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**