Registration Policies

The following scholarship standards apply to each academic division of Western Washington University, except Fairhaven College. Students should note that transfer between academic divisions is restricted in cases of low scholarship

Low- and high-scholarship standings are not changed as a result of the removal of incomplete (K) grades and late grades received in correspondence courses.

Good Academic Standing
A student is in good academic standing if s/he has a cumulative grade point average that is not below 2.00.

High Scholarship (Graduation Honors)
Graduation cum laude or magna cum laude is possible from those divisions of Western Washington University which employ the A-F grading system: College of Business and Economics, College of Fine and Performing Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment, College of Sciences and Technology, and Woodring College of Education. Fairhaven College, which employs a different grading system, may develop alternate ways to honor outstanding graduates, subject to approval of the Academic Coordinating Commission.

The Graduate School does not confer graduation honors on graduate students although some graduate programs recognize meritorious graduate students.

To be eligible for cum laude or magna cum laude status upon graduation, the student must have earned at least 90 credits from Western Washington University, at least 65 of which must be for courses completed under the A-F grading system while in junior or senior standing. Only students who earn a first bachelor’s degree are eligible for graduation honors.

Within each division which awards cum laude or magna cum laude status upon graduation, the determining factor in granting such distinction shall be based on the honors grade average. The honors grade average is computed using only the grades earned at Western Washington University after the quarter in which the student attains junior standing, but excluding grades in courses subsequently repeated and excluding all grades earned prior to approval of a “fresh start” grading average.

Magna cum laude shall be awarded to each student whose honors grade average places him or her at the 97th percentile or higher among graduating seniors during the previous academic year. Cum laude shall be awarded to each student whose honors grade average places him or her from the 92nd through 96th percentiles among graduating seniors during the previous academic year.

To receive honors recognition at Western's commencement exercises, it is necessary for a student to have qualified for honors by the end of the quarter prior to graduation.

Quarterly President's List
Each undergraduate student whose quarterly grade average places him or her at the 90th percentile or higher among students of the same class (freshman, sophomore, et cetera) shall be placed on the President's List. The term "honor roll" shall be affixed to the student's permanent academic record for that quarter. To be eligible for the quarterly President's List, a student must be enrolled officially in a division of Western Washington University which employs the A-F grading system and must complete at least 14 credits that quarter on the A-F grading system.

Low Scholarship
The University has set the standards described below to ensure that students who are earning poor grades will examine their objectives carefully before continuing enrollment. In some cases, students will be dropped from the University. The standards are designed to ensure that a student will examine their objectives and seek assistance before grades deteriorate to the point that continued enrollment or admission to another college or university becomes impossible. In all cases involving poor scholarship, students are encouraged to consult with the Academic Advising Center, their instructors, or major advisor.

The low scholarship categories below apply to all divisions of Western Washington University except Fairhaven. (See the Fairhaven College section for that division’s scholarship standards.) Students dropped from one college division may not transfer to another college division without reinstatement by the Scholastic Standing Committee. These standards apply to students enrolled in self-supporting courses.

Academic Warning
A warning is issued to a first-quarter freshman or a first-quarter transfer student (who has not previously attended Western) whose grade average is below 2.00 and to any continuing student whose quarterly grade average is below 2.00 but whose cumulative grade average is 2.00 or higher.

Academic Probation
Any student except a first-quarter freshman or first-quarter transfer student (who has not previously attended Western) whose cumulative grade average falls below a 2.00 is placed on academic probation. A student who begins the quarter on probation must earn at least a quarterly grade average of 2.00 to avoid academic dismissal (see below).

Continuing Probation
A student who begins a quarter on probation and, during that quarter, earns a grade average of 2.00 or higher without raising his or her cumulative grade average to at least 2.00 is placed on continuing probation. The student must then improve his or her cumulative grade average to at least 2.00 or attain at least a 2.30 quarterly average during the next quarter of enrollment.

Students on probation or continuing probation who repeatedly withdraw or register for Pass/No Pass or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory courses may have their registration privileges revoked.

Academic Dismissal
A student will be dropped from the University if he or she a) begins a quarter on probation and earns a quarterly grade average below 2.00 or b) begins a quarter on continuing probation and fails to raise his or her cumulative grade average to at least 2.00 or, alternatively, fails to attain at least a 2.30 quarterly average.

