W: The 'Get out of Jail' Free Card
Opinion on the Drop Deadline
Ashley Chang
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Column
The deadline to withdrawal from a 16-week class with a "W" notation is approaching. To some, a "W" on their transcripts rings similarly to a scarlet letter, tainting their reputation as students. For others, it is merely a "get out of jail free" card that is used too liberally and without hesitation.
Students who voluntarily choose not to complete a course and withdraw will receive a permanent "W" on their transcripts. Students will not receive class credit, nor will it affect the grade point average, but it may look unkindly when trying to transfer.
The downfall of the economy has brought more students into community colleges while decreasing the number of classes available.
When the fall semester began, classes were filled to capacity and walking in to add was nearly impossible. Instructors were forced to turn away students, one after the other, telling them every seat was taken and everyone on the roll was accounted for.
As we conquered midterms and essay after essay, we can't help but notice our fellow students dropping like flies. Empty seats plague the once filled and crowded rooms. Project partners lost forever.
Students drop their classes for many reasons. It could be due to health, family, or financial problems. For many, it's an easy decision: drop the class or fail.
Many colleges, such as Cal State Northridge and Cal State Fullerton, do not allow students to drop their classes after three weeks into the semester. It not only teaches students to be more responsible in making decisions, but also trains them to persevere and work toward a particular goal.
Allowing more than 11 weeks for a student to drop a class is not only a waste of resources, but also a false representation of the real world.
Why have numerous classes, all teaching the same subject, but with only a handful of students in each room?
Many classes were labeled "CLOSED" by the time willing students could even register for them. Now, the same classes are half empty and not being utilized.
Students who voluntarily choose not to complete a course and withdraw will receive a permanent "W" on their transcripts. Students will not receive class credit, nor will it affect the grade point average, but it may look unkindly when trying to transfer.
The downfall of the economy has brought more students into community colleges while decreasing the number of classes available.
When the fall semester began, classes were filled to capacity and walking in to add was nearly impossible. Instructors were forced to turn away students, one after the other, telling them every seat was taken and everyone on the roll was accounted for.
As we conquered midterms and essay after essay, we can't help but notice our fellow students dropping like flies. Empty seats plague the once filled and crowded rooms. Project partners lost forever.
Students drop their classes for many reasons. It could be due to health, family, or financial problems. For many, it's an easy decision: drop the class or fail.
Many colleges, such as Cal State Northridge and Cal State Fullerton, do not allow students to drop their classes after three weeks into the semester. It not only teaches students to be more responsible in making decisions, but also trains them to persevere and work toward a particular goal.
Allowing more than 11 weeks for a student to drop a class is not only a waste of resources, but also a false representation of the real world.
Why have numerous classes, all teaching the same subject, but with only a handful of students in each room?
Many classes were labeled "CLOSED" by the time willing students could even register for them. Now, the same classes are half empty and not being utilized.
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