As an institution committed to self-reflection and continuous improvement, American University regularly seeks to streamline processes and address barriers that impact students in their pursuit of higher education. Additionally, we follow our processes of approval such that the policy library is maintained by the Office of General Counsel and the Undergraduate Academic Rules and Regulations (both website and catalog) are reviewed through Faculty Senate. Any changes to rules, regulations, and/or policies impacting undergraduate education are frequently vetted by different constituents, including but not limited to the Undergraduate Associate Deans, student advisory groups, Council on Undergraduate Education, the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies, and/or the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. This communication serves to provide an update on processes that are currently approved to change or that will be changing effective with the fall 2026 American University Catalog.

I.) Process for Petitions to Appeal Undergraduate Academic Dismissals

Effective January 31, 2026.

This University Policy underwent small editorial changes in late 2025, along with a few necessary updates. Students must submit a written appeal of their academic dismissal within one academic year from the date of written notification of dismissal. Furthermore, the appeal must be received by the academic advisor no later than 10 business days in advance of the start of the requested term of enrollment. 1nternational students must check with 1SSS on timelines. The policy details what should be included and the information to be gathered by the academic advisor. The academic units (College/Schools) review the dismissal lists every term and by practice should only be dismissing students that would not be academically successful without time away. Area 11-A-5 of the document requests student reflections and plan for improvement.

Policy link: https://www.american.edu/policies/academics/upload/procedures-process-for-petitions-to-appeal-undergraduate-academic-dismissals.pdf

II.) Updates to Academic Regulation 2.1.3 to Allow a Total of 75 Transfer Credits

Regulation will read: 2.1.3. Students may transfer a cumulative total of 75 credit hours from the following: 1} a maximum of 75 credit hours from approved four-year or two-year institutions; 2} a maximum of 30 credit hours from one or a combination of Advanced Placement (AP}, International Baccalaureate, CLEP subject examinations, or other American University-approved test credit; or 3} a maximum of 30 credit hours for a combination of relevant work completed satisfactorily in college-level Armed Services School course, or US Armed Forces institute correspondence or extension courses, completed with a grade of 70 or better, as recommended at the baccalaureate level by the American Council on Education and which is appropriate for academic credit as determined by the Office of Admissions after consultation with the appropriate academic unit. Military Occupation Services (MOS} credit may be evaluated separately for academic credit.

Please also note that the 75 maximum transfer credit limit includes the 30 credit hours from exam credits or Armed Services Schools, just as it always has.

III.) Removing Misalignment in Grade Grievance Policy and Academic Regulation 5.3.1.b

Effective with Fall 2026 catalog.

Academic regulation 5.3.1.b. was out of alignment with the Student Academic Grade Grievance Policy. The regulation indicated that students had a one-year period during which they could submit grade calculation or posting errors to their instructors while the policy indicated a ten day period. The regulation and policy were misaligned. Updating the academic regulation to the shorter window not only keeps our policies aligned, but it gives those involved in the grade grievance policy a more reasonable timeline to receive and review student grievances. This change should not impact advising operations, but it is helpful that advisors can provide students with the accurate information.

Regulation will read: 5.3.1.b Students are responsible for reporting any grade calculations or posting errors to their instructors no later than ten days from the day the course grades were posted by the office of the University Registrar

IV.) Updates to Medical Withdrawal Petition Initiator Language in Academic Regulation 12.6

Language change is effective with Fall 2026 catalog, but practice can change immediately

The current regulation for withdrawal from all courses due to medical or catastrophic events requires the petition to initiate with the Office of the Dean of Students. 1n reality, any AU employee with the ability to initiate petitions (including the student's academic advisor) can initiate the petition. Once initiated, the routing of the petition would remain the same, with the Office of the Dean of Students confidentially reviewing and summarizing medical records and making their recommendation. Academic advisors should check with the Office of the Dean of Students that appropriate medical documentation has been received before initiating the petition.

Regulation will read: 12.6. In the event a student encounters medical difficulties or a catastrophic event after the tenth week of the semester or the equivalent for summer and other non-standard sessions and wishes to withdraw from all courses, the student must provide the Office of the Dean of Students with documentation from a medical provider that supports the student's rationale for leaving the university. The Office of the Dean of Students will keep this documentation private in the student's record, then provide a statement summarizing the documentation during the petition process. All affected instructors will be consulted during this process. If a student is passing a class as of the date of last attendance, the student may request an Incomplete grade per the regulation on Incomplete Grades (refer to regulation 3.5.}, rather than withdraw. Students are responsible for providing the Office of the Dean of Students with documentation supporting the receipt of Incompletes and/or Withdrawals. Upon receiving the documentation, the Office of the Dean of Students will provide input on the petition to have the Incompletes and/or Withdrawals recorded on the student's transcript. The Dean of Undergraduate Education makes the final decision for such Incompletes and/or Withdrawals from all courses
 

V.) Updates to Academic Regulation 11.2.2 to Allow Zero Credit Independent Study
 

Effective with Fall 2026 catalog.

The current academic regulations allow student independent studies for 1-6 credit hours. 1n practice, some departments and units already ask for exceptions (reviewed and approved by UEAS Dean and

implemented by the Office of the University Registrar) to create 0 credit hour independent studies that allow students to conduct independent study work with faculty, upon the agreement of both the student and faculty member. Making the change will align the regulation with practice and remove the need for additional steps. This update should have minimal impacts in undergraduate academic advising, as the process for adding an independent study will remain the same.

Regulation will read: 11.2.2. Before registration, the student and the supervising instructor must agree upon and document the title, objective, scope, grade type (letter grade or Pass/Fail}, credit value (0-6}, and method of evaluation for the independent study. The teaching unit chair or equivalent must approve the independent study and the instructor's involvement, ensuring that the independent study does not duplicate a course already in the term's curriculum