Policy 2:03:01:01
Subject: Undergraduate Academic Retention Standards
This policy establishes minimum criteria for undergraduate academic retention standards at the universities, community colleges, and technical institutes under the governance of the Tennessee Board of Regents. Each institution will develop specific criteria, in compliance with this policy, to be implemented and enforced as the undergraduate academic retention standards of the institution. Initial institutional standards and all subsequent revisions will be submitted to the Chancellor for review and approval.
The approved undergraduate academic retention standards of the institution are to be clearly expressed in the catalogue, uniformly applied to all students, and promptly enforced at the close of each semester.
Quality Point System
The following quality point system is to be used in determining averages:
For each credit hour of A: 4 quality points For each credit hour of B: 3 quality points For each credit hour of C: 2 quality points For each credit hour of D: 1 quality point For each credit hour of F: 0 quality points
The quality point average is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours which the student attempted except for credit hours in courses from which the student withdraws in good standing (see Drop and Withdrawal Standards) or for courses in which the student receives grades such as pass/fail and which are not considered when determining the QPA.
If an institution elects to award grades which are not considered in computing the QPA, it must describe these in the catalogue or bulletin and explain the application of such grades. In addition, it must provide a statement within the catalogue which limits the number of hours of such grades per semester and the maximum number of such hours a student may receive in toto. Finally, a single student transcript will include term and cumulative QPA calculations which ensure that all TBR institutions treat remedial/developmental hours alike in calculating QPA. The transcript will include the following: (1) a QPA comprised only of hours taken in courses numbered 100 and above ("college only" QPA) and (2) a QPA comprised of hours taken in courses numbered 100 and above and hours taken in Remedial/Developmental courses ("combined" QPA).
The following uses are based on each calculation:
(1) The "college only" QPA will be used in calculating the required QPA for graduation.
(2) The "college only" QPA will be used in determining graduation honors.
(3) The "college only" QPA will be used in determining term honors.
(4) The "combined" QPA will be used in determining suspension and probation.
(5) The "combined" QPA will be used in determining financial aid eligibility.
(6) The "combined" QPA will be used in determining athletic eligibility.
For the purpose of increasing mastery in a course when such is necessary for successful performance in a subsequent course or for the purpose of increasing the quality point average (and only for these purposes institutions may permit students to repeat courses in which their final grades are C or lower. Thus, in computing the quality point average, the question of how to count repeat courses must be specifically addressed in the catalogue or bulletin of each institution, and courses may not be repeated more than twice (three attempts) unless the grades in the third and subsequent attempts are used in calculating the quality point average.
Student may be permitted to repeat a course in which a grade of B or higher was earned only with the approval of the chief academic officer as an exception to this policy.
Retention Standards
Universities:
the minimum quality point average required to achieve the baccalaureate degree is 2.0.
In addition, a student who fails during any term to attain a cumulative QPA at or above the level indicated below for the credit hours attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term.
Required Semester System Cumulative Hours Attempted QPA
14 and under No minimum
15-29 hours attempted 1.4
30-50 hours attempted 1.7
51-67 hours attempted 1.9
above 67 2.0
Community Colleges and Technical Institutes:
The minimum quality point average required to achieve the associate degree is 2.0.
In addition, a student who fails during any term to attain a cumulative QPA at or above the level indicated below for the credit hours attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term.
Required Semester System Cumulative Hours Attempted QPA
0-14 No minimum
14.1 - 26.0 1.0
26.1 - 40.0 1.4
40.1 - 48.0 1.7
48.1 - 56.0 1.9
56.1 - and above 2.0
At the end of the next term of enrollment, a student on academic probation who has failed to attain either the above cumulative standard or a 2.0 QPA for that term will be suspended for a minimum of one term. The summer term may not be counted as the term of suspension, unless institutional policies provide for multiple term suspension.
Each institution may develop specific readmission policies to enable the suspended student to appeal for readmission. The policies shall be based on factors of extenuating circumstances and hardship.
Minimum Criteria for Institutional Academic Fresh Start Policies
"Academic Fresh Start" is a plan of academic forgiveness provided for undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic responsibility following their return. The Academic Fresh Start allows the calculation of the quality point average and credit hours toward graduation to be based only on work done after returning to college.
Readmitted students who were formally enrolled in the institution 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 (4) years are eligible for the Fresh Start. Institutional policies governing the readmission of former students and admission of transfer students must be in compliance with TBR policy 2:03:00:00 (Admissions). This policy requires that the "transfer applicant's grade point average on transferable courses must be at least equal to that which the institution requires for the readmission of its own students. Applicants who do not meet the institution's standards may be admitted on scholastic probation or other appropriate condition. (2:03:00:00, page 11 of 16)."
Each institution may establish an Academic Fresh Start provision which must meet the following minimum criteria:
Student Requirements
(1) Separation from all collegiate institutions for at least four (4) years.
(2) At the time of readmission or admission as a degree student or after the time of readmission, but prior to the completion of 15 hours of degree coursework, formal application to the office so defined by the institution's catalogue requesting the Academic Fresh Start and describing an academic plan.
(3) Completion of at least fifteen (15) semester hours of earned degree coursework with a minimum QPA of 2.0 for all work attempted.
Terms of the Academic Fresh Start
(1) Once the student has satisfied the above requirements, the institution 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, the student will forfeit the use for degree or certification purposes all college or university degree credit earned prior to the four-year separation upon the granting of the Fresh Start. Previously satisfied Assessment and Placement Program (COMPASS) requirements will not be forfeited.
(3) Upon degree admission, Fresh Start applicants who did not satisfy COMPASS requirements 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.
(4) The student's transcript will note that the Fresh Start was made and the date of the Fresh Start. The record will also carry the notation, "QPA and credit totals are based only on the work beginning [with 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 QPA as it is calculated with the Fresh Start.
Drop and Withdrawal Standards
After the official registration period is over, students may make adjustments in their schedule through the process of adding and/or dropping courses. A student may drop or add a course by obtaining the approval of the appropriate administrators. The last date for students to add or drop a course without a penalty is to be clearly indicated and expressed in the catalogue or bulletin of each institution. At the discretion of the institution, courses that are dropped with the add-drop period may be or may not be indicated on the student's transcript.
After the last day to add or drop a class without a penalty, and not later than two-thirds into the semester, a student may officially drop a course(s) or withdraw from the institution and receive a "W" or other appropriate symbol/grade. In general, such symbol/grade counts as no hours attempted.
Universities:
After two-thirds of the semester is complete, a student may drop a course(s) or withdraw from the institution without a mandatory grade of "F" only after having established the existence of unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the appropriate university administrators or faculty to determine the grade the student is to receive, which could be an "F". Statements describing this process will be clearly shown in the catalogue or bulletin of the university.
Community Colleges and Technical Institutes:
A student who drops a course or withdraws from the community college or technical institute after two-thirds of the semester is complete will receive a "W" or other appropriate symbol in the course or courses passing. However, the student will receive a failing grade (usually denoted by an "F") in the course or courses failing unless it can be clearly demonstrated that an unusual condition or hardship exists. Each institution must develop institutional guidelines outlining specific types of conditions or hardships which will be considered as acceptable.
Students who desire to drop a course (s) or withdraw from the institution before the end of a semester must make a formal application in the appropriate administrative office of the institution which will be so defined in the catalogue or bulletin of the institution. If for any reason a student does not officially drop a course(s) or withdraw from the institution, the student will receive an "F" for each course(s) involved.
Source: TBR Meetings, June 24, 1977; March 20, 1981; September 30, 1983; June 24, 1988; September 20, 1991; March 15, 2002