Under unusual circumstances involving consistent patterns of course withdrawal or course repeats, a student whose cumulative grade average is 2.00 or higher may be dismissed from the University. The provost may authorize dismissal in these unusual cases after reviewing records presented by the registrar.

A student who has been dismissed for low scholarship may not petition for immediate reinstatement and may not enroll in Western courses except through Summer Session and the Independent Learning Office. Course work through these programs does not guarantee future reinstatement as a degree candidate.

Removal from Probation
This occurs at the end of a quarter during which a student has improved his or her cumulative grade average to 2.00 or higher.

Reinstatement
Students who have been dismissed for low scholarship can seek reinstatement (but not for the quarter immediately following the quarter of dismissal). Responsibility for reinstatement to the University rests with the Scholastic Standing Committee. Petitions for reinstatement and information on the procedure are available in the Academic Advising Center, Old Main 380.

Factors considered in determining reinstatement may include measures of academic aptitude, lapse of time since dismissal, change of major goals, nature of academic or other experience since dismissal or extenuating circumstances.

There are two options for seeking reinstatement. One is a review and decision by the Scholastic Standing Committee. The other is guaranteed reinstatement through the Scholastic Standing Committee by achieving all of the following:

• since dismissal, earning 3.3 cumulative GPA in all course work taken, and
• completing four classes toward a bachelor’s degree, and
• completing a minimum of 15 credits.

Petitions are due in the Academic Advising Center on April 6 for summer quarter or for summer continuing to fall quarter, July 6 for fall quarter, October 6 for winter quarter and January 6 for spring quarter.

Students are responsible for keeping their address(es) current. Address changes may be made via the Web4U Address Change Form. Address changes cannot be made over the telephone.

The maximum credit granted for Advanced Placement and Course Challenges is 45 total credits. A regularly enrolled full-fee-paying student may apply to challenge any course covering knowledge or materials with which the student has acquired a demonstrable level of familiarity or understanding from prior experience (except conferences, special projects and physical education activities courses). If achievement commensurate with the expectations of a given course is demonstrated, the student receives credit for the course. See the online University Catalog for a complete list of the regulations.

Auditors are persons who desire to attend courses without earning credit. Admission as an auditor requires prior approval of the instructor and the Registrar’s Office. Since auditors are not active participants, certain courses may not be audited: those include, but are not limited to physical education activities, laboratory courses, studio courses, independent study courses, modern language courses, courses not taught in a group setting, and any other course the Registrar deems ineligible. Auditing a course cannot be used toward successful completion of academic credit.

Auditors are not allowed to register until the first day of the quarter, and the limit of the course must not have reached the maximum. Changes to or from audit cannot be made after the first week of the quarter.

Students enrolled for 10 or more non-audited credits may audit a course without an additional charge. Students enrolled for less than 10 credits will be charged $10 per credit to audit a course. Students approved to register for an audit are responsible for paying any course fees attached to the course. Students enrolled in off-campus, self-supporting programs, who choose to audit are required to pay the full amount of tuition and fees.

The Registrar’s Office grants course registration privileges on a space-available basis, for one term at a time, to non matriculated applicants, Washington state employees, WWU staff, and residents over 60 years of age who are eligible for tuition reduction. Special students and non matriculated students must submit a Special Student Enrollment Form to the Registrar’s Office each quarter.

See the Campus Map for a list of buildings and their abbreviations.

Course attendance normally is required by the instructor. Any student who fails to attend the first meeting of a course may be required to drop it if another student, previously unable to register for the course due to enrollment limitations, seeks admission.

A student absent from any exam or class activity through sickness or other cause judged by the instructor to be unavoidable shall be given an opportunity to take a rescheduled exam or make up the class assignment in a timely manner agreed upon by the instructor (see Leaves of Absence). Examples of unavoidable cause may include participation in University-sponsored activities such as debating contests, musical or theatrical performances, or intercollegiate athletic competition.

University policy does not allow a student to attend a class without formally being registered for it. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she is properly registered for each course.

Completed Credits

• Freshman 0 - 44
• Sophomore 45 - 89
• Junior 90 - 134
• Senior 135 or more

Students registering in certain courses are charged additional fees for purchase of special laboratory and studio supplies and for special services such as music practice room rentals. These fees are listed with each course in the online Timetable of Classes.

