Policy for Petitions for Modification or Waivers of Requirements

The purpose behind all academic requirements is to preserve the integrity of the Lewis & Clark College degree. Requirements may be waived or modified only upon approval of the Program Director, Associate Dean, and/or Dean. Exceptions to requirements are granted only after careful consideration of all the facts and are made with consistency and fairness.

The petition process is intended to document the extenuating circumstances of and approvals for student requests for changes to academic requirements. Examples of petition requests for exceptions to a policy include: late course drop with a tuition adjustment, degree requirement waivers, CR/NC petitions for JD students. Please note that some graduation requirements cannot, under any circumstances be waived because of American Bar Association requirements.

The goal of the process is to provide clear documentation of the request and approval for an adjustment to a student’s academic record. Adjustments to the student’s academic record are made by the Registrar’s Office and other relevant offices and the petition form is kept in the student’s academic file.

A request will be approved if the decision is in the best interest of the student and will not harm the College or the value of the degree. A formal process will ensure that decisions are made with consistency and fairness.

Procedure for Submission of Student Petitions for Modification or Waiver of Academic Requirements

1. Students must meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or Program Director as indicated to discuss the reasons for seeking a modification or waiver of academic requirements. If appropriate, the Petition for Modification or Waiver of Academic Requirements form will be sent to the student for completion.

• • • • JD students: Libby Davis, at eadavis@lclark.edu
      • Animal Law LLM and MSL students: Raj Reddy, at rajreddy@lclark.edu
      • Environmental Law LLM and MSL students: Tess Jacobsen, at tessjacobsen@lclark.edu

2. The completed form is submitted to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or Program Director for review. Depending on the nature of the petition, the Dean may provide the final decision.
3. The student is notified via email regarding the decision to approve or deny the petition and the petition form is sent to the Registrar’s Office to be added to the student’s academic file.

Questions?

• • JD students contact Associate Dean, Libby Davis, at eadavis@lclark.edu
  • Animal Law students contact Animal Law Program Director, Raj Reddy, at rajreddy@lclark.edu
  • Environmental Law students contact Assistant Director, Tess Jacobsen, at tessjacobsen@lclark.edu