FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE-LEVEL ACADEMIC SKILLS (CLAS) WAIVER
(As of September 15, 2009)
(Replaced CLAST PROFICIENCY WAIVER July 2009)
(Interim process subject to change; please check this site frequently for updates.)

Minimum Criteria for Waiver Consideration:

1. At least 2.0 average in related courses used to meet relevant Gordon Rule requirement
2. Overall FSU GPA of 2.0 (in good academic standing)

Alternative Waiver Methods:

1. Four attempts to pass an alternative college-level nationally standardized test (or subtest) in mathematics or English skills, e.g., ACT, SAT, ACCUPLACER (CPT). (A student applying for a waiver based on this criterion must demonstrate that s/he has sought assistance from a tutor, the Math Help Center, the Reading Writing Center, or some other credible source of academic assistance. A note from the tutor or other credible documentation must be provided.)  For the purposes of meeting this requirement, the SAT and/or ACT will count as one attempt each, regardless of the number of times the student actually retested.

or

2. Four attempts to reach the exemption-level GPA (2.5) in relevant math/English coursework

or

3. English as second language for English course-performance deficiencies.

Use CLAS Proficiency Process as Last Resort

1. Associate/Assistant Deans must work with student directly or monitor the situation to ensure that every effort has been made to earn a 2.5 average in English/Math courses or passing scores on tests before petitioning for a waiver.
2. Paperwork should be checked carefully to ensure that required information is present.

Format for Requesting

1. Memo
1. Student full name
2. Specific academic area identified
2. Attachments
1. Transcript (with relevant courses highlighted)
2. Documentation of demonstrated effort to pass tests, for waiver method #1. Note that documentation must include verification from some source external to the student (e.g. note from Math Help Center or tutor, etc.).
3. Official test scores, for waiver method #1.
4. Center for Intensive English (or equivalent) documentation for waiver method #3.

References = 1007.25(12) F.S.

Exemption Options (Subject to final approval via BOG Regulation)
NOTE: Until a BOG regulation is approved formally, exemption methods in bold will not be able to be implemented. Consult with Jennifer Buchanan in these cases regarding a waiver. For now, only existing CLAST exemptions will apply.

1. Earn a passing score on an alternative nationally standardized test (or subtest) in college-level mathematics or English skills:
1. SAT-1 Math = 500+
2. SAT-1 Critical Reading and Writing = 500+
3. ACT Math = 21+
4. ACT Reading = 22+
5. ACT English = 21+
6. ACCUPLACER (CPT) Math = 91+
7. ACCUPLACER (CPT) Reading = 93+
8. ACCUPLACER (CPT) Writing = 105+
2. Earn a 2.5 GPA in two courses related to the academic area relevant to the skill area in question:
1. English Language, Essay, Reading = One course used to meet Gordon Rule requirement (ENC 1101 or ENC 1102) plus any other Gordon Rule communication course, except for courses with an SPC prefix.
2. Math = Any combination of two Gordon-Rule approved mathematics courses.
3. Course credit for a combination of AP, IB, or CLEP examinations. (Exam scores that qualify the student for two courses worth of credit will meet the CLAS requirement; students who earn credit for only one English/Math course must meet the CLAS GPA requirement (2.5 average in relevant courses) through grade(s) in the remaining course.

Note: Under the new procedures, students’ transcripts will be coded as follows: 995 = exemption and 999 = waiver (proficiency and disability)

Questions?
Deans, faculty, and staff, please call Dr. Jennifer Buchanan, Associate Dean of the Faculties, at 644-6876 or jbuchanan@admin.fsu.edu.

Students, please contact your academic dean's office and Michael McKeown at 644-7121 or mmckeown@admin.fsu.edu.

September 16 , 2009