The Dean of Students Office helps students with a wide range of issues, including academic planning and advising, personal matters, transition issues, judicial matters, and wellness concerns. Below are just a few of the typical questions our office receives.

If you have a question or an issue you would like to discuss, please call us at x2156.

Click on any question below, it will bring you directly to the answer, or scroll below to read all answers.

1. I’ve been called into the Dean of Students Office. Why? What should I do?
2. How do I make an appointment to see one of the deans?
3. What should I do if I have to miss a class or if I have already missed a class?
4. I am having difficulty with my classes. What can I do?
5. When is the last day I can drop a course without having it appear on my record?
6. How late is too late to withdraw from a course?
7. How do I go about getting tested if I think I may have a learning disability?
8. I think I need a tutor. How do I go about getting one?
9. What if I want to take some time off?
   Who is eligible to withdraw from Trinity voluntarily?
   What are the implications of withdrawing from school?
10. What are the conditions that lead to Academic Probation?
11. What is “Required Withdrawal”?
12. If I have been required to withdraw from the College, can I return?
13. Can I petition to waive Required Withdrawal?
14. I don’t think my academic advisor is very helpful. What should I do?
15. I am concerned about a friend with an eating problem. What can I do?
16. I have been sexually assaulted. I can’t focus. What can I do?
17. I am applying to transfer [or applying to grad school]. The application requires a Dean’s letter. What is this? What do I need to do to get a Dean’s letter?
18. I am having difficulty managing finances. How can I get advice?

I've been called into the Dean of Students Office. Why? What should I do?

back to top

How do I make an appointment to see one of the deans?

Call the Dean of Students Office (x 2156). Mrs. Murphy, the administrative assistant, will help you set up a time to see Dean Card, Dean Reuman, or Dean Alford as soon as possible.

back to top

What should I do if I have to miss a class or if I have already missed a class?

Call your professor as soon as possible. Call before you miss class, if you can. Explain the situation. See if you can turn in your work early; or ask if you can make up missed work and establish a timetable for submitting work late. In an emergency situation, contact the Dean of Students Office and send medical or other documentation. The Dean of Students Office will then contact your professors.

Note: The Dean of Students Office and the Health Center do not excuse absences. Only the instructor her- or himself can excuse an absence from class.

Note: Absences (excused or not) may have a serious impact on your course grade. In some classes, more than 2 or 3 absences (for whatever reason) will result in failing the class. In most courses, your grade will be reduced for every class missed after the allowed number of absences. Students are expected to be in class each day that it meets. Be sure to ask your professors about their attendance policies.

Important: Plan ahead! The final exam schedule is often available at the beginning of the semester. Do not arrange flights or make other travel arrangements to leave on the last day of classes: your academic responsibilities extend until exams end. Missing class can result in serious academic penalties.

See: Academic Policies: Attendance Policy

back to top

I am having difficulty with my classes. What can I do?

You have several options.

• Talk with your professor(s). Take in your assignments, papers, quizzes, tests, lab reports, class and lecture notes, and other work. Identify specific problems/questions you have about the texts, theory, or concepts presented in class. If necessary, ask them to clarify or explain in another way the material you don’t understand. Ask if you can submit work in advance of deadlines for early review or if you can make up an assignment if you have missed one. Ask if you can revise your work. Analyze with them the results of your most recent test or paper.
  
• Talk to your advisor. Strategize about ways to improve the quality of your work. Analyze your study patterns. Ask for advice about ways to catch up on your work.
  
• Make use of peer tutors in the Writing Center, in the Math Center, through the U.T.C.E.I. program in the engineering department, or through the Dean of Students Office.
  
• Make use of extra T.A. sessions and workshops. Form your own study group. Try to work with peers who are motivated to do well and who understand the material.
  
• See one of the deans in the Dean of Students Office or see the Dean of Multicultural Affairs. (First-Year students can also talk with Margaret Lindsey in the First-Year Program Office.) The deans can help you analyze your study patterns, strategize about more effective learning strategies, help you work with your professors to do better in your classes, and explore additional options with you.

See Academic Resources: Dean of Students Office

See Directory of Academic Resources on Campus

back to top

When is the last day I can drop a course without having it appear on my record?

