Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance

Establishing Attendance/Participation

Wright State University recognizes that students who regularly attend and actively participate in classes taught in face to face or online format are more likely to succeed; therefore, Wright State expects students to attend classes regularly and punctually and to be prepared for class meetings. As an institution that receives federal financial aid, Wright State must demonstrate that a student established attendance or completed an academically related activity for each individual course.

In accordance with University Policy 3430, a student who has not established attendance or completed an academically related activity may be administratively dropped by the instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How is attendance/participation determined?

    For in-person or hybrid courses, students must attend at least one in-person class or complete an academically related activity as described below.                                                                              

    For online courses, documenting that a student has logged into an online class is not sufficient, by itself, to demonstrate attendance/participation. The student must demonstrate that they have participated in at least one class or was otherwise engaged in at least one academically related activity as determined by their faculty member. Examples of an academically related activity in an online class include (but are not limited to):

    • student submission of an academic assignment,
    • student submission of an exam,
    • documented student participation in an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction,
    • a posting by the student showing the student’s participation in an online study group that is assigned by the instructor,
    • a posting by the student in a discussion forum showing the student’s participation in an online discussion about academic matters, and
    • an email from the student or other documentation showing that the student initiated contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course.
  • What does not constitute participation?
    • Logging into an online class without active participation.
    • Living in institutional housing.
    • Participating in the school’s meal plan.
    • Participating in a student-organized study group.
    • Participating in academic counseling or advising.
  • When will your professor report that you have not established attendance/participation?

    For full-term classes, this is typically the first 14 days of the term. If you are taking A/B term classes this timeline is often the first three days of the class.

    It is best to report non-attendance before the 100% refund period, otherwise, the student will be financially responsible for the tuition. Recommended deadlines for Summer 2021:

    • Full Term – May 21, 2021
    • A Term – May 14, 2021
    • B Term – June 25, 2021
  • Why you should attend/participate in the beginning of any course?

    The first meetings of your courses are critical to your success in a full-term course. They should not be considered “optional."

    Your faculty members reserve the right to withdraw you if you do not attend during this time or complete an academic activity that they have defined as meeting participation criteria.

    Life happens (weddings, funerals, military obligations, health issues, etc.). If you cannot make it to class you should email your faculty member as soon as you know. Ask them what is possible given the parameters laid out in their syllabus. 

    This means you:

    • Should not schedule a vacation at the beginning of the semester.
    • Should schedule appointments so as not to conflict with your classes if you can. 
      • Special Note: If you have no other choice in terms of appointments - such as a veteran using the Department of Veteran Affairs Health Care, you should let your faculty member know as soon as you can. 

    In a synchronous remote class

    • You should be someplace distraction-free (i.e. don't be shopping, at work, or driving if it can be avoided). 
    • You should be somewhere where you have confirmed there is quality access to the internet.
  • What is an administrative drop for non-attendance?

    Students who do not attend at least one class meeting or do not establish participation in an online course may be administratively removed from the roster for that course. An administrative drop is completed by the Office of the Registrar when an instructor reports that a student has never attended class. The course is removed from the student’s schedule and the student will no longer have access to course materials in Pilot.

  • How will I be notified that I've been administratively dropped from a course?

    Enrollment Services (RaiderConnect) will email you at your Wright State email account when you have been administratively dropped from a course.

  • Will I be dropped from all of my classes?

    You will only be dropped from the class or classes in which instructor(s) have indicated that you have never attended.

  • Will I get my money back if I am administratively dropped?

    If the administrative drop occurs during the 100% refund period for that course you will not be financially responsible for the tuition. If the administrative drop occurs after the 100% refund period for that course you will be financially responsible for the tuition and will have the option to petition per Policy 3420 Refunds and Refund Appeals.

  • Should I drop the course myself if I do not plan to attend or have never attended?

    Yes. You are responsible for dropping or withdrawing from courses you do not plan to attend. Be sure to drop the course from your schedule either online or through Enrollment Services (RaiderConnect). If you drop during the 100% refund period for that course you will not be financially responsible for the tuition. You should not rely on being dropped for nonattendance as a way to withdraw from a course. You should not rely on being dropped for nonattendance as a way to withdraw from a course.

  • I am receiving financial aid. If I am administratively dropped, will that affect my financial aid?

    The drop may affect your financial aid, especially if you drop below full-time or half-time status. If you are dropped, you should visit the Enrollment Changes and Return to Title IV (R2T4) for Federal Student Aid webpage or contact Enrollment Services (RaiderConnect) to better understand the impact on your financial aid.

  • What do I do if I am unable to attend class at the beginning of the semester?

    You should contact your instructor, ideally prior to the first day of class or as soon as possible, to communicate your intention to remain in the course.

  • What do I do if I feel I have been administratively dropped in error?

    You should contact your instructor to discuss your attendance/participation and ability to successfully complete the course. Your instructor's email address may be found via your Student Detailed Schedule in WINGS Express or may be found in the university directory.

    If permission is granted by your instructor to re-register, you will be required to submit a completed Registration/Drop/Add Form (Registration Activity Form) (PDF) along with photo identification to RaiderConnect@wright.edu.