Withdrawals

 As per a March 18, 2002 memo from Dean Wyatt Anderson's office, the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Senate has determined that the University's nonpenalty withdrawal policy has been subject to misuse or abuse. As a result, the Academic Standards Committee of the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Senate has resolved that faculty make more appropriate use of the "WF" grade.

In view of the above, this is my policy for all courses, concerning withdrawals
due to excessive abences and/or other reasons:

On or before the midpoint of the semester:

•  If a student is on the class roll, but has not attended class for the first two days and has not notified me on or before the first day of classes that he/she is unable to attend class because of documented circumstances beyond his/her control, I shall automatically withdraw the student and assign a grade of "W".
• If a student has added the course through Drop-Add, but has not attended class thereafter and has not notified me that he/she is unable to attend class because of documented circumstances beyond his/her control, I shall automatically withdraw the student and assign a grade of "W".
• If a student has attended the first two days of class (or after adding through Drop-Add), but has ceased to attend class thereafter for a significant period (Normally, that would mean a number of consecutive absences to equal 2 weeks of instruction, but the final decision is mine in any case), and has not notified me in timely fashion that he/she is unable to attend class because of documented circumstances beyond his/her control, I shall withdraw the student and assign a grade of "WF".  A grade of "WF" is all the more justified if the student has failed to turn in assignments or has missed tests.

After the mid-point of the semester:

• If a student has ceased to attend class  for a significant period (Normally, that would mean a number of consecutive absences to equal two weeks of instruction, but the final decision is mine in any case), and has not notified me in timely fashion that he/she is unable to attend class because of documented circumstances beyond his/her control , I shall withdraw the student and assign a grade of "WF".  A grade of "WF" is all the more justified if the student has failed to turn in assignments or has missed test.

• If a student has withdrawn from the University because of documented circumstances beyond his/her control, I shall withdraw the student and assign a grade of "W" upon advice from the Registrar's and/or Student Affairs office.

Withdrawal under other circumstances:

I may elect to withdraw a student (with a grade of "W" or "WF") under other circumstances:

• If, in my best professional judgment, his/her continuing academic performance is incompatible with generally accepted University standards, and the student refuses to withdraw on his/her own, AND/OR

• If, in my best professional judgment, his/her classroom behavior or attitude is interfering significantly with the other students' ability to benefit from the instruction.

 

Personal emergency:  serious illness (requiring bed confinement or hospital stay) or accident. Family emergency: death, serious illness, or accident affecting a parent, sibling, or close relative.  Having to appear in court in any official capacity. Being summoned for jury or other mandated civic duty. Being called to fulfill a military obligation. Having to attend a University-sponsored activity that bears directly on the student's continued enrollment, such as an athletic, band, or similar meet that is directly related to the student's scholarship or financial aid.  Having to be away on business that affects directly the student's livelihood or continuing enrollment at the University. Important family event, such as the wedding of a parent, sibling, close relative, close friend, or other similar function, in which the student's attendance or participation is necessary or expected. Religious holidays which are officially announced by the University. The student must furnish documentation to me. The attendance roll is then marked with an "X," to mean that the absence is excused.

Documentation is made to me directly with a written note from an authorized source:  parents, employers, or healthcare providers, for example.  All such communications will be held in the strictest confidence.