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POLICY 03:11:04

ACADEMIC FRESH START

Purpose

Academic Fresh Start allows students who have experienced academic difficulty to make a clean start upon returning to college after an extended absence. In accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents Policy 2.03.01.0 Undergraduate Academic Retention and GPA Standards, this policy allows eligible students to resume study without being penalized for past unsatisfactory scholarship and signals the initiation of a new grade point average (GPA) to be used for determining academic standing.

Policy

Readmitted students who were formerly enrolled at Pellissippi State as well as transfer students who meet institutional requirements for admission and who have been separated from all institutions of higher education for a minimum of four years are eligible for Fresh Start. All students must meet Pellissippi State’s admissions requirements as delineated in Policy 03:11:00 Admissions. A transfer applicant’s grade point average on transferable courses must be at least equal to that which the College requires for the readmission of its own students. Applicants who do not meet Pellissippi State’s standards may be admitted on scholastic probation or other appropriate condition.
Minimum Criteria for Academic Fresh Start

  1. Student Requirements
    1. Separation from all collegiate institutions for at least four calendar years.
    2. Readmission to the College or admission as a degree-seeking transfer student.
    3. Filing of a formal application to the Admissions office requesting Academic Fresh Start and describing an academic plan at any time after admission or readmission. Admissions counselors are available to help with that process.
  2. Terms of Academic Fresh Start
    1. 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 GPA. Courses with a D grade will also be excluded from the calculation when a grade of C or better is required in the student’s major. GPA and credit hours will reflect courses for which passing grades were earned and retained.
      1. Courses with D or F grades must be repeated when they are required in the student’s major. No transient credit will be accepted after the Fresh Start is initiated.
      2. 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. All program requirements must be met.
      3. Previously satisfied placement requirements will not be forfeited.
    3. Upon degree admission, Fresh Start applicants who did not satisfy placement requirements at the time of previous enrollment and whose academic plan includes completion of a college-level English or mathematics course must meet current placement requirements regarding enrollment in college English or mathematics courses.
    4. The student’s transcript will note that the Fresh Start was made and the date of the Fresh Start.
    5. The student will apply for the Fresh Start with the understanding that all TBR institutions will honor a Fresh Start provision granted at another TBR institution. The student should also signify understanding that non-TBR institutions may not accept the GPA as it is calculated with the Fresh Start.
    6. This policy is independent of financial aid regulations. Financial aid requirements at the time of application for the Fresh Start will apply. Therefore, a Fresh Start applicant should check with the financial aid office for guidance.

Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, April 27, 2015
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., April 27, 2015
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, April 12, 2021
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise Jr., April 12, 2021