A petition needs to be filed in the event that a student needs to request an exception to College Policy.
All petitions require some form of supporting documentation. Review common types of petitions below, and the required supporting documentation for each type. It’s worthwhile to review this list before submitting your petition. If none of these represent what you are asking for, select “Uncategorized Petition” when submitting your request.
All petitions with supporting documentation will be reviewed by the Faculty Committee on Course and Standing, and decisions will be communicated to the student via email. If you have further questions regarding the ePetition process, send an e-mail.
Accessing Petitions
- Log in to BC WebCentral.
- Click E-Services.
- Click Undergraduate Student Transactions.
- Click Petition for an Exception to the Bulletin.
- Select type of petition.
- Provide requested information.
- Upload supporting documentation
Forms for Petitions to the Committee on Course and Standing
- Departmental Grade Appeal Procedures (PDF)
- Financial Aid and Bursar Liability (requires BC WebCentral login)
- Instructor’s Note (PDF)
- Undergraduate Permit Application (PDF)
Types of Petitions
Add a Course After the Registration Deadline
If you are going to ask permission to add a course after the add deadline, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the professor of the course you wish to add, cosigned by the deputy chair or chair of the respective academic department or interdisciplinary program, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Appeal Grade After Denial by Departmental Grade Appeal Committee
This type of petition can only be submitted after you have appealed directly to your professor, and the respective departmental grade appeal committee. For this type of petition to be considered, you will have to attach a letter of position from your professor, and/or the departmental grade appeal committee.
Change WN Grade After the Deadline
If you are going to ask permission to change a WN grade after the add deadline, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the professor of the course for which you received a WN grade, cosigned by the deputy chair or chair of the respective academic department or interdisciplinary program, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Course Exemption
If you are going to ask for a course exemption, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the deputy chair, or chair of the respective academic department or interdisciplinary program that administers the course, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request. (Note that if you receive an exemption, you do not receive any credits for the course.)
Course Substitution
If you are going to ask for a course substitution, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the deputy chair, or chair of the respective academic department or interdisciplinary program that administers the course, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Drop a Course After the Deadline
If you are going to ask permission to drop a course after the drop deadline, it is imperative that you have a letter of position, or an instructor’s note, from the professor of the course you wish to drop, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request. Furthermore, you must upload a completed Financial Aid and Bursar Liability (requires BC WebCentral login) as part of your supporting documentation.
Graduate Under a Prior Bulletin
If you are going to ask permission to graduate under a prior bulletin, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the deputy chair, or chair of your major department or program, stating whether or not they support your request. The letter of position must also clearly identify which Bulletin year you are requesting to graduate under. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Readmit with GPA Below 2.0
This type of petition can be submitted only after you have met with an academic adviser from the Center for Academic Advisement and Student Success (CAASS) to determine your eligibility for readmission, and to develop an academic plan for you to follow if readmitted. For this type of petition to be considered, you will have to attach a Readmission Application completed by said academic adviser.
Registrar for 8 or More Credits in a Winter Session
If you are going to ask permission to register for more than the allowable credits in a three-week winter session, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the deputy chair, or chair of your major department or program, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Register for 10 or More Credits in a Summer Session
If you are going to ask permission to register for more than the allowable credits in a five-week summer session, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the deputy chair, or chair of your major department or program, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Register for 19 or More Credits in the Fall or Spring Semester
If you are going to ask permission to register for more than the allowable credits in a 15-week fall or spring semester, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the deputy chair, or chair of your major department or program, stating whether or not they support your request. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Resolve an INC/FIN Grade After the Deadline
If you are going to ask permission to change an INC/FIN grade after the add deadline, it is imperative that you have a letter of position from the professor of the course for which you received an INC/FIN grade, cosigned by the deputy chair or chair of the respective academic department or interdisciplinary program, stating whether or not they support your request. The letter of position should include a suggested new grade for the course, or a new deadline for you to complete missing work. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request.
Retroactive Withdrawal After the Deadline
If you are going to ask for a retroactive withdrawal after the deadline, it is imperative that you have a letter of position, or an instructor’s note, from the professor of the course(s) you wish to retroactively withdraw from, stating whether or not they support your request. If you cannot acquire a letter of position, or an instructor’s note, from a professor, you may instead submit a letter of position from the deputy chair or chair of your major department or program. Moreover, you will be asked to explain the extenuating circumstances and/or academic justification for such a request. Furthermore, you must complete and submit the electronic Retroactive Withdrawal/Cancellation Financial Liability Form as part of your supporting documentation. You must be logged into BC WebCentral to access this form. Once you submit the form, Financial Aid and Bursar staff will review to determine if your retroactive withdrawal or cancellation will cause you to incur a financial liability to the college.
Uncategorized Petition
This type of petition should be considered only after a comprehensive discussion with a faculty adviser or academic adviser from CAASS, who will outline the necessary supporting documentation for you to proceed with the petition.