A new set of regulations for the community college course repetition policy was passed on August 16; allowing students to retake a course three times with substandard grades. When students receive a failing grade or a not complete they can retake the class one time for credit before having to go to the administration office and petition their case, according to Eric Larson counselor and professor at Skyline. The State of California requires that colleges limit the amount of times courses can be taken, before intervention is needed.”We’re not trying to punish students,” says Larson, “We’re trying to intervene, help them find what works for them.” Limiting the amount of times that a student can retake a course is done to motivate students to seek the help they need to pass the class or to find a class that better suits their needs.These regulations have been approved at state level, and are going to be looked over by the board of trustees, Associated Students of Skyline College, and the Academic Senate.”These groups of people will decide what and when (things) need to happen,” says Sherri Hancock, dean of enrollment services at Skyline.The new policy will increase the amount of times a student can retake a course, before having to petition. As of right now students have to petition on the third time they want to retake a class, however when the new policy is put into place it will not be until the fourth time that a request will be needed.”This change will allow more repetition, it’s a good thing,” says Hancock. According to Larson there a limit is necessary because otherwise students could take a class over and over, possibly taking the space of a student who really needs the units and who would take the class seriously. Larson advises students to make an appointment to see a counselor if there is any confusion about whether they will pass a class, or what class would be the best for them. He also advises that in order to avoid a failing grade and possibly having to petition to retake a class, students should keep track of their grades and pay attention to the dates in the course catalog.November 20 of the fall 2007 semester is the last day to drop a class without any effect to the grade point average and September 14 was the last day to drop a class without it appearing on the transcript. According to Larson, dropping a class is better than staying and failing because a withdrawal on the transcript does not affect the grade point average. “Having a few W’s on the transcript is alright, most college students do,” says Larson. “But having an excessive amount of W’s looks like you don’t finish what you start.”A way to avoid failing a class is to take advantage of all the resources that the campus has to offer.”There is always the student success workshop,” says Larson. “It gives good advice and tips to students who need to get back on track.” Larson says that the faculty can help students find resources or alternatives, show them where to go for tutoring, or help them find a class that fits their needs.