The last day to add or drop a course is posted prominently by the Registrar's Office. Dropping a course at this point means that it will be deleted from your transcript. Your “Add/Drop Schedule” is available through TCOnline.

If you want to add a course, be sure to talk with the professor of the course early, as class size is often limited. After the Add/Drop deadline, no courses can be added without the approval of the Academic Affairs Committee and payment of a $100 late registration fee, so be sure to get your forms in on time!

See Academic Policies: Add/Drop

back to top

How late is too late to withdraw from a course?

After the Add/Drop period expires, you can still withdraw from a course if you complete the Registrar’s “Short Add/Drop Form” before the course withdrawal deadline. In contrast to dropping a course before the Add/Drop deadline, however, if you withdraw from a course after the Add/Drop deadline, a “W” will appear on your transcript. The last date to withdraw from a course is posted prominently by the Registrar's Office (normally the Friday of the fourth full week of classes).

• Note: Dropping a course is different from withdrawing from a course. A class can only be dropped in the first week of classes. Dropping it means it will not even appear on your transcript. Withdrawing from a course means that you did not complete the course; a “W” will appear on your transcript.
  
• Important: Ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from a course and the grade you earn by failing to complete work for a course for which you are still enrolled will appear on your transcript as an “F”; so be sure to withdraw from the course officially by submitting the Registrar’s “Short Add/Drop Form” form (obtainable from the Registrar’s Office).
  
• If you missed the deadline to withdraw from a course, you can petition the Academic Affairs Committee for a “Late Withdraw” from the course. Late withdraws, however, are only granted under extenuating circumstances.

Note: if withdrawing from a course means that you will be enrolled in fewer than four courses and/or earning fewer than four credit hours, you will incur Academic Probation, unless you also secure permission for part-time status (granted only in extenuating circumstances) from the Academic Affairs Committee through the Dean of Students Office. Note also that there may be some financial repercussions.

• For more information regarding student accounts see the Student Handbook. Also ask the Financial Aid Office if your withdrawal from this course will affect your loans, grants, or other aspects of financial aid in any way.

See Academic Policies: Withdrawal from a Course

See Academic Resources on Campus: Registrar

back to top

How do I go about getting tested if I think I may have a learning disability?

Call the Dean of Students Office. We can help you set up an appointment a learning consultant who can discuss testing options with you. We can also advise you about our disability policies and procedures.

See Disability Services

back to top

I think I need a tutor. How do I go about getting one?

Peer tutors are available free of cost through the Writing Center, the Math Center, and U.T.C.E.I. (in the engineering department).

Private individual tutors are also available for some introductory level courses on an hourly basis (usually about $7.00-$7.50 per hour) through the Dean of Students Office. Just call Dean Reuman (x2156 or x2154): she can refer you to several strong student tutors who have been recommended by faculty and she can inform you of your options. You can also contact your professor, department chair, or other professors in the department in which you are having difficulty and ask them if they can recommend a peer tutor. If you are on financial aid, the Dean of Students Office will cover the cost of the tutor.

See Academic Resources on Campus: Peer Tutors and Study Sessions

back to top

What if I want to take some time off?
Who is eligible to withdraw from Trinity voluntarily?
What are the implications of withdrawing from school?

Voluntary Withdrawal is departure from the college by a student’s own choice. Only students in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation) are eligible to withdraw from the College voluntarily.

To withdraw voluntarily, you must

(1) Meet with one of the deans in the Dean of Students Office, and

(2) Complete a Voluntary Withdrawal form (available in the Dean of Students Office or in the Registrar’s Office).

Note: If you voluntarily withdraw before the end of a semester, you will not receive academic credit for the semester during which you leave and notation of your voluntary withdrawal will appear on your transcript permanently. If you leave after the fifth week of classes, no portion of your tuition and fees will be refunded.

Note also that withdrawal may affect your student loans or scholarships. Be sure to ask the Financial Aid Office how withdrawing may affect you in your particular case.

For more information on Voluntary Withdrawal see the Student Handbook.

For information on Trinity’s refund policy with respect to Voluntary Withdrawal see the Student Handbook.

