About the Petitions Office

The Petitions Office was established to assist students who encounter nonacademic emergencies, or situations beyond their control, that can potentially affect their educational record. If these circumstances occurred after appropriate university deadlines, students have the option of petitioning for exception to university policy. Students are encouraged to initiate this process within one year of the semester or term in question. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the necessary supporting information from the instructor, physician, employer, etc., to accompany the request.

Students may file petitions to withdraw during a current semester up to the discontinuance deadline. Students who have non-academic emergencies after the discontinuance deadline should discuss with the instructor the possibility of an Incomplete.

Students petitioning to be withdrawn from a course for a previous semester need to explain why they did not request to withdraw or take an Incomplete during that semester.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

 

Instructions

In order for your petition to be considered, you must demonstrate there are/were non-academic extenuating circumstances beyond your control which prevented you from complying with published dates and deadlines.  These may include but are not limited to: serious injury or illness, death in the immediate family, etc.  Less than desirable academic performance, changing your major, graduation, and potential loss or gain of financial aid, scholarship, etc., are not acceptable reasons for adding or withdrawing from courses after the established deadlines.

We require both you and your instructor to submit comments for consideration.  If the petition is for medical, clinical or employment reasons, a letter from a doctor, therapist or employer is required.  If your petition is approved, the $10 add/withdraw fee per class will be charged to your student account.  You are advised to make copies for your own personal record as you will be charged $.50 per page if you request copies from the Petitions Office at a later date. 

Which forms do I need?

You may pick up the appropriate forms from the Petitions Office in B-150 ASB, or from the menus on the left of this website.  Below is an explanation of each of our forms. In order to facilitate a timely decision, please submit the applicable forms and documentation within five business days.

The General Petition Form is the form you, the student, must fill out and sign before submitting to our office.  On the first page, you should provide a detailed statement explaining the reason for your request for an exception to university policy.  The second page of this form is the Instructor's Verification Form, where each instructor must provide information regarding your attendance and participation in his/her course.  If you are unable to have the instructor sign this form, he or she may e-mail the appropriate information directly to our office (petitions@byu.edu) from his or her BYU e-mail account.

The Employer’s Verification Form (if applicable) is for your employer to verify your work schedule, especially noting any changes in hours that may have occurred during the course of the semester/term.  Please be sure to fill out and sign the top portion of the form so your employer can release your information to our office. 

The Medical/Clinical Verification Form (if applicable) is to be filled out by your physician(s) and/or counselor(s).  Please fill out and sign the top portion of this form so your medical records can be released to our office. 

The Resubmission Form is to be filled out if you have additional information that was not submitted with your original petition that you feel may change the result of your petition.

The Release of Records Form must be filled out if you would like to allow other individuals (parents, spouse, sibling, etc.) access to information regarding your petition.  If this form is not filled out, we will not be able to communicate any information to anyone but you, the student.  

The International Student Clearance Form must be filled out by international students who will drop below full-time status if their petition is approved.

Upon completion of the appropriate forms, please submit the forms to our office in person, by mail (B-150 ASB Provo, UT 84602), or by fax (801-422-0615) as soon as possible.  It is recommended that you submit your petition within five business days of initiating the process.  Once your complete petition is received, your request will be reviewed, and notification of the decision will be sent to your mailing address. 

 

Guiding Principles

• All academic work undertaken should be accurately reflected on the student academic record. The record should represent the actual experience and accurately reflect historical facts. Cosmetic adjustments or corrections are not sanctioned.


• All classes should show official enrollment by the 10th class day of a semester (or 6th of a term).


• All enrollments become official after the 10th day of a semester (6th day of a term). Students who withdraw between the 10th and the 25th class day (6th to 13th of a term) will be officially withdrawn. This shows as a "W" on their record. A "W" is an official withdrawal. It is not a negative mark, and does not affect your GPA. Students who withdraw after the drop deadline (25th class day) must withdraw passing or failing. Withdraw "pass" shows as a "W"; withdraw "fail" shows as "WE." While the "W" is not a grade calculated in the BYU GPA, the "WE" is calculated as a failing grade. A university error would be the only consideration to delete a class from the academic record without showing the official withdraw.


• The responsibility for complying with deadlines specified in the academic calendar belongs to the student.


• The responsibility for complying with policies and procedures outlined in the university catalog and class schedule belongs to the student.


• Employment reasons for withdrawing after the drop deadline are not usually considered non-academic emergencies.


• The decision made by the Student Academic Record Review Committee will be based on the non-academic circumstances that are involved in the petition. Consequences the student may face, either real or perceived, are not usually reasons for an exception.

 

Critical Dates and Deadlines

Add Deadline:	10th business day of a semester or 6th day of a term
Drop Deadline (Without a "W"):	10th business day of a semester or 6th day of a term
Withdraw Deadline (With a "W"):	25th business day of a semester or 13th day of a term
Discontinuance Deadline:	Typically the 60th business day of a semester but will vary a day or two depending on the length of a semester.
Incomplete Grade Contract:	An Incomplete is given for non-academic emergencies occurring after the discontinuance deadline. A contract must be filed with the Records Office prior to the grade submission deadline.

Click here for current deadlines.