Petitioning the Department

Students who seek an exception to the major requirements or rules of the Department may petition the Department for a waiver. Petitions should be sent as an email addressed to the Department chair and should include the word "petition" in the subject line. The body of the message should first name the requirement or rule from which the petitioner seeks a waiver and then should explain concisely the reasons the student believes the waiver should be granted.

Petitions are decided on by a majority vote of the active members of the Department and are approved only in rare cases where a major requirement or Department rule imposes an undue burden on a student. The Department can make no promise in advance about the likelihood of a petition's success. Students considering making a petition to the Department may wish to consult in advance with the Department chair.