Unsatisfactory Writing (U/W) Notation

At the end of the semester, instructors may indicate when a student’s unsatisfactory writing skills has affected the final grade in a course by assigning the student a U/W notation on the grade report.

Such notation should not be made casually. In courses in which writing is itself part of the course instruction—as in First-Year Program courses—a U/W should be assigned only in egregious cases. Instructors who assign such notion should confirm the details of their assessment to the Director of the WORD Studio—preferably in writing and with illustrative examples--so that each student’s situation may be addressed.

When a student has two or more U/Ws notations, he or she is required to complete an individualized writing program developed by the Director of the WORD Studio. The Associate Dean for Academic Advising works with students and the Director of the WORD Studio to ensure that students address their U/W notations in a timely way.

Seniors with two or more U/Ws cannot receive their degree until they complete their individualized writing program. The U/W is an internal notation; they do not appear on an official transcript.