During the first three weeks of classes or 15 days of instruction, you may drop a class using the Voice Response system. As a courtesy, you should inform the instructor for the course that you are dropping the class.

Withdrawal from a class after the 15th day of instruction (three weeks of instruction) requires a drop petition. The petition must be approved by the instructor, department chair, and the associate dean. All drops at this time must be documented and must be for serious and compelling reasons.

Approval of the petition to withdraw from a class is subject to the following restrictions:

• After the third week of class but before the beginning of the last three weeks of instruction, approval is contingent upon demonstration that withdrawal is for serious and compelling reasons, including, but not necessarily restricted to the following:

  1. Employment. Changes in your work schedule imposed by your employer as a condition for promotion or continued employment, which makes it impossible for you to continue attending class. A note is required from your employer on company letterhead, stating the hours and days of work (be specific), effective date of this change, and who initiated the change.
  2. Illness. Extended sickness or accident involving you or an immediate family member who requires you to miss at least one week of instruction or a major exam which cannot be made up. A note from your physician is required. State in general terms a brief description of the problem and the period of time you were seen.
  3. Other. Personal problems of a serious nature causing you to have seen a counselor. A note from him/her is required. Give a brief description of the problem.
  4. Reasons such as failing the class, lack of prerequisites, too much work or an overload, etc., are not sufficient reasons for dropping a course at this time, and therefore will not be approved.
• During the last three weeks of instruction, approval is contingent upon demonstration that withdrawal is because of an emergency clearly beyond the control of the student. Circumstances requiring emergency withdrawals almost always dictate complete withdrawal from the University (i.e., dropping all classes) and involve an accident, serious physical or mental illness, emotional stress or similar problems. Documentation must accompany the withdrawal petition.

UNDER MOST CIRCUMSTANCES, YOUR PETITION FOR WITHDRAWAL WILL NOT BE APPROVED IF YOU ARE FAILING THE CLASS YOU WISH TO DROP AT THE TIME YOU SUBMIT THE PETITION.