Petitioning for Exceptions

Like most large organizations, Olympic College has rules and deadlines that students are expected to follow as they do business with the college. Part of getting an education, in fact, includes learning how to work within organizations and learning to be accountable in life. Despite everyone's best intentions, students do occasionally miss deadlines or have personal circumstances that may warrant an exception to the rules. The Registrar's Petition is a student's way of asking for special consideration at Olympic College.

Download the petition form (see link at right) or pick one up at the Office of Registration and Records . Below are answers to questions about the process and suggestions about ways to help assure a positive answer to your petition.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Registrarís Petition Process
Under what circumstances may I petition the Registrar?

Generally, you may petition the Registrar when you have missed a deadline (e.g., adding/dropping classes, auditing a class or taking one for Pass/No Credit after the published date), need to change some aspect of your registration due to schedule changes or errors, or for other similar circumstances. You may also use the petition form to ask for waivers of rules connected with degree requirements. Registration and Records staff can help you decide whether a petition is appropriate in your situation.

How long after a deadline are petitions accepted?

Petitions are generally accepted for one workweek (5 working days) after the missed deadline. After that, a student needs to provide evidence of extraordinary circumstances in order to have a petition considered. Extraordinary circumstances include death in the family, medical situations, and job changes or military transfer.

When a faculty member signs my petition, then it is granted, right?

No. A faculty memberís support will often help, but it will not decide the matter. Ultimately, it is the Registrarís decision and she must consider rules and circumstances that a faculty member may know nothing about.

What can I do to help my request be approved?

• Be sure you need to petition.
  Check the calendar or other information carefully or discuss the matter with Registration & Records staff.
• Be Thorough.
  Your job is to convince the Registrar that there is some compelling reason you should be allowed to do whatever it is you want to do outside the normal channels. Substantiating documentation may be needed (e.g., of death or injury), or a statement from a second party may be helpful.
• Be Timely.
  Get your request in as soon as possible after you become aware that you have missed the deadline or are registered improperly. Procrastination in itself can be grounds for denying the petition.
• Be Respectful.
  Taking your frustration out on the Registrarís staff does not help.
• If Approved, Meet Payment Deadline.
  If your petition is approved and requires payment, you will be given 2 working days to follow through and pay. Meet that deadline. Failure to do so will mean that the approval of your petition will be withdrawn.

When may I expect a decision?
The Registrarís goal is to decide any petition within 3 to 5 working days after it is turned in at Registration and Records. You may check after 3 days. It is your responsibility to learn the outcome and meet the subsequent deadline for follow-through.

What can I do next if my petition is denied?
The Admissions, Registration, and Graduation Appeals committee is the next step. You initiate an appeal by submitting it in writing to the Registrar, who will take it to the committee. The committee meets as needed, usually once per quarter. The decision of the committee is final.