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Updated Policy on Course Retakes

March 12, 2025

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Administrators,

After thorough conversation between representatives from the Undergraduate Student Government, the Undergraduate Council of the University Senate, and in consultation with deans, Stony Brook will update our policy on retakes for undergraduate courses.

The policy is published in the undergraduate bulletin and will be implemented in summer 2025.

The new policy reflects students’ thoughtful advocacy that only the highest grade earned from each retaken course will be calculated into the student’s GPA.

In discussions between our students and faculty governance bodies, the deans, and my office, we all agreed on the following nuances:

  • After the second attempt, students will have to petition for permission to retake the course again. This is part of the existing policy. 
  • While the highest grade will count toward the student’s GPA, all grades will be listed on their official transcript.
  • Only students who earn a grade of C- or lower will be eligible to retake the course.

Student leaders and political science majors Sarah Elbaroudy and Luca Rallis came forward last fall to advocate on behalf of their peers that replacing, rather than averaging, grades from retaken courses promotes student mental health, encourages academic improvement, reduces academic pressure, and supports long-term student success. This new policy is also better aligned with our AAU peers and SUNY institutions.

I am pleased that this new, more compassionate policy will be implemented and applaud Sarah and Luca for their thoughtful, well-researched advocacy.

This change reflects shared governance at its best: where someone can come forward with an idea, usher it up through the levels of decision making, and ultimately succeed because the majority agrees it is the right course of action. I commend and thank all who were involved in this decision-making process, particularly our students whose efforts will support the academic success of their peers and generations of students to come.

The updated policy is below. New additions are in bolded, red text.

Sincerely, 

Carl W. Lejuez

Executive Vice President and Provost

 

Stony Brook Policy on Course Retakes

  • First time takers of courses have priority in registration. Students who wish to retake a course (second attempt) may begin retake registration on or about August 15 for fall classes and on or about January 15 for spring classes, pending an open seat. The second attempts for winter and summer classes are permitted during the open enrollment date noted on the Registrar’s Office academic calendar.
  • Seats in high demand fall and spring classes, noted as High Demand/Controlled Access (HD/CA) courses, are reserved for first time takers and new students through the end of the orientation registration period. Therefore, there is no guarantee of a seat in the case of a second or more attempt. Students who wish to retake HD/CA courses should consider doing so in the summer and winter sessions, if possible.
  • Students are considered to have taken a course if they remain in the course past the add/drop deadline, regardless of the grade received in the course. Note: a grade of 'W' does count as a grade; see the bulletin for more information.
  • Credits for retaken courses will count once toward cumulative credits, but will count each time toward semester load. The highest grade of all attempts at the course will count towards the GPA. All graded attempts will be listed on the student's transcript.
  • Students who retake a course may not exercise the G/P/NC option for that course.
  • Students requesting a third (or more) course retake must seek approval from the course's academic department through the Retake/Late Add Request form. A separate form is required for each request. Note: WAE 190, WAE 192, WAE 194, WRT 101, and WRT 102 are exempt from the retake request process.
  • Academic departments and general academic advising units may deny or deregister a student’s second or more attempt of a class(es) under certain circumstances, including:
    • Not making sufficient major entry and/or major progress.
    • Earning below a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
    • Retaking two or more courses in the same semester.
    • Retaking a course after earning a C or better on the first attempt.
  • Students seeking to take courses at other institutions should review course equivalencies. If a course is not already included on this list, students should seek pre-approval from the relevant department at Stony Brook and file a Transfer Course Evaluation Form with Academic and Transfer Advising Services.