[lg policy] Maryland: Proposal could clarify language in academic clemency policy by fall

[Harold Schiffman]

Proposal could clarify language in academic clemency policy by fall

The policy would guarantee students who left the university and returned at
least five years later the ability to petition poor grades from past years

Posted: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 1:55 am



   -

   by *Rokia Hassanein*
   <http://www.diamondbackonline.com/users/profile/Rokia%20Hassanein>

  Officials have proposed revisions to clarify the language in the Academic
Clemency Policy, which allows undergraduate students returning to this
university to request the removal of poor grades previously received in
courses taken here.

The University Senate plans to review these changes in fall 2015, including
guaranteeing students the clemency option and limiting which grades can be
petitioned for removal, said Undergraduate Studies Dean Donna Hamilton, who
proposed the revisions.

In order for this proposed policy to benefit students, Hamilton said, the
student must be returning to this university after spending at least five
years away from the school.

This policy would guarantee those students the ability to petition for
clemency and allow them to petition to have the poor grades removed during
the student’s first semester back. Students would be able to have a maximum
of 16 credits removed.

According to this university’s current policy, the requirements for
obtaining academic clemency include being readmitted or reinstated at this
university, being registered for classes at this university and not having
enrolled in any other four-year academic program during the five years
spent away.

“The current policy says that the clemency options are not guaranteed,”
Hamilton said. “The [proposed] policy would limit grades and courses
affected to those with grades of D and F.”

In addition to limiting removal to grades D-plus, D, D-minus and F, as well
as guaranteeing clemency for students, revisions also suggest that previous
grades achieved would not impact a student’s chances for academic or Latin
honors.

Hamilton said this proposal comes after officials reviewed a wide range of
policies put in place several years ago and found that some language might
be unclear. The current policy was approved in 1991, according to the
policy document.

“We are concerned about inconsistency in the way policies are implemented
on campus,” she said. “We prefer more consistency and clarity for students.”

University Registrar Adrian Cornelius wrote in an email that he believes
the proposed revisions to the Academic Clemency Policy would create
consistency and clarity across all colleges and departments at this
university.

“The language in the proposed policy is clear and concise, which will
enable a more accurate operationalization of the policy,” Cornelius wrote.
“Since the policy would clearly stipulate that clemency will only be
granted for D+, D, D- and F grades, students won’t have to decide on
whether to get rid of their other passing grades, and this will be very
satisfying to our students who are returning after five years with
increased optimism to complete their degrees.”

Lisa Kiely, undergraduate studies assistant dean, echoed this tone, saying
that the new policy would provide better structure and clarity.

“The changes are excellent,” Kiely said. “Students who are returning after
five years understand that they will be able to use this policy. I’m very
pleased with what has been proposed.”

Hamilton said the University System of Maryland encourages institutions in
this state to have an academic clemency policy.

“Many universities have policies that give students a chance to repair a
past weak academic record,” Hamilton said. “The goal of such policies is to
support students in earning a degree without compromising academic
standards.”

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/article_b4f4964a-c204-11e4-8c10-077d8cc25755.html
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