Current
situation:
The university bulletin indicates that
first year students “who wish to withdraw from a course, including the first
week of classes, should first consult with their
adviser,
or the Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, or a staff member of
the Academic Advising Office” ( p. 101) before dropping a course. Because the current policy states that
students “should” consult with their advisers, first year students can drop courses
without consulting with their adviser, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts
and Sciences, or a member of the Academic Advising Office.
Statement
of the Problem:
Students are potentially putting themselves at an academic disadvantage later in their university career by dropping a course in their first year without consultation with their
adviser,
Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, or a member of the Academic
Advising Office as to the consequences of the action. Furthermore, the lack of
consultation weakens the relationship between academic advisers and advisees.
Recommendation:
The bulletin should be changed. The bulletin
should read first year students “who wish to withdraw from a course, including
the first week of classes, must first consult with their adviser. In
cases where the adviser is not available, students must consult with the
Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or a staff member of the
Academic Advising Office before dropping.
The academic adviser course drop
discussion form must be used when a first year student drops a course.
Alternatives
considered:
To leave the current policy as is.
Expected
outcome:
Students will be more aware of the
consequences of dropping a course and adviser/advisee relationships will be
stronger.