Academic Amnesty

Procedure PR 716.xx: Academic Amnesty

Moraine Park acknowledges that not all students are equally prepared for a successful academic career. Academic Amnesty is intended to provide an opportunity to remove a period of poor academic performance at Moraine Park from the GPA calculation. Moraine Park recommends students attempt to improve their academic record by repeating a course(s) first and utilizing Academic Amnesty as a last step. If the course is repeated, a repeat indicator of “E” will reside next to the previously earned failing grade. The last attempt of a course will be included in the GPA calculation. Students are encouraged to discuss ramifications and alternatives for Academic Amnesty with their academic advisor.

Due to federal regulations, the Office of Financial Aid does not acknowledge Academic Amnesty when calculating eligibility for aid. Therefore, for the purpose of Financial Aid, all credit attempts are counted and will continue to affect Satisfactory Academic Progress. Academic Amnesty does not supersede Financial Aid. Transfer institutions may or may not acknowledge Academic Amnesty and may recalculate the Moraine Park GPA for their purposes. It is at the discretion of other institutions to determine how they will interpret Academic Amnesty. Moraine Park is not responsible for the application of Academic Amnesty at other institutions or by employers.

Criteria

  • Academic performance can be forgiven after three (3) calendar years of absence from the end of the last semester of attendance to the beginning of the first semester enrolled (three years in which program coursework or coursework affecting the cumulative GPA was not attempted or completed).
  • Students can apply for Academic Amnesty upon completion of 12 credit hours of undergraduate coursework with a “C” or better grade in each course upon their return to Moraine Park, after the absence.
  • A maximum of two semesters may be requested for Academic Amnesty; semesters do not have to be consecutive. The semester(s) being requested must have a GPA under 2.0.
  • Academic Amnesty will be granted for program coursework only. A course with a passing grade (“D” or better) will not be considered for amnesty.
  • “W” = Withdrawal and “I” = Incomplete grades do not affect overall GPA but count as attempted courses. Only failing grades will be considered for Academic Amnesty.
  • Academic Amnesty will be granted only once; even if the student does not take advantage of the full-limit (two semesters) of Academic Amnesty during their initial application.
  • Academic Amnesty will be granted if all required criteria are met.

Stipulations

  • Academic Amnesty is not reversible.
  • Can be used only once in a lifetime.
  • The coursework is forgiven only for the purposes of improving the Moraine Park GPA.
  • Academic Amnesty status is not recognized by the federal government when calculating Financial Aid or Veterans’ benefits: all previous conditions for aid remain.
  • Classes removed from the GPA under Academic Amnesty will count toward attempted classes for Financial Aid purposes.
  • Forgiven classes and grades remain on the transcript with Academic Amnesty grade noted.
  • Forgiven classes cannot be applied toward graduation from Moraine Park. Only the improved GPA will be considered.
  • Honors designations will not be granted retroactively for any prior degrees or coursework earned.
  • Academic Amnesty does not affect Phi Theta Kappa eligibility for prior terms.
  • Tuition will not be refunded for any coursework that is approved for Academic Amnesty.

Process

  1. Students must apply for Academic Amnesty by submitting an application to the Registrar. The form is available at the Enrollment Service offices on the Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac or West Bend campuses. It is also available at myMPTC Student.
  2. The student will indicate their understanding and full agreement with the Academic Amnesty policy and procedure by signing the application.
  3. An application must be received no later than the fall term prior to a spring graduation or a decision will not be guaranteed in time for degree conferment. Fall graduates should submit this application no later than the end of the summer term.
  4. The Registrar will review the application to determine if the identified criteria are met. If Academic Amnesty is granted, the Registrar will amend the academic record.
  5. The Registrar will communicate the decision in writing to the applicant whether the request is approved or denied.
  6. All decisions are final.