Courses numbered from 100 to 299 are classified as lower division; those numbered from 300-499 as upper division. Generally, the first digit of a course number indicates its intended class level:

• 100-199 first-year courses
• 200-299 second-year courses
• 300-399 third-year courses
• 400-499 fourth-year courses
• 500-599 open only to graduate students
• 600-699 post-master degree courses

Only courses numbered 100 or above appear on the official transcript. Except in unusual circumstances, students are not permitted to take courses more than one year above their class standing.

Except in unusual circumstances, students are not permitted to take courses more than one year above their class standing. The numbers 197, 297, 397, 497 and 597 are used for courses generally offered only once. The numbers 137, 237, 337, 437, 537 are reserved for International Studies (2-15). These courses are offered through the WWU International Studies program or through colleges. Contact the Office of International Programs and Exchanges, College Hall 104, for information. Repeatable with different subject matter. The number 117 is reserved for First Year Experience (FYE) courses.

The numbers 217(a-l) and 317(a-l) are reserved for Special Topics (1-6). Topics vary. Repeatable with different subjects. The numbers 217(m-z) and 317(m-z) are reserved for Special Topics (1-6) in extension programs. Topics vary. Repeatable with different subjects. The numbers 417, 517 are reserved for Senior Seminar or Special Topics (1-6). Topics vary. Repeatable with different subjects. The numbers 445, 545 are reserved for Current Trends (1-6). Topics vary. Repeatable with different subjects.

The numbers 300, 400, 500 are reserved to designate Directed Independent Study (1-15), enabling students to pursue, on an individual basis, topics not covered by the curriculum. The number 699, continuous enrollment, is reserved for master’s degree students in their final quarter who have registered for all their course work. Contact the Graduate School for further information. Details regarding titles, prerequisites, number of credits and grading for specific courses can be found in the online Timetable of Classes, or the Summer Bulletin.

In some cases, a new course may be offered in the Summer Session prior to appearing in the University Catalog. Such a course would be described in the Summer Bulletin on the web. Any undergraduate student wishing to enroll in a course numbered 500 or higher must obtain the written approval of the dean of the Graduate School. (See the Graduate School section of the University Catalog.) Courses listed in the University Catalog constitute a record of the total academic program of the University. Except for unforeseen scheduling and personnel circumstances, it is expected that each course will be offered during the period of the catalog. For an exact scheduling of courses at Western, students should consult the annual online Timetable of Classes or the online Summer Bulletin.

Indicate CRNs on all registration forms (e.g. 13002). All Fall Quarter CRNs begin with a 4, Winter Quarter CRNs begin with a 1, Spring Quarter CRNs begin with a 2 and Summer Quarter CRNs begin with a 3.

A few courses are approved to be repeated for credit. Such approval is included with the course description in the WWU University Catalog. If a course not designated as repeatable for credit is retaken, the following will apply:

1. Credit will be awarded only once for a repeated course.
2. All grades earned will be considered in calculation of the cumulative grade average and all grades remain on the record. The grade assigned for the final time the course is taken will nullify any previous credit earned, e.g. a failing grade assigned subsequent to earning a passing grade in a repeated course will nullify the credit earned initially with the passing grade.
3. Students wishing to repeat a class in which they already received a P, S, or C- or better grade may not register for the class until Phase III of registration, except in the case of students needing to retake English composition for admission to teacher education. The repeat registration for English composition prior to Phase III requires the written permission of the chair of the department.

The student who registers to repeat a course should file a 'Course Repeat Card' with the Registrar's Office. Unless this card is filed, the repeat may not be detected until the graduation evaluation, at which time cumulative credits will be reduced.

Master's degree students are not permitted to repeat courses.

Credit hours are assigned to a class based on the amount and type of work expected from a typical student in class. Credit is awarded for courses only in the quarter in which the student is registered for the classes and completing the work.

Classes will be assigned one credit for each hour per week of classroom discussion or lecture, and one credit for every two hours per week of laboratory or practice/rehearsal involving some preparation or reporting.

Classes using different formats for at least part of the course will be assigned credit for amounts and types of work equivalent to those described above. When such a component is proposed, the type and amount of work involved must be described in detail. In particular, the activity for which credit is assigned must be structured and occur at regular or periodic intervals throughout the course, and faculty must supervise and evaluate students’ work in this activity.

