Did the government really change the grading system?

Question

I'm usually a straight-A student. My college's policy has always stated that a student has 30 days to drop a course before any penalty. If a student drops a course before 30 days, the course is not recorded on the transcript. If a student drops a course after 30 days, then a grade of 'W' is recorded on the transcript.

I was taking two classes a few semesters ago. At the beginning of the semester, before 30 days, I switched those courses and registered for two different courses. Two semesters later, I asked for a transcript and, just as the catalog states, the dropped courses were not recorded. A month later, I requested another transcript and I noticed that the dropped courses had been added to the transcript and two grades of 'W' were added. This has never happened before the entire time that I have been in college. The catalog specifically states that there is no penalty for dropping before 30 days.

I went to the Registrar and she behaved very nastily. She stated that a new government policy had been issued that requires courses dropped at anytime to be recorded with grades of 'W' on transcripts.

Is this true? Is this fair?

The catalog does not state this and they have not notified students of this action. Can they legally go back and alter my transcript with grades well after they have been posted without notifiying me?

Has anyone else experienced a governmental grading system change, or is the cruel Registrar simply lying to me?

Answer 1

What!?  I think this woman was trying to give you the blow off - or she doesn't understand information she's been given.  However, I have several "W"s on my transcripts and it has never once impacted my career.  So what if you withdrew?  (Hence the W)  However, if it means that much to you, make an appointment with her supervisor.

Good luck.  (Oh, I am assuming you are a US student as you do not indicate in the text of your email.)