The Office of the Dean of Students can provide support and explain options for students who have experienced a non-academic emergency. If you experienced a non-academic Emergency such as a traumatic event or severe medical problem and the timing or nature of the emergency prevented you from voluntarily withdrawing, you may be eligible for an Emergency Withdrawal. Listed below are steps to receiving support through the application process.
- Let us know: The first step in receiving assistance is to let someone know. You can email the Office of the Dean of Students at [email protected] to make an appointment to discuss options and additional resources that may be beneficial for you.
- Meet with Someone: Once you meet with a member of the Student Assistance Team and discuss your options, you will learn of resources and offices that could help your academics (such as Voluntarily Withdrawal, Repeat to Replace, Incomplete, or Panther Answer).
- Review the Policy: If you decide that you would like to apply for an Emergency Withdrawal, you can discuss the Emergency Withdrawal Policy and Application process with the Student Assistance Coordinator, but we encourage students to also review the Emergency Withdrawal Policy before submitting the application.
- Gather your supporting documents: Once you review the policy, you will need to gather documents that support your statement of Emergency Withdrawal. The type of documents depend on your emergency, but some examples are letters from your healthcare provider with dates and how your medical situation impacted your courses, a death certificate or funeral program, official documents from a state agency, or a letter from your employer regarding job loss or mandatory changes.
- Write your statement: After securing your documents, you will need to gather your thoughts and draft a personal statement for your Emergency Withdrawal. In your personal statement, address what your non-academic emergency was, when it occurred, how it impacted your courses, and why you did not voluntarily withdrawal. In extenuating circumstances an Emergency Withdrawal may be approved for some but not all your classes. If your emergency impacted some of your courses, but not all, make sure you address those extenuating circumstances in your statement.
- Fill out the application: With your documents and statement ready to go, you can fill out your application for an Emergency Withdrawal online. Be sure to include your first and last name, panther ID number, student email address and the best phone number to reach you. Keep in mind that the application is for one semester. If you experienced an emergency that affected two semesters, you will need to include a separate application, statement, and documentation. You’ll want to have your courses and CRNs handy by visiting your PAWS account to indicate what semester and classes were impacted by your emergency.
Dealing with an emergency during the semester can be difficult, but the Office of the Dean of Students is available to assist students by providing them with options and resources that may be beneficial to their health and academics. For additional information, email us at [email protected], call us at 404-413-1515, or stop by our offices on each campus.