Challenging Prerequisites, Corequisites, or Other Limitations on Enrollment

Grounds for Challenge

Where a student is denied enrollment in a program or course on the grounds that the student does not meet a prerequisite or corequisite, or on the basis of other limitations on enrollment, the student may challenge such prerequisite, corequisite or limitation on one or more of the following grounds:

  1. The prerequisite, corequisite or other limitation on enrollment has not been established in accordance with the district’s process for establishing prerequisites, corequisites, and other limitations on enrollment.
     
  2. The prerequisite, corequisite or other limitation on enrollment is either unlawfully discriminatory or is being applied in an unlawfully discriminatory manner.
     
  3.  The basis upon which the district has established an enrollment limitation does not in fact exist.
     
  4. The student has the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course or program despite not meeting the prerequisite or corequisite.
     
  5. The student will be subject to undue delay in attaining the goal of his or her educational plan because the prerequisite or corequisite course has not been made reasonably available by the college.

Burden of Proof

The student shall bear the burden of proof in demonstrating that grounds exist for the challenge.

  1. In the case of a challenge under Grounds for Challenge number 4, the student shall provide evidence of knowledge and/or skills, by virtue of placement/assessment testing, academic course work, independent learning, experience, or a combination of these which are at least equivalent to the knowledge and/or skills the student would have possessed had he or she successfully completed the prerequisite or corequisite.
     
  2. In the case of a challenge under Grounds for Challenge number 5, the student shall provide evidence that the student has declared a broad educational intent or specific educational goal and has developed a Student Educational Plan in conformity with the provisions of Section 55530(d) of Subchapter 6 of Chapter 6 of Division 6 of Title 5 of the ­California Code of Regulations.

Challenge Procedure

Filing of Challenge:

  1. A challenge with respect to any prerequisite, corequisite, or limitation on enrollment initiated pursuant to this policy shall be made upon the appropriate challenge form, which may be obtained from the Student Success and Support Program Office or the Office of Instruction.
     
  2. The completed challenge form must be filed with the Office of Instruction in accordance with the following deadlines:
    1. for the Fall term, not earlier than Friday of the fifteenth week of the Spring semester and not later than the first day of instruction for the Fall semester;
    2. for the Spring term, not earlier than Friday of the twelfth week of the Fall semester and not later than the first day of instruction for the Spring semester;
    3. for the Summer intersession, not earlier than the first Monday in May and not later than the first day of final examinations for the Spring semester.
       
  3. In the case of a challenge under Grounds for Challenge number 4, the completed challenge form must be accompanied by appropriate evidence of skill or accomplishment such as placement/assessment results, transcripts from an accredited institution or appropriate foreign institution, work-related experience, or other evidence of relevant experience. To warrant consideration, any such evidence shall be of a clear and reliable nature.