lies with the Faculty of the College of Engineering.