<York Calendars<Undergraduate Calendar 2001-2002<Faculty of Fine Arts<General Regulations

Petitions

Petitions for Exemptions from the Regulations

The purpose of academic regulations is to allow students to develop their interests and talents to the fullest in ways consistent with the philosophy and standards of the Faculty. In establishing academic regulations, the Faculty also recognizes that instances will arise where it makes sense, in the context of a student's academic career, to petition or request a waiver of an academic regulation or deadline.

Petitions to waive internal departmental regulations should be submitted directly to the Chair/Coordinator of the academic unit concerned. In consultation with appropriate faculty members, the Chair will determine whether the request is valid, and relay the decision in writing to the student and to the Office of the Registrar where appropriate.

Committee on Administrative Affairs

Academic petitions from Fine Arts students for exceptions to all Faculty regulations, including petitions to continue their studies without interruption from students who have been required to withdraw or are debarred are adjudicated by the Fine Arts Committee on Administrative Affairs during the Fall/Winter academic session. During the summer months, petitions are heard by Summer Authority as designated by the Dean.

Note on Grade Reappraisals

Requests for the reappraisal of final grades are not petitions in the formal sense. Such requests should be directed to the teaching unit offering the course in question.

Right to Petition

Students in the Faculty of Fine Arts have the right to petition on reasonable grounds for special consideration. It should be noted, however, that a petition is a request for the waiver of a regulation; it cannot be used to create legislation (e.g. a degree program) that does not exist. Normally, petitions will not be considered by the Committee on Administrative Affairs more than one year beyond the date of the release of grades for the session to which the petition relates.

Petitions Procedure

Students shall petition all matters to their home Faculty with the exception of grade reappraisals, which are considered by the department/Faculty offering the course. Petitions are held in the strictest confidence. The committee considers the petition itself, any supporting documents (from professors or medical practitioners) and other relevant information contained in the student's record. Students and/or their representatives may appear before a committee only at the discretion or invitation of the Committee.

Initiating a Petition

To initiate a petition, a student must complete an Undergraduate Academic Petition Form and, where appropriate, submit a completed Attending Physician's Statement Form. Both are available from the Office of the Registrar, West Office Building, 416-736-5440. The student must also prepare a typewritten or clearly handwritten statement explaining the problems and circumstances which have prompted the petition.

Petitions relating to a student's enrolment status or academic standing must be submitted within 30 days of the release of grade reports for the session. Such petitions may be considered for a period of up to one year if they are based on special circumstances.

Advice on petitioning is available from the Office of the Registrar and from the Faculty of Fine Arts Liaison and Advising Office, 213 Centre for Fine Arts, 416-7365135. Petitions should be brought or mailed to the appropriate committee in care of the Office of the Registrar, West Office Building.

Recently approved Senate policies on petitions and grade reappraisals are posted on the Web at www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate/committees/sac/index.htm. Students may contact the Office of the Registrar or their Faculty for further information.