The Dean's Office has the responsibility of organizing, supervising, and coordinating college programs that relate to student affairs and services. Besides ensuring equal access and opportunity to all, major responsibilities include authorizing student recommendation forms; implementing student discipline procedures; and assisting students with petitions regarding grade changes, exceptions to college policies and procedures, and helping with special, individual problems, including, not limited to, Florida residency appeals, and international students' petitions. The Dean's Office is the only location through which a student can be contacted in class in case of an emergency.

Guidelines for Submitting a Petition

Since information regarding procedures and dates for withdrawal is widely publicized, the Petitions Committee, which reviews and makes recommendations to the Dean about each student request, will not consider petitions from students who claim they "did not know" procedures and withdrawal dates. The Committee will consider written petitions from students who are requesting exceptions to the college's financial and withdrawal policies. Each petition submitted must be accompanied by appropriate documentation. A separate form must be used each term.

Petition forms can be picked up in the Dean's Office, Room 3204 or in Advisement Services, Room 3152.

How Petitions are Processed and Decided

In accordance with the forgiveness policy of the state of Florida Articulation Agreement, failing grades should be adjusted by repeating a course.

Decisions on petitions are based on the following criteria:

1. "I" grades are awarded on the basis of a contract between the student and the instructor and, therefore, are not reviewed by the Petitions Committee. For change of an "I" grade, the student should contact the instructor. The "I" grade cannot be changed to a "W."

2. The Committee is authorized to consider grade changes to a "W" only when extenuating circumstances existed and prohibited the student from officially withdrawing from the course by the appropriate deadline. In no instance is the Committee authorized to deal with grade changes which question the professional judgment of the faculty member of the student's performance in the course. Any grade changes other than the "W" should be made through the academic department.

3. A petition may be submitted for a refund for the following events occurring prior to the midpoint of the term:

a. Illness or injury to the student or immediate family.
b. Involuntary work schedule change or transfer.
c. Jury duty or direct involvement by the student in a current legal action.

Note: APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION MUST BE PROVIDED! The instructor must agree that the course cannot be completed. The event must result in an extended absence of no less than nine (9) consecutive class hours.

If the above listed events occur after the midpoint of the term, you may petition only for a withdrawal without refund. The course will be listed on the transcript with a "W," but it will not be included in the Standards of Academic Progress calculations of the ratio of credits registered to credits earned.

Again, DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED!

4. The Committee cannot authorize a refund without also deleting the grade from the transcript. If the grade or registration was used for Veterans, Immigration, or Financial Aid purposes, THESE AGENCIES WILL BE NOTIFIED.

5. APPEALS FOR A GRADE CHANGE OR REFUND MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN THE END OF THE FOLLOWING MAJOR TERM.

PROCEDURE FOR PETITIONERS

1. READ the Guidelines CAREFULLY.

2. SUBMIT a personal letter with the completed Request for Petitions Action form.

3. PROVIDE documentation, such as a doctor's letter, copies of hospital bills, or statements from employers on their official letterhead, that support your position along with the personal letter and petition application form.

4. INCLUDE your name, address, student identification number, social security number, and telephone number.

5. INDICATE your reason for submitting the petition, and the course(s) for which it is being filed, and whether or not you were receiving financial aid, or Veterans Benefits during the term indicated.

6. SIGN the petition and the letter.

7. KEEP a copy of everything for your records.

8. MAIL or DELIVER the completed petition package to:

Office of the Dean
Student Services Division
Miami-Dade College, Kendall Campus
11011 S. W. 104 Street, Room 3204
Miami, Florida 33176-33176-3393