Since each hour in a course requires at least two additional hours of study, and since students usually register for several courses, Western has established the following credit load policies for undergraduate students:

1. The standard load per quarter for undergraduates is 15 credits. In order to graduate in four years, students must average 15 credits per quarter. NOTE: some majors require more than four years of study.
2. During the first quarter of residence, a load must not exceed 17 credits; before registering for more than 15 credits, students should consult with their advisors
3. After the first quarter of residence, the maximum allowable load is 20 credits per quarter; students are limited to 17 credits during Phase I of registration.
4. An employed student is expected to reduce his or her academic program and credit load accordingly.

It is recommended that no more than 10 credits of directed independent study be applied toward the degree, although some programs are more restrictive. A graduate student registering for a 500 or 400 independent study course used for the degree develops a contract (online form) with the instructor, which is then reviewed and approved by the graduate program advisor, department chair and the Graduate School. Independent study credit normally will not be given when the student is paid for engaging in the work described on the contract (e.g., internship, work-study projects, graduate assistantships).

Undergraduate students see the instructor to obtain the Directed Independent Study Permit. Obtain all required signatures, then go in person to the Registrar’s Office, Old Main 230, to have the permit processed. TO DROP A DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSE, YOU MUST GO IN PERSON TO THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE.

Fairhaven Students:

• See Fairhaven College Independent Study Guideline handout.
• Seek preliminary faculty advisement.
• Complete proposal form and submit to faculty sponsor.
• Register for the independent study course online within the first six days of the quarter.

Graduate students requiring an independent study course need to complete the online form, Independent Study Contract and Registration Approval Form, and submit it online to the professor and then to the Graduate Office for approval.

The University publishes an annual student directory, showing your name and local phone number. You may elect to have this information omitted by completing a Request for Confidential Status of Directory Information form in the Registrar’s Office, Old Main 230. If this option is chosen, NO information will be released about you, including degrees and awards earned.

Students with documented disabilities who have academic accommodation needs, must initiate a request for services through the disAbility Resources for Students office, Old Main 110, Voice: (360) 650-3083 TTY: (360) 650-3725.

180 credits are the minimum number of credits required to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University. Many majors require more than the minimum of 180 credits. In order to graduate in four years, a student should plan to enroll in an average of 15 credits each quarter. Undergraduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits in order to be considered full-time (e.g., eligibility for financial assistance, full-time veterans’ benefits, participation in intercollegiate athletics, etc.) Graduate students, officially admitted to the Graduate School must be enrolled in a minimum of 8 credits for financial aid purposes and veterans’ benefits. Students are advised to check carefully to determine that they meet the definition of “fulltime enrollment” for the program in which they are participating.

The following table illustrates the minimum number of credits to be considered full time, three-quarter, or half time each quarter.

	Undergraduate	Graduate
Full time: for financial aid eligibility, veteran’s benefits, athletic eligibility, enrollment verification to outside agencies	12 credits	8 credits
Three-quarter time: for financial aid eligibility, veterans' benefits	9 credits	6 credits
Half time: for financial aid eligibility, loan deferments, enrollment verification to outside agencies	6 credits	4 credits

Full fees are assessed to all students enrolled in 10 credits or more. Students enrolled in at least 10 credits are eligible to live in on-campus housing, hold Associated Student office and obtain on-campus student employment.

The Student Health Center is available to all students enrolled in 6 or more credits on WWU’s Bellingham campus. Students registered for 3 to 5 credits have the option of paying the counseling, health and wellness fee to use the services during a quarter. Former students, students on leave, dependents of students, faculty and staff of WWU, and Whatcom Community College students living on WWU’s campus are not eligible for these services.

Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 8 credits to be eligible for graduate teaching assistantships (TAs). If a graduate student has completed all the course work listed on the approved plan of study with the exception of the thesis (690) or research (691), the graduate student may remain eligible for the TA appointment by enrolling for as few as 2 credits (with prior approval from the Graduate School). Other graduate students who have completed all the course work listed on the approved plan of study with the exception of the thesis (690) or research (691) should consult with the Graduate School regarding the minimum credit requirements.

This table above applies to fall, winter and spring quarters only. Enrollment status and requirements for summer may differ. Please consult the appropriate program office.

