Effective Date: June 14, 2024
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: University Registrar, registrar@mercer.edu, 478-301-2680
Dean of Students/Vice President of Student Affairs, 478-301-2685
Purpose
This policy outlines schedule changes, course withdrawal, and term withdrawal at Mercer University.
Scope
This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff at Mercer University.
Exclusions
None
Policy Statement
- General Information
Non-attendance or ceasing to attend a course(s) does not constitute an official schedule change, course withdrawal, or term withdrawal. Failure to officially withdraw will result in academic and financial penalties.
A student who withdraws from a course or from the University when a disciplinary action or honor code violation is pending is not necessarily exempt from a sanction and the final outcome may disqualify the student from receiving a refund.
Schedule Changes
Course changes (dropping and/or adding) may be made during the drop/add period as published in the schedule of classes. Students wishing to change courses must consult a professor in their major or an advisor regarding the contemplated change. The written permission of any professors concerned, the faculty advisor, and of the registrar may be required.
- Course Withdrawal
A student may withdraw from a course up to the end of the ninth week of the semester, receiving the grade of W; the withdrawal must be formally declared in the Office of the Registrar by the announced deadline. A student who withdraws after the deadline will receive a WF, except in extreme personal circumstances and with appropriate documentation. Please note that financial aid could be reduced upon withdrawal from a course.
- Term Withdrawal
Term withdrawal from the University occurs when a student officially withdraws from all courses in which s/he is enrolled at any time after the end of the drop/add deadline for a given semester. The effective date of withdrawal is the date the withdrawal form is received by the Office of the Registrar. Grades of W will be recorded for all the student’s courses when s/he officially withdraws before the end of the ninth week of the semester (the point at which the semester is two-thirds over). In order to receive grades of W, a student must complete the Term Withdrawal Form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar by the announced deadline. A student who withdraws after the deadline must complete the form for official withdrawal, but grades of WF will be recorded for his/her classes. In extreme personal circumstances and with appropriate documentation, a student may appeal to the associate dean of his/her college to have grades of W awarded when officially withdrawing after the deadline.
- Administrative or Medical Term Withdrawals
Medical or psychological situations may arise that jeopardize a student’s ability to continue enrollment at Mercer University. In such instances the student may request to be administratively withdrawn from the University. This request should be directed to the appropriate Student Affairs designee for the student’s campus and/or program. The Student Affairs designee will make a judgment about the need for an administrative medical withdrawal, and once properly evaluated and approved, will implement the appropriate procedures for the withdrawal. Each course in which the student was enrolled will be assigned the grade of W. Appropriate medical documentation may be required to evaluate a request for withdrawal.
Once a student has been administratively withdrawn from the University, he or she must present clear evidence of the remediation of the difficulties before he or she may be granted readmission to the University in any program. This evidence may include documentation from an appropriate physical or mental health professional about the treatment the student has received.
Absent exceptional circumstances documented by the Student Affairs Designee, all requests for withdrawals beginning the last week of classes through the end of the semester must be processed by the Appeals Committees chaired by the Director of the Office of the Bursar.
Additional Resources
- Contact the Financial Aid Office before you officially withdraw from a course or term.
Website: https://financialaid.mercer.edu/
Email Address: financialplanning@mercer.edu
478-301-2670
- Office of the Bursar: https://bursar.mercer.edu/
- <add link to Tuition Refund Policy>