Students may have to start thinking twice before dropping a class months into a semester.

A new policy, implemented at Sacramento State this fall, limits undergraduate students to 18 units worth of withdrawals during their academic careers. The university did not previously count Ws, which are given to students who drop a class between the fifth and 12th weeks of a semester.

“It will prevent scarce seats in classes from being taken by people who play a game of signing up for classes then withdrawing in the 12th week if they aren’t doing well, thereby denying the seat to someone who could really use it,” said Communication Studies Department Chair Nick Burnett.

The new rule, plus others involving repeating classes and incomplete grades, was part of a 2008 policy change called Executive Order 1037, made by California State University Chancellor Charles Reed.

Sac State has since been working out how to implement the changes locally, said Sheree Meyer, associate dean for undergraduate studies.

Students can no longer repeat a class for which they currently have an incomplete grade on their record, the new policy states. However, incomplete grades lapse from a student’s record after one year, at which time students can take the class again. They can also petition to have the “I” removed soonerStudents may have to start thinking twice before dropping a class months into a semester.

A new policy, implemented at Sacramento State this fall, limits undergraduate students to 18 units worth of withdrawals during their academic careers. The university did not previously count Ws, which are given to students who drop a class between the fifth and 12th weeks of a semester.

“It will prevent scarce seats in classes from being taken by people who play a game of signing up for classes then withdrawing in the 12th week if they aren’t doing well, thereby denying the seat to someone who could really use it,” said Communication Studies Department Chair Nick Burnett.

The new rule, plus others involving repeating classes and incomplete grades, was part of a 2008 policy change called Executive Order 1037, made by California State University Chancellor Charles Reed.

Sac State has since been working out how to implement the changes locally, said Sheree Meyer, associate dean for undergraduate studies.

Students can no longer repeat a class for which they currently have an incomplete grade on their record, the new policy states. However, incomplete grades lapse from a student’s record after one year, at which time students can take the class again. They can also petition to have the “I” removed sooner so they can retake the class, Meyer said.

The policies were created mostly to keep students on track to graduate, Meyer said.

“The more incompletes, withdrawals and courses you repeat &- that adds time to your degree,” Meyer said.

Also under the new rules, students cannot repeat a class for which they have received a C or better, except by filing a petition. Previously, students were allowed to repeat in such cases without a petition.

The new rule does not apply to classes that typically allow students to repeat for credit.

“We’re not saying you can’t take that internship a second time for credit. This is for courses that have only been approved for one completion,” Meyer said.

In addition, there is now a 28-unit maximum on grade forgiveness and grade averaging. Grade forgiveness allows a student to retake a class and apply the higher grade to his or her grade point average. Grade averaging takes an average of both grades earned.

The rules for withdrawing classes are still the same: Students can drop before the fifth week of the semester without a mark on their transcripts. A drop after the 12th week can be approved for compelling reasons like severe illness, Meyer said.

“If a student accumulates 18 units worth of Ws and tries to drop another class, the request is denied and the student receives a grade,” said Associate Registrar Kris Trigales.

Withdrawals that occurred before this semester do not count toward the 18-unit maximum, Trigales said. Withdrawals from another school also do not count.

The real difference in the policy is now the school is counting withdrawals and repeats, Meyer said.

While agreeing the policy seemed more restrictive, Meyer said she hoped it would lead students to make better decisions.

“Sometimes students drop at a late date, and it might not be for the worst of reasons, it might not be for the best either.” Meyer said. “Limiting the amount of withdrawals makes students more aware. The idea genuinely is to ensure faculty and students are using these options appropriately and consistently.”

Ken Paglia can be reached at [email protected].

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW POLICY ON INCOMPLETE GRADES AND WITHDRAWALS?

“For students who are taking a lot of time deciding what to do in college, it’s probably an inconvenience. But if it comes to dropping more than six classes, the student should decide what his or her priorities are. If students are dropping to a point where it delays graduation, then the policy makes sense.”

– Lee Chi, junior engineering major

“I don’t think it’s necessary to have Ws. If you want to drop a class you should do it by the second week.”

– Linda Vang, first year undeclared

“It would weed out all the flaky people, and probably help them form better habits. It’s not extended high school here. College is a privilege, not something you can slouch off,”

– Josh Robichaud, Junior and health science major

“They (students) will have to consider dropping earlier or just sticking it through.”

– Yshmael Espinosa, junior health science major.

“Obviously if you can’t get your stuff together in your first couple withdrawals then there’s something going on. I was getting down to the wire and didn’t have time for other classes. But if you keep signing up for 14 units and then have to drop, you’re not learning from your mistakes.”

– Carolyn Norris, junior kinesiology major