Withdrawal from the University
Voluntary Withdrawal
A graduate student who wishes to withdraw voluntarily from the university during a semester must do so in writing to the program chair and/or Director of Graduate Studies for their program and to the Dean of their school and the Dean for Graduate Studies on or before the last day of instruction in the term. Students may request a withdrawal by emailing Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs Alyssa Canelli, who will reach out to you to discuss your request. Failure to notify the University in writing of a withdrawal may subject the student to loss of eligibility for refunds in accordance with the refund schedule outlined in the “Fees and Expenses” section. Permission to withdraw voluntarily will not be granted if the student has not discharged all financial obligations to the University or has not made financial arrangements satisfactory to the Office of Student Financial Services.
Involuntary Withdrawal
Failure to Register: Students who fail to register by the registration deadline (refer to the Academic Calendar) and/or fail to meet their financial obligations with the Office of Student Financial Services will be administratively withdrawn. They may be readmitted for study in a subsequent term, but not for the term in which they were withdrawn for failure to register. Belatedly fulfilling financial obligations will not negate the effects of administrative withdrawal.
Lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress: a student whose academic record indicates a lack of satisfactory academic progress may be withdrawn at any time. Whether readmission in a subsequent term and any conditions on such readmission will be determined by the student's program in consultation with the appropriate graduate school Dean.
Additionally, a student may be administratively withdrawn due to unacceptable academic performance, violations of academic integrity, or violations of the University's Rights and Responsibilities.
Notification of Withdrawal and Appeal Process
If a student has been formally notified that they will be withdrawn from the university at the end of a semester, the student will have 48 hours to indicate to the Dean of their school whether they wish to appeal. If a student wishes to appeal, the Dean will convene a review board composed of four faculty members from outside the student’s home department/program. The student will have seven (7) calendar days to file a written appeal to the Dean, indicating why the situation does not warrant withdrawal. Normally, the review board will hear that appeal within seven (7) calendar days of the Dean’s receipt of the written appeal petition. The Dean will serve as a non-voting member of committee. The student and the director of graduate studies within the student’s department will both have the opportunity to meet with the review board if they so choose. The board will communicate its decision to the Dean (or a designee), who will review the recommendation and communicate the final decision to the student. The Dean's decision shall be final.
Access to Campus Services
When a student withdraws without a degree, their Brandeis email account is closed, and they lose access to Workday and Moodle the effective date of their withdrawal. They will not have alum access to library databases, although students who were enrolled for at least a year may join the Brandeis University Alumni Association and borrow books. They will not be eligible for alum access to the athletic facilities.
As all parking permits run for the academic year (September 1 through August 31), students who withdraw mid-year will still be able to use their permits through the expiration date.