Faculty and Advisor Information: Petition for Modification of Academic Requirements

Forms

Advisor approval and Letter of Support forms are linked below.

Who hears academic petition matters?

The Subcommittee on Petitions, Appeals and Student Designed Majors is a subgroup of the faculty members currently serving on the Curriculum Committee. Upon the request of the petitioning student, the student member of the Curriculum Committee may join the Petitions Committee for the hearing of petitions. 

How is the petition evaluated?

A student’s petition will be reviewed to determine whether an extenuating circumstance and significant need exists that would present a compelling reason to grant an exception. Modifications are not typically granted unless the following criteria are met:

• • An extenuating circumstance prevents the student from adhering to policy
  • A significant need exists
  • The student demonstrates advisor and/or other faculty/staff support for the exception
  • Documentation that is pertinent to the matter is included with the petition
  • The Committee believes the exception is in the best interest of the student and will not harm the College or the value of the degree

What is the advisor’s role?

Before filing a petition, the student must meet with the Academic Advisor to consider ways of fulfilling the requirement without the need for modification. In many cases, alternatives exist that would achieve the same objective. It is the advisor’s responsibility to assist the student in working within existing policy if at all possible.

The advisor should consider the following questions:

• • Is there a significant need or is the requested course of action simply desirable?
  • Can the student meet the requirement without modification in a subsequent semester (including the summer semester)?
  • Does the student have documentation related to either the extenuating circumstance or need?

To approve and/or support the petition, complete the Advisor Approval form.

If the advisor believes the student can fulfill degree requirements without the need for a petition, the advisor is under no obligation to approve or support the petition. Advisors are encouraged to appropriately redirect the student

What matters are not appropriate for a petition?

• Requests for late course addition after the mid-point of the semester.  While such a petition is technically allowed, the committee does not tend to view these favorably.
• Requests to withdraw from a course in which an incomplete grade was awarded. This is not allowed. Once a grade (incomplete or otherwise) has been awarded and the semester has been concluded, the student may not withdraw from the course.
• Requests to General Education requirements with a course that has not been designated to fulfill GE.  This is not allowed.  A course is designated to fulfill GE requirements, or it is not. 
• Requests to graduate with fewer than 128 credits.  The committee will not approve of granting a degree to a student who has not fulfilled the minimum credit requirement to earn a degree.

How do I submit a letter of support?

Lewis & Clark faculty, instructors, and staff may submit letters of support by using the Letter of Support form.

Non-LC individuals or providers should submit a written document. 

The SPAS welcomes multiple letters which demonstrate faculty and departmental support for the petition and present compelling reasons to grant an exception.  While not always necessary, multiple letters of support tend to create a stronger petition.

How does the student submit a petition?

Students can find full instructions for submitting the google form on the Petition Information page of the Registrar’s website. 

Where can the form be found?

The Petition for Modification of Academic Requirements is available on the Registrar’s website under the Forms and Resources link.