See Academic Policies: Voluntary Withdrawal

back to top

What are the conditions that lead to Academic Probation?

Generally, there are three ways to incur Academic Probation:

1. You fail a one half-credit course or more,
2. You earn fewer than four credit hours in a given semester, and/or
3. Your semester G.P.A. (grade point average) falls below a “C-.”

A student can also be placed on probation if the Academic Affairs Committee determines by majority vote that your academic work has been neglected. Academic Probation means that you are not in good academic standing and permanent notation appears on your transcript.

• If you already took a course and passed it, a repeated course earns no credit: if you are taking only four courses and one of those is a repeated course, you will earn fewer than four credits and will incur Academic Probation.
  
• Students on Academic Probation must be in residence during the semester of probation. That means a student on Academic Probation may not go abroad or participate in an exchange program.

Important: Students who incur Academic Probation two times in a row or three times during their tenure at Trinity will be required to withdraw from the College.

For more information on Academic Probation, see the Student Handbook.

See Academic Policies: Academic Standing

The Dean of Students Office wants to help you achieve academic success. Academic support services are available for students on Academic Probation (and, indeed, for all students). All Ac Pro students are required to meet with one of the deans in the Dean of Students Office at the beginning of their probationary semester. These meetings will give you a chance to analyze your study patterns, develop more effective study skills, and discuss your academic plans. Dean Reuman also offers the Advance Program, a voluntary re-orientation program for students on Academic Probation and/or returning from Required Withdrawal to strategize about ways to develop more effective learning strategies, to connect students to a stronger network of support services, and to help students to navigate the system more successfully. If you are not on academic probation but would like to learn more about the topics covered in this program, please contact Dean Reuman.

See Special Events & Opportunities: Advance Program

See Dean of Students Office: Academic Resources

See Academic Resources on Campus

back to top

What is “Required Withdrawal”?

Students are required to leave the College for one year if they have incurred academic probation two semesters in a row or three times in their tenure at Trinity, or if the Academic Affairs Committee agrees by a majority vote that a student has neglected his or her work.

If a student incurs Academic Probation any semester after Required Withdrawal, s/he will again be required to withdraw from the College for one year.

Required Withdrawal indicates that you are not in good academic standing and it appears as a permanent notation on your transcript.

For more information about Required Withdrawal see the Student Handbook.

back to top

If I have been required to withdraw from the College, can I return?

Students who wish to petition to return to Trinity use their year away constructively by identifying and addressing the issues that prevented them from performing at their peak while at Trinity and by taking courses elsewhere--a good way to show that they can apply themselves and to gain confidence in their abilities. Pre-approval of transfer credit by the Registrar at Trinity is required.

Readmission to Trinity after Required Withdrawal is not automatic. Those who wish to return to Trinity should obtain an “Application for Readmission to Trinity College” from the Registrar’s Office or Dean of Students Office and address their petition to the Academic Affairs Committee (c/o the Registrar’s Office or the Dean of Students Office), demonstrating that they understand the circumstances surrounding their Required Withdrawal, how they have met all of the conditions of return voted by the Academic Affairs Committee when they were required to withdraw, what has changed to indicate success if they return, and their preparedness to return to Trinity by proposing their academic plan of study for the upcoming year. Readmission requests (application plus supporting materials) must be submitted by June 1 for the fall semester, and by December 1 for readmission for the spring semester.

We recommend that when they return to campus they (1) participate in the Required Withdrawal re-orientation program (Advance Program), and (2) meet on a weekly basis with one of the deans in the Dean of Students Office.

For more information about readmission after Required Withdrawal see the Student Handbook.

See Special Events & Opportunities: Advance Program

back to top

Can I petition to waive Required Withdrawal?

Students who have been required to withdraw from the College may explain mitigating circumstances to the Academic Affairs Committee. It is important to note, however, that you should bring such circumstances to the attention of professors and deans when they occur, not wait until the end of the semester, and that generally, Required Withdrawal is waived only if circumstances were unforeseeable, extreme, and beyond your control.

Written petitions should be submitted to the Academic Affairs Committee, c/o the Dean of Students Office. Call Mrs. Murphy in the Dean of Students Office (x2156) to find out the exact date of the appeals meeting so that you can get your petition in on time.

