Academic Clemency

In accordance with Act 1000 of 1991, 78th General Assembly for the State of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has adopted a policy on Academic Clemency. Academic Clemency provides a second chance for students who performed poorly in their early academic career(s) and who wish to return to college after having gained an appreciation for higher education. In order to qualify for Academic Clemency a student must meet and accept the conditions outlined below:

1. The student must not have been enrolled in any institution (college or university) for a period of at least five years prior to applying for Academic Clemency at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
2. The student has to file an application requesting Academic Clemency with the Office of Academic Records prior to the student being admitted or readmitted to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
3. In order for Academic clemency to be granted after the minimum period non-enrollment, the student must be enrolled full-time during two consecutive semesters (summer sessions not included). If the student withdraws from the University the first semester after an application for clemency is filed, the student may return the second semester and still be considered for Academic Clemency; however, the student must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum of twelve semester credits. No further consideration will be given after this time.
4. Academic Clemency will be granted only after the student has performed as outlined in item 3. The Registrar will review the application and render an appropriate decision. Questionable applications will be referred to the Student Appeals Committee for a decision.
5. A student must be seeking the initial undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s) from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
6. The student forfeits all grades and credits (including transfer) earned prior to the minimum period of non-enrollment, and such credits will not be considered from this point forward at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
7. Academic Clemency is permanent, not reversible and may be exercised only once in the student’s academic career at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
8. Courses on which Academic Clemency is granted will remain on the permanent record transcript, but will not be used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average. The notation “Academic Clemency Granted (Date)” will be placed on the permanent academic transcript to identify courses excluded from computing the grade point average.
9. In regard to athletic eligibility, all terms (including the terms in which Academic Clemency was declared) will be used to determine eligibility status.
10. In regard to financial aid history, accumulated terms and award limits include all terms of enrollment, including any semester in which Academic Clemency was declared.
11. The Registrar must explain the University’s Grade Renewal Policy (repeat policy) to all applicants. Grade renewal may be more effective for a student with both passing and failing grades.
12. This Academic Clemency policy applies ONLY to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and may not be honored by other colleges and universities for students transferring.

A student who declares ACADEMIC CLEMENCY will be subject to all University policies.