Part-Time/Adjunct Faculty Handbook

Miami University adopted new policies two years ago (starting in the fall 2005) for students who drop or withdraw from classes, so you may find long-time students who are confused about the rules. If they start asking you about grades of “WP” or “WF” they are living in the past — those designations no longer exist.

Here’s a summary of the policy:

Through first week of classes — change of registration

Students may add, drop, or change courses online through BannerWeb until midnight at the end of the first week of classes. They do not need approval from the instructor to make these changes.

Through third week of classes — drop a class

A student may drop a course during the first three weeks of class and have no notation appear on his or her transcript. The instructor’s signature is required on a drop/add form, and before dropping a course, the student is encouraged to consult both the instructor and his or her academic adviser. Students need to know that dropping a course is a formal administrative procedure they must complete — simply ceasing to attend does not constitute “dropping” the course.

Through ninth week of classes — withdraw from a class

A student may withdraw from a course during the first nine weeks of class and have only a grade of “W” appear on his or her transcript. A grade of “W” does not affect a student’s grade point average. The instructor’s signature of acknowledgement is required, and before withdrawing from a course, a student should consult with both his or her instructor and academic adviser. Once again, students need to realize that this is an administrative process that they must complete to keep their transcripts in order — merely ceasing to attend a class is not the same as withdrawing from it.

After ninth week of classes — withdraw by special petition only

After the ninth week of classes, students cannot withdraw from a course unless they submit a petition to the Interdivisional Committee of Advisers. The petition must describe and document extenuating circumstances for the withdrawal. If the petition is approved, a grade of “W” will appear on the transcript. If it is not approved, students are expected to remain in the course and whatever grade they earn will appear on their transcripts. Simply ceasing to attend will not avoid a grade of F or free the student of financial responsibility for the course.

Students with questions about this procedure should be directed to the Student Services advising office, Room 1 Johnston Hall.