Auditor
Any student may audit a course offered by the University, provided there is a space available. Audited courses do not count toward regular full-time status for purposes of financial aid, visa requirements or enrollment verification; neither a grade nor credit is given for audited courses.
An audited course may be changed to credit status, or vice versa, only if the request is filed with the Office of the University Registrar prior to the census date for the course. Auditors pay the same tuition as students enrolled for credit. For further information on auditing classes, consult the Office of the University Registrar.
Census Date
The census date of the University represents a calendar date in each term when the general enrollment statistics of the University are established. Particulars of these statistics are identified among colleges, classes and student levels. The census dates are identified in the Schedule of Classes for a term. Following the census date in any term, classes dropped will receive a “W” symbol representing the fact that the class was dropped after the census date; the only exceptions to be made are classes canceled by the dean of the college, or a change from one section to another of the same course. Students are liable for the tuition for all courses withdrawn after the census dates.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend classroom and laboratory exercises. Absences may affect the final grade or eligibility to sit for the final examination. At the department’s discretion, students who are absent from the first two class meetings of the term may be administratively dropped from the class.
When representing the University of San Francisco in intercollegiate competition (e.g., athletics, debate), students shall be excused from classes on the hours or days such competition takes them away from classes. However, such students shall be responsible for advising their professors regarding anticipated absences and for arranging to complete course work for classes, laboratories, and/or examinations missed.
Students in the School of Nursing and Health Professions who have been absent from course work and/or laboratory experiences in a course required for the major are expected to make arrangements to complete the missing work. (Contact the School of Nursing and Health Professions for a copy of the Nursing Student Handbook.) Professional Studies students who are absent from more than one class in a course may be subject to administrative withdrawal.
Credit for Repeated Courses
Students may repeat courses. Both the initial grade and the subsequent repeat grade will show on the academic record and count in the grade point average. The credits earned in the repeated courses will not be included in the cumulative credits earned or in the total needed for graduation, unless indicated otherwise in this catalog. See specific course descriptions.
Examinations
Students are expected to take all examinations for courses in which they are enrolled. The final exam period is listed in the Academic Calendar. Dates for semester final exams appear in the Schedule of Classes. Final exams may not be rescheduled without the approval of the dean of the appropriate school or college. Members of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, may request to be excused from final exams at the end of the final semester of their senior year. In such cases, teachers will grade the student on the basis of work done during the semester.
Law students should consult the Law School Registrar’s website.
Transcripts
Students who wish to obtain a copy of their academic transcript must submit, in accordance with privacy laws, a signed written request to the Office of the University Registrar. Such requests may be submitted by mail, by fax, in person, or through a designated online form using an electronic signature. For complete instructions on submission, please visit the student records page.
All requests for transcripts must be accompanied by a payment of transcript fees. Processing of transcript requests usually takes one to three days and may take as long as one week. Transcripts may be delayed during the days of registration and commencement ceremonies of any term. Express delivery is available for an additional charge.
An academic transcript will not be released to any student who has failed to meet all financial obligations to the University. Any transcript request with incomplete addresses, insufficient information for processing, or unaccompanied by the transcript fee will be significantly delayed and may be returned to the sender.
Only official academic transcripts from the University of San Francisco are released by the Office of the University Registrar. Transfer transcripts from other schools must be ordered from original sources to ensure their validity and accuracy. The University of San Francisco reserves the right to control the conditions by which its transcripts are distributed. The University is responsible for the accuracy and validity of its transcripts as legal documents.
Changes to Academic Records After Students Graduate
A student’s academic record is sealed when his or her degree is posted. With the exception of errors, omissions, or documented discrepancies, changes to a student’s major, minor, concentration, or academic honors, or the removal and/or change of incompletes, grades, or other components of the academic record are not permitted.
Student Retention
The University of San Francisco has a genuine concern about student retention and is committed to developing and implementing strategies that assist students in attaining their academic objectives.
Students planning to take a temporary leave of absence or to withdraw from the University are encouraged to make an appointment with a University Adviser (UA) in the Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA) or with their faculty advisor prior to exiting campus. The UA/Faculty Advisor will assist students in identifying campus resources and services that may assist them in reconsidering a decision to leave the University and/or how to re-enter at a later date.
Appropriate intervention strategies also are implemented for enrolled students who may be at risk for stopping out or dropping out of school prior to realizing their academic goal. When identified, these “at risk” students will be provided with information about University procedures or given referrals for problems related to academic, personal, social, or financial difficulties.
For more information, please contact the Center for Academic and Student Achievement (415-422-5050).
Leave of Absence
Registered students in good standing (academic and disciplinary) who wish to leave the University temporarily should file a Leave of Absence form with the Office of the University Registrar. Leave of Absence forms are available online.
It is the students’ responsibility to contact their school or college for additional information regarding a leave of absence before they file a Leave of Absence form with the Office of the University Registrar.
All leaves of absence that result from a health or wellness issue may be handled collaboratively between the students’ school or college and the Dean of Students office. Leaves of absence are authorized case by case.
The maximum leave of absence that may be granted at any one time is one academic year. Students who do not return for the semester specified are considered to have withdrawn from the University; they must apply for readmission should they wish to return.
Students who wish to enroll for course work at other institutions during their leave of absence from the University must obtain their USF dean’s prior written approval and must observe the rules for courses taken at other institutions. Courses taken without prior written approval will not be counted toward the degree.
Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence from the university on or after the first day of the semester must comply with the official USF withdrawal or leave of absence policy to be eligible for a refund of tuition charges and residence hall fees. A pro-rated refund of charges will be applied for students withdrawing or taking a leave of absence within the first 21 days of the fall and spring semester.
Leave of Absence and Financial Aid Awards
Students receiving federal financial aid in the semester that they take a leave of absence will be considered to have withdrawn from the university. The enrollment change will be reported to the federal Department of Education and can affect the start of federal loan repayment. Additional information is available on the Financial Aid website.
For further information, see the “Withdrawal from the University” below and “Federal Student Financial Aid (Title IV Policy).”
Withdrawal from the University
Students planning to withdraw from the University are encouraged to make an appointment with their dean’s office or advisor prior to initiating withdrawal procedures.
Petition to Withdraw forms are available in the Office of the University Registrar, most deans’ offices, and online. The withdrawal becomes final only when the completed form or an intention to withdraw has been filed with the Office of the University Registrar.
Students who simply absent themselves from class without providing appropriate notice of intention to withdraw will have failing grades (F) posted to their records. Withdrawal from the University must occur on or before the last day to withdraw from classes for any semester. For the summer term, a withdrawal applies only to those programs that require a summer enrollment.
Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence from the university on or after the first day of the semester must comply with the official USF withdrawal or leave of absence policy to be eligible for a refund of tuition charges and residence hall fees. A pro-rated refund of charges will be applied for students withdrawing or taking a leave of absence within the first 21 days of the fall and spring semester.
Students mailing their withdrawal notification should send them by certified mail to:
Office of the University Registrar
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080
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