Preparing a General Petition

Undergraduate students may petition the University General Petitions Committee for relief if they believe they deserve redress or exception to University rules, regulations or policies regarding academic affairs.

Choose from the options listed on the form.

Please note, the General Petition Committee may approve the request as submitted, approve it with modifications, or deny it. A modified approval may result in an outcome different from the original request.  

You must attach a clear and concise explanation of your request and your reasons why the Committee should grant you an exception to policy. Generally, the Committee is looking for the following information:  

For a retroactive withdrawal from a term (for non-medical reasons)

Your statement should explain: 

• Why you stopped attending before the semester ended.
• Why you did not follow the procedure for dropping the course.
• If you attempted to drop past the deadline and your request was denied by your college, why you feel the Committee should now approve your request.
• Note: If you completed all the coursework and took the final exams in your classes, the Committee considers that the grades you earned reflect your ability in the courses at the time you took them and so should remain on your record.
• When requesting a Retroactive Partial Withdrawal (withdrawing from some but not all your classes) students must provide clear evidence explaining why not all classes in the term were impacted

For a retroactive medical withdrawal from a term

Your personal statement should describe the general nature of the medical challenges and how they impacted your ability to complete your coursework. When requesting a Retroactive Partial Withdrawal (withdrawing from some but not all your classes) students must provide clear evidence explaining why not all classes in the term were impacted. Your statement will be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar Petitions Coordinator and General Petition Committee. You will be asked to upload your personal statement and the completed Medical Provider form during the online petition submission on Student Center. 

For retroactive registration for a course taken but not registered for 

If you wish to have a course retroactively added to a past semester, your statement should explain: 

• Why you did not follow procedure to register for the course.
• The procedure you did follow to add the course if you believe the course should still be on your schedule.
• Include a letter of support from Instructor or Academic Advisor, verifying the student completed course requirements.

For extension of an incomplete grade that has turned to an E

Your statement should explain why you were not able to complete the coursework in the given time. The Office of the Registrar will seek approval from the class instructor once the petition is submitted. 

For waiver of other University Policy

Your statement should briefly state the policy you wish to have waived and why you could not follow this policy or procedure. 

Additional Documents

Include any additional documents which may support your request. Supporting documentation (medical or otherwise) is a very important part of the process but it does not guarantee approval. Lack of information or incomplete information can delay the processing and may be cause for denial of the request. 

For a complete retroactive medical withdrawal, you will be asked to upload the completed Medical Provider form from your licensed healthcare provider. 

*You should not attempt to upload other medical documentation. If any other type of medical documentation is uploaded by the student, it will be deleted.  
 

• General Petition: Email your completed form and supporting documentation to petition@arizona.edu
• General Petition for Retroactive Medical Withdrawal: Online process, login to UAccess Student Center. Contact Registration and Transcripts for assistance at 520-621-3113.
• General Petition for Extenuating Circumstances - Sexual Harassment or Discrimination (Title IX). Contact the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) at 520-621-9449, equity@arizona.edu

Please note, the General Petition Committee may approve the request as submitted, approve it with modifications, or deny it. A modified approval may result in an outcome different from the original request.