D. Instructions for preparing a General Petition

When filling out the General Petition form:

Current contact information is essential. Please print or write legibly. All correspondence to the student is done via email.

If you wish to file a General Petition for Extenuating Circumstances for medical reasons the petition process is now available on UAccess Student Center.

To complete the General Petition form, follow these steps:

Step 1:

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.

Step 2:

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 complete 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.

For a complete retroactive medical withdrawal from a term.

Your statement should describe the nature of your mental or physical illness, injury or disability, the duration of the condition, and the challenges that you faced in completing your coursework.

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.
• If you were dropped for non-payment, why you did not take steps to re-register during the semester taken.

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.

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.

Step 3:

Instructor Statement Form and 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.

You will need to attach an Instructor's Statement Form (or this form can be picked at the same location general petitions are located) for each of the courses listed in this petition. This form is to be filled out and signed by the instructor. See the form for instructions and call 520-621-7792 if you have any questions. Incomplete information on the Instructor Statement is considered as a lack of documentation and the petition request may be denied for that reason.

The process for instructor statements will be handled differently for the online petition process; all instructors will be contacted by email for attendance and grading information. Physical instructor statements will not be required for retroactive medical withdrawals.

For a complete retroactive medical withdrawal, documentation must include a letter from your licensed health care provider on letterhead which includes:

• The approximate date of onset of the mental or physical illness or injury or disability giving rise to the circumstances surrounding the request for a complete retroactive withdrawal for extenuating circumstances, and the dates through which such condition(s) continued.
• The general nature of the mental or physical illness or injury or disability and how and why it warrants the action sought.

Step 4:

Signature and location to submit completed petition

• General Petition: Turn in to the Office of the Dean of your own College.
• General Petition for Extenuating Circumstances - Medical: Online process, login to UAcess Student Center. Contact Registration and Transcripts for assistance at 520-621-7792.
• General Petition for Extenuating Circumstances - Sexual Harassment or Discrimination (Title IX). Contact Title IX Office, Old Main Room 200, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0021 - Phone: (520) 621-7286.