Course Drop Limit
Texas Education Code (Section 51.907) limits the number of course drops for undergraduate students. This legislation enacted by the State of Texas, spring 2007, applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as a first time freshman in fall 2007 semester or later.
The College may not permit a student to drop (also referred to as a withdrawal or W) more than six college level courses, including those taken at other Texas public institutions of higher education. All courses dropped after the Official Day of Record (census day) are included in the six-course limit unless (1) the student withdraws from all courses or (2) the drop is authorized by an appropriate College official as an approved Drop Exception.
Drop Exceptions can be approved if the student documents and/or attests that the drop was required for one of the following reasons, and that for such reason, the student could not satisfactorily complete the course:
- The student, a member of the student’s family, or a person of equally important relationship to the student experiences a serious illness or other debilitating condition.
- The student becomes responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person.
- There is a death in the student’s family or of a non-family member of equally important relationship.
- The student or a member of the student’s family, or a person of equally important relationship to the student, is called to active duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the armed forces of the United States.
- There is a change of the student’s work schedule that is beyond the student’s control.
- The College determines that there is other good cause for the student to drop the course.
*Vernon College footnote regarding Texas Education Code (Section 51.907):
The Texas legislature uses the word “drop,” which is equivalent in practice to the Vernon College use of the word “withdrawal or W.” To be clear, any student who drops/withdraws from class(es) after the census day will be given a W. All Ws, except those with approved drop exceptions, are subject to the course drop limit rule.
Enrollment and withdrawal activities of students affected by this legislation will be monitored.
Those who withdraw from six or more courses without an approved Withdrawal Exception may incur registration and withdrawal restrictions during all subsequent semesters, and may incur other enrollment limitations or requirements.
Vernon College students liable under the legislation, and who plan to attend another Texas public college or university, should determine that institution’s policies and penalties for withdrawing from courses and for approving Withdrawal Exceptions.