On Jan 26, 2011, I wrote to the U of C Appeals Board:

To whom it may concern,

Yesterday night, I dropped a class only to discover (after the fact, via a Student Center notification) that I would be receiving a grade of ‘W’ for this course. I checked the important dates page and realized that unlike the last time I dropped a course, this year the deadline to do so was before the fee payment deadline rather than coincident with it.

I understand it is entirely my responsibility to adhere to these deadlines, and I am fully to blame for this mixup. However, I believe I have significant grounds upon which to justify my appeal to have this course dropped without my needing to pay the course tuition fees.

Put into context: I’m in my final semester of study towards a BA in Film Studies (Hons), and am at a point where accumulating further course credits is not an issue. The course in question, FILM403: Topic in the Director’s Cinema, I already have credit for since I took it under another topic/decimal last year. The reason I enrolled in the course this semester is twofold: 1) I planned only to audit it; and 2) because the present topic is of interest to me, and the professor teaching it also happens to be one of the best in the university. I had discussed the possibility of auditing this course with the prof as early as April 28, 2010 (see appended, below), and she was and is still fully aware that I don’t plan on attending the class for credit. (I didn’t write the quiz on Monday, for instance.)

The reason I had enrolled via Student Center as if I would be attending the class as a full student is because a significant portion of the class’ appeal derives the the online Discussion Board posts students prepare after each weeks screening. (I have taken many courses with this prof that followed this exact format, so I knew how rewarding these discussion are). Had I not enrolled via Student Center, I wouldn’t have been added to the Blackboard roster, and I wouldn’t have been able to access these posts. The reason I dropped the class last night was because Lee informed us during our evening lecture that a Blackboard post would not be required this week, so I figured this would be a good time to initiate the transition between official and audit status (since there would no doubt be some ‘down time’ in between dropping the course and being reinstated as an auditor). To my horror, I’d narrowly missed the deadline.

I couldn’t care less about the ‘W’ status on my transcript, for my grades have never been an issue. I do, however, care about the ~$500 in fees I’m now required to pay. Ideally, I would be eternally grateful if I could just drop this course as if I had done so before the deadline.

Much appreciated,
Murray Smith
322710

Today, I received this reply:

Hello Murray,

The Registration Appeal Committee has reviewed your appeal submission and granted you approval for a late drop from FILM 403. The W grade has been removed and the course has been dropped from your schedule. This is now reflected on your Student Center.

Sincerely,
Registration Appeal Committee
University of Calgary

I have never felt a deeper appreciation for the administrative staff at my school. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. University rules.

THANK YOU!

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