The Bermuda College has lowered part of its admission standards to "create greater access for students''.

A Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 out of 4.0 with "satisfactory'' standing in level five traditional English and Mathematics was previously required to enrol at the college.

But according to a statement released by the college yesterday, students as of September who have sustained a cumulative GPA of 1.5 during the last two years of high school can enrol in a certificate programme of their choice.

"The new Vice President believes that a comprehensive approach to teaching these students at the college will help them make up any academic deficiencies,'' the college stated.

"Through this effort we are creating more access to those students who wish to pursue higher education.'' Shortly after taking up his post at the college earlier this year, Vice President for Student and Academic Affairs Donald Peters told The Royal Gazette one of his first tasks would be to review the admissions criteria and look at ways to make it easier for students to get into the college, "adjust to it and be successful''.

"I've asked my deans to get back to me on some of the bottlenecks that we have that present obstacles for students to get into our programmes,'' Dr.

Peters said.

"It is not enough to say we have programmes for everybody. We have to be able to help students to get into programmes that they want to get into.'' Stressing that there was no use pointing fingers at who was responsible for educating students, Dr. Peters added: "I'm interested in the children. I'm not going to get involved in whose responsibility it is. Let's just educate them.

"All of us want the brightest and best in our college, but that's not how the world is. In fact, one of the things I always mention to people is that the leaders of our nations were often the average people.'' And while admitting that lowering the admission requirements will help students get through the door, the college yesterday noted that students should be aware of the "hard work that is ahead of them''.

For instance, the minimum GPA for graduating from the college has been increased from 1.5 to 2.0, the same as most colleges overseas.

The change to admissions was one of several recommendations Dr. Peters has asked the college council to adopt.

The college is also considering hiring in the fall a mathematics professor from Cornell University with "extensive experience in teaching students with math phobia''.

In September, students will also be able to change their schedule by dropping a class during the first 15 days of the semester or add a class within the first five days.

And the college will also have an official grading system for the first time.

Instead of faculty determining the numerical equivalent of a letter grade, teachers will have to issue the following grades: A for 90 to 100 percent which is equivalent to 4.00 GPA, A- for 80 to 89 percent; B for 77 to 79 College admissions From Page 1 73 percent; C for 67 to 69 percent; C for 64 to 66 percent which is a satisfactory grade or 2.00 GPA; C- for 60 to 63 percent; D for 50 to 59 percent which is a pass or 1.00 GPA; and F for 0 to 49 percent, a fail or 0.00 GPA.

Other new initiatives to be implemented at the college in the fall include: Establishing a new conduct code for students; Adopting an elected student government with a new constitution and bye-laws; Introducing a student employment and placement programme under the college's Student Services; and Allowing student access to the college every day by opening the library, which will have 15 computers, on Saturdays and Sundays throughout each semester.

"The Bermuda College administration, staff and faculty are committed to adequately and efficiently preparing our students and graduates for university and the workforce through planning, reorganising and dedication,'' a college spokeswoman stressed.

"These components, we believe, are the groundwork for ensuring students' needs are met during their time at Bermuda College and beyond.''