Registration and Attendance

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Academic Year Calendar
• Registration Procedure
• Adding/Dropping Courses
• Auditors
• Course Load Classification
• Class Attendance
• Instructor Withdrawal
• Withdrawal from Stanislaus State
• Continuous Enrollment Requirement
• Leave of Absence
• Transcripts

Academic Year Calendar

For a more detailed one-page calendar or a multi-paged alternate formatted calendar, visit the Academic Calendar webpage.

Hours of Operation

Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Summer hours are observed from June through August, and are from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some smaller campus offices temporarily close during the winter recess and summer term. Please call to verify office hours before visiting.

Registration Procedure

Students may register, add or drop courses, or withdraw from the University via myStanState portal. This system is the only way to register for classes during the Priority Registration Appointment Period. After the Priority Registration period ends, students may register via the web or in person at the Enrollment Services Office.

For the most current and complete instructions for the use of myStanState portal and registration dates and deadlines, refer to the Schedule of Classes information.

At the start of each term, students should verify the completeness and accuracy of all of their intended enrollment transactions through myStanState portal. A student who unofficially drops a course or leaves Stanislaus State without officially dropping courses or withdrawing from the University through the Enrollment Services Office, may receive grades of WU, F, or NC. A student who attends a course without officially adding it through the Enrollment Services Office by the last day to add a course will not receive credit for the course.

Students who do not attend the first class meeting after registering for a course may be dropped from the course by the instructor. However, a student will be held personally responsible for officially dropping unwanted courses through the Enrollment Services Office by the deadline to drop courses. (Refer to the section on “Instructor Withdrawal” in this section.) Registration appointments are determined by units completed within class level in the following order: seniors, classified students in master’s and credential programs, juniors, sophomores, freshman, and unclassified postbaccalaureate students.

Adding and Dropping Courses

The class schedule information provides complete information on adding or dropping courses for a particular term. The following regulations govern adding or dropping a course during the term:

1. Choice of Method: Students may add or drop courses via myStanState portal.
2. Deadlines: Students may add courses until the last day to add, as indicated in the class schedule information. Permission numbers are required on and after the first day of classes. After the Enrollment Census Date, students are responsible for completion of the course(s) in which they are enrolled. Dropping a course is permitted until the Enrollment Census Date.
3. Exceptions: When documented extreme circumstances beyond the student’s control, e.g., accident, serious illness, transfer out of the area, hospitalization, etc., make dropping a course or withdrawing from the University necessary, and when continued enrollment would unduly penalize the student, the student may petition for an exemption to the regulation. When a student is permitted by petition or other special action to drop a course after the Enrollment Census Date, the Administrative grade symbol of “W” (withdraw) will be assigned.
4. Refunds: Students who are entitled to a partial refund because of a reduced course load must have officially dropped courses by the published refund deadline.
5. Enrollment Status: Students who drop all of their classes prior to the Enrollment Census Date are not considered enrolled for that term and may be required to reapply for admission to resume enrollment for the following term. (See policy on Admission Reapplication Requirement.) Students who drop all of their classes after the Enrollment Census Date are considered enrolled for that term and are eligible to register as continuing students for the following term. This policy applies to both postbaccalaureate and undergraduate students.
6. Class Registration Closure Policy: All classes shall be closed to open registration at 9:59 p.m. the day before classes are scheduled to begin.  The addition of students following the beginning of instruction shall be at the discretion of the instructor by the use of permission numbers, or their equivalent.

Auditors

With the instructor’s permission, admitted students may register in courses as auditors without credit. Auditors are not authorized in a full course. Enrollment will be permitted only after students otherwise eligible to enroll in the course on a credit basis have had an opportunity to do so. To add a class for audit, a registered student must file a Registration Options form at the Enrollment Services Office. Auditors must pay the same registration fees as other students and may not change their registration to obtain credit after the last day to drop a course. A student registered for credit may not change to audit status after the last day to drop a course. An auditor may participate in class activities or take examinations with the instructor’s consent. Regular class attendance is expected. An audited course will not be posted on the permanent academic record unless the student has formally registered for the course and, in the opinion of the instructor, has attended a substantial number of class meetings.

Course Load Classifications

Audit enrollment does not yield unit load credit for other than fee purposes. Financial aid recipients must enroll at least half-time to qualify for payment from most campus-awarded funds. Payments will be prorated for full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time and in some limited cases less-than-half-time enrollment. Payments to unclassified graduate students and graduate credential candidates will be based on the credit totals defined for undergraduate students.

