Policy on Withdrawal from College
For Personal Reasons
Withdrawal from college for personal reasons (not including medical or military activation) during a semester may be granted to a matriculated student if the request is received prior to the last ten calendar days of the semester. Undergraduate students should work with the academic advising office and complete the Undergraduate College Withdrawal form (authentication required); graduate students should work with the graduate admissions office and complete the Graduate Studies College Withdrawal form.
If withdrawing from the current semester, once the request is processed, a WC (withdrawal from college) grade notation is recorded on the student’s academic record for each course not yet completed. Grades earned in courses completed prior to the effective date of the college withdrawal are noted on the student’s record and count toward semester and cumulative GPAs. Such grades may subject a student to an academic progress review at the end of a semester. As a result, students with cumulative GPAs below 2.0 are subject to academic dismissal from the college as the Academic Progress Standards supersede college withdrawals.
It is not possible to process a college withdrawal for non-medical reasons during the last ten days of the semester. Personal reasons generally include financial difficulties, family concerns, career exploration and personal adjustment matters. Waivers to this policy because of extenuating circumstances may be granted through the Office of the Provost of the college.
Undergraduate students who plan to leave the college for a period of time and return in the future may request a withdrawal from college in advance of the semester(s) they plan to be absent. The authorized withdrawal and its duration are noted on the transcript, and the student in good academic standing is given priority for readmission.
All students who have processed an official college withdrawal or who have withdrawn from all courses through the course withdrawal process relinquish the right to use all college services and privileges, and “withdrawn” is noted on the academic transcript. Undergraduate students must apply for readmission: students who are in good academic standing at the time of their withdrawal do not jeopardize readmission.
Graduate students who wish to withdraw from college permanently or for a short time should complete the Graduate Studies College Withdrawal form. Students should be aware of the time limitations for completing a degree and retaining credits for master’s degrees and certificates of advanced study. Graduate students need not apply for readmission providing the time limitations for degree completion and application of transfer credits or credits acquired in non-matriculated status have not expired; they must file an Intent to Return form with the graduate admissions office, however, to reactivate their access to Banner.
For Medical/Mental Health Reasons
A medical withdrawal from college for the current semester and/or a medical leave of absence planned for a future semester may be granted by the college physician, based on medical examination at the student health center and/or written documentation provided by the treating health care professional or physician, to any student experiencing serious health problems. At the discretion of the director of student health and psychological services, in consultation with the provost or designee, a student receiving a college withdrawal for medical/mental health reasons may be restricted from reenrolling at SUNY Plattsburgh for a specified period of time.
Students who have been given a medical withdrawal or leave of absence relinquish the right to use all college services and privileges, and their status as “withdrawn” (W) or leave of absence (LOA), with approved dates, is noted on the transcript. Once the request is processed, a WC (withdrawal from college) grade notation is recorded on the student’s academic record for each course not yet completed. Grades earned in courses completed prior to the effective date of the college withdrawal are noted on the student's record and count toward semester and cumulative GPAs. Such grades may subject a student to an academic progress review at the end of a semester. As a result, students with cumulative GPAs below 2.0 are subject to academic dismissal from the college as the Academic Progress Standards supersede college withdrawals. A medical/mental health college withdrawal could be taken into consideration in an appeal of any academic progress review action.
For readmission to the college after a medical withdrawal or leave of absence, students are required to present a statement from the college physician, or his or her designee, based on documentation of the attending health care professional, that they are ready to return to college and must meet any time limitations specified in the college withdrawal. Undergraduate students must also process a readmission application through the admissions office, and graduate students must submit an Intent to Return form to the graduate admissions office. Students who are in good academic standing at the time of their medical withdrawal or leave of absence do not jeopardize readmission. Time limits for completion of degree requirements for graduate programs continue to apply, however.
For Military Service
A military withdrawal will be granted to any matriculated student who is called to active duty. A copy of the military orders must be submitted to the Office of Academic Advising (for undergraduate students) or the graduate degree program chair/coordinator (for graduate students) to process a military withdrawal. Students returning to the college within three years of the date of discharge from active service or within three years of recovery from an illness or injury incurred during service may be reinstated by contacting the registrar’s office (provided the absence from school for active duty does not exceed five years and separation from the service was not dishonorable). Failure to register at SUNY Plattsburgh within these time limits will require undergraduate students on a military withdrawal to apply for readmission through the admissions office and graduate students to file an Intent to Return form with the graduate admissions office. The student veterans support coordinator is also available to assist those called to active duty when they need to process a military withdrawal. Please contact the coordinator at 518-564-4425 for further assistance.
Withdrawal/Leave of Absences with Code of Conduct Charges Pending
A withdrawal with unresolved code of conduct charges will be noted on the transcript, as “Withdrew with Code of Conduct Charges Pending.” If a student withdraws with code of conduct charges pending, that student must complete the judicial review process prior to readmission.