Western requires all students born after January 1, 1957 to provide medical documentation of immunity to rubeola measles to the Student Health Center before they will be allowed to register for classes or live in on-campus housing. See the Student Health Center website for complete details.

By registering, a student incurs a legal debt to the University and can be released from that obligation only by formally withdrawing within the full-refund period. The $250 enrollment fee is never refundable. Tuition and fees and housing payments are due the first day of the quarter. Charges incurred on or after the statement date are due immediately. After the third Friday of each quarter a fee of $40 will be assessed each month there is a balance on the student’s account. Tuition due dates are posted on the Registrar’s Office and Student Account's websites. A one percent interest charge will be assessed monthly on all past due accounts.

If a course is restricted and requires permission, students may request an override clearance from the instructor or department office. Override restrictions are designated with an OV in the restriction column in the online Timetable or in Classfinder. Once the override clearance has been issued by the instructor or department, it is necessary for the student to register for the class.

Students may choose the Pass/No Pass grading option in certain elective courses. The minimum level of performance required to receive a grade of P varies from course to course and is determined by each instructor or department. Students should not assume that performance equal to a grade of D or higher will result in a passing mark. Often performance at the level of C or higher is required. Regulations pertaining to Pass/No Pass grading are as follows:

1. Courses graded Pass/No Pass may not be applied to the major and minor, supporting courses, professional education requirements, upper-division writing proficiency requirement and General University Requirements
2. Graduate courses taken for the graduate degree cannot be taken Pass/No PassCourses graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory cannot be taken Pass/No Pass
3. Courses graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory cannot be taken Pass/No Pass
4. To designate a course as Pass/No Pass students must submit a request at the Registrar's Office after registering for the course; they may change this designation by submitting the change to the Registrar's Office at any time through the fourth week of a quarter; for extension program courses, pass / no pass grading designation may be elected up to the end of the fourth week for regular quarter-long courses, or prior to the second class meeting for shorter courses
5. Prerequisites, work required and credit allowed may be affected by election of the Pass/No Pass option
6. In computing grade averages, neither the P nor NP grade in Pass/No Pass courses is counted
7. Should a student change his or her major or minor, the academic departments involved are the sole judges of the acceptability of any Pass/No Pass courses already completed in the newly chosen major or minor
8. Once a student has earned NP grades in courses totaling 10 credits, he or she may no longer register for courses under the Pass/No Pass option

NOTE: Excessive use of the Pass/No Pass grading system may negatively influence admission to some graduate or professional schools.

As a new student, an initial PIN used to access Web4U will be set to the first six digits of the Social Security Number. Student's are then required to change the PIN to something more secure. If a student does not have an SSN, the birth date; in month-day-year format, entered MMDDYY, will be the initial PIN.

The student is responsible for ensuring that he or she has satisfied all prerequisites, with a grade of C- or better, before registering for a given course. Although some prerequisite enforcement is driven by the Web registration system, students should not assume they are eligible to enter a course without having taken the prerequisite just because the system allows them to register for the course. A student who has registered for a course without satisfying prerequisites or obtaining permission may be required by the instructor to withdraw from the course.

Any changes in registration must be completed by the student via Web4U during Phases I, II and III. After Phase III ends--5pm on the fifth day of the quarter, it is not possible to add or withdraw from classes via the web. Any late changes or late registration must be done in person at the Registrar's Office, Old Main 230.

Initial registration after the fifth day of the quarter requires permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and the Registrar (either written or an override). A $10 per credit late registration fee will be charged.

Adding new courses to an existing schedule after the fifth day of the quarter requires permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and the Registrar. A late fee of $10 per credit for adding courses after the second week will be charged. (See Important Dates and Deadlines) If additional tuition is accrued, it is due immediately.

Course withdrawals can be completed via Web4U until 5pm on the fifth day of the quarter, fall, winter and spring quarters.

A “hold” is placed on registration for students who have any outstanding obligations to the university. These obligations can include outstanding debts, failure to comply with immunization policies, failure to comply with certain admissions requirements or academic regulations, and violations of conduct codes or other University rules.

