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COLLEGE PETITIONS
Students wishing a waiver, an exception, or a substitution for a General Education requirement
must submit a College Petition describing their request and justification. Petition forms are available in
the Engineering Advising Center, at all departmental offices at University Park, in advising centers at
other locations, or on the Forms page. The signature of
the Assistant Dean for Student Services is required for the approval of any petition dealing with General
Education requirements, as they pertain to the College of Engineering majors offered at University Park.
Petitions from students at all other (non UP) College of Engineering programs require the signature of
the Director of the School of Engineering Design,
Technology & Professional Programs (SEDTAPP), 213 Hammond Building, University Park, PA 16802.
In preparing the petition, the request and justification must be completed by the student.
These must be stated clearly and concisely, without any ambiguity about the nature of the request. The
petition must be signed by the student, student's adviser (any adviser in the Engineering Advising Center
for ENGR students at University Park), and department head (if the student is in a major). It will then be
sent to the Office of Student Services for consideration by the Assistant Dean or to the SEDTAPP office.
A petition that is not supported by the student's major department may not be forwarded to the
Assistant Dean by the department.
Once a decision about approval or non-approval has been made and noted on the form,
the petition will be returned to the student's department, location, or file in the Engineering Advising
Center, as appropriate. Students must consult with their adviser to determine the outcome of their
petition. It is the student's responsibility to determine whether a petition has been approved. Students
should note that the simple act of making a request does not imply automatic approval.
Students are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for meeting all degree
requirements for the major they seek. Changes in major and transfers from other institutions cannot be
used as sole justifications for petitions. Academic justifications are required. Graduation also cannot
be used as a justification. All College petitions from students in majors at University
Park must be received in the Office of Student Services before the beginning of a student's graduating
semester.
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SENATE PETITIONS
Exceptions from University policies and rules can be requested by submitting petitions
to the University Faculty Senate. Instructions for
submitting such petitions are available at all locations and at the Engineering Advising Center.
Instructions are also available on the Forms page.
Petitions from students in degree status at locations other than University Park must
be submitted to the appropriate office at the student's location. College of Engineering students at
University Park must submit their petition and all required and supporting documents to the Office
of Student Services. The Assistant Dean will forward each petition with a recommendation to the
University Faculty Senate.
The University Faculty Senate office will notify each student directly whether his
or her petition was approved or denied. Appropriate notification will also be sent to relevant
University offices for action, as needed, upon approval of a petition.
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