Difficulties Completing Coursework

There are three options available to students who have difficulties with the completion of their coursework for reasons beyond their control: (1) if they cannot complete their coursework before the end of the academic session, they may request incomplete standing; (2) if they cannot write the final examination in the course, and arranging an alternate exam is not a reasonable option, they may request aegrotat standing; (3) if they wish to withdraw from the course altogether, but have missed the deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty, they may petition for late withdrawal. These three options are described in detail below. (Reference: page 582 of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Calendar)

1. Incomplete Standing

Incomplete standing permits students to prearrange with their instructor to submit any remaining work in a course by a specified date after the end of the academic session. Failure by students to organize their workload is not considered adequate grounds for incomplete standing. A petition for incomplete standing must be made to the instructor and approved by the chair before the department or program deadline (if there is one), but in any case before submission of final grades to the Office of the Registrar.

The instructor specifies the deadline for submission of outstanding work and the grade which will be assigned if the deadline is not met. The latest possible deadlines for the submission of outstanding grades can be found in the Important Dates & Deadlines section of the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

2. Aegrotat Standing

Students may, if eligible, be exempt from writing the final examination in a course. A request for aegrotat standing must be made to the instructor as soon as the relevant circumstances are known and normally before the scheduled examination time. Supporting documentation must be provided. An aegrotat standing is granted only if the student has completed the required term work with a passing average. Aegrotat standing marks are determined using a calculated final examination mark for the student in question. The examination mark is calculated by adding to the student’s term mark the class final examination average minus the class term-work average.

This Aegrotat Calculator can be used to help with the calculations.

3. Late Withdrawal

Late withdrawal may be granted to students who have missed the final date for withdrawal from courses but, for reasons judged to be compelling, have been unable to complete their coursework. A petition for late withdrawal is made to the Committee on Undergraduate Petitions through an academic advisor as soon as possible. The petition may be submitted up until the final deadline for late withdrawal 60 days after the start of the following academic term (which includes the summer term). If the petition is granted, the course will remain on the student’s transcript with a grade of WDN (meaning withdrawn). Reference the Academic Petitions page on the Office of the Registrar's website.