General petitions guidelines—for students

Before submitting an Undergraduate Academic Petition, consider the following questions:

  • Will my specific case qualify for an academic petition or simply is it petitionable? The following chart will best assist you in determining if you should file for an academic petition. (Chart coming soon)
  • Is it a request for an exception to an academic calendar deadline?
  • Is it an extraordinary circumstance?
  • Is it within the time limit of the academic deadlines or not?

There are few instances where submitting an undergraduate academic petition is not necessary:

  • Error made by an institutional staff member
  • Call for deployment

Once you have decided you will file and Academic Petition, consider the following:

  • Is the academic petition ready for submission?
  • Is the application form complete? All petitions received will be reviewed, but not necessarily approved if complete application is not submitted.
  • Is there a sufficient explanation?
  • Is pertinent documentation provided? They all should be attached with your academic petition application.
  • Have I received an instructor feedback form from all of my instructors? Also obtain prior submission of the academic petition and attach with your application.

General supporting documentation needed in order to submit complete undergraduate academic petition

Documentation for non-medical issues:

  • Copies of prior correspondence (letters, e-mails, etc.)-including any statements from an advisor or instructor (via the instructor feedback form);
  • Financial aid documents;
  • Counseling or Court records;
  • Other proof of non-attendance or “extraordinary circumstances” (all letters/statements must be on official letterhead with appropriate signatures);
  • Students are responsible for obtaining instructor and/or advisor feedback regarding Add, Drop, Audit a course and Change a letter grade to P/F.
  • If you are filing an academic petition regarding a graduation application, you must have active graduation application submitted.

Medical documentation:

  • Note: Do not send medical charts, notes, or photographs. Only send a letter from your health care provider as described below:
  • A letter from your health care provider(s) on clinic/agency letterhead that includes a description of the medical condition, the approximate date the condition began/ended etc, treatment rendered, and how that condition affected your ability to function academically. Dates are very helpful for the committee to establish an appropriate timeline for your specific case;
  • WSU Student Health and Wellness Services letter of support;
  • WSU Counseling and Testing Services letter of support.