Academic Regulations
3-Peat Rule
This refers to the policy that you may not enroll in a course and receive a grade (including "W") more than three times. The exception to this policy are those courses identified in the catalog as repeatable. Their course descriptions include the phrase "may be repeated for credit".
Repeating Courses
When a course is repeated, the GPA is computed by using the most recent grade received. Grades from both initial and repeat attempts remain a part of the student's permanent academic record. If a "W" is the "repeat" grade, the initial grade will be used to compute the GPA. If "F" is the "repeat" grade and the initial grade was "D" or higher, students will retroactively lose the credits and if applicable, writing intensive "credit", that they previously earned from the prior attempt.
Academic Bankruptcy
Academic bankruptcy is a policy that allows College of Arts and Sciences students to declare one semester of their UH Hilo career as "bankrupt." What this means is that you may select one semester and have all of the grades from that semester excluded from your GPA. Although the GPA will be recalculated to exclude all of the grades from the bankrupt semester, the grades will from that semester will remain on the transcript. A notation that you have declared bankruptcy will appear on the transcript. Under no circumstances can less than a full semester's work be declared bankrupt nor can an academic bankruptcy be revoked. Academic Bankruptcy forms are available at the Advising Center and college Dean's office.
If you received financial aid during your UH Hilo career, or plan to apply for aid in the future, it is required that you meet with a Financial Aid Office counselor to discuss the financial aid implications of declaring academic bankruptcy.
Academic Complaints
UH Hilo has a Student Academic Complaint Policy. Additional copies are available at the offices of the college deans and the division offices. In short, the policy states that a student who has a complaint regarding an academic matter (e.g., grading, dispute with an instructor) should first attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor. If that fails, the student should attempt to resolve the matter with the following individuals, in order: Department Chair, Division Chair, College Dean.