Academic Renewal Policy

Sometimes we work with students who didn't do so well their first time at VHCC, but have come back years later for another chance. One policy that may benefit them is our academic renewal policy - but in order to benefit, students need to petition for the renewal. Below is the policy from our catalog:

     Students, who return to the college after a separation of five (5) years, or more, may
petition for academic renewal. The request must be in writing and submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.
If a student is determined to be eligible for academic renewal, D and F grades earned prior to reenrollment will be deleted from the cumulative and curriculum grade point average (G.P.A.), subject to the following conditions:
a.   Prior to petitioning for academic renewal the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.5 G.P.A. in the first twelve (12) semester hours completed after reenrollment.     
b.   All grades received at the College will be a part of the student’s official transcript.
c.   Students will receive degree credit only for courses in which grades of C or better were earned prior to academic renewal, providing that such courses meet current curriculum requirements.
d.   Total  hours for graduation will be based on all course work taken at the College after readmission, as well as former course work for which a grade of C or better was earned, and credits transferred from other colleges or universities.
e.   The academic renewal policy may be used only once and cannot be revoked once processed.

I work with students who are undecided and/or those who are pursuing an Associates degree in General Studies. Quite often, the General Studies degree is the “default” degree for students who have not made it into their program of choice. ASKING the student is key when discussing any type of academic change, since ultimately, the student must live with the consequences of those changes. I like to use a journalistic approach: Who; What; When; Where; Why; How? to get at the heart of the issues the student faces. What happened? Did they not get into a selective program? Have they struggled academically? Are there other barriers in the way? When did it happen? Did they just get a rejection notice? Have they struggled all semester/year and are only now coming for help? Why did they make this plan in the first place? Or why are these barriers hindering the plan? Is it a personal issue? An institutional barrier? Circumstantial? Relational? Who is being affected by this situation? Are there other individuals or program policies in place that are influencing the student's choices? Where do they see themselves in the future? Is this affecting their decision-making process? How would they like to proceed? It is here that the adviser can provide options and information about potential choices and help the student discuss the consequences of the choice that they must ultimately make for themselves.

~ Jennifer K. Willener, Weber State University

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