Drop/Add Policy

Adding A Course – A course(s) may be added during the late registration/late add period without special permission, unless the course has reached the established maximum enrollment. To add any class that has reached the enrollment limit requires permission of the instructor and department chair.  After the registration/late add period, special permission must be obtained from the instructor, the department chair, the dean and the registrar.

Dropping A Course – A course(s) may be dropped during the first eight calendar weeks of a regular semester. Courses dropped during the first two weeks will not appear on the student’s permanent record.  Students who drop a course after the second full week of classes through the eighth calendar week will receive the grade of “W”.  (During the Summer Session, or when courses do not conform to established term dates, this schedule is adjusted appropriately to fit the condensed time frames.)

Developmental Studies courses cannot be dropped without written permission from the University Advisement Center located on the second level of the D. P. Culp Center.

After the eighth week a student may not drop a course, except where verifiable, extenuating circumstances can be demonstrated.  Verifiable extenuating circumstances are reasons beyond the control of the student, such as illness or accidental injury.  Poor performance in a class is not an extenuating circumstance.

Students seeking permission for late drops must present a petition to the dean of the college or school in which they are majoring as of the beginning of the semester.  Students whose majors are undecided must apply to the Office of Undergraduate Student Advisement located in the D. P. Culp University Center.  If a late drop is approved, the student will receive a grade of  W” (Withdrawal) or “WF” (Withdrawn-Failing), as assigned by the instructor of the course.

 

Policy Statement on Drug-Free Campus
(Abridged)

This policy applies to all East Tennessee State University (ETSU) employees, including faculty, and students in compliance with the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 701, East Tennessee State University. seq.) and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (20 U.S.C. 3171, East Tennessee State University. seq.). Moreover, this policy supersedes the Drug-Free Workplace policy promulgated March 13, 1989.

  1. Policy

It is the policy of this university that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, use of alcohol and illicit drugs on the ETSU campus in the workplace (on or off campus), on property owned or controlled by ETSU, or as part of any activity of ETSU is strictly prohibited. All employees and students are subject to applicable federal, state and local laws related to this matter. Additionally, any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

  1. Legal Sanctions

Various federal, state and local statutes make it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, sell or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver or sell, controlled substances. The penalty imposed depends upon many factors which include the type and amount of controlled substance involved, the number of prior offenses, if any, whether death or serious bodily injury resulted from the use of such substance, and whether any other crimes were committed in connection with the use of the controlled substance. Possible maximum penalties for a first-time violation include imprisonment for any period of time up to a term of life imprisonment; a fine of up to $4,000,000 if an individual; supervised release; any combination of the above; or all three. These sanctions are doubled when the offense involves either: 1.) distribution or possession at or near a school or college campus or, 2.) distribution to persons under 21 years of age. Repeat offenders may be punished to a greater extent as provided by statute. Further, a civil penalty of up to $10,000 may be assessed for simple possession of "personal use amounts" of certain specified substances under federal law. Under state law, the offense of possession or casual exchange is punishable of a Class A misdemeanor; if there is an exchange between a minor and an adult at least two years the minor's senior, and the adult knew that the person was a minor, the offense is classified a felony as provided in T.C.A. 39-17-417. (21 U.S.C. 801, East Tennessee State University. seq.; T.C.A. 39-17417)

It is unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one (21) to buy, possess, transport unless in the course of his employment), or consume alcoholic beverages, wine, or beer. Such offenses are classified as Class A misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment for not more than 11 months, 29 days, or a fine of not more than $2,500, or both. (T.C.A. 1-3-113, 57-5-301) It is further an offense to provide alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of twenty-one (21), such offense being classified as a Class A misdemeanor (T.C.A. 39-15-404). The offense of public intoxication is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than 30 days or a fine of not more than $50, or both. (T.C.A. 39-17-310)

  1. Institutional/School Sanctions

East Tennessee State University will impose the appropriate sanctions) on any employee or student who fails to comply with the terms of this policy.

Students

                             A.            Possible disciplinary sanctions for failure to comply with the terms of this policy may include one or more of the following depending on the severity of the offense:

      1. expulsion;
      2. suspension;
      3. mandatory participation in, and satisfactory completion of a drug/alcohol abuse program, or rehabilitation program;
      4. referral for prosecution;
      5. probation;
      6. restriction of privileges;
      7. educational project;
      8. assignment of volunteer work hours;
      9. referral to the University Counseling Center;
      10. written warning;
      11. reprimand.
  1. Health Risks Associated With the Use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol

There are many health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol including organ damage; impairment of brain activity, digestion, and blood circulation; impairment of physiological processes and mental functioning; and physical and psychological dependence. Such use during pregnancy may cause spontaneous abortion, various birth defects or fetal alcohol syndrome. Additionally, the illicit use of drugs increases the risk of contracting hepatitis, AIDS and other infections. If used excessively, the use of alcohol or drugs singularly or in certain combinations may cause death.

  1. Available Drug and Alcohol Counseling Treatment, Rehabilitation Programs, and Employee Assistance Programs

The university and local community provide a variety of educational programs and services to respond to the problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse. The Substance Abuse Educational Program (SAEP) at East Tennessee State University is designed to serve university students by providing information related to alcohol awareness and chemical dependency. The Counseling Center offers several educational programs which seek to involve university student organizations.

Below is a list of campus and community agencies which also provide referral, information, and/or counseling to students and/or employees:

ETSU Counseling Center (students only)

439-4841

ETSU Department of Public Safety

439-4480

ETSU Employee Assistance program

439-5825

State of Tennessee Employee Assistance Program

1-800-237-8574

Alcoholics Anonymous

928-0871

Comprehensive Community Services

928-6581

Al-Anon

928-0871

North Side Hospital

854-5620

Woodridge Hospital

928-7111

Watauga Area Mental Health Center

232-4300

 

Directory Information

ETSU contracts the publication of a directory which shows student names, addresses (e-mail, mailing, and campus box), major, and phone number. In addition, ETSU may release other "directory information." Other "directory information" is defined as: dates of attendance, classification, previous institution(s) attended, awards, honors (includes Dean's list), degrees conferred (including dates), and sports participation information.

If students prefer not to have these items released, they may fill out a form to prevent disclosure of this data. This form is available at the Office of the Registrar and must be submitted no later than the last day to add a course for the Fall term. A new form for nondisclosure must be completed each academic year. A form submitted the last term a student enrolls will remain in effect until the student re-enrolls.

Policy Ensuring Due Process for Students Terminated from University Employment

Part-time university employment provides students with an opportunity to earn extra income while learning about personal responsibility and professionalism in the work place. Consistent with this educational objective, and the university's commitment to treat people with dignity and respect, students who are employed by ETSU on the Federal Work Study program, Academic Performance Scholarship Program or the Regular Student Work Study Program and are terminated for cause have the right to appeal the decision to the next higher level of authority in the administrative hierarchy.

If the student appeals the decision the following procedures will be observed:

  1. The student shall be advised of the reasons for their termination.
  2. The student shall have the right to present a written appeal or to appeal in person to the next higher authority.
  3. The student shall be advised in writing of the outcome of the appeal.