Withdrawal | Mission College

Withdrawing from a Class

Students may withdraw from a class(es) through the following procedures and in accordance with deadlines.

Withdrawal Policy

Students may withdraw from a semester length class through the end of
the 2nd week and no notation will be made on the student’s academic record.
In courses of less than a regular semester’s duration, a student may withdraw prior
to the completion of 10 percent of the period of instruction and no notation will be
made on the student’s record. Thereafter, a student may withdraw from a semester-length class, whether passing or failing, at any time through the last day of the twelfth week of instruction and a “W” grade shall be authorized.
In courses of less than a regular semester’s duration, a student may with¬draw prior to the completion of 75 percent of the period of instruction and a “W” grade shall be authorized.
The academic record of a student who remains in class beyond the time
periods set forth above must reflect an authorized symbol other than “W.”
However, after the end of the twelfth week (or after 75 percent of the period of
instruction in courses of less than a regular semester’s duration), withdrawal may
be authorized in the case of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the
student. In such cases, the student must submit a petition in accordance with
established College procedures. Approved withdrawal, under the conditions set
forth, shall be recorded as a “W.”
A student is only allowed to attempt a course three times when they receive
a W, NP, D or F grade. The student will have to visit Admissions & Records to
request the third and final repeat in person during the registration period.
The instructor may assign any student failing to follow the established withdrawal procedures an appropriate letter grade.
Students may request a grade change up to two years after the grade notation has been assigned per WVM Board Policy AP 4230.
Faculty signatures are not required when withdrawing from courses by the published deadlines.
The responsibility for withdrawing from courses by the published deadlines rests with the student.

Excused Withdrawal

Per Title 5, Section 55024 Withdrawal, "Excused Withdrawal" (EW) occurs when a student is permitted to withdraw from a course(s) due to events beyond the control of the student, which affects their ability to complete a course(s). Such events include:

A job transfer outside the geographical region;
An illness in the family where the student is the primary caregiver;
When the student who is incarcerated in a California state prison or county jail is released from custody or involuntarily transferred before the end of the term;
 When the student is the subject of an immigration action, or other extenuating circumstances as described making course completion impracticable.
In the case of an incarcerated student, an excused withdrawal cannot be applied if the failure to complete the course(s) was the result of a student's behavioral violation or if the student requested and was granted a mid-semester transfer.
Upon verification of these conditions and consistent with the district's required documentation substantiating the condition, an excused withdrawal symbol may be assigned at any time after the period established by the governing board during which no notation is made for withdrawals. The withdrawal symbol so assigned shall be an "EW."
Excused withdrawal shall not be counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations.
Excused withdrawal shall not be counted toward the permitted number of withdrawals or counted as an enrollment attempt.
In no case may an excused withdrawal result in a student being assigned an "FW" grade.

While the term is in Effect

EW approval process while the term is in effect:

Student submits the Student Petition form to the Student Petition Committee in Admission and Records (A&R) requesting a withdrawal due to extenuating circumstances (EW).
- Petition should be submitted with the appropriate documentation supporting that COVID-19 was a factor during the term in which the EW being requested.
The Student Petition Committee will review the petition.
A&R staff will contact the student with the decision made by Student Petition Committee’s determination.
- The Committee’s decision is final.
If the petition is approved the student’s record will be updated to reflect an EW as the notation for the course(s) during the term in which the petition was submitted.
If the petition is not approved no change to the student’s record will be made.

After a Final Grade is Assigned

EW approval process after a final grade is assigned:

Student submits the Student Petition Form to the Student Petition Committee in Admission and Records (A&R) requesting a withdrawal due to extenuating circumstances (EW).
- Petition should be submitted with the appropriate documentation supporting that COVID-19 was a factor during the term in which the EW being requested.
The Student Petition Committee will review the petition and make its decision.
Should the Student Petition Committee support the student’s petition for an EW, the Committee will contact the instructor informing them that the student has petitioned for an EW and that the committee supports the request. The instructor will be asked to submit a Grade Change Form approving the removal of the grade assigned to an EW.
- If the instructor agrees to the grade change the student’s record will be updated to reflect the EW for the course(s) the petition was submitted.
- If the instructor disagrees with the grade change, the student’s record will not be updated and the original grade assigned will remain on the student’s record. Students have the option to submit a formal grievance if they believe the decision was unfair or inconsistent: Grievance Form
A&R staff will contact the student with the Student Petition Committee’s determination, and if the grade change was made by instructor or not.
Note: The instructor of record for the course has sole authority for grade changes.