Q: What are the implications of withdrawing from a class?

Grades of 'W' (Withdraw) are considered attempted hours , which means they are used to determine academic progress. Both the university’s standards for academic standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid are affected by these attempted hours. 'W' grades do not affect GPA and is not considered an attempt under the university’s course repeat policy (see AP 1.3.4 ). Students should consult an academic advisor prior to withdrawing from a course.

Question 1

How will academic standing be calculated for Spring 2020?

Max Xiong · Accepted Answer

In spring 2020, students will have the option to select a grade scheme that carries no quality points, therefore special considerations must be taken into account when calculating academic standing. There will be three groups of students in spring 2020, each requiring a different type of assessment for academic standing:

Students who have retained the A-F grade mode entirely and will therefore have a term GPA that affects the cumulative GPA;
Students who have selected the alternative grade mode (generically, "Xx" grades) for some of their classes and will therefore have a term GPA calculated on a partial selection of classes that affects the cumulative GPA;
Students who have selected "Xx" grades for all of their classes and will therefore not have a term GPA and the cumulative GPA will not change from the previous semester.

Academic Policy 5.2.3 defines the undergraduate retention categories of Warning, Probation, and Suspension and bases eligibility for those categories on a combination of Attempted Credits and Cumulative GPA. Because undergraduate students could increase their Attempted Credits in Spring 2020 without improving their Cumulative GPA, they are at risk of “earning” their way into a more severe retention category. Therefore: Undergraduate students who select "Xx" grades will not have those grades considered as Attempted Credits for the purposes of Academic Standing calculations. Academic Standing classifications are defined by George Mason. The calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is governed by federal financial aid guidelines as is not affected by this decision.

Question 2

Academic Suspension

Tom Butler · Accepted Answer

Students on Undergraduate Academic Suspension are not eligible for registration. An Academic Advisor Approval Form must be submitted before a previously suspended student is permitted to register. Students attempting to register before their suspension period has been served need special permission from their Academic Dean or Director.

Periods of Academic Suspension for Undergraduate Students

Students in degree status who incur a first suspension following a spring semester or summer term serve a period of suspension through the next fall semester. Students who incur a first suspension following a fall semester serve a period of suspension through the next summer term. A second suspension is for one calendar year: two semesters and a summer term. Students returning from suspension are on probation for one academic period. Course credits earned at other colleges during the period of suspension from Mason (for academic or nonacademic reasons) are not accepted for the degree program. Non-degree undergraduate students placed on suspension have no specified rights of return to the university. Non-degree students who have been suspended and wish to resume their studies after a period of absence must qualify for readmission through the Office of Admissions.

Question 3

What are the implications of withdrawing from a class?

Max Xiong · Accepted Answer

Grades of 'W' (Withdraw) are considered attempted hours, which means they are used to determine academic progress. Both the university’s standards for academic standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid are affected by these attempted hours. 'W' grades do not affect GPA and is not considered an attempt under the university’s course repeat policy (see AP 1.3.4). Students should consult an academic advisor prior to withdrawing from a course.

Question 4

Selective Withdrawal

Registrar · Accepted Answer

The Selective Withdrawal Period applies to non-degree undergraduate and degree seeking undergraduate students only. See the University Catalog for further details. Non-degree undergraduate and degree seeking undergraduate students are eligible to withdraw from a limited number of classes without Dean’s approval and at the student’s own discretion. Students may process a maximum of three such selective withdrawals during their entire career at Mason. While a selective withdrawal has no punitive effect on GPA, it may affect a student’s academic standing as courses that have a grade of ‘W’ (withdrawal) are counted in the attempted hours that are used to determine a student’s academic standing.

How do I submit a request?

First, review the Academic Calendar and ensure that your request is submitted during the selective withdrawal period designated for the class. Requests will not be processed if submitted before or after the selective withdrawal period. [ninja_tables id="8306"] Second, complete and electronically sign the form. Upon submission, you will receive a notification email and again once your request has been processed.

How do I view the status of my submitted forms?

Go to Ellucian Workflow 1.0
Login with your PatriotPass username and password.
Click "My Cases" on the left menu.

