University Senate Rules and Regulations on Withdrawal and Retroactive Withdrawal

(Specific information that pertains to the subcommittee is bolded)

2.2.5 The University fall and spring semesters each consist of seventy-five instructional days. The withdrawal period is divided into three instructional-day time segments:

Period 1: the first fifteen (15) instructional days of the semester or the first seven (7) instructional days of summer session (See 2.2.5.1 and 2.2.5.2);

Period 2: beginning with the sixteenth (16th) instructional day through the sixtieth (60th) instructional day of the semester or the eighth (8th) instructional day through the thirtieth (30th) instructional day of summer session (See 2.2.5.1 and 2.2.5.3);

Period 3: beginning with the sixty-first (61st) instructional day through the last day of classes for the semester or the thirty-first (31st) instructional day through the last day of classes for the summer session (See 2.2.5.4).

NOTE: The three time periods of instructional days for any course that has fewer instructional days than a normal semester shall be calculated on the basis of a percentage that the instructional days of the course in question represent relative to a normal semester of 75 instructional days. For example, a course of five weeks duration with a total of 25 instructional days represents one-third the length of a normal semester. Thus, Period 1 would include the first five (5) instructional days of the course, Period 2 would begin with the 6th and continue through the 20th instructional day and Period 3 would begin with the 21st instructional day and continue through the last day of the class.

2.2.5.1 Course withdrawal policy and procedure are determined by the individual time period (see 2.2.5, 2.2.5.2, 2.2.5.3, 2.2.5.4 and 2.2.5.5). These rules apply to both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate courses, other than Law School courses, unless specifically excluded in accordance with 2.2.5.2.

2.2.5.2 Each academic dean shall submit to the Provost a list of courses such as internships and practices that are to be excepted from 2.2.5. Upon approving the list of proposed exceptions, the Provost shall provide it to the University Registrar.

2.2.5.3 During Period 1, a student may withdraw from a course by canceling his/her enrollment in that course. The course will not appear on the student's official record.

2.2.5.4 During Period 2, a student seeking to withdraw from a course must first obtain a drop form signed by the instructor (or designee). Students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the School of Social Welfare must then notify the dean. Students enrolled in any other school must obtain a dean’s stamp from the school in which he/she is enrolled. The instructor must mark the course either "WP" (if the student's current performance is equivalent to a letter grade of A, B, C or D) or "WF" (if current performance is equivalent to a letter grade of F). The grade (WP or WF) will appear on the student's academic record but will not be included in computing the grade point average.

NOTE: If the student is taking the course on a Credit/No Credit basis, and the withdrawal procedure is initiated by the student, the instructor must mark the course either "WP" (if the student's current performance is equivalent to a letter grade of A, B or C) or "WF" (if the current performance is equivalent to a letter grade of D or F). The grade (WP or WF) will appear on the student's academic record but will not be included in computing the grade point average.

2.2.5.5 During Period 3, a student cannot withdraw from a course. The course grade will be determined by the student's overall academic performance.

2.2.5.6 After a student completes a course and a letter grade has been assigned, including an "Incomplete" where appropriate, retroactive withdrawal from the class is not allowed, except in accordance with USRR 2.3.3.

2.2.5.7 The purpose of an instructor’s signature and Dean’s stamp is to certify that appropriate consultation has taken place. Neither the instructor nor the dean’s office is “approving” the withdrawal. Similarly, neither the instructor nor the dean’s office is entitled to withhold approval of the withdrawal. It is the responsibility of the student to submit the Drop Card to the Enrollment Center by the required deadline.

2.2.6 The withdrawal of a student from the University shall be reported by the dean of the College or the school to the University Registrar for posting to the permanent record after consultation with the appropriate personnel dean. The rules in USRR 2.2.5 shall apply except in accordance with USRR 2.3.3.

Section 3. Change of Grade

2.3.3 In the most extreme and unusual circumstances a student may petition to either:

a) withdraw from all the courses in which he/she was enrolled. In this case a properly constituted committee from the school or College in which he/she was enrolled may assign the letter W in all courses of that semester. The faculty members (s) in charge of the course(s) need not be consulted. Or

b) if the student is asking for selective relief in a course in which he/she was enrolled, a properly constituted committee from the school or College in which the course was taken may assign, after consultation/concurrence with the faculty member in charge of the course, the letter I, incomplete, or W, withdrawal. If the incomplete is assigned, it is to be completed in the next semester in which the student is enrolled at the University in accordance with University Senate Rule 2.2.3.2. The work necessary to complete the course and remove the incomplete is to be determined by the faculty member in charge of the course. If the faculty member in charge of the course is unavailable or otherwise unable to provide a regime of work to complete the course, the department will take responsibility to determine the required work.

Each course is to be considered separately but the same committee may consider more than one course at the discretion of the dean of the school responsible for the course.

2.3.4. To insure uniform implementation of these procedures a) each school and the College will develop a written policy for the guidance of the committee and b) each school or College will adopt a uniform policy as to whether concurrence or only consultation is required. The policies are to be made available to faculty and student.