Any graduate student may appeal for variations in college-wide graduate policies and regulations by submitting a petition, written by the student, to the Graduate Petitions Committee. The student should petition only after all remedies have been exhausted in the appropriate college.

   Petitions must be typed in the recommended format and signed by the student. A signed statement or reaction from the student's advisor, department chair and dean or graduate director must be attached to the petition. Petitioners are encouraged to attach a letter of recommendation from their advisor; however, letters of recommendation are optional. The student should contact The Graduate School Office for complete instructions.  The Graduate School Office forwards the petition, along with the letters of recommendation, any supporting documents and a copy of the student's Winthrop record, to the Graduate Petitions Committee and notifies the student, advisor and dean of the decision reached by the Committee.

   Petitions must be received in The Graduate School Office at least two weeks before a Committee meeting in order to be considered at that meeting. Meeting dates of the Graduate Petitions Committee are available in The Graduate School Office. Special meetings of the Graduate Petitions Committee may be called only in response to unexpected changes in a student's academic standing that will affect an upcoming registration or graduation.