Change of Schedule (Add/Drop)

WPO 5.07-3       Change of Schedule (Add/Drop)

Policy

Below are policies related to adding a class, dropping a class, section changes, and exceptions.  Refer to the Procedures for Adding and dropping Classes for more information on how to add or drop a class, or withdraw from the University (drop all classes).

Adding a class

Classes may be added prior to the beginning of the semester and during the Change of Schedule Period (from the first day of classes through the end of the 100% refund period).  Classes which have not yet begun (e.g., second 8-week classes, short courses, independent study, etc.) may be added after the Change of Schedule Period has ended.

Dropping a class

Dropping all classes is considered a “withdrawal from the University”. Refer to Procedures for Adding and Dropping Classes for more information.

Classes dropped prior to the end of the Change of Schedule period will not appear on the transcript.  Classes may be dropped with a “W” grade from the end of the Change of Schedule period until four weeks prior to the last day of full semester classes, after which time students may not drop.  For all classes with a different duration than a full semester, the relevant deadlines can be found in the Drop and Refund page.  A “W” grade indicates the student withdrew from the course without academic penalty.

Students who plan to drop a class in which academic dishonesty has alleged to have occurred should first refer to the Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures.

Students who have a registration hold can drop a class or classes by making a request to the Office of Registration and Records in person or through their university email account. 

Students are expected to complete all registered courses.  Failure to properly drop classes will result in the assignment of F grades for those classes, as well as a continued financial obligation for any unpaid tuition charges for those classes.  For more information, see the “Exceptions to the Required Student Fees Refund Policy” section of the fee resolution.

 Section Changes

Students may drop a section and add a different section of the same course during the same part of term with the same fee assessment (seated, online, etc.) and receive an even exchange of fees, provided the section add and drop were processed during the same transaction.  Students who drop and add a section in the same course, but in a different part of term, do not qualify for this fee exchange.  Students who drop a special topics course and add the same course but with a different topic do not qualify for this fee exchange.

Exceptions to the policy

Exceptions to allow a drop after the stated deadline to drop a class are issued to students who have an overwhelming, unforeseen circumstance (E.g., personal medical condition, catastrophic loss) which significantly interferes with the ability to meet the academic commitments of the class or circumstances that interfere with the ability to drop the class before the deadline,  In order to be considered for a request for an exception to the drop date, the student must provide appropriate documentation as early as possible but no later than one month following withdrawal or change of schedule.

Examples of acceptable documentation regarding personal illness include:

  • A letter from the student’s appropriate health care provider describing the student’s health problem, how it was unforeseen before the drop deadline, and how it interferes with successful completion of the semester. The letter should include a recommendation that the student be granted an exception to the drop deadline from the date of the onset of the health problem.  Medical visit dates should be listed.
  • Records of hospitalization or treatment related to the specific health condition(s) (inpatient and/or outpatient).
  • Any other pertinent information that supports how the student’s acute health condition(s) interfered with the ability to meet academic commitments.

Copes of medical bills are not sufficient documentation to support an exception to the drop deadline.

Examples of acceptable documentation for other situations include:

  • Copy of obituary or funeral program
  • Letter of support from a family member
  • Formal record confirming circumstance of disaster

Documentation must provide a date (or dates) that can confirm the time frame for which the appeal has been submitted.

Students who are approved to have a class or classes dropped because of documented extenuating circumstances after the last day to drop, will receive a “W” in the dropped courses and may appeal for a prorated/partial refund for tuition and room and board (upon proper checkout), but not for nonrefundable fees or charges.

Requests for exceptions to the drop deadline will be forwarded for consideration by the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for approval.

Line of authority

Responsible administrator and office: Vice Chancellor for Student Services

Contact person in that office: Vice Chancellor for Student Services

Effective Date

Chancellor approval: 5-29-2024