CALS Academic Achievement & Petitions Committee

Overview

The Academic Achievement and Petitions Committee reviews and decides on student petitions related to academic standing, readmission after dismissal, and other exceptional cases. To maintain confidentiality, committee members' names are not publicly listed.

Structure

Appointments

• Faculty vacancies filled by CALS Faculty election.
• Student vacancies appointed by the Associate Director of Inclusive Academic Advising

Leadership

• Chair elected annually by and from faculty membership.

Terms

• Faculty: 3-year terms, with 2 elected each year (eligible for re-election)
• Students: 1-year terms

The committee aims to provide a fair and consistent review process for exceptional academic cases while upholding the college's academic standards.

Meeting Schedule

• Once per semester to review return requests before college pre-enrollment dates
• After the end of each academic semester. 
• Ad hoc meetings for unique petitions requests as needed. 

Responsibilities

• Act on petitions from students asking for exceptions to academic regulations or requirements of the college, or for reconsideration of action previously taken by the committee.
• Conduct end of semester Student Progress (Academic Grade) Review where the committee reviews the progress of all students toward meeting University, and college graduation requirements. Major requirements are reviewed by the major and may be considered by the Committee if overall satisfactory progress toward the degree is a concern. Review and act on readmission requests from persons on academic leave or required leave by the Committee. 
• There are no readmission requests accepted from students who have been academically withdrawn from CALS as the student is encouraged to seek admission to another institution. 
• Notify the petitioner and academic advisor of the action taken by the committee.
• The Committee may not act on petitions related to:
  • Final cumulative GPA requirement for degree conferral.
  • Minimum number of credits required to graduate.
  • Minimum number of semesters in residence.
  • Minimum number of CALS credits required. 
  • University graduation requirements.
  • Cornell University courses to count towards college distribution that have not been approved by CALS Curriculum Committee.
  • Requirements for CALS majors.

Procedures

A petition is used by students for an extenuating circumstance that is an unforeseeable, short-term, non-academic emergency outside of a student's control that occurred during the semester for which they are petitioning and affects their ability to participate in classes and academic activities. Petitions for such circumstances aim to support students whose academic performance is severely impacted. Approval is not guaranteed, regardless of the situation or documentation.

For cases unrelated to academic policies, such as disputing a grade or other equity concerns, students should seek the counsel of the University Ombuds for a referral to the correct policy or relevant office.

Website update July 2024