Liberal Arts and Professional Studies – Deferred Standing, Academic Petitions and Appeals

Please refer to the Policies and Regulations section of the Undergraduate Calendar for further information about deferred standing, academic petitions and appeal guidelines.

Deferred Standing

What is deferred standing?

Deferred standing may be granted to undergraduate students who are unable to write their final examination at the scheduled time or to submit their course work by the published deadline for the submission of term work. In order to apply for deferred standing, students must complete a Final Exam/Assignment Deferred Standing Agreement Form (http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/pdf/deferred_standing_agreement.pdf) and reach an agreement directly with the course director for an alternate final examination date or for an extension to the deadline. The Final Exam/Assignment Deferred Standing Agreement Form facilitates the setting of an alternate date for writing a final examination or submitting outstanding course work before the Faculty deadlines (http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/exams/deferred/index.htm). There is no provision for rewriting a final examination to improve a final grade.

Note: When students do not or cannot write a mid-term examination (not held during the formal examination period), alternate arrangements to write the mid-term examination should be made within the duration of the course by the course director and individual student at the discretion of the course director. The Deferred Standing Agreement does not apply.

What about religious accommodation for a final exam?

Because of religious commitment, students who cannot write a formally scheduled final examination on the date scheduled should refer to the appropriate guidelines regarding the Religious Observance Policy and Accommodation Guidelines at https://w2prod.sis.yorku.ca/Apps/WebObjects/cdm.woa/wa/regobs.

How are deferred standings arranged?

Students must make a formal request for deferred standing. This is done by approaching their course director with the printed Final Exam/Assignment Deferred Standing Agreement form to discuss the possibility of setting an alternate date for writing a final examination or for submitting outstanding course work. Students must also supply all relevant supporting documentation (as outlined on the form). Photocopies of supporting documentation are acceptable as long as the course director is able to view the original documents. It is Senate policy that “normally, requests for deferred standing must be communicated within one week following a missed examination or the last day to submit course work.”

If an instructor does not approve a request for deferred standing, students have the option of filing an academic petition. See: http://www.yorku.ca/laps/council/students/petitions.html

Deferred standing petitions must be submitted no later than two weeks after the formal exam period has ended (final exam) or two weeks from the published deadline for the submission of term work (as concerns term tests, essays and other written term work due at the end of the term of study).

Aegrotat Standing

In cases where a student cannot be expected to complete the work for a course, the phrase “aegrotat standing” (from the Latin for “she/he is ill”) is substituted for a grade on the transcript. Aegrotat standing is seldom granted, and only in exceptional circumstances where deferred standing or late withdrawal from the course is inappropriate.

Academic Petitions

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 waive regulations which would otherwise apply. The purpose of a student academic petition is to request an exemption from a Faculty regulation or deadline. Being unfamiliar of regulations or deadlines does not constitute a valid reason for an academic petition.

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the University guidelines and principles regarding academic petitions before taking any steps which may have repercussions or affect their academic progress.

Students' Responsibilities in the Academic Petition/Appeals Process

The University has established regulations, procedures and deadlines through its legislative bodies to which students must adhere. Students are expected to monitor their progress in courses, taking into account their personal and academic circumstances, and to make the necessary adjustments to their workload to meet the requirements and deadlines. The University recognizes, however, that specific circumstances may justify waiving the regulations/requirements/deadlines on an individual basis. Request for a waiver of a regulation/requirement/deadline are initiated by an academic petition.

Students opting to initiate an academic petition should be assured that confidentiality is a hallmark of this process.

While it is the University's responsibility to provide students with proper information, guidance and advice, it is incumbent upon students to:

be aware of and adhere to all Faculty and program regulations, requirements and published deadlines;
familiarize themselves with their Faculty's written academic petition/appeal procedures and make requests in a timely fashion;
provide all documentation to support their academic petition/appeal and to do so in a timely fashion;
indicate and document all their relevant circumstances upon submitting their academic petition in the first instance.

Please refer to the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Faculty Council website under Students for further petition/appeal information and forms at http://www.yorku.ca/laps/council/students/petitions.html.

Petition Appeal

An appeal is a written request for the alteration of the decision taken on a petition generally made to the same level but to another person, panel or committee. Appeals against decisions of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Committee on Student Academic Petitions will be permitted only on the grounds of:

a) new evidence, or

b) evidence of procedural irregularity in the committee's consideration of the case.