College of Sciences
Two Strikes Rule
Upon earning a second unsatisfactory grade or withdrawal (D, F, W, WP, WF, FI) in a Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics course (BIO 124/125, any 200 level or above Biology course, any 110 level or above Chemistry course, or any 200 level or above Mathematics course, and PHYS 101/110 and PHYS 102/111), the student will not be allowed to repeat that course. After a student earns an unsatisfactory grade twice in the same course at WLU, they may not transfer an equivalent course passed satisfactorily from another institution as a required course. Auditing a Natural Science and Mathematics course will count as an attempt. A student has the right to formally appeal decision involving such matters to the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Appeals Committee.
A student who wishes to appeal expulsion from a course within the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics due to the Two Strikes Rule has to initiate the appeal process no later than the 5th class day of the following semester. A formal appeal letter must be addressed to the faculty member in charge of the program (the Chair or an Assistant Chair). The letter must contain all relevant details and clearly articulate the facts that support the challenge. Possible evidence of the extenuating circumstances that contributed to course expulsion may include information about the student’s academic load, extracurricular activities, medical documents, military deployment documents, etc.
Within five class days of receiving the appropriately written appeal letter, an Appeal Committee will be formed. The appointed committee members will include three faculty of the department who do not teach the course considered in this appeal process. Two students from outside the department will also be appointed to serve on the committee, if the nature of the case allows it.
The Appeal Committee will meet to hear the student appeal within five days of the formation of the Appeal Committee. The student appealing the expulsion will be required to attend the Appeal Committee meeting during which the student will have the opportunity to present artifacts as evidence of extenuating circumstances precipitating the expulsion from the course in question. The student may have an advocate at the Appeal Committee meeting. The advocate must be a WLU faculty member, staff member, or student, who may confer but may not speak for the student.
Within five days of concluding the process, the committee will provide the student, Chair or Assistant Chair, and Dean of the College of Sciences with an electronic or written copy of the appeal decision.
The decision of the committee is final. If the appeal is not supported, the Two Strikes Rule will prevent the student from retaking the course for the next four calendar years. If the appeal is granted, the student may re-enroll in the course when the course is offered again.