Academic Petitions

Students may petition the Policy Review Committee to have an exception to college policy made on their behalf, to appeal a decision the college has made that is not in their favor, or to receive partial tuition credit.

The Academic Petition form is also available at the Student Records Office on either campus. This form should be used to request exceptions to college policies and to appeal decisions. A complete petition will include a clear explanation of what is being requested and the reasons for the request, and will be accompanied by documentation supporting all facets of the petition.

Depending on the nature of the petition, appropriate documentation might consist of a letter from an instructor or physician, verification of a class add or drop, or notes from a meeting with a college official. Petitions received without necessary documentation will be held for review until the documentation is provided.

We advise students to schedule an appointment with the Dean of Student Educational Support or the Dean of Student Development for additional guidance through the petition process.

Students whose petitions for late withdrawal are granted for medical reasons (including ones related to mental health) must provide a letter of clearance from their health care provider approving their return before they will be permitted to enroll again at the college.

The Policy Review Committee meets periodically during the academic year starting in September and ending in May. Students can check with either Student Records Office to see when the next committee meeting will take place.

Petitions must be filed in a timely manner, generally no more than four weeks after the matter described by the petition was known or reasonably should have been known by the student. The committee reserves the right to determine whether or not a petition is timely and to decline to consider untimely petitions.

The student will be informed of the committee's decision by mail. Committee decisions will not be given out over the phone. All decisions of the Policy Review Committee in response to academic petitions are final and binding.