Proposed Catalog Copy
[Insert on Page 17 after the paragraph beginning "Documented justification...]
The opportunity to drop a course for the current term ends on the last day
of instruction before scheduled final exams. Dropping a course taken in a previous
term is not allowed. The only exceptions are for students who have received a grade
of NF (never attended) or have ceased attendance before the sixteenth day of instruction
and can provide to the Registrar's Office instructor verification on non-attendance.
Rationale
Dean's offices receive many requests for late-drop petitions for classes taken in
some previous semester -- often years ago. An instructor may not remember the circumstances
for this particular course and student. In many cases the instructor has left the University and the decision rests with the department and/or chair who are probably
less familiar with the situation.
This proposal does not eliminate a student's right to petition (with justification)
to remove an entire semester from the record. Therefore, a student who has finished
a semester and did not drop a class by the sixth-week deadline or through the late-drop
petition within the same semester has three options: 1) live with that grade, 2) petition
to withdraw from the entire semester (if justified), or 3) repeat the class.