Faculty and staff members at the University of Rhode Island are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the options available to students who may not be able to continue their studies during the semester. A student may express a need to interrupt their studies because of personal or family circumstances, or simply need a break. Our staff can assist students and their representatives assess their options and review pertinent circumstances that should be taken into account when making this decision, when involving mental health concerns.
Leave of Absence/Withdrawal
Enrollment Services detail situations when a student may opt to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the University. Students who opt to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the University must do so through their academic dean’s office.
Contact Information
| University College for Academic Success | 401.874.2993 |
| College of Arts & Sciences | 401.874.2566 |
| College of Business | 401.874.2337 |
| Feinstein College of Education | 401.874.8100 |
| College of Engineering | 401.874.5985 |
| College of the Environment & Life Sciences | 401.874.5026 |
| College of Health Sciences | 401.874.2125 |
| College of Nursing | 401.874.2766 |
| College of Pharmacy | 401.874.5842 |
Late Drop Petition
This option is a request to add/drop a course after the published deadline and is only approved for unusual exceptional circumstances. Failure on assignments/exams or lack of attendance do not alone, constitute exceptional circumstances. Full documentation is required. Requests for late drops must be made by the last day of classes. The petition must be submitted to the dean’s office of the student’s academic college for review and approval.
Incompletes
In instances where a student is unable to complete coursework towards the end of a semester, due to extenuating circumstances, the option of an incomplete grade (denoted as “I”) may be considered. It is imperative to assess whether the student has completed a substantial portion of the course and is passing, meeting the academic expectations set forth prior to the request. If approved, the student will collaborate with the professor to establish a plan and timeline for completing the outstanding coursework. Upon completion, the “I” grade will be replaced with the earned letter grade.
It is important to note that incompletes require the professor’s approval and must be resolved prior to the student’s graduation, or else the grade will be changed to “NC” (not completed).
By remaining informed about these options and procedures, faculty and staff can effectively support students in navigating academic challenges and ensuring their success at the University of Rhode Island.