University of Delaware Office of the Registrar

The University of Delaware's Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification (CURC - pronounced "Kirk") is an administrative committee that has two main functions:

• Review of student academic records at the end of fall and spring semesters to determine academic standing (good standing, academic probation, and academic dismissal).
• Review of requests for changes to the academic record from students who have experienced academic difficulty because of documented extenuating circumstances, including serious illness, chronic disability, serious family problems, and similar situations.

CURC meets monthly, except during August, with extra meetings in January and June to review end-of-term records.  The committee members include administrators and faculty. Because students do not contact Committee members directly, the names of the members are not published (see Procedure for Submitting Requests ). 

What the Committee Can Do

Within certain guidelines, CURC has authority to retain students in good standing or on academic probation, or to dismiss students for academic deficiency. Decisions are based on the student's accumulated grade point average and on submitted documentation of extenuating circumstances.

In addition, CURC can approve requests for changes to the academic record, including such actions as retroactive withdrawal (typically for the entire term affected) and change of grade status (Pass/Fail - Standard Grade - Auditor) - again, such action requires documentation of extenuating circumstances. The assistant dean's office can explain more fully the types of actions that CURC can take. See also the next section What the Committee Cannot Do.

What the Committee Cannot Do

CURC has no authority to:

• Make admission or readmission decisions, either to selected majors/programs or to the University
• Grant exceptions to financial policies (consult the Billing and Collection Office)
• Change letter grades for courses (see the Grade Grievance policy in the Student Guide to University Policies)
• Award incomplete grades for courses (Incompletes must be negotiated directly with and approved by the individual instructor.)
• Grant exceptions to major and/or college requirements for a degree (Final decision rests with the department or college.)
• Consider requests involving graduate programs (Consult the Office of Graduate Studies.)
• Make decisions involving Code of Conduct (behavioral) violations (Consult the Office of Student Conduct.)
• Alter the academic record of students who have already graduated (such requests are not considered by the University). For Associate degree students, the Committee will not alter the record of courses taken prior to earning the Associate Degree once the Associate Degree has been conferred.
• "Clean up" the academic record by selective removal of poor grades (such requests are not considered by the University)

Understanding Grade Point Average

• GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING

  Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 to be in good academic standing.  The CURC bases its decisions on student standing whenever a student's grade point average falls below a 2.0.

• QUALITY POINT DEFICIT

  Quality point deficits are used to determine scholastic standing; these deficits begin to accumulate when a student's cumulative grade point index falls below 2.0. The quality point deficit is determined by subtracting the cumulative number of quality points from twice the cumulative number of quality hours. (Quality hours are accumulated only for courses receiving grades of A, B, C, D (plus or minus), F, X and Z.)

• PROBATION

  When a baccalaureate degree candidate has a cumulative grade point index below 2.0, the Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification places the student on Academic Probation if the quality point deficit is 12.99 points or less. Students on probation may not register for more than 14 credit hours (generally four academic courses plus military science, physical education activity, and SkilMod courses).

• DISMISSAL FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY

  A student with a quality point deficit of more than 12.99 points will be dropped for academic deficiency, pending review by the Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification.

  CURC reviews the case of each student who is pending dismissal. These reviews occur in mid-January for students dropped at the end of the fall semester, and in mid-June for students dropped at the end of the spring semester. Students with serious extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or personal problems, may petition through their assistant dean's office for potential reinstatement on special probation. It is important that petitions for extenuating circumstances be well documented, preferably by medical or counseling professionals. Approval of such petitions may be granted by CURC, upon the recommendation of the assistant dean's office.

• REINSTATEMENT ON SPECIAL PROBATION

  In extraordinary cases, the Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification may, upon recommendation from the assistant dean's office, place a student on Special Probation even if he or she has a quality point deficit of more than 12.99. Special Probation is granted only when extenuating circumstances exist, and when evidence suggests that the student will be able to meet academic standards if given an additional opportunity.

  Students on Special Probation may remain enrolled at the University with a quality point deficit of more than 12.99 quality points. But if the quality point deficit increases, or if it fails to decrease, the student will be dismissed.

  Freshman students in academic difficulty may be held on Special Probation through the spring semester if they have a quality point deficit of 12.99 or more at the end of the fall semester. Their registration for winter and spring courses must be supervised by the department or college advisor.

Procedure for Submitting CURC Requests

All requests for action should be submitted to CURC in writing and be signed.

• If the student is enrolled in a degree program on the main campus or is in the University Studies Program (undeclared), the request should be submitted to the office of the student's assistant dean.
   
• Associate in Arts students should discuss their request with the Academic Advisor on their campus and then submit it to the assistant dean for the Associate in Arts Program at the Newark office, using instructions provided by the Advisor.
   
• Continuing Education students should consult with the ACCESS center.
   

The assistant dean of the college or program will present the request at the next scheduled CURC meeting.

Documentation should be attached to the request or sent directly to the assistant dean's office. Generally, an interview will be required to discuss the request. Each college sets its own deadlines for submission of requests and documentation.  You may schedule an interview and inquire about deadlines for submission of requests by calling the appropriate number below:

All telephone numbers are in area code 302.
 

Documentation

Because of its far-reaching powers, CURC insists on thorough documentation of the student's extenuating circumstances. Often, such documentation is in the form of a letter from a professional (physician, counselor, etc.) who is in a position to verify the situation. Only original documentation (not copies) will be accepted. CURC generally disregards "character references" from friends or family members. You will be given guidance on appropriate forms of documentation when you interview with the assistant dean's office staff.

If your request is based on a disability, you must submit documentation of the disability to the Office of Disabilities Support Services and request an assessment of the disability's potential impact on your academic performance DSS may ask you to provide additional information if the documentation is incomplete (guidelines for documentation of LD/ADHD are available at www.udel.edu/DSS). In addition, you must submit your written letter of request to CURC and your documentation to your assistant dean. DSS will provide a report to the assistant dean, based upon its review of the materials made available, and the assistant dean will provide this information to CURC when your request is presented.

In the case of a request involving a claim of an error in registration, your assistant dean will confirm your attendance or non-attendance with the course instructor, and will then forward your request to CURC.

You should be aware that CURC routinely checks the authenticity of documentation. If CURC finds evidence that you have submitted falsified or forged documents, judicial charges will be brought against you in accordance with the University's Code of Conduct and, if you are found guilty, you will face penalties up to and including expulsion.

All documentation is retained in the student's file within the college assistant dean's office and then in university archives until being destroyed according to the University records retention schedule. CURC observes strict confidentiality and will not release information about the request, your circumstances, or your documentation without your written permission.

Notification of CURC's Decision

You will receive written notification of CURC's decision. Please allow two weeks from the date of the CURC meeting for receipt of this letter. Letters are sent to the student's local address on file with the Registrar's Office.

Resubmission of Requests

If your petition has been declined, you may submit additional documentation and ask CURC to reconsider your request. Requests for reconsideration are made through the same procedure as the original request. CURC generally declines to reconsider cases for which no new documentation is available.