If you have a hold on your registration, you will not be permitted to register until the hold has been released by the initiating office. If you attempt to register before your hold has been released, the response will indicate which office has placed the hold. The possible holds and contact phone numbers follow:

Code	Office	Phone
AA	Academic Advising	650-3850
AD	Admissions	650-3440
AR	General Receivables	650-2907
AT	Athletics	650-6655
BK	Bookstore	650-3655
CS	Copy Services	650-7316
EN	English	650-3256
EP	Extended Programs	650-3650
EX	Exit Papers	650-2943
GR	Graduate School	650-3170
HH	Housing Discipline	650-2075
HO	Housing Payment	650-3744
IP	International Program / Exchange	650-3298
JO	Joy Stokes Loan	650-4055
JS	Judicial Affairs	650-3706
LC	Loans and Collections	650-2903
LF	Library Fine	650-3084
LS	Low Scholarship	650-3427
ME	Measles	650-3400
NP	Non-payment	650-3996
PA	Prohibited Access	650-3706
PC	University Cashier	650-2930
PK	Parking	650-3500
PL	Perkins Loan	650-4055
RE	Registrar	650-3432
RT	Registration / Transcript	650-3431
SA	Student Accounts	650-2865
VP	VP Student Affairs	650-3839

Because of high demand for many courses, departments often must give enrollment priority to students for whom specific courses are requirements. If a department restricts a course to its declared majors the department must also allow in the course other declared majors for whom the course is listed as a requirement.

Students are responsible for completing their own registration each quarter. While faculty may provide permission with an override to enroll in a restricted course, the student must complete the process via Web4u. Schedule changes initiated after the first week of the quarter, and independent study registrations, must be submitted in person at the Registrar’s Office.

It is important for students to make certain they are not registering for a course in which they already received credit, either at Western or elsewhere. Unless the course is marked in the University Catalog as repeatable, it cannot be taken more than once for credit.

For pedagogical reasons, some courses are restricted to certain levels of students, to students who are declared majors, or to those who have received special permission from the instructor. Such restrictions are listed in the online Timetable of Classes.

The student is responsible for ensuring that he or she has satisfied all prerequisites before registering for a course. A student who has registered for a course without satisfying prerequisites may be required to withdraw from the course by the instructor.

Because of high demand for many courses, departments often must give enrollment priority to students for whom specific courses are requirements. If a department restricts a course to its declared majors the department must also allow in the course other declared majors for whom the course is listed as a requirement.

A student who tampers or attempts to tamper with the registration records of another student, including but not limited to dropping or adding courses and improper use of permissions, will be subject to disciplinary action.

The system will not allow registration for two courses that meet at the same time or overlap time. If you want the second course instead of the one for which you are registered, you must drop the first one before adding the second course; however, be aware of any restrictions attached to the second course that may prevent registration.

The exception to this statement is Summer Quarter. This feature of electronic registration is not available due to the number of short courses offered.

Undergraduates at WWU who are in their senior year and have at least a 3.0 grade point average can take a single graduate course during any quarter, but under certain provisions. There must not be an appropriate undergraduate course in their field that is equally available; permission must be obtained in advance from the department chair and graduate program advisor of the department offering the graduate course; and the Graduate Office must approve the enrollment. A senior who later enters a master’s program at WWU may transfer up to nine credits of coursework into the master’s program. The credit must not have been used for the baccalaureate degree and must meet all criteria for transfer credit. To register, contact the Graduate School office for a registration system override. Post-baccalaureate students may enroll for 500-level courses. All prerequisites must be met and permission obtained from the department.

Neither undergraduate nor post-baccalaureate students may enroll in 600-level courses.

Some courses are offered for a variable number of credits. After registering for the course on Web4U, make certain you key in the correct credit amount. The web will automatically register you for the least amount of credit; you will then need to go back to the Registration menu and choose Change Variable Credit Hours.

Course Withdrawal that occur prior to 5 p.m. on the fifth day of the quarter are considered to be a change of initial registration and results in no entry on the permanent record (transcript). To withdraw from a course during the first five days of the quarter,a student must complete the transaction on Web4U.

Students who drop courses may be entitled to a refund or a portion of the tuition and fees for a given quarter depending on the time of the quarter the transaction is completed. Please note:

• Courses dropped before the sixth day of the quarter may be entitled to a full refund
• Courses dropped after the sixth day of the quarter and within the first 30 calendar days may be entitled to onehalf
• Courses dropped after the 30th day will not receive a refund.

Refer to Tuition Fees and Rates table.

