The Committee on Academic Achievement and Petitions is a college committee of six faculty and two student members. On behalf of the faculty, the committee receives and acts on petitions from individual students asking for exceptions from particular academic regulations or requirements of the college, including course enrollment changes after missed deadlines; requests for readmission from students on restricted or required leaves; and reconsideration of action previously taken by the committee. The committee also reviews all students’ progress toward meeting graduation requirements at the end of each semester.  Lisa Ryan serves as secretary; both Lisa and Bonnie Shelley serve as ex-officio non-voting members. The committee meets weekly during the academic semester, and monthly during the summer.

A petition is usually prepared with the assistance of a student's faculty advisor, whose signature is required. The advisor's comments and recommendation are helpful to the committee. The committee reviews the written petition and determines whether there is evidence of mitigating and unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the student that would warrant an exception or other action. Students receive written notification of the petition outcome, faculty advisors receive a copy for the student’s advising file.

Petition forms, advice on preparation, and counseling are available in the Counseling and Advising Office, 140 Roberts Hall, 254-5386.

The Committee on Academic Achievement and Petitions also reviews the records of students who are not in good academic standing at the end of each semester. See academic standing.