Attendance Policies
Please note: The attendance and withdrawal policies listed in this section do not apply to noncredit and not-for-credit classes at Santa Monica College.
Attendance & Instructor Request to Drop a Student
A student enrolled in any class at SMC who does not attend ALL of the sessions for that class that meet during the FIRST WEEK of the class RISKS BEING DROPPED from the class by the instructor.
A student may also be dropped from a class when, in the instructor’s judgment, the student’s number of absences has become excessive or the student is no longer participating in the course. Such judgment is to be based exclusively on the student’s prospect for successfully completing the course. Faculty will determine the consequences of absences and late arrivals.
A student who is dropped by an instructor during the first 50th percentile of the class will receive a grade of W (Withdrawal), and units for the class will be included in the student’s enrolled units.
If the last date of a student’s attendance occurs after the 50th percentile, an instructor may assign a grade of F (0.0). However, in the event of extenuating circumstances—as determined by the instructor and documented by the student—an instructor may assign a grade of W for the student through the online class roster.
The last day an instructor may assign a W grade is before the 75th percentile of the class. Instructors will assign students who have not officially withdrawn from a class by the deadline a grade of A (4.0), B (3.0), C (2.0), D (1.0), F (0.0), or—if they are enrolled in courses offered on a pass/no pass basis or have petitioned to take a course on a pass/no pass basis—a grade of P (Pass) or NP (No Pass).
Go to www.smc.edu and click on the “Dates and Deadlines” link for details.
Attendance & Student Request to Withdraw from Classes
A student enrolled in any SMC class MUST ATTEND ALL of the sessions of that class DURING THE FIRST WEEK of the class or RISK BEING DROPPED from the class by the instructor. Since attendance is essential for normal progress in a class, a student is expected to be in class regularly and on time. Faculty will determine the consequences of absences and late arrivals.
First Week: A student must attend all sessions of the class that meet during the first week of the class; otherwise the student may be dropped from the class by the instructor or may receive an F (0.0) for nonattendance.
The first 20% of the term: To avoid a W on the transcript, a student must withdraw from one or all classes within the first 20% of the term. (For specific dates, go to www.smc.edu and click on the “Dates and Deadlines” link.) Transcripts will include no indication of such enrollments or withdrawals, and units for the class will not be included in the student’s enrolled units.
From the 21st through the 50th percentile of the term: Students who withdraw during this period will have a grade of W appear on their transcripts, and units for the class will be included in the student’s enrolled units. (For specific dates, refer to the posted dates and deadlines on the Admissions webpage.) Students are responsible for withdrawing from a class and must not expect faculty to initiate withdrawal procedures for them. Failure to observe this procedure can result in a grade of F (0.0).
From the 51st through the 75th percentile of the term: A student may withdraw from one or all classes by asking his or her instructor to be withdrawn from a class and obtaining the instructor’s consent. An instructor may issue a withdrawal and a grade of W for a student through the online class roster if, in the instructor’s judgment, there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., a verified case of an accident, illness, required military service, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control) that make withdrawal necessary. All other students who cease to attend a class without notifying the instructor or the Admissions Office may receive a grade of F (0.0).
The last official day to drop will be at the 75th percentile of the term. Please see the specific dates and deadlines posted on the Admissions webpage for details. All students who have not withdrawn by this deadline will receive a grade of A (4.0), B (3.0), C (2.0), D (1.0), F (0.0), or—if they are enrolled in courses offered on a pass/no pass basis or have petitioned to take a course on a pass/no pass basis—a grade of P (Pass) or NP (No Pass).
A student may petition for late withdrawal after the 75th percentile of the semester or session if in the instructor’s judgment there are extenuating circumstances, such as verified cases of an accident, illness, military obligation, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. The student must file a Petition for Late Withdrawal in the Admissions Office, and obtain the approval of the faculty members involved and the Associate Dean of Enrollment Services. Students who have completed the course including taking the final or submitting final projects are NOT eligible for a late withdrawal. In those cases the student should meet with the instructor if they wish to contest their grade, as a Withdrawal is no longer an option.
For specific information about these dates and deadlines, please go to www.smc.edu and click on the “Dates and Deadlines” link.
Requests for Retroactive Withdrawal: Retroactive withdrawals from classes are normally not permitted. However, these may be granted under certain limited circumstances. To be eligible for a retroactive withdrawal, the student must have extenuating, documented, and verifiable circumstances to justify withdrawal from a class—and to justify requesting such a withdrawal retroactively—in order for a retroactive withdrawal request to be considered. A retroactive withdrawal cannot be used as a way to remedy poor academic performance in a class. Students must file a petition for retroactive withdrawal in the Admissions Office no more than 90 calendar days after the end of the term in which they were enrolled in the course.
Override of W Grades: In instances of academic dishonesty where the instructor assigns a final grade of F (0.0) for a student in a class, the instructor’s right to assign the F (0.0) may supersede a student’s right to a grade of W, even if the student has completed the procedure to withdraw officially from the class.