2025-2026 General Catalog

Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/academic-information-policies-regulations/retroactive-changes/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/

Retroactive Actions

Retroactive actions include any action or change to a student’s academic record that alters information in a term after the start of finals for that term. Petitions for retroactive changes are governed by the Academic Senate Committee on Grade Changes (Grade Change Committee)¹. This includes petitions for retroactive withdrawal, and retroactive modification of a single course; e.g., drop, add, unit change, or grade mode change.

Questions about the retroactive petition process should be directed to a Grade Change Deputy in the Office of the University Registrar. For information on the Grade Change Committee, review the Committee’s published guidelines. For all petitions, careful writing and documentation is advisable because petitioners do not attend meetings of the Grade Change Committee. Retroactive Petitions and the accompanying supporting documentation should not exceed eight pages and should not include photos or prescription medication information. Petitions without documentation or exceeding the eight-page limit will not be accepted.

The Grade Change Committee generally meets once per month during the academic year (from October to June) and the submission deadline for each meeting is generally the 15th of the previous month. Scheduled meetings and current membership may be found at Grade Changes Committee.

Retroactive Withdrawal

To withdraw from the University after close of business on the last day of instruction, students submit a Retroactive Withdrawal Petition, along with a written statement explaining the situation and any supporting documentation to the Office of the University Registrar. Petitions without supporting documentation will not be accepted. The Grade Change Committee will review all Retroactive Withdrawal Petitions and approval will be granted only in the most unusual circumstances and only in those cases where it is clear that by not approving the petition the student would be treated unfairly, Davis Division Regulation 547(D)².

Retroactive Changes

A student wishing to petition to retroactively modify an individual course; e.g., add or change units, should complete a Petition for Retroactive Change and submit it to his or her instructor. The instructor should then note whether or not they support the petition, sign the petition, and then submit the petition on the student’s behalf to the Office of the University Registrar. Students are not permitted to submit Petitions for Retroactive Change directly to the Office of the University Registrar. If the instructor for a course is not available, the student should work with the department to submit the petition.

Retroactive Drop & Grade Mode Change

To drop or change the grade mode of a course retroactively, students need to complete a Petition for Retroactive change, along with a written statement explaining the situation and any supporting documentation to the Office of the University Registrar. Before submitting your Petition, please review the Grade Change Committee Guidelines for Retroactive Drop and Grade Mode Change (items #5, #9, & #10). Petitions that fail to meet the Committee Guidelines or without supporting documentation will not be accepted. Please leave the Department Use Area blank and submit your Petition by email to the Grade Change Deputies.

¹ Davis Division Grade Change Committee (GCC) Guidelines

² Davis Division Regulation 547(D)

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