**if OP had shown today’s more moderate attitude before, she’d have ticked off fewer of us.
He’s a 1st sem soph. I’d say, “If your grades aren’t up by next June (whenever 2nd sem comes out,) we’re going to ask you to transfer locally, a school where you can focus…” etc.
That informs without dictating or anger. It’s an equation, not a putdown. It gives him a sense of his role without telling him he’s doomed.
Some of that current doom and gloom is overly dramatic anyway.
“More Bs than Cs and no Ds.” That’s clearer than stating a gpa target.