03:06:02:00 DSCC Academic Fresh Start Policy

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to outline the requirements of the Academic Fresh Start and the process students must follow to request an Academic Fresh Start.

Scope:

This policy applies to readmitting and transfer students who have experienced academic difficulty and who wish to attend Dyersburg State Community College after an absence from any institution of higher education of at least four years.

Policy:

Students seeking an Academic Fresh start must meet the following requirements:

  1. Separation from all collegiate institutions for at least four (4) years.
  2. Meet the criteria for admission/readmission according to TBR policy.
  3. File a formal application to the Office of the Vice President for the College, requesting the Academic Fresh Start and describing an academic plan at any time after the readmission or admission as a degree-seeking student.

Terms of the Academic Fresh Start:

  1. Once the student has satisfied the above requirement, DSCC may grant the Academic Fresh Start. The student may be granted a Fresh Start only once.
  2. The student’s permanent record will remain a record of all work; however, courses taken and previously failed will be excluded from the calculation of the Quality Point Average (QPA) or Grade Point Average (GPA). Courses with a grade of D will also be excluded from the calculation when a grade of C or better is required in the student’s current major. QPA, GPA, and credit hours will reflect courses for which passing grades were earned and retained.

1. Retained grades will be calculated in the Fresh Start QPA/GPA.
2. Courses with grades of D or F must be repeated at DSCC when they are required in the student’s current major. All remaining courses for the current degree objectives must be completed at DSCC. No transient credit will be accepted after invoking Academic Fresh Start.
3. The application of retained credit toward degree requirements will be determined by the requirements currently in effect at the time the academic renewal status is conferred on the student. Specific program regulations must also be met.
4. Previously satisfied Assessment and Placement Program (COMPASS) requirements will not be forfeited.

  1. Upon degree admission, Fresh Start applicants who did not satisfy COMPASS requirement at the time of previous enrollment and whose academic plan includes completion of a college-level English or mathematics course must meet current Academic Assessment and Placement Program (COMPASS) requirements regarding enrollment in college English and mathematics courses.
  2. The student’s transcript will note that the Fresh Start was made and the date of the Fresh Start.
  3. The student will apply for the Fresh Start with the understanding that all TBR institutions will honor a Fresh Start granted at another TBR institution. Non- TBR institutions may not accept the QPA as it is calculated with the Fresh Start.
  4. This policy is independent of financial aid regulations. Financial aid requirements at the time of application will apply, so a Fresh Start applicant should check with a financial aid counselor for guidance.
  5. Academic Fresh Start will not be applied to a student’s transcript until after the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls.

Compliance:

All DSCC faculty, staff, and students must adhere to this policy

Definitions:

Academic Fresh Start: A plan of academic forgiveness which allows DSCC students who have experienced academic difficulty to make a clean start upon returning to the College after an absence of at least four years.

Revision History:

Policy written July 2014 ; approved of Administrative Council July 22, 2014.