A summary of the new policy on dropping courses:

Beginning with the Fall semester 2007, a new policy on dropping courses is in effect. This policy establishes a 6-'W' grades limit for all undergraduate students.

The six 'W' grades may be used at any time during a student's undergraduate career at UH to drop a course up through the last day to drop a course or withdraw from all courses deadline. This deadline falls approximately four weeks before the last class day of the fall and spring semesters.

The 'W' may be granted upon the student's written request by the deadline, regardless of whether or not the student is passing the course. Once the 6 'W's have been used however, the student must complete all courses he or she is enrolled in regardless of academic performance.

Students who are enrolled for the first time in college starting Fall 2007 need to be aware of the following:
 
Effective Fall 2007 the Texas Senate Bill 1231 provides that, except for several specific instances of good cause, undergraduate students enrolling as first-time freshmen at a public institution of higher education in Fall 2007 or later will be limited to a total of six dropped courses during their entire undergraduate careers. For these students courses dropped at other Texas public institutions will count towards the 6-drop limit.

Please see: Texas Legislature Online: Senate Bill 1231.

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Specific dates for Fall 2007 - Summer 2008 are listed below:

Frequently Asked Questions about about the new 6-'W'-grades limit and the policy on dropping courses:

1. When does this policy take effect?
2. To whom does this policy apply?
3. How is the policy on dropping courses different than before?
4. How many grades of 'W' will be allowed?
5. Will past 'W's be counted?
6. If I drop a lecture and lab together, does that count as two (2) 'W's?
7. What happens once I use up my six (6) 'W's?
8. May I request a 'Q' grade once my six (6) 'W's have been used up?
   Or use a 'Q' grade as a substitute for one of my allowed 'W's?
9. Does a 'W' grade lower my GPA?
10. When in the semester am I eligible for a 'W' grade?
11. How can I avoid unwanted 'W's?
12. How do I request a 'W' grade?
13. If I am approved for a medical or administrative withdrawal will those 'W's count against my limit?
14. What is the difference between a drop and a withdrawal?
15. How can I keep track of how many 'W's I have?
16. How can I find out more about how the policy on dropping courses affects me?

Scroll down to review Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

1. When does this policy take effect? 
   Fall Semester 2007. The new 6-'W' grade limit applies to all undergraduate students from that point forward, regardless of how long they have attended UH or any other college.
    
   This policy will be permanently posted in the Fall 2007 - Summer 2008 Undergraduate Studies Catalog.
   
   Click here to download a .pdf file of the Fall 2007 6-W policy (74k).

    

2. To whom does the UH policy apply?
   The UH policy on dropping courses applies to ALL undergraduate students - current, transfer, and first time in college students (FTIC) regardless of when they first enrolled at UH. It does not apply to postbaccalaureate students or students in graduate programs. 
    
   Students who are enrolled for the first time in college starting Fall 2007 should see the reference to the state policy above.

    

3. How is the policy on dropping courses different than before?
   The grade of 'Q' will no longer be an option, and undergraduate students will now be limited in the number of 'W' grades they may request in their UH career.

 

4. How many grades of 'W' will be allowed?
   Up to six (6) 'W' grades may be used by an undergraduate student in his or her UH career.

 

5. Will past 'W's be counted?
   Only 'W's received beginning in Fall 2007 and after will count towards the limit.

 

6. If I drop a lecture and lab together, does that count as two (2) 'W's?
   No, it doesn't need to. If a student is dropping a class which includes a concurrent lab or recitation, then this may be granted as a single instance, but only if both are dropped at the same time.

 

7. What happens once I use up my six (6) 'W's?
   After the six 'W's are used, students must then complete all courses in which they are enrolled regardless of academic performance in the class. Requests for more than 6 drops with a grade of 'W' will be denied.

 

8. May I request a 'Q' grade once my six (6) 'W's have been used up?
   Or use a 'Q' grade as a substitute for one of my allowed 'W's?
   No.  The 'Q' grade option is no longer available as of the end of Summer 2007.

 

9. Does a 'W' grade lower my GPA?
   No. Grades of 'S', 'U', 'I', and 'W' are not assigned grade point values and are not used in the computation of the grade point average.

