Handling Requests for Late Withdrawals/Drops

While rare, occasionally a faculty member will be approached by a student seeking a signature in support of a late withdrawal/drop. Unfortunately, these requests by students are often not pleasant experiences because students may exert pressure on a faculty member to immediately sign their document(s).

If you are approached by a student with such a request, do not sign anything. Instead, instruct the student that all late withdrawal requests are handled through the department and that the student will need to meet with the department chair. If any information is needed from you, that request will come from the department chair.

Just for information purposes, a late withdrawal/drop is supposed to be used only in exceptional situations. It is supposed to be used only when something like an accident, death, illness, nervous breakdown, etc. happens after the regular drop deadline. This exceptional incident also needs to prevent the student from completing the course or semester in a good manner. When a situation like this happens, a student can request a late withdrawal, up to one month into the following semester. After that, a student is not eligible for a late withdrawal. The decision as to whether the late withdrawal request is accepted or rejected lies entirely with the Office of the Registrar.