Academic Renewal

Previously recorded substandard academic performance (grade of “D+”, “D”, “D-“ & “F”) may be disregarded from the computation of the grade point average, if it is not reflective of a student’s demonstrated ability. A student may file a formal petition with the Office of Admissions and Records seeking grade alleviation of standard work.

• A maximum of 36 units of course work with substandard academic performance may be alleviated.
• A period of at least one year must have elapsed since the course work to be alleviated was completed.
• To be eligible to apply for academic renewal a student must have completed one of the following benchmarks since the course work to be alleviated was completed:
  • 9 units of course work with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, or
  • 15 units of coursework with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, or
  • 21 units of coursework with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, or
  • 24 units of coursework with a 2.0 cumulative grade point average

Substandard course work to be alleviated must have been  completed  at  Canada  College, College  of  San Mateo, or  Skyline College. However,  the  course  work upon which the application for alleviation is based may be completed at a regionally accredited college or university that is accepted by SMCCCD, upon receipt of an official transcript from that institution.

The academic renewal policy may be applied when alleviation of prior course work is necessary to qualify a student for financial aid or admission to a program or transfer to another institution or for completion of a certificate or degree program.

Courses alleviated still reflect a “course attempt” for the purposes of the repeat policy.

When academic course work is alleviated from the computation of the grade point average, the student’s permanent academic record shall be properly annotated in a manner to ensure that all entries are legible, providing a true and complete academic history.