 

10. When in the semester am I eligible for a 'W' grade?
    You may pursue a grade of 'W' during the period of time just after the "last day to drop or withdraw without receiving a grade" up through the "last day to drop a course or withdraw" from all courses.
     
    The "last day to drop or withdraw" from all courses - i.e. with the grade 'W', is typically four weeks prior to the last class day of the fall or spring semester. See chart above for specific dates Fall 2007 thru Summer 2008.
     
    Please also see the academic calendar for all deadlines during the semester which may impact decisions related to your coursework: http://www.uh.edu/academics/catalog/general/academic_calendar.html.

 

11. How can I avoid unwanted 'W's?
    To avoid unwanted 'W's be sure you are mindful of drop deadlines and stay in communication with your instructors.
     
    Under the new policy students continue to have the option to drop courses without receiving a grade as long as these drops are completed by the appropriate deadlines.
    
    Please see the academic calendar for the exact dates in each semester when students may drop a course without receiving a grade: http://www.uh.edu/academics/catalog/general/academic_calendar.html.
     
    Also, please note: Under certain circumstances your instructors have the option to assign a 'W' to you on the final class rolls. To avoid unwanted 'W's students are encouraged to communicate with their instructors as early as possible in the semester to learn what student options are available for completing or not completing a course.

 

12. How do I request a 'W' grade?
    You will acquire and complete a paper drop form and have the instructor sign it.
     
    Drop forms are available from the Registration and Academic Records Office located in the Welcome Center. This transaction cannot be completed on line.
    
    While within the 6-drop limit, the 'W' is to be granted whether or not a student is passing the course. However, please realize that these forms will not be processed without the instructor's signature. After the form is signed by the instructor, the student will need to take it to the Registrar's Office in the Welcome Center by the appropriate deadline.

    Note:

    • All F-1 and J-1 international students must see the International Student and Scholar Services Office before dropping courses.
       
    • Business majors must also secure permission from the Office of Undergraduate Business Programs in the Bauer College of Business.
        
    • Athletes must see the Assistant Director of Athletics before dropping courses.

 

13. If I am approved for a medical or administrative withdrawal will those 'W's count against my limit?
    No. The 'W's received from a medical or administrative withdrawal will not be counted towards your 6-'W' limit.
     
    Please be mindful however that medical and administrative withdrawal procedures require that a student be withdrawn from all courses for the semester and do not guarantee that the student will receive a refund for the semester's tuition and fees.
    
    For more information about medical or administrative withdrawal from the University, please see: Undergraduate Studies Catalog – policy on Medical and Administrative Withdrawal –
    http://www.uh.edu/academics/catalog/general/acade2.html#med_withdr 

 

14. What is the difference between a drop and a withdrawal?
    University of Houston academic policy definitions:
         Drop:
    Official dropping of one or more of the courses for which students are registered. Usually initiated by students but can be done in certain instances by faculty or other campus personnel.
    
         Withdrawal:
    The term withdrawal applies to the dropping of all courses for which students are registered at the University of Houston, and it may be initiated by students.
    
    Please note that although the letter 'W' is used, for grading purposes the 'W' indicates an individual dropped a course and not necessarily that they withdrew from enrollment at the University.

 

15. How can I keep track of how many 'W's I have?
    Students can start counting their 'W's after Fall 2007 by checking their course grades each semester through the PeopleSoft self-service accounts.
     
    If discrepancies are found, then students may wish to contact the Registrar's Office and/or their advisors to review the count and to ensure that both the process and the policy are understood.
     
    Note: It is the students' responsibility to be aware of how many 'W's they are accumulating towards their limit, and to carefully manage their use.

 

16. How can I find out more about how the policy on dropping courses affects me?
    You may consult with an advisor for any questions you may have about how your coursework decisions may affect your specific degree plan and your academic career.
    
    To find an advisor, contact the college of your major. Students who have not yet declared a major, or who may be changing majors, may talk to an advisor at Undergraduate Scholars at UH in room 56 University Libraries, 832-842-2100. Use the southeast entrance at the back of M.D. Anderson Library, across from the University Center. Please note: there is no public access from inside the main part of the library.

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