New Student Guide: Policies and Procedures
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Policies and Procedures You Should Know
In addition to understanding the degree requirements, you should familiarize yourself with the College’s academic policies and procedures. These are explained in greater detail in Chapter 6 of the Undergraduate Record. You will receive a copy of the Undergraduate Record when you arrive in August. You will likely fare better at U.Va. if you take time to read it. Rules of primary concern to first-year students are listed here; detailed information on each of them may be found under the policies menu.
- Absence Regulations
- Academic Honors
- Academic Standing
- AP Credit
- Course Load
- Courses Taken at another College or University/Transfer Credit
- Dual Enrollment Credit
- Final Examinations
- Grades
- Incomple Grades/Extension of Time
- International College Level Exams
- Leave of Absence
- Part-Time Degree Program
- Readmission
- Repeated Courses
- Schedule Changes
- Withdrawal from the University
Compliance with College Policies
You are responsible for selecting your courses in accordance with the appropriate course restrictions and policies detailed on the Arts & Sciences web site and in the Undergraduate Record. You are also expected to meet the deadlines printed in the University Calendar. You should only enroll in a course that does not comply with the College’s regulations after you have received your Dean’s approval (in the form of a petition).
Accuracy of Student Records
You are responsible for verifying the accuracy of your academic records. Changes to your transcript are permitted only during the current and immediately following semester. VISTAA reports, including current course work, are available online year-round. Use VISTAA to monitor the area and major requirements you complete, and to make certain that your Advanced Placement credit, transfer credit, and course exemptions are officially recorded. The College does not change grades after more than one semester has lapsed; therefore promptly bring any error on your grade report or transcript to the attention of your Association Dean. You need to verify your enrollments by checking ISIS before the drop deadline passes (see calendar on inside front cover). If you fail to do so, you become subject to penalties imposed by the Dean.
Requests for Exceptions to the Rules
With approximately 10,000 students enrolled in the College, we must, of necessity, have this rather detailed and formal set of academic regulations, but situations inevitably arise in which exceptions to certain rules are considered. If you need to request an exception to a rule due to mitigating circumstances, you should consult your Association Dean as soon as possible. Your Dean will advise you as to how to write your petition; petition forms are available in the lobby of Garrett Hall. Adverse decisions by the Dean may be appealed to the Committee on Faculty Rules–a committee of faculty members who are not Association Deans. Bear in mind that you always have the right to petition about academic matters throughout your career here.