Question 5

Washington Metropolitan Area Consortium

Tom Butler · Accepted Answer

George Mason University is a cooperating member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The Consortium’s cross-registration arrangement permits students enrolled in eligible degree programs at one member institution to take a course at another member institution.

Eligibility

Students must be currently enrolled at Mason and admitted to a degree program. Non-degree students are not eligible.
First semester students are not eligible for registration.
Students must be in good academic standing; some colleges have higher standards. Students in non-academic suspension or expulsion are ineligible.
Undergraduate students are restricted to undergraduate level courses and must be in junior status, having earned at least 60 credits.
Graduate students are restricted to Graduate level courses.

Tuition and Fees

Mason Consortium students pay the Mason tuition rate.
Tuition payment is submitted to Mason.
Additional fees, such as lab or course materials, are the student’s responsibility and must be paid to the visited institution. Parking fees are also the student’s responsibility.
Credits taken through the Consortium are counted toward full or part-time status at Mason.
Refunds, if due, for dropped consortium courses will follow the Mason refund policy.

For students who are also Mason employees, the employee tuition waiver will not apply to consortium registration.

Restrictions

Only one consortium course can be taken in a given semester.
A maximum of 6 consortium credits can be taken.
Restrictions on enrollment may apply for certain courses. Particular restrictions are not always detailed in the course information.
Independent Study, Special Institutes, Tutorials and Study abroad are exempt from registration.
Registration is not guaranteed. Participation is limited by both course availability and institutional Consortium policies of the visited college or university.

Special Exception: In order to fulfill their Foreign Language requirement, Undergraduate Foreign Language students are permitted to increase the 6 credit hour credit allowance to 9 or 12 credits. Participation is limited to courses that apply to the student’s program of study. Students who are dually enrolled (matriculated/degree seeking) at Mason and at another Consortium institution are not eligible to participate. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Registration Procedure

Registration deadlines for Consortium registration are not the same as Mason registration deadlines. Mason Consortium registration forms must be submitted two weeks prior to the first day of classes at Mason. (Summer registration forms are due two weeks before the start of Mason’s “A” summer session.)

Visiting Students

Visiting students should contact the Consortium Coordinator at their home institution for information regarding procedures and to complete required paperwork.
Registration for requested course is not guaranteed. Participation is limited by both course availability and consortium policies at the home institution.
Students may be responsible for contacting instructors and or course departments for courses that require approval or permission.
Students may be requested to submit academic transcripts prior to course registration approval.

1. Obtain Course Information.

Mason students may register for a course through the Consortium if the course, or its equivalent, meets the following requirements:

The course is not available at Mason during the same semester
The course is not exempt from Consortium registration at the visited school.
George Washington, American and University of Maryland courses that are offered off campus are not eligible.
Independent study, study abroad, special institutes and tutorials are not eligible.

Participation is limited by both course availability and institutional Consortium policies of the visited college or university. Schedules of classes and course catalogs can be accessed at the visited institution’s website. Contact the host institution to find out the following:

Is the course open?
Are there any prerequisites?
Are there any special fees? Remember, special fees are the student’s responsibility and must be paid to the host institution. A financial hold will be placed on your account at Mason and at the host institution if these fees are not paid.

2. Complete the Consortium Registration Form.

All course information (course reference number, course section number, course title, semester hours, and level) must be noted. Inaccurate and incomplete forms will not be processed and will be returned to you. Consortium registration requests submitted by Mason students must be approved and recommended by the student’s department chair and dean. An appointment may be required to obtain approval. Registration permission is granted on a case by case basis. Approval is not guaranteed. Students must include George Mason e-mail to complete the form. All official communication and registration information will only be sent to student's George Mason e-mail account. The Consortium registration should be submitted to Mason’s Consortium coordinator two weeks prior to the first day of classes at Mason.

Schedule Changes

Registration changes cannot be made via Patriot Web. The Consortium Coordinator must make these changes and will notify the other institution. Contact the Consortium Coordinator immediately if the class is cancelled or you decide to drop the class. Failure to notify the Consortium Coordinator in a timely manner could result in a failing grade as well as tuition liability.

Questions?

Contact the Mason Consortium Coordinator (703) 993-2000 gmucons@gmu.edu

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How will academic standing be calculated for Spring 2020?

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What are the implications of withdrawing from a class?

Selective Withdrawal

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