Student Assistance Services
The Dean of Students Office provides assistance and guidance for students who are dealing with issues that affect their personal, academic, and family lives. They help students understand university policies and navigate processes and procedures on campus in order to enhance their academic experience at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Class Absence Notification
Students may find themselves missing classes due to an emergency situation. The Class Absence Notification process is designed to serve as an easy central point of contact for students who need their professors notified of their absence. Upon the request of a student, the Dean of Students notifies the student’s professors of the absence. Students will need to provide a student id number, email address, phone number, dates of absence, reason for absence, and appropriate documentation of reason when they request a class absence notification. Students are responsible for following up with their individual faculty members to make-up any graded assignments missed during their absence from campus. The Class Absence Notification process does not constitute a University excused absence.
Academic Referrals
Students often need some outside assistance in making decisions about continuing courses, withdrawing, refund schedules and deadlines. The Dean of Students staff can provide guidance on institutional rules and procedures, as well as connect students to appropriate academic staff for specific college knowledge and procedures.
Voluntary Administative Withdrawal
A late (current semester after the last day of the official drop period) or retroactive (prior semester) withdrawal permits a student to drop all of the courses that he/she is registered for after the last day to officially drop in a given semester.
The University guidelines for the approval of a voluntary late or retroactive withdrawal requires a student to prove through documentation, that conditions of a psychological nature occurred during the semester in question and that these conditions:
- Caused a serious disruption in academic functioning;
- Are reasonably unforeseeable and unavoidable prior to the last day to officially drop classes.
To be considered for an Administrative Withdrawal a student must provide the following to the Dean of Student’s Office:
- A dated request for withdrawal
- Documentation completed and signed by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed health professional or treatment facility. Documentation should include:
- Diagnosis and/or description of the problem including date of onset, actual or estimated duration and degree of incapacitation.
- Number of assessment/treatment sessions along with beginning and ending dates.
- Summary of the completed treatment plans and plans for continuing treatment if appropriate.
- A recommendation for an administrative withdrawal that explicitly states the impact of the condition on the student’s academic functioning.
The Administrative Withdrawal Committee will review the documentation once it is received. Based on the recommendation of the Administrative Withdrawal Committee, the Vice Chancellor of Student Development will either make a request to the Records Office for the student’s withdrawal, or will ask the Administrative Withdrawal Committee to provide further information or will deny the withdrawal. All supporting documentation is kept confidential and is maintained by Student Development and is not forwarded with the recommendation. The student will be notified in writing of the decision of the Administrative Withdrawal Committee.
Personal Health Resources
Emotional recovery and behavior support is essential to overcoming personal obstacles. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga provides many student resources to meet individual needs and many resources that aid in student success. Departments and services such as Counseling and Career Planning, Office of Students with Disabilities, Women’s Center, and Student Health Services are designed to assist students with emotional and physical support. The Dean of Students Office can assist with connecting students to professionals as appropriate or as needed.
Communication and Coordination of Needs
When requested by the student, The Dean of Students’ Office can communicate information regarding the student’s particular situation to roommates, student organizations and advisors, and/or employers. In addition, the Dean of Students staff can serve as a point of contact related to assisting families with accommodations, gathering resource information, and answering questions about University policies.
