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, hlthomas@uncc.edu Dennis Wiese, Senior Associate Dean of Students, dwiese@uncc.edu Leslie R. Zenk, Assistant Provost, lzenk@uncc.edu