Dear colleagues,

As we enter the start of an academic year, there are a few policy updates to share with you. These changes are in compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations (34 CFR 668.22 Student Assistance General Provisions) and are now in effect:

1. Retroactive Semester Withdrawals and Retroactive Course Drops are in moratorium in perpetuity.
2. Current Semester Withdrawal processes have changed.  Please refer students to How to Withdraw for more information on submitting the Semester Withdrawal Form.  The Office of the Registrar will inform faculty when a student’s Last Date of Attendance (LDA) is required and will assist faculty with questions pertaining to LDA determination.  
3. All instructors of record will be required to submit LDA to the Office of the Registrar for semester withdrawals.  See Academic Attendance 34 CFR 668.22 (l) (7), Academic Engagement 34 CFR 600.2, and the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Handbook, Academic Attendance for additional context.  Documentation of an academic or academically-related interaction includes the following activities:
   1. Attending a synchronous class, lecture, recitation, field, or laboratory activity physically or online, where there is an opportunity for interaction between the instructor and students;
   2. Submitting an academic assignment;
   3. Taking an assessment or an exam;
   4. Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction;
   5. Participating in a study group, group project, or an online discussion that is assigned by the institution; or
   6. Interacting with an instructor about academic matters.
4. More information to come regarding individual course drops after the 15th class day; stay tuned.  

Please reach out to Maria Mangold, Registrar, for more information, concerns, or questions.  Thank you for a great start to the semester.