<Faculty of Health

Petitions for Exemptions from Regulations

Academic regulations 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 waive regulations which would otherwise apply.

Petitions Committee

The Petitions Committee considers requests for exceptions to all Faculty regulations, including petitions to continue studies without interruption from students who have been required to withdraw or debarred. The guidelines for consideration of petitions/appeals by Faculty committees are located at the following URL: http://yorku.ca/univsec/senate/committees/sac/petguid.htm.

Right to Petition

Students in the Faculty of Health have the right to petition for special consideration. A petition is a request for the waiver of a regulation: it cannot be used to create legislation (for example: a degree program) that does not exist. Normally, petitions will not be considered by the Petitions Committee more than one year beyond the date of the release of grades for the session to which the petition relates.

Petitions Procedures

Petitions are held in the strictest confidence, and brought anonymously to the committee. The committee considers the petition itself, any supporting documentation (from professors or medical practitioners), and other relevant information contained in the student's record. Students may not appear in person.

Initiating a Petition

To initiate a petition, students should obtain an instruction sheet and, where appropriate, an Attending Physician's Statement form from Student Client Services.

Petitions must be mailed or hand delivered to:

Faculty of Health Petitions Committee
c/o Student Client Services, Bennett Centre for Student Services

Note on Requests for Grade Reappraisals

A request for the reappraisal of a final grade is not a petition in the formal sense. Requests should be directed to the undergraduate program director in the teaching unit offering the course in question. More information on requesting grade reappraisals is located at the following URL: http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/services/policies/grade.htm.