Withdrawing from the University

Students may voluntarily withdraw from the University up to and including the last day of classes in a semester as indicated by the academic calendar.

The date of withdrawal is generally defined as the date the student signs a withdrawal form in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (LC 30). For students seeking to withdraw due to medical/ psychological reasons, the date of withdrawal will be set by the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, in consultation with the University Health Center or University Counseling Center, as appropriate.

Drops will be done for each currently registered course reflecting the withdrawal date. After the last day of classes, the appropriate academic grade will be assigned by the instructor for each registered course, regardless of class attendance. Academic retention standards will be applied.

Withdrawals from the University due to medical/ psychological reasons must be recommended by the University Health Center or University Counseling Center upon review of documentation supplied by a licensed health care practitioner or treatment facility. In order for action to be taken on an application for readmission submitted by a student who withdrew for medical/psychological reasons, clearance must be granted by the University Health Center or University Counseling Center.

Policies Concerning Withdrawal from the University

b. Students who voluntarily leave the University with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above may automatically return within six semesters from the date of withdrawal.

c. Students who voluntarily leave the University with a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.00 will be withdrawn effective with the date they initiate their withdrawal.

d. A student with a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 who withdraws from the University more than 15 class days after the mid-point of the semester is not eligible for readmission for the following semester. Should the student wish to petition for readmission for the next term, the petition must be submitted to the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education no later than the last day of finals as published in the Academic Calendar for the semester in which the withdrawal was initiated. (See Academic Calendar.)

e. Grade assignment will be based on the following: If the withdrawal drops occur by the last date to drop without receiving W’s, no grade will be recorded. If the withdrawal drops occur after that date, a grade of W will be assigned for each currently registered course through the last day of classes for the semester. After the last day of classes, the appropriate academic grade will be assigned by the instructor for each registered course, regardless of class attendance. Academic retention standards will be applied.

f. Retroactive withdrawal/drop dates normally will not be granted. Requests for exceptions will be considered by the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (LC 30) only for extraordinary, fully documented circumstances.

g. A student who registers and receives grades of “Z” for all course work for the semester will incur full financial liability.

h. Withdrawals from the University due to medical reasons, active military duty and disciplinary suspensions or disciplinary dismissals must be administered by the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (LC 30)

i. A student eligible for an automatic return who fails to register after a period of six semesters will be administratively withdrawn by the University. Such action will require submission of a readmission application should the student wish to return at a future time.

Questions regarding financial obligations or refunds as a result of leaving the University should be directed to the Office of Student Accounts in CC 26 or by calling (518-442-3202). Students living in residence halls who find it necessary to leave the University must contact the Office of Residential Life in State Quad, or call (518-442-5875).

---

Return/Readmission Procedure

Formerly matriculated undergraduates who left the University with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 may automatically return within six semesters from the date of withdrawal.

Students who were academically dismissed or whose University at Albany cumulative grade point average is less than a 2.00 must petition the Committee on Academic Standing as part of the readmission process. Applications for readmission as well as petition forms are available from the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduates Education, LC 30 (518-442-5821).

The appropriate subcommittee of the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing will make a recommendation concerning the readmission of any student who was dismissed for academic reasons and/or whose cumulative grade point average at the University is less than 2.00. The admitting officer of the University may find it necessary to deny readmission to a student for whom there has been a positive recommendation, but the admitting officer of the University shall not readmit any student contrary to the recommendation of the subcommittee of the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing.

Readmission is based upon the student’s prior academic record as well as recommendations from other involved offices.

Returning students who left on academic probation, terminal probation, or who were on special conditions at the time of withdrawal will return to the University under the same academic probationary conditions.

Students who resume study within a six semester period of time will meet degree requirements indicated in the Undergraduate Bulletin in effect for their initial matriculation. Students with a cumulative total of more than six semesters of absence, whether or not those semesters are consecutive, will have the appropriate bulletin year determined by the Committee for Academic Standing.

Students with previous holds or obligations to the University should take measures to clear these obligations as soon as possible.

Returning students who have not been dismissed and who left the University with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better must return to the same major being pursued at the time of withdrawal, unless a change of major is initiated.

Formerly matriculated undergraduates who have not yet completed a Baccalaureate degree may only return to the University as matriculated undergraduates. Any requests for exception to this policy will be considered by the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.