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

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)

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

September 27, 2013: W Website Launch

December 3, 2013: Faculty/Staff Communication Launch

March 10, 2014: Student and Campus-Wide Communication Launch

Campus Communication Social Media: Facebook, Twitter Electronic: Email, Websites, TV screens, Moodle,

49er Express, Inside UNC Charlotte article Printed Material: Posters, table tents, fliers

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

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

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 course3.Courses marked WE do not count in GPA or tuition surcharge calculations.

The Dean of Students Office is tasked by the Policy Statement with developing and communicating standards.

Website deploying on May 19

What is an Extenuating Circumstance?Personal CrisisMedical CrisisMilitary Deployment or Activation

Scope of authorityMust have 3rd party documentation

Letterhead Signatures Dates Verifiable

Event occurred within the term of the requestNo grades for the term posted

Must be beyond their control

Examples:Activation for national emergencies or events (DNC)Deployment of Reservist, National Guard, etc.Traumatic injuryDeath of a family memberReoccurrence of preexisting conditionMental well beingPregnancy

Each is evaluated on a case-by-case basis

W 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.

Renewed and Redoubled Focus on:

Academic Performance

Responsibility

Accountability

Top 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)

Withdrawing has typically been an “easy out” for students.

‘ Sometimes “W” stands for “wisdom.” ‘

Liberal petitioning process (late Ws).

NO MORE….

SPREAD THE WORD ACCURATELY!

Reinforce Univ.-wide messaging

Distinguish “drop” vs. “withdraw”

Understand other areas impacted (FA, housing, VA, visa students, etc.)

Emphasize enforcement

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

POINTS 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

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

Henrietta 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