The California Community Colleges Board of Governors this week took the first step toward establishing system-wide enrollment priorities and gave final approval to regulations that prevent students from repeating courses that they have already successfully completed.

The enrollment priority regulations, which are scheduled for final adoption in September and implementation in the fall of 2014, would reward students who are progressing toward their educational goals by allowing them to register for courses ahead of students who don’t have an education plan, are not making academic progress or who accumulate units far in excess of the number needed to transfer or earn a certificate or degree.

“The proposed changes encourage successful student behaviors and ensure the system is intelligently rationing classes at a time of scarce resources to provide more students with the opportunity to achieve their goals on time,” said Chancellor Jack Scott in a statement. “Current law and practice guiding student enrollment tends to favor the continuing student, based solely on accrual of course units.”

Active-duty military and veterans and former foster youth in good academic standing who have completed orientation, assessment and education plans will continue to have first call on courses, followed by students in Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and Disabled Students Programs and Services who have done the same.

Districts would have authority to adopt policies exempting categories of students from the 100-unit limit, such as those in high-unit majors or programs. Districts also would be required to adopt an appeals policy and process for students who lose enrollment priority due to extenuating circumstances such as verified cases of accidents, illnesses or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. Public comment on the proposed change will be accepted before final adoption.

The regulation changes that will prevent students from repeating a course that they have already completed with a satisfactory grade will take effect in the fall of 2013. Students have been allowed to take some classes, such as performing arts and physical education offerings, as many as four times.

Students will be able to repeat courses needed to meet transfer requirements for a University of California or a California State University campus, or for a legally mandated course. There is also an exception for students participating in intercollegiate athletics.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report