If you withdraw or are withdrawn from a program after you arrive on site (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), all conditions as stated in the Statement of Responsibility apply. Please note that this includes academic dismissal according to MSU academic policy.
If a student has arrived at the program site and decides to withdraw, he or she must begin by discussing the situation with the MSU personnel (faculty, resident director, or foreign student adviser) on site. The MSU personnel will notify OSA to determine whether or not a solution exists for the situation. If, after consultation, the student still plans to withdraw from the program, he or she must submit a signed and dated statement of explanation to the on-site personnel. This statement must indicate the student's understanding that, effective on the date indicated, he or she will no longer be considered a participant in the program or a student, and is therefore responsible and liable for his or her own behavior, insurance, transportation home, etc.
A student may voluntarily withdraw from the university prior to the end of the twelfth week of a semester, or within the first 6/7 (86%) of the duration of the student's enrollment in a summer or special session (calculated in weekdays). Withdrawal after these dates is not permitted.
In addition to receiving a bill for the dropped credits associated with the withdrawal, there may be additional billing, particularly if a student has received federal financial aid funds intended to cover the entire semester's educational costs. Withdrawal up until the end of the first quarter of the semester of instruction will result in 100% billing of that semester's federal grant aid and Michigan Competitive Scholarship and may also result in a partial or complete billing of loan aid. Withdrawal from any semester during the regular academic year may result in cancellation of a student's financial aid award for the remainder of the academic year.
In case of official withdrawal from the university, tuition and fees and program fees are subject to refund according to the withdrawal and transfer policy previously cited under "Withdrawal and Transfer Policy."
Upon official voluntary withdrawal from the university, symbols (grades) are assigned to courses in which the student was enrolled according to the effective date of the withdrawal as follows:
If a student cancels or withdraws from a program for any reason (voluntary or involuntary), he or she will be required to return any scholarship funds disbursed by the Office of Study Abroad. If the program withdrawal is done after the award is disbursed, the student will be billed for the award amount. This amount will be posted and due on the MSU student account.
Although you may consider yourself to be independent at home, when you are abroad you are part of a program and serve as a representative of MSU, Michigan, and the United States. Your program leader may be aware of your personal life and involved in most of your activities. The best way to avoid disciplinary action is to take responsibility for your own behavior and to also look out for your peers. If every participant takes ownership and responsibility for the success of the whole program, situations resulting in disciplinary action can be largely avoided.
Conditions as stated in the Statement of Responsibility apply to all students.
Additionally, Michigan State University's General Student Regulations apply to students in study abroad programs. These regulations may be found on the MSU Spartan Life webpage.
Michigan State University expects study abroad participants to abide by the laws, regulations, and customs of the host country, community, institution, and program. There are certain areas under which the program leader, local resident director, or designated MSU staff has the authority to dismiss a student from a study abroad program. Any behavior that endangers another person or property can result in immediate dismissal. The following behaviors are among those that may result in immediate dismissal from the program or temporary suspension pending a final resolution of the matter:
If a student is alleged to have violated the MSU General Student Regulations or participated in these aforementioned behaviors while participating in an MSU study abroad program, he or she may be referred to The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services for a possible judicial action upon his or her return to Michigan State University. Consequences for drug and alcohol violations may include, but are not limited to, some form of disciplinary probation, required attendance at educational programs, referral for assessment at educational programs, referral for assessment and treatment, and suspension from Michigan State University for sale of illegal drugs or repeated violations of the regulations.
In the event of serious infractions of housing regulations or behavior that negatively impacts the housing situation, MSU personnel, in consultation with the MSU Office of Study Abroad and local university faculty members or staff, will first provide students with an oral warning that the behavior is in violation of MSU or host institution/residence facility policies and must cease immediately. Depending on the severity of the incident, a written warning may be provided instead. It will outline consequences for repeated occurrences, such as expulsion from the housing facility or other consequences.
Repeated offenses or severe infractions of the housing rules and regulations as established by the local facilities may result in expulsion without notice from housing and expulsion from the study abroad program. If a student is removed from housing but remains in the program, the student will be responsible for locating and paying for the alternative housing. If alternative housing cannot be found, the student will be dismissed from the program and forfeit academic credit and any financial refund.
If a student is dismissed for disciplinary reasons during a semester, grades are assigned as described in the previous Voluntary Withdrawals section.
In the event of an infraction which does not cause immediate danger and where there is an allegation of a violation of the laws, regulations, and customs of the host country, community, institution, or program, or a violation of the MSU General Student Regulations, the following steps, in order, will be taken:
If a student misses three or more consecutive class days without explanation, the program leader will seek to determine the location of the student. If the student cannot be located, it will be considered an emergency situation and the emergency contacts listed on the student's application will be contacted. If, after investigation, it is determined that an emergency situation does not exist, the student will be reminded that attendance is an indispensable part of the study abroad experience. A student who, through his or her absence, demonstrates that he or she has withdrawn from the program without obtaining an official withdrawal will be reported as having failed all courses.
Consideration will be given for the student who leaves a study abroad program because of an emergency situation or illness (either personal or of a family member). Whether it is before or after departure, the student must submit a written statement of withdrawal to OSA and will be subject to the withdrawal and transfer policy previously indicated.
A student who leaves the university without formally withdrawing forfeits any fees or deposits paid to the university. Such students will continue to receive eBills and be responsible for payment of tuition and fees and study abroad program fees. Re-enrollment in the university will not be granted until all debts are cleared.
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