Undergraduate Full-time and Part-time Students:

All undergraduates are classified as full- or part-time by credit totals:

Notes:

1. During the fall/spring/summer terms these classifications also apply to postbaccalaureate unclassified students, 2nd bachelor’s students, and credential students.
2. International students enrolled in 12 units are classified as full-time during fall/spring/summer.
3. Veterans should refer to the section on Veterans status for classification information.
4. Financial Aid applicants should contact the Financial Aid Office for eligible enrollment level.

Graduate Classification

Postbaccalaureate students enrolled for 4 or more credits of coursework applicable to a graduate program are classified as full-time or part-time according to the unit totals shown below.

Note: International classified graduate students enrolled in 8 units are considered full-time and unclassified graduate students enrolled in 12 units are considered full-time students during fall/spring/summer.

Class Attendance

Regularity in attending classes is assumed. The instructor sets the attendance policies. It is the student’s responsibility to consult the instructor about particular policies regarding missed class sessions and to give the instructor notice prior to any anticipated absence. The supervisors of University-sanctioned activities have an obligation to respect the importance of regular class attendance for successful academic performance and to minimize the number of such absences.  Instructional faculty have an obligation to respect the importance of student participation in University-sanctioned activities and should work to assist students in meeting their academic responsibilities.  The instructor will determine what arrangements, if any, are to be provided for the student to make up class work and will communicate those arrangements to the student.

Instructor Withdrawal

Students who register for a class and do not attend the first class meeting should notify the instructor or the departmental office no later than 24 hours after the first class meeting of their intent to remain in the course.  A student who fails to do so may then be dropped administratively from the class by the instructor.  If a student misses any other class sessions within the first 7 calendar days of the start date without notifying the instructor, the instructor may IW the student.  If a student who registers for an online class fails to log on to the course website within 48 hours of the start date (8am, Pacific Time), the instructor may IW the student.  (Courses are assumed to begin on the start date of the semester, unless otherwise specified in the schedule of classes.)

An instructor may also administratively drop a student who does not meet the catalog prerequisites for the class.  These instructor withdrawals are done by the instructor, following established procedures, through the Director of Enrollment Services.  These administrative drops shall be without penalty and must be filed by the instructor with the Director of Enrollment Services no later than the census date.

At the end of the fourth week of instruction there shall be a campus-wide enrollment update; if the instructor fails to administratively drop a student who has not attended class, it is still the student’s responsibility to drop the class through the Enrollment Services Office.

Withdrawal from Stanislaus State

Students must enroll at least part-time for one semester each calendar year to maintain rights to their original catalog year for graduation requirements, as explained in the “Catalog Year for Graduation Requirements” section of this catalog under “Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.”

Withdrawal from a course (or courses) is permitted, without restriction or penalty, prior to the Enrollment Census Date.  No symbol is recorded in such instances.  In connection with all other approved withdrawals, the “W” symbol shall be used.

a. Undergraduate students may withdraw from no more than 18 semester-units.

b. The limit applies only to units attempted at Stanislaus State.

c. Withdrawals after the Enrollment Census Date and prior to the last twenty percent of instruction may be assigned only for serious and compelling reasons.  Permission to withdraw during this time shall be granted only with the approval of the instructor, the department chair, and the college dean.  All requests to withdraw under these circumstances and all approvals shall be documented using a Withdrawal Form with the Enrollment Services Office and such approvals shall be maintained in accordance with campus record retention policy.

d. Withdrawals shall not be permitted during the final twenty percent of instruction except in cases, such as accident or serious illness, where the cause of withdrawal is due to circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control and the assignment of an Incomplete is not practicable.  Withdrawals of this sort may involve 1) total withdrawal from the campus or 2) may involve only selected courses.  However, a course grade and credit or an Incomplete may be assigned for courses in which sufficient work has been completed to permit an evaluation to be made.  Requests for permission to withdraw under these circumstances shall be handled and filed as indicated in the preceding paragraph, except that such requests must also be approved by the Vice Provost (appointed by the president to act in such matters).  Such withdrawals shall not count against maximums provided for in a. above.

e. A “W” shall not be used in calculating grade point average or progress points.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement

Students who do not complete at least one course during one semester each calendar year risk the loss of rights to their original catalog year graduation requirements, as explained in the Catalog Year for Graduation Requirements section of this catalog under Baccalaureate Degree Requirements . See the Readmission Requirements section of this catalog.

