5.32 – Late Withdrawal
A. Purpose
To establish the late withdrawal procedures for students experiencing non-academic emergencies, which interfere with or prevent the completion of coursework and which cannot be resolved through traditional withdrawal methods.
B. Policy
Students who experience medical, financial or personal hardships severe enough to interfere with or prevent the completion of coursework are eligible to petition for late withdrawal from the affected course or courses through the late withdrawal process.
C. Procedures
Late Withdrawal Conditions
Typically, circumstances (non-academic emergencies) that warrant an approval tend to fall into one of three categories: medical, personal or financial. Late withdrawals are not granted unless there is a compelling reason for such requests.
Late withdrawal requests are only considered after the published Last Date to Drop/Withdraw has passed.
Generally, students are not eligible for late withdrawal for any course in which they have successfully completed the class requirements.
The late withdrawal process is not an alternative means to drop classes after the published Last Date to Drop/Withdraw to remove unwanted grades or prevent resulting academic/financial aid actions.
The late withdrawal process is not the appropriate venue to appeal academic matters (e.g. grades, tuition/fees). Such concerns must be addressed to the respective department and are subject to any other applicable policies.
Students must submit the late withdrawal petition and documentation no more than four weeks into the following semester, including the summer term. This applies whether or not the student is enrolled in the following semester. In significant extenuating circumstances, this timeframe may be extended at the sole discretion of the dean of students.
If a student is granted a late withdrawal, the student may not be eligible for a late withdrawal for subsequent terms.
Late Withdrawal Petition Requirements
Complete the Petition for Late Withdrawal.
Write a personal statement expressing the need for late withdrawal. This statement should explain how and/or why the non-academic emergency impacted studies.
Attach supporting medical, personal and/or financial documentation as outlined on the Late Withdrawal page on the website, and submit the completed petition and documentation to the dean of students.
Late Withdrawal Review Process
All petitions for late withdrawal will be reviewed and decided by the dean of students. The student will be notified of the dean of students’ decision in writing.
If a petition for late withdrawal is denied by the dean of students, this denial may be appealed by the student to the vice chancellor for student affairs within five (5) college business days of the dean of students’ decision. The student will be notified of the vice chancellor for student affairs’ decision in writing. This decision is final.
D. Definitions
E. Authority
This policy is maintained under the authority of the vice chancellor for student affairs.
F. Related Policies
2.62 – Academic and Course Grade Appeals
5.22 – Tuition Refunds
G. Implementation
Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 12/8/08, 10/12/2020.
Purpose, procedures, responsibilities and definitions approved and adopted by the Cabinet on 11/3/08. Revised 06/18/2018 and 10/06/2020.
Set for review 2023-2024.