Withdrawal from a Course

Policies & Procedures|Courses, Grades & Credit|Policies-Courses

Students may withdraw from a course through the tenth week of the semester with the permission of the instructor. After the tenth week, students must petition the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing to withdraw from a course. Such petitions will not be granted without documentation of extenuating circumstances. Withdrawals are indicated on the student's transcript by a report of W and will not affect the student's grade point average.

To withdraw from a course from the fifth to the tenth week:

  • Meet with an advisor in the College Office and pick up a Withdrawal form.
  • Bring it to the instructor for discussion and (if the instructor grants his or her approval) signature.
  • Return it to the College Office by the Withdrawal deadline (the end of the tenth week of the semester).

In order to submit a petition to withdraw from a course after the tenth week, the student should follow the above steps and, in addition:

  • Fill out a petition form, including a petition statement that explains the reasons for the request.
  • Submit the Withdrawal form, the petition form, and any accompanying documentation to the College Office as soon as possible.

Students should be aware that their petition may be denied.

Students considering either a drop or a withdrawal should speak with an advisor before taking any action and should be aware of the risks of being enrolled in fewer than 4 c.u.

Risks of Being Enrolled in Fewer than 4 c.u.

Students should understand that failure to enroll in at least 4 c.u., or dropping or withdrawing below that number of credits, may have adverse effects in a variety of circumstances. The most common concerns are for


Athletes

The NCAA requires that all student athletes complete an average at least 8 c.u. per year; carrying less than a full load may jeopardize athletic eligibility. Dr. Gary Purpura is the College’s athletic eligibility officer.

International Student

The visas that allow most international students to study in the U.S. require carrying a full load of at least 4 c.u. per semester. Any reduction in that number may call their visa status into question. The International Student and Scholar Services Office can provide more information.

Students with Financial Aid

Many aid packages require that the student complete an average of 4 c.u. per semester. Carrying less than this amount may cause the student to lose some or even all of his or her financial aid. Call the Student Financial Services office for more information.