Letter of Appeal to the Academic Policy Committee

LETTER OF APPEAL TO THE ACADEMIC POLICY COMMITTEE

Typed appeal letters directed to the Academic Policy Committee must include the cover sheet followed by a letter to the Academic Policy Committee and should follow the order of presentation noted below so that the Academic Policy Committee can clearly understand the issue in question and make a fair and well-informed decision. The Registrar, Nick Tulley (ext. 4336) can assist any student in defining the policy issue accurately for appeal. Deliver letters to the Office of the Registrar, Glendening Hall, Room 120 or email them to registrar@smcm.edu.

The Academic Policy Committee meets every other Thursday during the Fall and Spring semesters. To learn the deadlines for submitting petitions, please call the Office of the Registrar (ext. 4336).

Please complete the sections of this form as needed. Please make sure that any supporting documentation (physician’s notes, signed add/drop slips from professor’s, emails of support from professors/program leaders, etc.) is attached to your petition.

Student ID #: Date of Petition:

First Name: Middle Initial: Last Name:

Campus Box:

Off-Campus mailing address:

Street Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

Advisor’s Name: Major(s):

Nature of petition – Check all that apply:

Late Add

Late Withdraw

Internship with less than a 2.5 GPA or lower than third year standing

Study abroad with less than 2.5 GPA

More than 6 of last 36 credits off campus

ELAW Petition

Other:

Course Number(s) and Section(s) (Ex: BIOL105.01):

Name of Professor(s):

TO: The Academic Policy Committee
c/o Office of the Registrar
Glendening Hall Room 120

FIRST PARAGRAPH

The first paragraph should present the nature of your appeal, including the academic policy in question and the exception being requested. In three or four sentences, spell out the policy related to case and the exception to the policy you are requesting. Be specific when stating the policy. You may want to quote or paraphrase the policy as presented in the College catalog. Furnish the catalog page numbers for policy reference. When your appeal involves a specific course or courses, furnish the course title, number and section, and professor. If your appeal involves adding or dropping a course, attach the signed drop/add form to your appeal.

SECOND PARAGRAPH

The second paragraph should state the grounds for requesting an exception to the College’s academic policies. Explain the reasons and history behind your appeal. Make sure you state your case in a clear and concise manner, furnishing pertinent details and extenuating circumstances. You should attach letters of support from doctors, faculty members, or administrators (or , if the information is of highly personal nature that you do not wish the entire committee to see, you may have the information sent separately and confidentially to the Registrar, who can summarize the substance of the information without providing all the details to the committee; email or deliver such information to nbtulley@smcm.edu or Glendening Hall Room 120). When you request letters of support, make reference to them in your appeal letter.

Important Note: If you refer to letters of support in your appeal, be aware that the committee will not act on your appeal until the letters are received. It is your responsibility to ensure that the letters are sent to the Committee.

THIRD PARAGRAPH

The third paragraph should present an understanding of the actions you will have to take if the appeal is granted or denied, and the ramifications of the decision. For example, you may wish to state that if your appeal to withdraw from a course after the deadline is granted, you will pay the appropriate fees to the Business Office when you are billed, and complete any necessary paperwork with the Office of the Registrar. On the other hand, if the appeal is denied, you may state that you have to repeat the course in the next semester or over the summer. Outline the positive outcomes from a favorable decision and the hardships a negative decision may cause for you.

For petitions to waive the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement for study abroad, petitioners need to submit a letter of recommendation from their advisor or another faculty member explaining the student’s readiness for study abroad and email report of progress from each of your current professors. Professors should email updates to registrar@smcm.edu.

Note: The Academic Policy Committee meets every other Thursday during the Fall and Spring semesters. To learn the deadlines for submitting petitions, please call the Office of the Registrar (ext. 4336).