Academic Standing

About the Committee

The Academic Standing Committee is responsible for evaluating petitions for exceptions to academic standards, policies, and procedures. Additionally, the Committee reviews requests for registration adjustments that are not considered purely administrative in nature.  Students who believe their situation may warrant an exemption from an academic policy or requirement may submit a petition to the Committee on Academic Standing.

How do I petition?

  • Students must review the expectations and requirements for different types of requests (below) and submit the petition form with appropriate supplementary materials. 
  • Where approval, support or input from faculty and staff, Bates Health Services or Counseling and Psychological Services are required, the student is responsible for requesting that information and including it at the time the petition is submitted. 
  • Petitions are typically reviewed weekly when classes are in session. Petitions and supplementary materials must be submitted by noon on Wednesday to be reviewed by the committee that week (Winter Semester 24 meeting schedule).
  • Students will be notified of the Committee’s decision, within a few days of the weekly meeting.  
  • The decisions made by the Academic Standing Committee are final unless there is new and relevant information that warrants further consideration. Whether information qualifies as new and relevant will be determined by the Committee.

Petition Form

Direct questions to academicstanding@bates.edu.

You do not need to submit your petition via email. Using the form link above will route the petition to the Committee administrator.

Most Common Petitions and Considerations

Grading mode change after the deadline

  • Student must complete an ASC petition form explaining why the change is being requested and what prevented the change from being made prior to the deadline.  
  • Concern for getting a low grade is typically not considered on its own as grounds for waiving the grading mode change deadline. There must be extenuating circumstances that prevented the grading mode change from being requested prior to the deadline and/or a significant change in circumstances (typically a documented medical, mental health or personal emergency) after the deadline passed for the committee to consider a waiver of the grading mode change deadline.
  • A grade mode change from letter to pass/fail is typically not permitted after the deadline unless there is a documented medical, mental health or personal emergency. A petition should include supplemental materials to support a request on this basis. Materials may include documentation from medical and mental health providers as well as Bates faculty or staff and should be attached when submitting the petition.
  • Petition must explain why this specific course is being identified for a grading mode change and identify a plan to account for any graduation requirements that the course may no longer fill
  • Decisions on the ability to apply a course taken in pass/fail grading mode are made at the department level
  • Short term courses and courses taken to fill general education requirements, including MOIs cannot be taken pass/fail

Add a course after the deadline

  • If you have been attending class prior to the add deadline, you do not need to petition the Academic Standing Committee. Complete a Late Registration Adjustment form through the Registrar
  • If you have not been regularly attending the class you wish to add, you must complete an ASC petition form, explaining what prevented the course from being added prior to the deadline. Students must include written approval from the instructor with their petition. Late course additions will not be considered without explicit instructor permission.

Exception to general education/graduation requirements

  • Requesting to complete a thesis out of residence 
    • Must have the approval of the Department/Program Chair and potential thesis advisor. Documentation of the communications should be included with the petition
    • Typically only considered if documented medical, mental health, or personal emergency situation led to the need or student has been away from Bates for several years
  • Adjustments to policies for writing requirements: Considered if circumstances beyond the student’s control prevented taking a W1, W2 or W3 on schedule
  • Waiver of GECs, MOI’s, or other general education requirements are typically not approved

Request a deferral for the extension of coursework after the deadline

  • Request for coursework deferrals made prior to the standard deadline, are handled through the Office of Student Support. Only after the request deadline has passed should a student submit a petition to the Academic Standing Committee
  • Student must complete a petition form explaining why the deferral is needed and what prevented the deferral from being requested before the deadline
  • Late deferral requests are typically only approved if a new situation emerged after the deadline has passed, or, if the student was unable, due to serious, documented medical or mental health issues, to request a deferral prior to the deadline. A petition should include supplemental materials from medical or mental health providers to support a request on this basis
  • Communications documenting the approval of the faculty member and noting an agreed upon due date (not to exceed 4 weeks past the last day of finals) must be included with the petition
  • Deferrals are not permitted for Short Term courses

Request a ninth semester for degree completion

  • Student must complete a petition form explaining the reason for the request. The petition should include an outline of the academic plan that illustrates what graduation requirements need to be met and how a 9th semester is required to facilitate that plan
  • A 9th semester is typically not approved unless there is a documented medical, mental health or personal emergency. A petition should include supplemental materials from medical or mental health providers to support a request on this basis
  • Other options including completing a thesis out of residence or transferring non-Bates credits should be considered

Request to exceed maximum credit registration

  • Student must complete a petition form explaining the reason for the request. A petition should ideally be submitted prior to the close of the registration period 
  • Requests are typically not approved during a student’s first semester, but will be considered in subsequent semesters if a student has demonstrated a strong academic record

Return after an academic dismissal

  • Student must complete a petition form and should demonstrate that time away from the college has adequately prepared them to return to Bates
  • Student’s should reference their dismissal letter which outlines the requirements to be met to be considered for return. Petitions must include an academic plan to complete degree requirements in the remaining semesters
  • Documentation from medical/mental health providers may be helpful to provide additional context where appropriate

Return after an extended leave of absence (LOA)/withdrawal

  • Student must complete an ASC petition form and should demonstrate that time away from the college has adequately prepared them to return to Bates. Records of courses taken elsewhere are helpful, but not required
  • Petitions for readmittance must include an academic plan to complete degree requirements in the remaining semesters
  • It is required that returning students have no outstanding financial obligations to the college and no history of conduct or other issues which would preclude a return to Bates

Exception to transfer credit policies

  • Student must complete a petition explaining the reason for the request. Policies are typically not waived unless there is a documented medical, mental health or personal emergency. A petition should include supplemental materials to support a request on this basis

Waiver of academic dismissal/satisfactory academic progress (SAP)

  • Student must complete a petition explaining why the request should be considered. Waivers are not typically approved unless there is a documented medical, mental health or personal emergency that impacted a student’s academic performance. A petition should include supplemental materials to support a request on this basis  
  • Waivers are only considered if the student can demonstrate that the situation that led to the dismissal has been addressed and is unlikely to repeat itself
  • The committee will typically want to know that the student has discussed their situation with an Academic Advisor or Student Support Advisor and understands the options for establishing a new path for degree completion.  Waiver for not having met standard academic progress typically specify a deadline for when the student must have met the minimum credit requirements. Documentation of communications with faculty and advisors should be included with the petition where appropriate

Withdraw from a course after the deadline

  • Student must complete a petition form explaining what prevented the course withdrawal from being made prior to the deadline 
  • Withdrawal from a course after the deadline is typically not permitted unless there is a documented medical, mental health or personal emergency. A petition should include supplemental materials from medical or mental health providers to support a request on this basis