As reported to University Council in the
Report of the Academic Programs Committee
to University Council
Jan. 25, 2001
The Academic Programs Committee discussed the university policy on retroactive withdrawals.
A “retroactive withdrawal” from a course can be approved by the Office of the Registrar, provided the student has applied for this change to the college in which he or she is registered, and the college supports the appeal. Such an appeal can be made when a student has failed or received ABF or INF (30 per cent) in courses due to catastrophic personal circumstances or has made a mistake in registration. Changing such a mark to a Withdrawal removes these failures from the student’s average. University policy has been that such a change in an academic record can be justified only on personal grounds (serious illness, etc.) rather than academic grounds. Other procedures already exist for academic appeals.
The Committee discussed whether this policy should be changed to give instructors the authority to authorize retroactive withdrawals. The Committee agreed that to leave this decision up to instructors would place undue pressure on instructors to make changes in marks, would make it more difficult for students who might have to apply to several instructors for such changes, and would lead to inconsistent treatment for students.
Committee members suggested that the existing policies on retroactive withdrawal should be available in a central location, such as the Office of the University Secretary or the Student Services office, so that instructors and students would be aware of the policy.
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