There’s a rumor some students have heard that if your roommate dies, you automatically get straight As because of the situation.
While this is not totally true, there’s help offered by the Division of Student Affairs for students in unusual circumstances.
According to University Regulations, students can apply for an Exceptional Circumstances Withdrawal (ECW) that would prevent a student from failing their classes during a difficult time. (See box for these circumstances.)
“There isn’t a set rule on whether a student will receive the Exceptional Circumstances Withdrawal for every situation,” says Terry Mena, associate dean of students. “Each student is dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”
With this withdrawal, a student can receive “incompletes” for all classes even after the normal semester withdrawal deadline. However, the only option is to withdraw from all of your classes. It’s all or nothing.
If circumstances don’t allow a student to file for the withdrawal before the end of the semester, the application might still be considered.
Regulation 4.013 of University Regulations states, “Applications submitted after the semester ends, but within six (6) months of the illness, injury or death may be considered at the AVP and Dean’s sole discretion if student’s documents demonstrate that it was not possible for the student to file in a timely manner for reasons outside of the student’s control.”
“If the student can not physically make it into our office to apply for the [ECW], say if they are in the hospital [or] in another country, we work with students,” says Mena.
For more on the Exceptional Circumstances Withdrawal, visit http://tr.im/iduA
Exceptional Circumstances
Withdrawal applications for 2007-2008:
447 granted
24 denied
Acceptable reasons for Exceptional Circumstances Withdrawals:
1. Physical or mental illness or injury
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Involuntary call to active military duty
4. Primary caregiver to immediate family member
5. Other reasons on a per case basis.
