Adding Classes
Courses of semester length may be added during the first two weeks of the semester. Permission of the instructor is required starting on the first day of instruction. The deadlines for enrolling late in courses that are less than a semester (17 weeks) in length are determined by the Vice President of Instruction. No student will be allowed to enroll after the census date. All add dates are posted on the Taft College website.
Dropping Classes
Following registration, students may drop any class in which they no longer wish to be enrolled by logging in to their Cougar Tracks account and or by completing a drop form and returning it to the Counseling Center. Non-attendance does not release the student from this responsibility and could result in failing grades being awarded or fees being assessed. Courses dropped by the instructor for non-attendance will incur enrollment fees. Financial aid may be affected. Please refer to the Add/Drop Deadlines document posted on the Taft College website for specific deadlines. Withdrawal from a class after the drop deadline shall be authorized in the event of extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accidents, illnesses, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. The student must file a petition with the Director of Admissions and Records with documentation for review by the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee. The academic report of a student who remains in class beyond this time must reflect an evaluative symbol.
Auditing Classes
The audit status is subject to the following guidelines:
- Priority registration shall be given to students desiring to take the course for credit towards a degree or certificate.
- Classroom attendance of students auditing a course shall not be included in computing the apportionment due a community college district.
- No student auditing a course shall be permitted to change their enrollment in that course to receive credit for the course.
- The auditor checks with the instructor after the first class meeting and after all students have had an opportunity to enroll in the class. If there is room available, the auditor may register in the Counseling Center using the Audit Class Registration form.
- An auditor must have the permission of the instructor to audit a class.
- Fees to audit shall not exceed $15.00 per unit.
- There are no attendance requirements, and grades are not issued.
- If a textbook is desired for the class being audited and it is a rental textbook, there is a 20% (10% with a student organization card) book rental fee.
- No refunds of audit fees will be allowed if a student is admitted and registered as an auditor.
Attendance Requirements
Students are expected to attend all sessions of each class in which they are enrolled. Since regular attendance is one of the most important factors contributing to student success in college work, the student will enhance their own performance by eliminating all unnecessary absences.
Instructors may drop a student from a class for excessive absences. A student is considered to be excessively absent when their cumulative absences exceed the total number of hours that the class meets during one week. Individual instructors may establish more stringent regulations at their discretion. However, if they do, each student involved is to be given a written notice of explanation by the instructor at the beginning of each semester. Otherwise, the general attendance policy applies.
Faculty members should give full consideration to excusing students from classes to participate in scheduled college activities such as athletics and field trips. The student must make arrangements in advance to make up the work to be missed.
Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from any class or classes in which they no longer wish to be enrolled. Students should not depend on the instructor to drop them for non- attendance and they will be held liable for enrollment fees on courses not dropped by the stated drop deadlines posted on the website. Financial aid may be affected.
Withdrawing After the Deadline
A student may withdraw from a course or courses after the final withdrawal date if there are extenuating circumstances. The procedure for students or their representatives to petition for withdrawal after the deadline is available on the Taft College website.
The petition must be submitted to the Director of Admissions and Records who will evaluate each petition and forward to the Academic Policies and Procedures committee for review as needed.
Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accidents, illnesses or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. If a petition to withdraw after the final deadline is approved, the student will be assigned an excused withdrawal.
Leave of Absence
In exceptional cases a student may be granted a leave of absence and re-enter with the same standing as at the time of withdrawal. Contact your counselor for additional information.