Academic Policies

Availability of Student Records

The Registrar’s Office policy is to not release personally identifiable academic information, including but not limited to transcripts, grade point averages, and class rank, by telephone, fax, email, or any other means to any individual or entity, except under the following circumstances:

  1. the student has provided specific authorization for the release;
  2. the release is required by law; or
  3. the request is made by an individual acting on behalf of Wabash College who demonstrates a legitimate educational interest, as defined by the College’s FERPA policy.

Except in the case of transcript requests, release of personally identifiable academic information must be authorized by the student through a signed request submitted for each individual disclosure. The Registrar’s Office will accept such authorization by email, provided the message is sent from the student’s official Wabash College email account (ending in @wabash.edu). The authorization must clearly identify:

  1. the information to be released;
  2. the individual or entity to whom the information may be released; and
  3. the purpose of the disclosure.

Transcript requests are submitted through the National Student Clearinghouse. Current students may access the Clearinghouse's Self Services site to place an order. Alumni and former students may submit requests through www.studentclearinghouse.org.

The Registrar’s Office processes transcript requests during normal Wabash College business hours. Requests will generally be fulfilled within two to four business days following receipt.

Current and former students may attach up to two additional documents to a transcript request for transmission with the transcript. Examples include a co-curricular transcript or materials associated with graduate or professional school applications. Current and non-current students may also elect to pick up their transcript in the Registrar’s Office. Notification that the transcript is ready for pickup will be sent by email.

Changes in Major or Minor

All changes to a major or minor must be submitted by mid-semester of the Fall semester of the senior year. This deadline ensures proper faculty assignment for January comprehensive examinations. Changes require approval from the student’s academic advisor and must be submitted in writing to the Registrar’s Office. The required form is available in the Registrar’s Office or on the Registrar's web page.

Excused Absences

Students may be excused for College-sponsored activities, health reasons, or personal obligations. When properly requested by the student, faculty members honor excuses issued by the Dean of Students or the College Physician. Faculty members work with students to determine how missed work will be made up.

Petitions

A student may petition for an exception to academic policies, such as enrolling in six or more course credits in a semester or adding or dropping a course after the deadline because of extenuating circumstances. To do so, the student must obtain a petition form from the Registrar’s Office or the Registrar's web page, complete the student section, obtain recommendations from the academic advisor and other faculty members as appropriate, and submit the completed form to the Registrar’s Office.

Petitions for course overloads (more than 5.5 credits in a semester) must be submitted at the time of registration. The Curriculum Appeals Committee will review the petition and communicate its decision to the student, advisor, and other relevant signers, as appropriate.