Number of Drops

Number of Drops – Senate Bill 1231. In 2007, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1231 which provides that, except for specific instances of good cause, undergraduate students entering as first time freshmen at a Texas public institution of higher education in the fall of 2007 or later will be limited to a total of six dropped courses during their undergraduate career.

Under the new law (Texas Education Code, Sec. 51.907), "an institution of higher education may not permit a student to drop more than six courses, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another institution of higher education." SB 1231 applies to courses dropped at public institutions of higher education in Texas, including community and technical colleges, health science centers that offer undergraduate programs, and universities.

Some courses will not count against the six-drop limit. These include courses dropped at independent or private Texas institutions, courses dropped while the student is still enrolled in high school, developmental courses, non-funded courses or courses dropped at colleges in other states.

For the purposes of this law, a "dropped course" is defined as a course that is dropped after the census date (12th class day), but before the last day to drop.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is working with the public colleges and universities to implement this law, and this may result in updates or modifications to current definitions and procedures. Any changes will be communicated to students and posted on the Registrar’s Website.

Dropping Classes/Withdrawing from the University

Dropping a class is an official action whereby students inform Texas State that they will cease attending a class in which they are enrolled while remaining enrolled in at least one other course. Withdrawing is an official action whereby a student informs Texas State that he/she will cease attending all classes.

• Automatic "W" Deadline – the deadline to receive an automatic "W" grade is the first 60% of the semester.
• Drop Deadline – the deadline to drop (remaining in at least one hour) a class is the first 60% of the semester. Special deadline dates will be enforced for courses offered in a different format.

After the drop deadline, students will be unable to drop individual classes and will receive the grade (A,B,C,D,F, or I) earned in the course. When students experience documented medical or similar emergencies which preclude completion of a class, they may appeal with documentation to the chair or director of the department or school they wish to drop the class.

• Withdrawal Deadline – the deadline to withdraw (go to zero hours) from Texas State is two weeks preceding final examinations during the fall and spring semesters and one week preceding final examinations during the summer sessions.

If a student is withdrawing from Texas State after the automatic "W" period, faculty assign the "W" grade only to those students who have a passing average at the time the withdrawal action is officially completed. Otherwise, faculty members will assign an "F" grade.

To view the Academic Calendar, click here.

 _{(See pages 47-48 of the 2008-2010 Texas State University: San Marcos Undergraduate Catalog)}

Schedule Change Fee

*A fee of $2.00 will be charged for each change of schedule a student makes after the schedule has been filed during the normal registration add/drop process. A drop fee of $10.00 will be charged for each drop thereafter.

 _{(See pages 37 of the 2008-2010 Texas State University: San Marcos Undergraduate Catalog)}