If a waiver of Required Withdrawal is granted, the student can return to the College but will remain on Academic Probation and is subject to all the conditions of probation as described in the Handbook.

For more information about petitioning to waive Required Withdrawal see the Student Handbook.

back to top

I don’t think my academic advisor is very helpful. What should I do?

Faculty advisors are usually more than willing to take the time to speak with you about your academic concerns, and sometimes asking specific questions will yield more helpful advice. Remember that you can always come to the Dean of Students Office to discuss with one of the deans what you perceive to be the difficulties. If, however, you do decide that your advisor is not the best match for you and you are a first-year student or sophomore, you should make an appointment with the Director of the First-Year Program to find out what your options are. If you are a junior or senior, you should meet with the chair of your major department.

back to top

I am concerned about a friend with an eating problem. What can I do?

You can seek experienced advice from someone in the Counseling Center, the Health Center, the Dean of Students Office, and/or the Women’s Center (open to men as well as women), or you can talk to your R.A., your A.C., or your coach about helpful ways to express your concern. The student group, R.I.B.S. (Redefining Ideal Beauty Standards) also includes peers to talk to about eating issues. These counselors, coaches, peers, and administrators can connect you to other people who might be useful to you and may also be able to provide you with materials or references to find out more about eating disorders and available resources, both on campus and off. Be aware that you can’t take responsibility for your friend. And get support for yourself: it is very difficult to be in your position.

Useful numbers to know:

297-1415 Counseling Center
297-2018 Health Center
297-2018 Nutritionist
297-2408 Women’s Center
800-931-2237 Eating Disorders Help Hotline
860-586-7927 Over-Eaters Anonymous Information

See Academic Resources on Campus: Counseling and Health Services

back to top

I have been sexually assaulted. I can’t focus. What can I do?

Date rape or sexual assault (sexual contact without consent) is extremely difficult to deal with. To seek medical attention or counseling, to report the incident, to file charges, to talk about the impact on your work, or just to talk, you have several options. You can talk to Laura Lockwood in the Women’s Center, any of the health/counseling professionals in the Counseling Center and Health Center, any of the deans in the Dean of Students Office, any of the sexual assault peer counselors (available through the Women’s Center or through the sexual assault counselor), your R.A. or A.C., Campus Safety, the Administrator-on-Call, and a trusted rabbi or chaplain.

Useful numbers to know:

297-2222 Campus Safety
297-2156 Dean of Students Office (days)
297-2222 Administrator-on-Call (nights, via Campus Safety)
297-2222 TCERT (via Campus Safety)
297-2018 Health Center (nights, via Campus Safety)
297-2415 Counseling Center
297-2408 Women’s Center
522-6666 YWCA Sexual Assault Crisis Service (24 hours/day, Hartford)545-5000 Hartford Hospital
527-6300 Hartford Police

For information about reporting a sexual assault, see the Student Handbook.

back to top

I am applying to transfer [or applying to grad school]. The application requires a Dean’s letter. What is this? What do I need to do to get a Dean’s letter?

A Dean’s Letter simply states your academic standing and/or enrollment status at Trinity and forms one piece of your application to transfer or to continue your education. Often these forms ask the dean to note your G.P.A. (grade point average), your rank in class, and your major; and they ask if you have been subject to any disciplinary action.

If you are applying to transfer,

1. Make an appointment to see Dean Reuman (or one of the other deans in the Dean of Students Office) and
2. Bring in an addressed, stamped envelope together with the form(s) provided with your application for admission to the schools to which you are applying.

If you are applying to graduate school, no appointment is necessary: you can just bring your forms, together with appropriately addressed/stamped envelopes, and a note explaining what you need to the Dean of Students Office.

back to top

I am having difficulty managing finances. How can I get advice?

You can consult with one of the specialists in the Financial Aid Office; or you can talk with one of the deans in the Dean of Students Office about ways to better manage your finances as well as to explore options that may be available to you. Do not start the semester without arranging to have all materials/books necessary to do well academically!

Come to the Dean of Students Office: we can help you find solutions.

back to top