catalog 07-08 edited:05-06 catalog.qxd - Westminster College

catalog07-08edited:05-06catalog 9/26/2007 2:27PM Page36gram will be recorded on the Westminster College transcript for thosestudents who do not receive credit while studying abroad on an affiliatedoff-campus program.For students interested in participating in the Chicago Urban StudiesProgram and the Washington Semester Program, grades and credithours will be treated as follows: all credit hours earned in the above U.S.programs will transfer directly to Westminster College. Grades earned inthe courses will be figured into the student’s GPA at Westminster.Students may elect to take one course Credit D-F subject to the policystated in the college catalog.Summer School and Correspondence Courses:Students may elect to take courses for transfer credit from other accreditedinstitutions during the summer or by correspondence with theprior approval of their advisors and the chair of the departmentconcerned. Written approval is required and assures that the credit willbe accepted for any course in which the student earns a grade of C orbetter. All Westminster students who attempt course work at anothercollege or university must request, in writing, that official copies of theirtranscripts be sent to the Office of the Registrar at Westminster. Creditsearned elsewhere are entered on the student’s record upon receipt of anofficial transcript, but the grades for transferred courses are not used incomputing the grade point average. While there is no limit on the numberof hours that can be earned in summer school, no more than twelvehours of credit by correspondence may be applied toward a Westminsterdegree.WithdrawalsIn the fall and spring semesters, a student may withdraw from a courseduring the period which begins after the third week of classes and endsfifteen class days after midterm (see the academic calendar for dates).The instructor for the course must submit a grade for the student’s workin the course to the date of withdrawal. On the basis of this grade, eithera WP (Withdrew Passing) or a WF (Withdrew Failing) is recorded on thestudent’s transcript. Neither a WP nor a WF enters into the computationof the student’s grade point average. Students who do not complete theprocedure for withdrawing from a course by the end of the prescribedperiod will receive a regular passing or failing grade at the end of thesemester.If a student withdraws from the College before the census date, he or sheceases to be a Westminster student and must apply and be accepted byadmissions to re-enroll. It is not possible to withdraw from a courseafter the end of the withdrawal period except for military activation ormedical reasons (see Medical Withdrawal Policy below). A student maywithdraw for medical reasons up to two weeks before the beginning offinals week. After this point a student may be eligible to receive incompletegrades (see Incomplete Grades above). Withdrawal for medical reasonsdoes not relieve a student of any financial obligations at theCollege.Medical Withdrawal PolicyThe college understands that certain health circumstances cansignificantly interfere with the ability to be engaged in academic work;when this happens, a method for modifying one’s course load should beavailable that minimizes negative consequences. The MedicalWithdrawal Policy allows students to withdraw from one, a few, or all oftheir courses without an academic penalty, i.e., the grade of “W” will beplaced on the transcript and the student’s grade point average will not beaffected.Who Qualifies?A student must be significantly affected by a health-related problem tothe degree that s/he is unable to successfully engage in academic work.The types of problems that qualify for a medical withdrawal range fromthose affecting one’s ability to ambulate from class to class (e.g., anorthopedic injury) to the emergence of a serious illness (e.g., diabetes) toa mental health concern (e.g., depression). Having one of these challengesdoes not, alone, qualify for this policy since many students areable to manage these health problems and succeed in their courses; however,a medical withdrawal is appropriate when the level of challengeexceeds one’s ability to continue with the present course load.Verification by a Health Care Provider:A health care professional must provide a statement that verifies that asignificant health care problem exists. This verification letter should besent directly to the Dean of Student Life and must include the followinginformation: a) a medical rationale/diagnosis and date initially seen; b)the extent and timing of contact with the student (e.g., family physician,one-time visit, inpatient treatment, six-weeks of counseling); and c) ashort prognosis/treatment recommendation and an estimate offuture/potential missed class days due to treatment/rehabilitation, etc.Extent of Withdrawal:The student may request a withdrawal from all courses, some courses, orjust one course. When a slight reduction in the number of courses providesenough relief for the student to succeed in the remainder ofhis/her courses, the student may withdraw from only a course or two;however, in many cases the health concern is so serious that a withdrawalfrom all courses is appropriate. A partial withdrawal, if feasible, isencouraged in order to preserve any earned credit. The decision torequest a partial or full withdrawal should be made with the consultationof the academic advisor, the health care provider, and a member of theCounseling and Health Services.Notification of Withdrawal and Medical Withdrawal Forms:These forms are available in the Office of Student Life. If you are certainthat you will be withdrawing from all courses, use the Notification ofWithdrawal form which requires the signatures of your advisor, aFinancial Aid Officer, a Business office representative and the Dean ofStudent Life. If you are choosing to withdraw from one or more courses,but not all of your courses, you should submit a Medical Withdrawalform for each class you are leaving. This form requires the signatures ofyour advisor, instructor and the Dean of Student Life. These forms,along with the verification of your health care provider, should bereturned to the Student Life Office. If a student is physically unable toinitiate the process and gain the necessary signatures, they may designatea parent to do so.Factors That Positively InfluenceYour Receiving a Medical Withdrawal1. Early involvement with your academic advisor and/or a staffmember in Counseling and Health Services.2. Direct, clear, and timely documentation by your health careprovider.3. Indications that you were fully engaged in your academicwork prior to illness.If you have questions regarding the medical withdrawal process, youshould contact the Student Life Office or the Director of Counseling andHealth Services.