Course Enrollment and Schedule Change Procedures

Enrollment Procedures

During the first seven class days of each semester, students may come to the registrar’s office to alter their course selections or status within courses, with the approvals of their advisors and instructors.

Course enrollments are finalized at the end of the drop-add period (seventh day of classes). Students are fully accountable for all courses for which they are enrolled from that point on, and all will be shown on the permanent record.

If a student has attended a course in which he or she was not enrolled, no credit or grade is recorded.

If a student stops attending a course but fails to withdraw properly in the registrar’s office, an F is recorded.

Minimum Enrollment Standards

Generally, the College curriculum requires that students enroll for a minimum of 4 units of credit each academic year. Although most students enroll for 2 units each semester, it is acceptable to enroll for as few as 1 3/4 units in one semester as long as the 4 units per year are accumulated. Students who fail to meet this requirement will find the notation “Underenrolled” on their academic record. There are two exceptions to this general rule:

1. Any student may enroll for as few as 1 1/2 units in any one of the six semesters prior to his or her senior year, with the understanding that one must still accumulate 16 units to graduate. Students may elect to withdraw from one class past the established deadlines one time only without penalty or petition, if this is done prior to the last week of classes in a given semester. (So, for example, a student may only withdraw from a year-long course during the first semester.) The one-time use of this option must be discussed with the instructor, the student’s faculty advisor, and the dean for academic advising, and will appear as a “WL” on the student’s transcript.

2. Seniors who are ahead on the required credits, and who can therefore afford to do so, may enroll for as few as 3 1/2 units for the year so long as a minimum of 1 1/2 units each semester is maintained.

Also, students must enroll in at least two departments each semester for a minimum of 1/2 unit of credit in each of the two departments. Although many students will enroll in three or even four departments in a given semester, no one may enroll in only one department. Students who fail to meet this requirement will find the notation “Improperly enrolled” on their academic record. This rule applies only to those students who are working toward their first 16 units of credit; students are exempt from this rule in semesters following the one in which 16 units have been completed.

Course Changes After the First Seven Days of Classes

In certain instances, described below, students may change their course enrollments after the first seven class days of each semester. However, unless otherwise noted, all such changes require payment of a late processing fee and the explicit approvals of advisor and instructor.

Dropping Courses Before the End of the Semester

A student may withdraw from an extra course only within the first eight weeks of each semester, provided the student remains enrolled for at least 1 3/4 units of credit in the semester and 4 units for the year. A “WP” (withdrew passing) is recorded if the student is passing at the time of the request; otherwise an F is recorded. Students who withdraw from a course because a serious illness or other personal circumstances beyond their control have prevented them from meeting the requirements of their courses will have “WI” (withdrawal because of illness or incapacity) recorded. A dean must support the student’s claim of illness or incapacity, and the request must be approved by the Academic Standards Committee. Students eligible for WI are exempted from payment of a late fee.

No course may be added after the sixth week of classes.

Changes in Grade and Credit Status (Audit and Pass/D/Fail)

Audit. Students may change to audit status only through the first seven days of classes provided such change leaves them properly enrolled.

Pass/D/Fail. A student may change status in a course to or from pass/D/fail only through the end of the fourth week of classes. Students are specifically required to maintain a consistent grading option over both halves of a year course.

Year Courses

Withdraw passing. Students may withdraw passing (WP) from an extra year course (a credit overload) only through the eighth week of the first semester, or from the second half of a year course through the eighth week of the second semester.

Entering a year course at mid-year. A student may enter a year course at the beginning of the second semester only if both the instructor and advisor approve. Signatures are required on either the Selection of Courses form or the Course Change form, or on a note.

Withdrawing from a year course at midyear. Students are allowed, with permission of the advisor and the instructor, to withdraw from a year course with half credit and a final grade at the end of the first semester. The instructor may require a final examination. Students who withdraw after tentative grades have been submitted must understand that the final grade for the first semester need not necessarily be the same as the tentative grade.

Forms for dropping the second half of year courses at the end of the first semester are available at the registrar’s office and should be returned there in a timely manner. The final grade must be received in the registrar’s office within two weeks (ten class days) of the effective date of the drop. Otherwise a grade of F will be recorded.

Fees for Special Handling

All enrollment changes after the first seven class days of each semester are subject to fees for special handling unless otherwise noted. These fees apply to all enrollment changes including those accomplished through petition and are found in the Kenyon College Fees and Charges booklet.

At the discretion of the registrar, payment of all or part of these fees may be waived. Students may appeal the registrar’s decision to the associate provost, whose decision is final. Students may request that these fees be added to their College accounts, but Kenyon reserves the right to require a cash payment.