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General Petition Checklist -- Retroactive Withdrawal

This checklist is a guide to help identify what information needs to accompany the general petition, according to the type of retroactive withdrawal requested.

Note: Petitions are considered on an individual basis.  Supporting documentation is very important for the approval of the petition, but it does not guarantee approval.  However, failure to submit the requested documentation along with the General Petition form will delay the processing and may affect the outcome of the general petition.

Related Information: Documentation

Retroactive Withdrawal

General Petition Form
  • Completed
  • Instructor's Signature
Required Information
Instructor's Letter:

  • Instructor's Signature

  • Instructor's Letterhead

Type I:  Never Attended

  • Instructor statement that student NEVER attended class

  • Student statement giving reason why he/she registered and never attended

Type II:  Stopped Attending

  • Instructor's statement of last date of attendance

  • Instructor's statement that student was or was not passing at time of last attendance

  • Student statement:

  1. reason why he/she stopped attending before the semester ended
  2. reason why he/she did not follow procedures for dropping the course
  3. if student attempted to drop past the deadline and request was denied by the College, why he/she feels the Committee should now approve the request

Type III:  Partial Withdrawal

  • Instructor's information in support of request for this course

  • Student's statement of why not all courses were affected by reasons requiring withdrawal from this course (and any others)
Letter from Physician or Psychologist (if Medical Justification)

  • Doctor's Signature

  • Doctor's Letterhead

  • Doctor's description of medical condition

  • Doctor's opinion of condition's degree of debilitation

Documentation of Medical Justification

  • Nature of debilitation

  • Effects on performance

  • Effects on attendance

The following are not subject to general petition:

  1. Cancelled courses for which you were given a grade:
    This is an administrative error.  See the Curriculum & Registration Office to have it corrected.
  2. Courses for which you wish to change from grade type P/F to grade type A,B,C,D,E will not be considered.
    See dean of college in which you are majoring if you want a P/F course to satisfy a requirement.
  3. Financial matters:  The general petition process is for academic policy relief.  See the Bursar's Office for fall and spring semester requests; summer and winter session requests, contact the Office of Summer & Winter Sessions.
  4. Grade appeals:  If you are seeking a higher grade in a course then was awarded, and can not resolve the matter with your instructor, you need to follow the grade appeal process.