Board hears first reading of proposed Title 5 changes to expand academic renewal access

The Board of Governors received a first reading on proposed regulatory changes to Title 5 that would standardize academic renewal policies across California community colleges.

Vice Chancellor Stacy Shears told the board the policy aims to ensure consistent statewide opportunities for students to have previously recorded substandard coursework disregarded in GPA calculation when it no longer reflects demonstrated academic ability. Key proposed elements include a clear definition of "alleviate" (to disregard previously recorded substandard academic coursework), a minimum eligibility threshold of six semester units (or nine quarter units) with a 2.0 GPA in subsequent coursework, allowance for multiple requests without a unit cap, and a post‑conferral pathway for D‑grade alleviation in defined circumstances.

Board members and student/faculty commenters framed the change as a humane step to remove long‑standing barriers for returning and part‑time students. Several members urged sensitivity to how local policies will implement the new baseline, and asked whether the regulation should set both minimum and maximum unit thresholds. Staff said the working group debated thresholds and landed on six units to ensure accessibility for part‑time students (roughly 70% of the system’s population). The public hearing drew supportive comments from the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges.

The board will receive a second reading and any public comments at a future meeting ahead of final action. The academic probation/dismissal package previously passed is now effective as "academic notice and academic pause," staff reported.