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2022-2023 College Catalog Updates

The following updates/corrections have been made to the 2022-2023 Catalog after publication. Anything appearing supercedes language in the published catalog.

 

Withdrawals (Page 50)

(Approved by Provost February 22, 2023)

The following language has been removed from the policy on withdrawals, on page 50, effectively removing the 3 withdrawal limit that existed previously.

A student may only have three total withdrawals during their Washington College career. Course withdrawals that take place in a semester where the student still completes at least 16 credit hours will not count toward this limit. After reaching three withdrawals, the Registrar’s Office will not process any future withdrawal request and will notify the student and their faculty advisor that the student must continue to attend the course and will earn a final grade based on their completed coursework at the end of the semester.

Incompletes (Pages 59-60)

(Approved by Provost February 22, 2023)

The following language replaces the policies related to incompletes on pages 59-60. 

If a student is prevented from completing any required coursework throughout the semester for medical reasons (as confirmed by the College’s Health Services) or some other valid and compelling circumstance, the instructor may assign the temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) to the assignment or examination. For medical or other valid circumstances that occur at the end of a semester or near the final grading period, and which prevent the student from completing work, submission of a final course grade of “I” by the instructor should denote an agreed-upon extension of time period (no later than the two weeks prior to the start of classes in the subsequent semester), in which the student may still complete and submit the work of the course to substantiate a final grade in the course. The terms of the agreement between student and faculty shall be recorded using the Incomplete Form available on the Registrar’s website. Notice of necessary absence from a final examination must be given by the student to the Dean for Student Achievement and Success, the Registrar and to the instructor of the course before the scheduled time of the examination if possible.

Under no circumstances should a student be given an Incomplete as a substitute for failure, whether for an assignment, examination, or final grade. When a student fails to complete the work of a course on time without documented medical or other valid circumstances, the instructor should award a final grade consistent with their grading policies.

Students who receive a temporary Incomplete grade in a course should remain in contact with the instructor(s) of the course(s) for which they have an Incomplete and must submit the work of the course by the deadline established by the instructor, but no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of the subsequent semester from when the grade of Incomplete was recorded. If students do not finish the work of the course, the Incomplete grade is automatically changed to the pre-determined grade recorded on the Incomplete Contract after this deadline. Extenuating circumstances (long illness, for example) may make it necessary to grant an extension of the Incomplete. The student should consult with the instructor and the Dean for Student Achievement and Success, who notifies the Registrar if an extension should be granted.

Faculty may assign a grade of Incomplete to a student taking an SCE, subject to the same policy outlined above. As with all Incomplete grades, if the student has not completed the SCE coursework by the deadline established by the SCE advisor, the student’s Incomplete grade will become a failing grade. When a student’s Incomplete SCE grade converts to an “F” in this manner, the Registrar’s Office will make an exception to the normal Drop/Add deadline for that student to register in a repeat attempt at the SCE course no later than Friday of the fourth week of classes. The fee for that SCE is listed in the Fees and Expenses chapter of the Catalog.

Delayed Graduation

Approved by Provost on 02/02/2023

A student who is eligible to graduate but who wishes to extend their studies to complete a second major or a minor must apply for Provost approval before April 15 (for spring graduates) or November 15 (for fall graduates) to delay graduation. The student must need fewer than 32 credits to complete the second major or minor and must anticipate completion within one academic year. The student’s academic advisor(s) must endorse the student’s request and plan. The student may choose to walk with their original cohort at Commencement, but formal graduation will be deferred to the next graduation cycle after completion of degree requirements. If the student fails to complete the second major or minor within one year, then the student will be considered graduated with one major after one year. The opportunity to delay graduation also extends to teacher certifications, as well as any other academic credential that is within 32 credits of completion. Students should be aware of the Financial Aid implications of their decision and must seek guidance from the Financial Aid Office. In general, students who have already completed all the requirements for a major are no longer eligible for Federal Student Aid; students who have completed 8 semesters at WC are no longer eligible for institutional aid.

Walking at Commencement for Near-Completers

Approved by Provost on 10/08/2022

A student who wishes to participate in the commencement ceremony but has not completed all credits or requirements, must apply for Provost approval. Only students who are within 8 credits of completion are eligible. Applications must be received no later than 24 hours after the submission of final grades to be considered for spring commencement. Formal graduation and the receipt of diploma will occur after all degree requirements are met.

