Registration Policies

Academic Fresh Start

Senate Bill 1321 entitles Texas residents to seek admission to public institutions of higher education without consideration of courses undertaken ten or more years prior to enrollment. Basically, this means that students may request that credits and grades earned ten or more years ago be waived from their academic record, giving them a “fresh start” at their studies.

Pros

• Waived courses no longer negatively impact the student’s GPA or chances of admission at a Texas public institution of higher education.

Cons

• Courses included under Academic Fresh Start can no longer be utilized as prerequisites for future enrollment, toward degree requirements, or in GPA calculations.
• All courses taken ten or more years prior are included in this provision, even classes in which the student performed well.
• Academic Fresh Start applies only to the academic record. All courses attempted will continue to count toward financial aid eligibility.

Application Process

Students may only request Academic Fresh Start upon applying for admission to TJC after a break in enrollment of at least one year. Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended must be provided to TJC. Students must complete a Request for Academic Fresh Start form with their Academic Advisor before or during their first semester at TJC. Academic Fresh Start cannot be utilized by students after their first semester.

Once Fresh Start has been enacted, it cannot be reversed. TJC permits students to utilize Academic Fresh Start only once.

Academic Grievances

Challenges of a final course grade must be completed within the first thirty (30) days of the next long semester and must follow the procedures to challenge a grade outlined below. Any grade that is not challenged within the specified time frame is not subject to appeal and will remain as recorded.

Excellence at Tyler Junior College results from the academic freedom enjoyed by the faculty. Only the faculty of record may make a grade change. A student is entitled to a review and explanation of the grading process and the grade received. A grade is the sole prerogative and responsibility of the faculty member and any review as the result of an appeal is intended to ensure accuracy, fairness and adherence to Tyler Junior College policy. The following steps will be followed in an effort to reconcile a grade dispute:

1. The student will discuss any grade dispute occurring during the semester with the faculty member involved within ten (10) class days after the dispute arises.
2. If the grade dispute is not resolved, the student will provide a written complaint within five (5) class days of the first meeting. The faculty member will respond in writing within five (5) class days upon receiving the student’s written complaint.
3. If a semester grade is appealed, the student will provide written documentation concerning the grade to the faculty member within the first ten (10) days of the next long semester. Faculty member will respond in writing to the grade appeal within five (5) class days upon receiving the student’s written appeal.
4. If the student feels that the written response from the faculty member is incorrect in either Step #2 or Step #3, the student may present an appeal in writing to the appropriate department chair for review. This step must be completed within five (5) class days upon receiving the written response from the faculty member. In the event the department chair is the instructor named, the student will proceed to the appropriate instructional dean.
5. The department chair will review the written student appeal and written faculty response in a meeting. The department chair will respond in writing to the student and faculty member within five (5) class days following the meeting. Appropriate documentation will be enclosed with the response.
6. If the student does not agree with the decision of the department chair, the student may appeal to the appropriate instructional dean. This step must be completed within five (5) class days after the written decision of the department chair is received. The instructional dean will schedule a meeting with all parties present to review all information. Within five (5) class days following the meeting, the instructional dean will respond in writing to the student, faculty member and department chair. Appropriate documentation will be enclosed with the response. The decision of the instructional dean is final in the matter of grade disputes.
   NOTE: In the event that the instructional dean is the instructor of record, the dispute will proceed to the Instructional Dean’s Council, following the procedures above.