The Logger: Student HandbookThe Logger: Student Handbook

Petitions for Exceptions to University Policies

Students must petition the Academic Standards Committee to have a university academic requirement or rule waived, to seek readmission after academic dismissal, or to seek reinstatement to the university under special circumstances.

Procedure

  1. A student must complete a petition form (available from the Office of the Registrar, Jones 013), have it signed by the faculty advisor and other appropriate persons, and return it to the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible.
  2. If a student discusses the petition with a person in the Office of the Dean of Students or the Office of Academic Advising, that staff member should also sign the petition.  In a case of academic dismissal, the student must contact a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students.  That staff member must make a recommendation to the Committee regarding readmission.  The student must also secure a written recommendation from the academic advisor.  The petition for readmission must include an Academic Performance Agreement which has been completed with an academic advisor, or the Office of Academic Advising (Howarth 114).
  3. If a student desires to appear before the committee at the time of consideration of the petition, a formal request must be made when the petition is submitted.  In such a case, the student will be notified of the time and place of the meeting.
  4. The petition will be sent to the Petitions Committee of the Academic Standards Committee, which will take action and communicate its decision to the student.

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Non-petitionable Rules
The Academic Standards Committee does not approve petitions for waiver of the following university requirements:

  1. The 32 minimum units for graduation, the eight units for a graduate degree or each additional baccalaureate degree.
  2. The 16 minimum units of residence credit (6 units for a graduate or 8 units for a second baccalaureate degree).
  3. The requirement that the Comparative Values and Science in Context Core courses be taken in residence.
  4. The 8 minimum units, including the 4 units in residence, in a major.
  5. The 5 minimum units, including the 3 units in residence, in a minor.
  6. The minimum cumulative grade average of 2.00 in all Puget Sound courses and of 2.00 in all graded courses (including transfer work) for the baccalaureate degree (the major and the minor have the same Puget Sound and all-course grade requirements.); the minimum cumulative grade average  of 3.00 in all Puget Sound courses and in all degree counting courses in a master’s degree.
  7. Permanent grade changes.

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Basis for Exceptions
The Academic Standards Committee will consider petitions for waiver of other University requirements if the situation is clearly exceptional and involves extenuating circumstances.  Petitions will be approved only when, in the opinion of the committee, approval does not weaken the general integrity of the academic program.  While the committee is aware of the cost of education, petitions based primarily on cost and/or convenience considerations will not be approved.  These are some of the questions considered by the committee:

  1. Does the request involve a reasonable alternative rather than a lowering of academic standards?
  2. Was the petition received by the Academic Standards Committee in time that, if denied, the regular University requirements can be met?
  3. Do the unusual or extenuating circumstances, as judged by the committee on a case-by-case basis, warrant a waiver in University policies?
  4. Is there documentation for petitions requesting waivers on the basis of academic misadvisement or neglect not attributable to the student?
  5. Do requests for waiver of the last eight units in residence involve students who are transferred to another geographic area or experience other unusual or extenuating circumstances?  Such students are expected to have completed at least 16 units in residence and all other University requirements except total units.
  6. Is the petition carefully, accurately, and logically presented?  The Academic Standards Committee does not take lightly the decision to grant exceptions and expects students to be equally thoughtful in preparation of petitions. Incomplete petitions are denied.

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Core Requirement Petitions
In evaluating petitions related to university Core Requirements, the following guidelines are applied:

  1. A course taken at another institution is accepted toward appropriate core requirements if it is equivalent to a core course offered in the Puget Sound curriculum.  The Comparative Values, Science in Context, and Connections core courses must be a residence credit.
  2. A natural science course taken at another institution is acceptable toward core requirements only if a laboratory or fieldwork is a regular, integral component.
  3. A course taken at another institution, the Puget Sound equivalent for which satisfies one core requirement, may not be applied toward another core requirement.
  4. A Puget Sound course may not apply toward a core requirement unless it has been approved specifically for that purpose by the Curriculum Committee.

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Readmission Petitions
In a case of academic dismissal, the student must contact a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students.  That staff member must make a recommendation to the committee regarding readmission.  A recommendation from the student’s academic advisor is also required.

A student petitioning to re-enter the university must complete a comprehensive plan for academic improvement.  The outline indicates information which should be included but does not preclude providing other data pertinent to the petition, for example, letters of support or medical statements from doctors.

  1. Address the problem(s) which caused the poor academic performance.
  2. Explain how the problem(s) will be rectified and indicate any support systems which will facilitate a return to academic work; for example, a change in living situations or planned use of the Center for Writing and Learning.
  3. Provide a proposed schedule of courses for at least the next year including a rationale for repeating (or not repeating) courses in which unsatisfactory grades were received.
  4. Indicate any specific persons from whom help will be sought if problems occur during the term or any arrangements set for review of academic progress.
  5. Address the reasons for continuing or changing academic major, career goals, or other plans.
  6. Include an Academic Performance Agreement which has been completed with an academic advisor, or the Office of Academic Advising (Howarth 114).

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