Petitions for Exceptions to Academic Regulations

University regulations govern the academic progress of students, the welfare of the community, and the equitable and orderly conduct of the university. On occasion, however, individual circumstances may warrant exceptions to established regulations, and students may petition the appropriate office of the university or university committee for such exceptions.

Petitions for exceptions to university academic regulations should be directed to the Faculty Subcommittee on Administration via the registrar or dean of  academic success. The Faculty Subcommittee on Administration meets once a week when school is in session to review and act on petitions. A standard petition form (pdf) for this purpose is available on the web. 

A petition for an exception to an academic regulation should contain a clear and detailed statement of the exception requested and the special circumstances that are the basis for the request. Students should review their petitions with faculty advisors and others who may be involved, such as instructors, departments chairs, or deans, and seek their approval. Petitions must contain the signature of the student's advisor(s) and, depending on the exception requested, the instructor's or department chair's signature may also be required. Comments from these individuals indicating support for the petition or providing pertinent information, such as the last date the student attended class, are important. Petitions missing required information will be returned to the petitioner and a decision will be delayed.

Petitions will not be accepted for the following requests:

• Requesting an S/U be applied to a course after the add/drop period (5th day of the term)
• Fulfilling the Writing and Speaking Intensive competency requirement with a transfer course
• An exception to completing at least 216 units for either the BA, BMus, or BMA degrees or 270 units for the double degree BA/BMus
• Waiving the language competency requirement on any basis other than native language-ability or documented disability
• Withdrawing from a course more than one year after the course was completed
• Adding a course taken at Lawrence more than one year after coursework was completed (If necessary, such requests can be directed to the Associate Dean of the Conservatory or the Associate Provost of the College)
• Reducing the number of units in a variable-unit course after the Monday following the midterm reading period or any time thereafter