Download - Course Withdrawal Limit Policy
Course Withdrawal Limit Policy
Academic Policy: Withdrawals Academic Policy: Withdrawals
Regulations Related to Fostering Undergraduate Student Success adopted by President Ross on April 29, 2013
UNC Charlotte Academic Policy: Withdrawals passed by Faculty Council September 26, 2013 to ensure compliance of regulations
Academic Policy: Withdrawals Withdrawals
“Undergraduate students may receive a grade of W for no more than 16 credit hours over their academic careers.”
Applies to entire undergraduate student body beginning Fall 2014, but does not apply for W’s in courses prior to Fall 2014
Consolidates withdrawal deadlines to the 9th week All withdrawals will appear on transcript as W or WE
(extenuating circumstances)
Implementation Timeline April 29, 2013: Regulations adopted by
President Ross
September 26, 2013: Policy passed Faculty Council
December 3, 2013: Communication regarding policy change began
Fall Term 2014: Policy goes into effect
Communication Plan
September 27, 2013: W Website Launch
December 3, 2013: Faculty/Staff Communication Launch
March 10, 2014: Student and Campus-Wide Communication Launch
Communication Plan Campus Communication
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter Electronic: Email, Websites, TV screens,
Moodle, 49er Express, Inside UNC Charlotte article
Printed Material: Posters, table tents, fliers
Communication Plan Faculty and Advisor-Specific
Communication: Email from Faculty Council President/Provost Suggested Syllabi Language Best Practices for Instructors Faculty Handbook AAIT Academic Advisor Development Program
Communication Plan Student-Specific Communication
Email announcing policy change to current students
Article in student newspaper and Student Orgs newsletter
Announcement to Student Orgs Parent-Specific Communication
SOAR materials Email to parent email address Article in parent newsletter and magazine
Extenuating Circumstances
Extenuating Circumstances
Three critical clauses:1. Students who experience serious extenuating
circumstances (personal or medical crisis or military deployment) may petition for a withdrawal that does not count against their career W limit.
2. The student is expected to submit the petition during the term the crisis begins. If approved, a grade of WE will be recorded for each course
3. Courses marked WE do not count in GPA or tuition surcharge calculations. (i.e. NOT a ‘Clean Drop’)
Extenuating CircumstancesThe Dean of Students Office is tasked by the Policy Statement with developing and communicating standards.
Website deploying on May 19
Extenuating CircumstancesWhat is an Extenuating Circumstance? Personal Crisis Medical Crisis Military Deployment or Activation
Extenuating CircumstancesScope of authority Must have 3rd party documentation
Letterhead Signatures Dates Verifiable
Event occurred within the term of the request No grades for the term posted
Must be beyond their control
Extenuating CircumstancesExamples: Activation for national emergencies or events
(DNC) Deployment of Reservist, National Guard, etc. Traumatic injury Death of a family member Reoccurrence of preexisting condition Mental well being Pregnancy
Each is evaluated on a case-by-case basis
Advising for Withdrawals
Advising TipsW Policy designed to:
Ensure that students enroll only in those classes they intend to complete, thus freeing up more seats for ALL students.
Encourage students to assign high priority to completing what they start.
Advising Tips Renewed and Redoubled Focus on:
Academic Performance
Responsibility
Accountability
Advising TipsTop 5 Reasons Students Give for
Withdrawing
1. I was not happy with my grade.2. I didn’t understand the material.3. I didn’t like the course.4. I didn’t like the professor.5. The subject did not interest me.
Dunwoody and Frank (1995)
Advising TipsWithdrawing has typically been an “easy out” for students.
‘ Sometimes “W” stands for “wisdom.” ‘
Liberal petitioning process (late Ws).
NO MORE….
Advising TipsSPREAD THE WORD ACCURATELY!
Reinforce Univ.-wide messaging
Distinguish “drop” vs. “withdraw”
Understand other areas impacted (FA, housing, VA, visa students, etc.)
Emphasize enforcement
Advising Tips More imperative now to:
PROBE – Why has student chosen courses?
ENDORSE SENSIBLE CHOICES – school/life balance
MONITOR – Refer to resources; use Early Alert
INFORM – Help student know options
Advising TipsPOINTS TO STRESS:
Register as early as allowed
READ and UNDERSTAND syllabus
GO TO CLASS first week
If petitioning for extenuating circumstances, must be done within SAME semester
Important Websites
Academic Policies and Procedures website includes most current academic policies:
http://provost.uncc.edu/policies
Withdrawals website includes most up-to-date implementation information regarding W policy
include FAQs: http://provost.uncc.edu/withdrawals
Thank YouHenrietta Thomas, Director, University Advising Center, [email protected] Dennis Wiese, Senior Associate Dean of Students, [email protected] Leslie R. Zenk, Assistant Provost, [email protected]