Retroactive Withdrawal (revised)

RETROACTIVE WITHDRAWAL

Academic Policy #S96-197

At its meeting of February 6, 1996, the Academic Senate unanimously approved

the following policy on Retroactive Withdrawal:

A student may petition for Retroactive Withdrawal from a course(s)or from the

university (all courses taken during that semester),if circumstances of a serious

and compelling nature prevented the completion of course work and extenuating

circumstances prevented submission of a regular withdrawal petition by the deadline

in the Class Schedule. A Petition for Retroactive Withdrawal should be

completed during the first enrolled semester following the semester from which

the student wishes to withdraw retroactively. In filing a Petition for Retroactive

Withdrawal, withdrawal from the university is normally expected since 'extenuating

circumstances' are not course-specific. The petition must be submitted directly

to the Admissions and Records Office (if withdrawing from the university) or

to the course instructor (if withdrawing from a course). A retroactive withdrawal

cannot be used as a way to remedy poor academic performance in a course(s).

Approved course Petitions for Retroactive Withdrawal will be recorded as 'W.'

In the event that the instructor is not available, the department chair may

approve the Petition for Retroactive Withdrawal and assign a grade of 'W.' Retroactive

withdrawal from an entire semester will also be recorded as 'W.'

To withdraw retroactively from the university, the student must present

supporting documents which demonstrate serious and compelling reasons (usually

due to serious accident or illness)justifying the withdrawal and extenuating

circumstances justifying its 'retro' nature. The student collects supporting

documentation, obtains a copy of a current, unofficial transcript from the Admissions

and Records Office, completes the Petition for Retroactive Withdrawal, and submits

the entire package to the Admissions and Records Office for approval by the

Board of Appeals and Review.

To withdraw retroactively from a course requires very special circumstances.

Documentation of serious and compelling reasons used to justify the action should

accompany the petition. Reasons why these circumstances affected the student's

work in only one/some rather than all courses, must be clearly explained. For

retroactive withdrawal from a course, the student collects supporting documentation,

obtains a copy of a current, unofficial transcript from the Admissions and Records

Office, completes the Petition for Retroactive Withdrawal and submits the entire

package to the course instructor. The petition must be signed by the course

instructor, department chair, and college dean. If the student is petitioning

to withdraw retroactively from more than one course but not from all courses,

the student must file one petition for each course from which he/she wishes

to withdraw retroactively.

**APPROVED BY PRESIDENT ROBERT CORRIGAN ON FEBRUARY 15,1996**