COVID Era Exception to the total number of credit hours for graduation (page 29)

Approved by faculty 5/2021

Due to the disruptions to student educational progress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, students who earn transfer credit in courses worth three credit hours at another institution during the nationwide emergency as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are eligible to graduate with only 126 or 127 credit hours upon approval by the Office of Student Records and Registration.

Leave of Absence (page 66)

Approved by faculty 12/2021

Leave of Absence
Students may take a temporary leave of absence from the College during the semester when medical or personal emergency circumstances require that they be away from campus and/or unable to participate in classes for more than five days.

1) Medical Leave of Absence – typically granted when a student needs to be off campus and/or unable to participate in classes for more than five consecutive days in order to deal with a significant medical condition.

A. The student must consult with Health Services or Counseling Services about the problem that necessitates the leave.

B. Health or Counseling Services (H&C) will recommend whether a student qualifies for a medical leave.

i. If the leave is approved by the Provost’s Office H&C will advise the student, the Provost’s Office and the Office of Student Affairs about the requirements for the student’s return to campus.

ii. The Provost's Office maintains the approved leave documentation and communicates its details to Student Affairs, the student's faculty members, and the student’s advisor(s).

iii. A student on a medical leave of absence may not return to classes, reside on campus, participate in student social life or other campus activities or use Washington College facilities, until Health or Counseling Services has approved their return.

iv. The student is still expected to contact their professors as soon as possible to discuss making up missed work aligned with professors' course policies as articulated in their syllabi. When discussing missing work and deadlines, faculty members should make a good-faith effort to allow students to reasonably make up work whenever possible or complete alternative assignments.

C. Illnesses or other health problems that require less than five consecutive days off campus/away from classes do not qualify as a medical leave of absence and in those cases, the student is expected to notify their faculty members that they will be missing class and to discuss making up missed work.

 

2. Other Leaves of Absence – leaves for other than medical reasons, i.e., personal emergency circumstances or bereavement.

a. The student must contact the Provost’s Office to discuss the leave request.

i. If approved, the Provost’s Office will advise the student and the Office of Student Affairs about the student’s leave and will advise all parties about when the student is expected to return to campus and classes.

ii. The Provost's Office maintains the approved leave documentation and communicates its details to Student Affairs, the student's faculty members, and the student’s advisor(s).

iii. The student is still expected to contact their professors as soon as possible to discuss making up missed work aligned with professors' course policies as articulated in their syllabi. When discussing missing work and deadlines, faculty members should make a good-faith effort to allow students to reasonably make up work whenever possible or complete alternative assignments.

 

3) Title IX-Related Absence – An absence as a result of a Title IX supportive measure or to participate in a Title IX investigation or hearing.

a. If a student must be absent from class as a result of involvement in a Title IX case, this will be confirmed by the Title IX Coordinator and then sent to the Provost’s Office, who will notify faculty about the student’s absence.

b. As with other absences, the student involved should also contact their professors to discuss making up any missed work aligned with the professors’ course policies.

 

4) A leave of absence is usually granted for up to two weeks (14 calendar days). If Health and Counseling has not recommended to the Provost’s Office that the student return by 14 days OR if the student requests an extension of the leave of absence OR if the student requests an additional leave at another time during the semester, the Provost’s Office reviews the student’s situation, consulting with Health Services or Counseling Services when appropriate, to determine whether the student’s leave should be extended or an additional leave approved. Depending upon the situation, students who are not ready to return after 14 days may be advised to withdraw from the College for that semester. In these cases, the withdrawal is retroactive to the last day the student attended classes and is indicated on the student’s transcript by grades of “W” in all courses in which the student was enrolled that semester.

5) If a student is not in good social or academic standing when they take a leave of absence or withdraw for any reason, their reinstatement of enrollment or readmission may be conditional, pending the resolution of any alleged academic or social violations of the Honor Code.

Summer Academic Program 

Maximum Enrollment (Page 76)

Originally Published Policy

Students may take a maximum of three courses (12 credits) in the summer program each year and a maximum of 8 credits in one module. Students on Academic Probation or Continued Probation may take a maximum of 4 credits in each module (8 credits total).

 

Updated Policy

Approved 10/10/2022

Students may take a maximum of two courses (8 credits) in the summer program each year and a maximum of 4 credits in one module. Students seeking an exception to this policy may petition the Dean of Academic Achievement and Success.