Leave of Absence

Students who do not enroll at least part-time for one semester each calendar year risk the loss of rights to their original catalog year graduation requirements. A Leave of Absence is a temporary leave from the university, which may be necessary during your academic career. This leave ensures that your program of study and access to many University services remain active. The length of time permitted for approved leaves of absence is governed by Title 5 and CSU Chancellor’s Office Memorandum.

A Leave of Absence is initiated by submitting a Request for Leave of Absence form, including all requested documentation, to Enrollment Services. Students will be notified by the Director of Enrollment Services (or designee) if the request for leave was approved or not approved.

Stanislaus State students who will not be enrolled at Stanislaus State for only one semester DO NOT need to request a leave of absence. Students are granted an automatic leave of absence for one fall or spring semester each academic year. 

 1. Who is eligible? 

• Stanislaus State undergraduate, second baccalaureate, and credential students who will not be enrolled at Stanislaus State for more than one fall or spring semester in a calendar year may file for a leave of absence to maintain enrollment eligibility and catalog rights to specified degree requirement options. 

• Continuing International Students: Foreign students with J or F visas who meet the criteria for a leave of absence are required to contact the Office of International Education to learn more about the impact of a leave on their visa status. 

2. Who is not eligible? 

• Students dismissed due to academic deficiencies or disciplinary actions are not eligible for leaves of absence. 
• Students enrolled only in extension courses or as auditors are not eligible for leaves of absence.
• A request for a leave of absence is not required by the Graduate School; however, it may be required by the program. Students should consult with the specific graduate program director for individual program policy. If enrollment is interrupted for more than one semester, it will be necessary for students to reapply to the University and program. 
• This leave of absence petition is NOT for students who will be taking courses at another accredited college/university. 

3. What if I need to file this petition in the middle of the semester? 

• Educational leaves may begin at any time. However, if a student chooses to begin a leave while coursework is in progress, the student is subject to all applicable regulations and University policies. All contractual agreements (housing, financial aid, etc.) must be satisfactorily terminated in addition to withdrawal from courses. 

Types of Approved Leaves of Absence 

• Medical 
• Military
• Personal (including work obligations, family obligations, financial challenges)
• Planned Educational (to pursue educationally-related activities that will enhance the prospect of successful completion of their academic programs)

Availability of Services while on Leave of Absence

• A student on a Leave of Absence shall be expected to devote the period to off-campus activities. The student shall be classified as “on leave” and shall not be considered a regularly enrolled student. Therefore, the student is not entitled to the campus services normally provided to enrolled students, except that the student may confer with academic advisors and other university personnel regarding leave activity and plans for re-enrollment.
• Students on leave will continue to have access to their campus email and the student portal (including all notifications related to registration, financial aid, holds, etc.).

Return Responsibilities and Benefits

• Students returning from an approved educational leave may be required to submit a new admission application. Readmission is guaranteed providing the admission application is filed according to the following schedule: fall, Oct 1- 30; and spring, August 1-31; or 30 days after leave approval, whichever is later. A student will be guaranteed normal registration priority and rights to prior graduation requirements provided leave terms fully are met and proper return procedures are followed.

Compliance

• A student on a Planned Student Leave who does not comply with the provisions of this policy and the conditions of the leave is subject to forfeiture of the advantages of this program.
• Continuing students who are on approved leave but do not enroll in the fall or spring semester following the leave will need to reapply for admission to the University, including appropriate fees. Students will be required to meet admissions and graduation requirements associated with the term of re-admission.

Transcripts

Official transcripts of courses attempted at Stanislaus State are issued only with the written permission of the student concerned. Partial transcripts are not issued. Transcript fees are as follows: $4 for a single copy; $2 for each additional transcript prepared at the same time up to ten copies; $1 for each additional transcript prepared at the same time exceeding ten copies. A verification of enrollment fee is $5. A priority transcript or enrollment verification request fee is $10. Transcripts from other institutions which have been presented for admission or evaluation become a part of the student’s permanent academic file. Students desiring transcripts covering work attempted elsewhere should request them from the institutions concerned. Students should allow 7-10 working days for transcript processing. Students may obtain copies of their Stanislaus State course history by logging on to their account online and accessing their information in their myStanState portal.