Procedure Information

PDF Version

Number: 3.56.1

Name: Academic Amnesty Procedure

Effective Date: December 15, 2020

Next Review Date: AY2025–2026

Regulatory Authority:

• Minn State System Procedure 3.29.1 – College and University Transcripts

Part 1. Procedures

Subpart A. Conditions

To be considered for academic amnesty, the following conditions must be met:

1. Student must never have received Academic Amnesty at NHCC in the past.
2. Student must have at least a five-year continuous break from credit-based coursework at NHCC, unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
3. Grades or symbols qualifying for adjustment must be prior to the five-year continuous break from credit-based coursework at NHCC.
4. Student must meet with an advisor to determine if this is a good choice for the student.
5. Student must be registered for a current or upcoming term.

Subpart B. Process

When the above conditions are met, the student will submit an Academic Amnesty form to the Office of Records and Registration. The student’s transcript will be adjusted to indicate the point of forgiveness. Student-specified grades of D and F before the point of forgiveness will not count in the GPA. All grades and symbols F, FN, NN, NC, and W before the point of forgiveness will not count in the completion rate. However, all courses and grades will remain on the transcript. Students should note that federal financial aid regulations do not recognize academic forgiveness. In addition, subsequent transfer institutions may not honor the academic forgiveness policy of North Hennepin Community College.

Part 2. Extraordinary Circumstances

Extraordinary circumstances may include situations such as global pandemic, national emergency, etc. Under these circumstances students may qualify for academic amnesty, based on federal and state guidelines.

Part 3. Campus Review

History

• Adopted 10/10/2005
• Revised fall 2014 to include language about completion rate, student-specified courses to be excluded, and completion requirements for academic amnesty eligibility.
• Revised spring 2015 to no longer allow students to seek amnesty for courses taken after returning from the minimum five-year break.
• Reviewed Fall 2020, added language to permit flexibility to the five-year in extraordinary circumstances