Course withdrawals that occur from the beginning of the sixth day of the quarter to the end of the second week (prior to 5 PM on Friday of the second week) will result in no entry on the permanent record (official transcript), but a mark of XM will appear with the withdrawn course on the unofficial record (academic history). Withdrawals that occur beginning the sixth day of the quarter may affect a student’s tuition charges and may result only in a half-tuition refund. There also may be implications for financial aid recipients’ awards. To withdraw from a course after the first five days of a quarter, a student must present the request in person at the Registrar’s Office. Beginning the third week of the quarter, a mark of “W” is posted for each withdrawn course.

Course withdrawal from the beginning of the third week to the end of the seventh week is permitted only if the student has an unused annual withdrawal privilege. Each student is granted two annual withdrawal privileges at the beginning of the academic year in fall quarter. The annual withdrawal privileges can be used during fall, winter, spring or summer quarter. (See note on summer below.) Unused annual withdrawals cannot be used in subsequent years. To use an annual withdrawal privilege, a student must present the request in person at the Registrar’s Office.

After the seventh week of the quarter, course withdrawal is not permitted. Discontinued attendance without official withdrawal results in a failing grade (Z or F). Course withdrawal deadlines are published in the dates and deadlines section of the Registrar’s Office website and the Summer Session Bulletin on the Web.

To withdraw from an extension course, a student must file the appropriate form through the extension office. For specific site information, see the Extended Education section in the University Catalog.

Students may drop an Independent Learning course at any time by contacting the Independent Learning Office in writing. There is no refund 30 days after registration.

Withdrawal from the University (Official School Withdrawal)Formal withdrawal from the University, including a selfsupporting program, may be made at any time before the final two weeks of a quarter. Students must initiate the withdrawal process in the Registrar’s Office or at their extension site. A student must contact the appropriate extension office for formal withdrawal from a self-supporting course. Beginning the first day of classes, a grade of SW (school withdrawal) is posted for each course for which the student was registered.

Students who leave the University during a quarter without formal withdrawal receive failing grades. A student who is unable to complete the quarter due to hardship may petition to withdraw from the University after the stated deadline. Hardship is considered to be an incapacitating illness or injury requiring extensive recuperation or a significant personal emergency such as a death in the immediate family.

Students who officially withdraw from Western before the sixth day of the quarter will receive a full refund of tuition and fees. See the sections under University Academic Policies for information on withdrawing from the University. The $250 enrollment fee is nonrefundable.

Students who officially withdraw on or after the sixth day of the quarter and within the first 30 calendar days will receive a credit of one-half of their tuition. After the fifth day of instruction, the health services, building, technology, recreation, transportation and renewable energy and course and audit fees are nonrefundable. A statutory pro rata return of financial aid is required for students who received Title IV federal financial aid. The refund policy is available in the Financial Aid Department.

Students who withdraw after the 30th day will not receive a refund. The refund deadlines for each quarter are listed on the Registrar’s website.

Students who received federal or state financial aid or other support may be required to return part or all of the aid. Refer to the FAQs located on Student Accounts website.

Hardship Withdrawal. A student who is unable to complete the quarter or a class due to a significant hardship may petition to withdraw from the University or a course after the stated deadline. Hardship is considered to be an incapacitating illness or injury requiring extensive recuperation or a significant personal emergency such as a death in the immediate family. Verification of the hardship is required.

Petitions for the withdrawal due to hardship are available in the Dean of Students Office and must be submitted by the last day of the week prior to finals. A complete school withdrawal results in grades of SW for each course for which the student was registered. If the student qualifies for a partial withdrawal, a grade of W is posted for those courses.

Summer withdrawal deadlines and policies are published in the online Summer Session Bulletin.

Upper-division writing proficiency requirement: complete a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses at WWU with a minimum grade of C-. Students must complete Block B or C of the Communications GUR requirement before enrolling in a writing proficiency course. All Western writing proficiency courses should follow these University-wide guidelines:

1. Students write multiple drafts of assigned papers
2. All students must complete a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing-proficiency courses at WWU with a minimum grade of C-

Upper-division writing proficiency courses emphasize research and writing. In writing proficiency courses, students learn the writing style and conventions of their disciplines, as well as the techniques for integrating evidence into scholarly papers. Writing proficiency courses are listed in the online Timetable of Classes.