Course Withdrawal Limit Policy What Undergraduate Students Need to Know

IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE 16 CAMPUSES, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA ADOPTED THE FOSTERING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SUCCESS POLICY ON APRIL 29, TO THIS END, UNCSA HAS MADE SEVERAL CHANGES THAT HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT THIS FALL. THIS SLIDE PRESENTATION EXPLAINS A NEW WITHDRAWAL POLICY. Fostering Undergraduate Student Success

ADD/DROP IS THE PERIOD OF TIME WHEN STUDENTS CAN CHANGE THEIR CLASS SCHEDULES WITHOUT PENALTY. COURSE CHANGES DURING THIS TIME DO NOT APPEAR ON STUDENTS’ SCHEDULES, AND ARE NOT COUNTED IN ATTEMPTED HOURS. STUDENTS CAN ADD OR DROP COURSES THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES. ADD/DROP ENDS FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 AT 5:00 P.M. Add/Drop Period

BEGINNING WITH THE SECOND WEEK THROUGH THE 7 TH WEEK OF CLASSES, STUDENTS MUST WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES AND ACCEPT A GRADE OF W.* THESE CREDITS COUNT IN ATTEMPTED HOURS AND TOWARDS SURCHARGE AND FINANCIAL AID SAP CALCULATIONS. THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS IN FALL 2014 IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 Withdrawing from Classes

NEW WITHDRAWAL POLICY Withdrawals*  Undergraduate students may receive a grade of W for no more than 16 credit hours over the course of their degree(s).  Applies to all undergraduate students beginning Fall 2014, but does not apply for W grades in courses prior to Fall 2014  Once a student reaches the maximum withdrawal limit, no further W grades will be assigned, and the student must accept the grade he/she earns at the end of the semester.

Academic Policy: Withdrawals Goals of New Policy  Encourage students to commit to completing the courses for which they are registered.  Encourage student success by reducing the number of unsuccessful course attempts and related undesired consequences:  Surcharge  Delayed graduation  Financial aid penalties  Ensure that students enroll only in those classes they intend to complete.

Extenuating Circumstances o Students who experience serious extenuating circumstances (medical crisis, military deployment, or a crisis beyond the student’s control) may petition for a withdrawal that does not count toward their W limit. o The student is expected to submit the petition during the term the circumstance begins. If approved, a grade of WE will be recorded for each course. o Courses marked WE do not count in GPA or tuition surcharge calculations.

Extenuating Circumstances What is an Extenuating Circumstance? o Crisis beyond student’s control o Medical or mental health crisis o Military deployment or activation Students who have completed the majority of their coursework may wish to ask their instructor if they are eligible for an incomplete.

Extenuating Circumstances o Students must submit a petition to the Case Manager in Student Affairs to Withdrawal for extenuating circumstances. o Must have 3 rd party documentation o Letterhead o Signatures o Dates o Verifiable o Event occurred within the semester of the request o Must be beyond their control

Tips o Spread the word about the maximum withdrawal limit o Include information on your syllabus o Understand other areas impacted (FA, housing, VA, visa students, etc.) o Encourage students to complete their classes o Make students aware of counseling services in Student Affairs

Tips POINTS TO STRESS TO STUDENTS o Attend classes on the first day o Avoid registering for more than 18 credits per semester o READ the syllabus carefully o Purchase required books and connect to Blackboard o If petitioning for extenuating circumstances, must be done within SAME semester