Last semester the University overhauled its W policy, and some students feel the changes are drastic. A semester later, students begin to feel the effects.
If a student drops a class more than six days after semester classes begin, he or she will receive a “W” on their transcript, which stands for withdrawal.
W grades do not negatively impact a student’s GPA, but the Office of the University Registrar’s Web site says “an excessive number reflects negatively on a student’s record and involves substantial cost by way of tuition, books, room and board and lost opportunities. To graduate in a timely manner, a student should complete at least 15 hours per semester and plan on attending at least one summer term.”
In a report written by Carruth McGehee, math professor, more than 10 percent of grades received by students are Ws. McGehee wrote that this percentage is “much higher than most universities.”
The percentage of Ws directly relates to a slow rate of progress toward graduation, according to McGehee’s report.
“Since a W corresponds to an occupied place in a class, but one which is not really used, the high drop rate is also related to the oft-noted unavailability of classes,” McGehee wrote.
University Registrar Robert Doolos did not respond to phone calls and was unavailable for comment.
Jena Townsley, psychology senior, said she thinks the new policy may have resulted in an effect opposite of what it intended. She thinks the W policy will cause problems for students who generally take an excess of 12 hours. Townsley thinks the inability to drop a class may result in students taking fewer hours per semester and taking longer to graduate.
“Last semester I had to drop a history class because I was not doing well,” she said. Townsley said she needs to withdraw from a class this semester but is unable because of the policy.
“I think it is more beneficial to the University for financial reasons, but it’s a detriment to students and their GPAs,” she said.
Tim Smith, business sophomore, said the W policy is fair.
“If you get yourself behind, you have it coming,” Smith said. “Without it, people would be dropping classes all the time.”
Some students like Peter Hubbs, biological sciences freshman, say the policy isn’t necessary because students should limit their own withdrawals.
“Because I’m going to med school, I was advised not to drop a class anyway,” Hubbs said.
—–Contact Jimmy Garrett [email protected]