After the 15th class day of each semester, students who drop or withdraw from a course are no longer fully removed from Canvas. Instead, they are listed as “Inactive.”

This change comes from an update in Ellucian’s Intelligent Learning Platform (ILP)—the system that connects Banner and Canvas. Previously, when students dropped, they were removed entirely (grades, submissions, and all activity disappeared). Now, by marking them as inactive, instructors retain access to student grades, submissions, and activity data even after withdrawal.

 

 

What "Inactive" Means in Canvas

Inactive students in your Canvas course:

• Cannot access course content
• Cannot view the course on their Dashboard or Courses list
• Cannot send/receive Canvas messages or assignment comments
• Cannot view grades
• Cannot participate in groups (if previously in a group, they are removed)

However, instructors can still view:

• Previously submitted assignments (Assignments & SpeedGrader)
• Grades and activity records (by enabling Show Inactive in Grades > Student Name menu)

Important Notes About Inactive Students

• Not every drop shows as inactive.
  • Only students who withdraw after the 15th class day remain in Canvas as inactive.
• Withdrawal codes matter.
  • Students who withdraw between the 15th class day and the last date to withdraw without penalty will:
    • Show as Inactive in Canvas
    • Show in Banner with a "W" grade code
  • Other withdrawal codes may not display students as inactive in Canvas. For details about withdrawal codes and their meanings, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

How to View Inactive Students in the Gradebook

Inactive students do not show by default in your Canvas grade book.

• Go to Grades.
• Open the Student Name drop-down menu.
• Select Show Inactive.

This will display inactive students alongside currently enrolled students.

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