Registrar ServicesRegistrar Services

Senate Petition Information and Instructions

The Senate Petitions Committee meets each Tuesday. Submit your petition and all necessary documentation by 5:00 p.m. the previous Friday. Because of the large number of requests, it may take 1-2 weeks before a decision is made. Results will be available after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday; call the Registrar's Office at (352) 392-1374, extension 7229 or 7237. Results also will be mailed as soon as possible. Medical withdrawals – current and previous terms – are handled in the Dean of Students Office, 202 Peabody Hall.

The constitution of the University of Florida specifies that final authority for waivers of university regulations rests with the Faculty Senate Committee on Student Petitions. The committee's decision is final; there is no appeal. The Office of the University Registrar only reports the committee's decisions and has no authority to influence the committee.

Instructions

  • Complete the Summary and Action form. Include your current address and phone number.

  • Complete the Request for Senate Petition form and explain fully your reasons for petitioning.

  • Submit Instructor Recommendation forms for each course that you are petitioning to drop, add or receive a refund. It is your responsibility to contact the instructor personally and to make sure that the instructor forms are completed, even if you did not attend the course. If the instructor is no longer at UF, the department chair may complete the forms. You also may contact the department office(s) for information on locating the professor(s) for the course(s) in question.

  • Submit written documentation supporting your reasons to petition. For example: To petition for a waiver because of illness, include documentation from your doctor.

  • Complete an interview with your college. The interviewing officer can answer any questions about procedures, required documentation, etc. A written statement for your petition will be provided; have your checklist signed once the interview is complete. In cases where a student no longer resides in the area, it may be possible to arrange telephone interviews at the discretion of the individual interviewing officer. Please contact your college to schedule an interview.

  • Retain copies of all information submitted. The documents you submit will remain on permanent file with the university; they will not be returned.

It is your responsibility to submit all documents before the petition can be reviewed. Turn in all information (interview report, instructor forms and all documentation) with the petition request to 222 Criser Hall, or mail the complete packet to P.O. Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000.

Policies and Procedures

  • The committee considers your total university record, academic records from other institutions, test scores and other data in conjunction with your petition. Deadlines also are considered.

  • The committee's decision is based on your educational goals and the academic standards of the university. The committee will consider and weigh the specific conditions or circumstances beyond your control that contributed to or caused your difficulty. For example: Illness or financial difficulty often are considered carefully. BE SURE TO STATE OR DOCUMENT (i.e., write) ALL RELEVANT FACTS.

  • If the committee sets specific conditions for approval, you will be notified in writing of these conditions. These terms cannot be changed unless the committee grants approval.