Ball State University now has one official withdrawal period for all classes, which replaces the confusing and sometimes grade-damaging policies of the past.
Before, students were at the mercy of professors if they missed the first withdrawal period. A signature was required and the professors had the option of assigning a "W" or an "F" for the class.
Now, students are the true arbiters of their withdrawals, as professors have no input on whether or not a withdrawal will be allowed. The possibility of a failing grade within the withdrawal period has been eliminated because a "W" will be given any time a student withdraws within the 45-day grace period.
The university has taken a step forward with its new policy about withdrawing from class, but there are still areas in which students have little control due to restrictive policies.
The most recognized inconvenience comes with dining and meal card restrictions. Students are told when they can eat and how much they have to spend. The only area students have control over is where they choose to spend their meal card.
For some students, college enables freedoms not previously granted. There are no parents around to say what is and is not allowed, and no doubt for some this freedom is given entirely too soon.
Where the university has given responsibility back to the students concerning course withdrawal, Dining should also consider giving students more responsibility for how meal cards are spent. If students are capable of managing their courses, they should be more than qualified to manage their dining accounts.
Restrictive laptop policies are also troublesome. As it stands now, students are at the whim of their professors, who may or may not allow laptops in class. Even then, some departments seem to be more encouraging of laptop use than others.
For such a tech-savvy school, one that is even considered the "most unwired campus in the nation" by Intel Corporation, these policies seem contradictory.
The main concern with laptops is the distractions they may cause in class. For the majority of students, however, laptops serve as an easier and better way to take notes, find information and even complete their work while in class.
Some students might take advantage of allowing laptop use in class, but for the most part students and classes would benefit from laptops if they were allowed.
The university has taken a step in the right direction in allowing students to make the decision when withdrawing from class is concerned, and this should continue in other areas as well.
Although the new withdrawal policy gives more responsibility to students, there are still plenty of areas where students should have control.
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