The University of Delaware's Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification (CURC - pronounced "Kirk") is an administrative committee that has two main functions:

• Review of student academic records at the end of fall and spring semesters to determine academic standing (good standing, academic probation, academic dismissal).
• Review of requests for changes to the academic record from students who have experienced academic difficulty because of documented extenuating circumstances, including serious illness, chronic disability, serious family problems, and similar situations.

Within certain guidelines, CURC has authority to retain students in good standing or on academic probation, or to dismiss students for academic deficiency.  Decisions are based on the student's accumulated grade point average and on submitted documentation of extenuating circumstances. 

In addition, CURC can approve requests for changes to the academic record, including such actions as retroactive withdrawal and change of grade status (Pass/Fail - Regular Grade - Auditor)—again, such action requires documentation of extenuating circumstances.  The staff in your academic dean's office can explain more fully the types of actions that CURC can take, and you should also see the next section "What the Committee Cannot Do". 

CURC has no authority to:

• make admission or readmission decisions, either to selected majors/programs or to the University as a whole (consult the department or the Admissions Office, respectively).
• grant exceptions to financial policies (consult the Billing and Collection Office).
• change letter grades for courses (see the Grade Grievance policy in the Student Guide to University Policies)
• grant exceptions to major and/or college requirements for your degree (final decision rests with the department or college).
• consider requests involving graduate programs (consult the Office of Graduate Studies).
• make decisions involving Code of Conduct (behavioral) violations (consult the Office of Campus Life).
• alter the academic record of students who have already graduated (such requests are not considered by the University).
• "clean up" the academic record by selective removal of poor grades (such requests are not considered by the University).

Good Academic Standing.
Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 to be in good academic standing.  The CURC bases its decisions on student standing whenever a student’s grade point average falls below a 2.0.                

QUALITY POINT DEFICIT Quality point deficits are used to determine scholastic standing; these deficits begin to accumulate when a student's cumulative grade point index falls below 2.0. The quality point deficit is determined by subtracting the cumulative number of quality points from twice the cumulative number of quality hours. (Quality hours are accumulated only for courses receiving grades of A, B, C, D (plus or minus), F, X and Z.)

PROBATION
When a baccalaureate degree candidate has a cumulative grade point index below 2.0, the Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification places the student on Academic Probation if the quality point deficit is 12.99 points or less. Students on probation may not register for more than 12 credit hours (generally four academic courses), excluding military science, physical education activity, and SkilMod courses.

DISMISSAL FOR ACADEMIC DEFICIENCY
A student with a quality point deficit of more than 12.99 points will be dropped for academic deficiency, pending review by the Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification.

The Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification (CURC) reviews the case of each student who is pending dismissal. These reviews occur in mid-January for students dropped at the end of the fall semester, and in mid-June for students dropped at the end of the spring semester. Students with serious extenuating circumstances, such as a documented serious illness or documented personal problems, may petition through their dean's office for potential reinstatement on special probation. Approval of such petitions may be granted by CURC, upon the recommendation of the dean's office. For more information, see www.udel.edu/provost/curc.html.

REINSTATEMENT ON SPECIAL PROBATION
In extraordinary cases, the Committee on Undergraduate Records and Certification may, upon recommendation from the dean's office, place a student on Special Probation even if he or she has a quality point deficit of more than 12.99. Special Probation is granted only when extenuating circumstances exist, and when evidence suggests that the student will be able to meet academic standards if given an additional opportunity.

Students on Special Probation may remain enrolled at the University with a quality point deficit of more than 12.99 quality points. But if the quality point deficit increases, or if it fails to decrease, the student will be dismissed.

Freshman students in academic difficulty may be held on Special Probation through the spring semester if they have a quality point deficit of 12.99 or more at the end of the fall semester. Their registration for winter and spring courses must be supervised by the department or college advisor.

You should make all requests for CURC action in writing and sign the request.  If you are enrolled in a degree program on the main campus or are undeclared, you should submit your request to the office of your academic dean.   If you are enrolled in the Parallel Program, the Assistant Dean of your campus will handle your request.  Continuing Education students should consult with the ACCESS center.  The assistant or associate dean in your college or program will present your request at the next scheduled CURC meeting. 

Documentation should be attached to the request or sent directly to the dean's office.  Generally, an interview will be required to discuss the request.  Each college sets its own deadlines for submission of requests and documentation.  You may schedule an interview and inquire about deadlines for submission of requests by calling the appropriate number below:
 

All telephone numbers are in area code 302.
Agriculture and Natural Resources	831-2501
Arts and Sciences	831-3020
Business and Economics	831-2553
Engineering	831-8659
Health Sciences	831-2381
Human Resources, Education and Public Policy	831-2301
University Studies (undeclared)	831-4555
Professional and Continuing Studies	831-2741
Associate in Arts Program - all campuses (Dover, Georgetown, Wilmington, and Online)	831-4555

Because of its far-reaching powers, CURC insists on thorough documentation of the student's extenuating circumstances.  Often, such documentation is in the form of a letter from a professional (physician, counselor, etc.) who is in a position to verify the situation.  Only original documentation (not copies) will be accepted.  CURC generally disregards "character references" from friends or family members.  You will be given guidance on appropriate forms of documentation when you interview with the dean's office staff. 

If your request is based on a disability, your Assistant Dean will request an assessment by the Documentation Review Committee (DRC) of the disability's potential impact on your academic performance. Your Assistant Dean or the DRC may ask you to provide documentation of the disability, or additional information if the documentation is incomplete (guidelines for documentation of LD/ADHD are available at www.aec.udel.edu). The DRC will provide a report to the Assistant Dean, based upon its review of the materials made available. The Assistant Dean will provide this information to CURC. 

In the case of a request involving a claim of an error in registration, CURC will check the electronic record of drop-add transactions (including those made through UDPHONE, through the web, and on paper) and will also request verification from the course instructor. 

You should be aware that CURC routinely checks the authenticity of documentation.  If CURC finds evidence that you have submitted falsified or forged documents, judicial charges will be brought against you in accordance with the University's Code of Conduct and, if you are found guilty, you will face penalties up to and including expulsion. 

All documentation is retained in the student's permanent file within the college dean's office.  CURC observes strict confidentiality and will not release information about the request, your circumstances, or your documentation without your written permission.

You will receive written notification of CURC's decision;  please allow two weeks from the date of the CURC meeting for receipt of this letter.  Letters are sent to the student's local address on file with the Registrar's Office. 

If your petition has been declined, you may submit additional documentation and ask CURC to reconsider your request.  Requests for reconsideration are made through the same procedure as the original request.  CURC generally declines to reconsider cases for which no new documentation is available. 

Appeals of CURC decisions should be submitted in writing by the assistant or associate dean in your college or program who brought your request to CURC.   The letter should provide an explanation of the grounds for appeal including any supporting documentation and should be submitted within two weeks of receiving the CURC written notification.  Appeals are submitted to the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, 101 Hullihen Hall.