ISSS Reduced Course Load (RCL) Authorization Form
The student must complete this form, obtain approval from the academic advisor and return the form to ISSS before dropping or withdrawing from a class. Return this form to ISSS the first 3 weeks of the term unless you are withdrawing from the class, than return it by the Withdraw deadline. Student Name: ________________________________________ Date: __________ Major:_______________ SID#:__________________ Degree Objective:_________________ Students CAN NOT drop below full-time without prior approval from the ISSS, International Adviser. Dropping below full time due to medical reasons requires documentation from the physician in addition to this form. For more information, read the RCL acceptable reasons on page two of this form. Full Time is considered: Undergraduate 12 units Graduate 8 or 5 if advanced to candidacy - PhD only
Reduced Course Load, RCL may be approved if: (RCL descriptions on page 2 of this form) Academic Difficulties - Initial difficulties with the English language; Initial difficulties with reading requirements; Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods; Improper course level placement. IMPORTANT NOTE: this option can only be exercised once during the entire duration of study for your degree. Filing Fee Term – PhD Graduate students may use a filing fee term for the final quarter. Filing Fee term can be used only once. Must obtain approval from the Graduate Division and ISSS.
Final Term - Students who need less than a full course load to complete the degree may use RCL for final term in their final quarter. It can only be used once. EAP students not eligible for this. Medical Condition – Documentation is required from the Medical Doctor or Health Center.
Other: _______________________________________________________________
I approve of this student’s request for Reduced Course Load
_____________________________________________________________________________ Academic Advisor Authorization Print Name Signature Date ______________________________________________________________________________ International Adviser Authorization for RCL Signature Date
International Scholar and Student Services, 107 Classroom Unit Phone 459-3550 Fax 459-3555 Web http://oie.ucsc.edu/is3/
Updated 4/19/07 jm
Reduced Course Load (RCL) Reasons - to be used with RCL Form Page 2 Acceptable reasons for Reduced Course Load, RCL: 1. Academic Reasons: - Students experiencing academic difficulties may be approved for RCL only once during the entire duration of study for the degree. For example, if you are in the Bachelors degree program and use RCL for academic reasons while at UCSC you can not use this RCL reason again. Examples include: - Initial difficulties with the English language - Initial difficulties with reading requirements - Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods - Improper course level placement 2. Filing Fee Term: - Graduate students who have completed required coursework and are just working on the thesis. Filing Fee must take place during the final term. Students must obtain approval from the graduate division to go on filing fee. 3. Final Term at UCSC: - Students in their final term of study need only the credits required to complete the degree. - This must be approved in advance by ISSS, it’s not an automatic event. - Approval from the academic advisor is required on the RCL form. - Special Note: EAP students are not eligible for this RCL reason. 4. Medical Condition: - Students who have a documented illness or medical condition can reduce their credit load or take the quarter off with prior approval. - Documentation is required from the Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Osteopathic Doctor or UCSC Health Center.
Only the International Advisors have authority to authorize RCL. Students who are not authorized to drop below full time risk losing F-1 status.