 | W Grade Policy
To avoid schedule changes after the official registration period, students are encouraged to plan each semester's course work in consultation with academic advisers. Any schedule changes should be made as soon as possible after the beginning of classes.
Students may drop courses through the sixth class day without receiving a grade of “W.” Students may add courses through the eighth class day. A “W” grade will be entered on a student’s record for any course dropped between the sixth class day and the final date for resigning from the University and/or dropping courses. Students should consult the academic calendar maintained by the University Registrar to determine deadlines each semester.
Within the limits of the following table, “W” grades do not affect a student’s GPA; however, 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.
Withdrawals cannot exceed the numbers allowed in the following table unless authorized by the dean of the student’s college. Withdrawal allowances cannot be carried forward.
Withdrawals Allowed on Hours Earned
Tier
Hours | W’s
Allowed |
0 - 59 | 3 |
60 - 119 | 3 |
> 119 | 1 |
Students may drop all courses by withdrawing from the university according to the guidelines in the section of the LSU General Catalog, “Resignation from the University.” A resignation will not count toward the number of drops permitted. Hours earned does not include advanced standing credit with respect to this policy.
NEW W GRADE POLICY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Which students must comply with the new policy?
A: All undergraduates, except those not regularly admitted (curriculum codes ADVSP, BRCC, CCUR, CCURM, ELALT, ENGRP, EXT, NMSU, NORAD, PLUS, SCOOP, SEALT and SU), must comply with the policy.
Q: Are transfer courses used to determine placement in the Tier Hours?
A: Yes, all hours earned, except credit earned through the following programs, are used to determine what tier you are in.
- Advanced Standing
- Advance Placement
- Credit by Department
- International Baccalaureate
Q: How can I determine my Tier Hours placement?
A: Your placement is determined by the hours you have earned to date. Please see the W Grade Status Link under the PAWS Registration Services Application.
Q: Do W grades that I received prior to the Fall 2006 semester count in the number of W grades I am allowed to receive?
A: No, W grades received prior to Fall 2006 are not counted toward the number of W grades you are allowed.
Q: Will I be allowed to resign and receive W grades?
A: Yes, because W grades received as the result of resigning are not counted in the number of W grades you are allowed.
Q: Do W grades received at other institutions count in the number of W grades I am allowed?
A: No.
Q: I am cross-registered at Baton Rouge Community College or Southern University. If I drop my cross-registered course with a W grade, will the W grade count in the number of W grades I am allowed?
A: No.
Q: What about W grades earned during the summer term and Intersession?
A: W grades earned during the summer term and Intersession will not count in the number of W grades you are allowed.
Q: If I drop linked sections, will they count as one W used or two?
A: If you drop linked sections, they will be counted as only one W used.
Q: What if I have used the W(s) allowed in my tier and I have an emergency and need to drop a course, but not resign?
A: You may appeal to your dean's office for an exception.
Q: If I drop a course and add another course during the two days between the last day to drop courses without receiving a W grade and the last day to add courses, will the W grade count toward the number of W grades I am allowed?
A: Yes, unless you are making a section change. When you are making a section change using the PAWS Schedule Request Application, DO NOT drop one section and add your new section. To change sections, simply add the new section and the section you previously scheduled will be automatically dropped. |