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Academic Petitions

An academic petition is a request that you be granted an exception to an academic regulation with which all students must comply. A petition will be considered when your circumstance meets each of the following conditions:

  1. was beyond your control;
  2. could not reasonably have been anticipated or over-come; and
  3. has seriously affected your studies.

NOTE: An academic petition request is NOT appropriate for fee refund requests, coursework issues within the term, course content concerns, or grade appeals​.

**Academic Petitions can now be completed online**

Before completing the Academic Petition Form: 
  • Undergraduate students are encouraged to speak to Academic Advising if they would like to discuss academic implications and possible next steps.
  • Gather all relevant documentation electronically as it must be uploaded during submission (allowable file formats: WORD, PDF, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG).
    • Once the form is submitted, documents cannot be changed or removed (due to system limitations).
  • Be aware of the following about the form:
    • The form must be fully completed in one session. Ensure you have ALL documentation available.
    • Additional forms for requests based on medical grounds, late registration, etc., can be found below.
Submitting the online Academic Petition Form:
  1. All petitions must include the mandatory personal letter outlining your circumstances.
  2. All relevant supporting documentation must be included in order for your petition to be heard. For example:
    • petitions submitted on medical grounds require an Attending Physician's Statement;
    • petitions involving Counselling and Student Accessibility Services must have the associated form completed;
    • late registration requests must include a Late Registration Form with the course instructor's approval;
    • exception to program requirements require a recommendation from the Department;
    • BScN-RPN Bridging (Blended Delivery) Program Students: Applicants who have previously been unsuccessful (or asked to withdraw) from a BScN program within the last 5 years will be required to submit a petition. The petition should outline the extenuating circumstances that affected the applicant’s performance and what steps they have taken to ensure success in Nipissing’s BScN Program. Applicants will also be required to submit a Consent for Release of Information form granting the institution where they were registered in a BScN program to release any misconduct and/or clinical performance information to Nipissing.
  3. Once the Academic Petition Form is submitted, you will receive an e-mail confirmation through your Nipissing University student e-mail account.

    Note:

  • It is your responsibility to ensure all necessary supporting documentation is submitted.
  • Incomplete petitions will not be heard and will be closed after 30 days. The complete petition can be resubmitted when all documentation is available.
  • Guidelines for the Academic Appeals and Petitions Committee (AAPC) can be found at this link.
CLICK TO SUBMIT AN ACADEMIC PETITION
Academic Petition Results:
  • Petitions are normally reviewed weekly.
  • If additional information is required, you will be contacted by e-mail.
  • Once a decision is made, the result will be available on WebAdvisor, under "Communication" and "Other Correspondence". Select the appropriate item and click on "Submit" to view the petition request and decision. 
  • Please allow two weeks for your petition result to be processed.
  • All decisions are final and may not be appealed.
Academic Petition Forms and Descriptions:

Personal Letter

This mandatory personal letter must be an explanation of the problems and circumstances which have prompted the petition. It is imperative that the personal letter be carefully prepared and circumstances clearly documented.

The petition letter must be organized under the following two headings:

  1. Regulation(s) being petitioned; clearly indicate the regulation(s) from which you are seeking exemption.
  2. Extenuating circumstance(s) beyond your control which adversely affected your ability to comply with that regulation, policy, rule or deadline. If you are requesting to drop some but not all of your courses in a term or session, explain your selectivity and provide supporting documentation.

Remember to indicate the following when preparing your personal letter:

  • your name and student number;
  • always identify the term, course code and section (where applicable);
  • documents you are enclosing with your petition.

Attending Physician's Statement

Petitions submitted on medical grounds must include an Attending Physician's Statement. This form is to be completed and signed by your physician. The Attending Physician's Statement must give the full name, mailing address and telephone number of the attending physician. Note: The Physician's office may be contacted to verify that the forms were completed by the physician.

Counselling & Student Accessibility Services Form

If you have utilized Counselling and Student Accessibility Services, this form is to be completed and signed by your counsellor.
 

Late Registration Form

Students who are petitioning to register in a course after the last date to add the course has passed must complete this form, and obtain the approval of the course instructor.

Late Withdrawal Form

Students who are petitioning to withdraw after the last date to drop the course must complete this form, and obtain the approval of the course instructor.

RPN-BScN Bridging (Blended Delivery) Program Consent for Release of Information Form

Applicants who have previously been unsuccessful (or asked to withdraw) from a BScN program within the last 5 years are required to submit a Consent for Release of Information form granting the institution where they were registered in a BScN program to release any misconduct and/or clinical performance information to Nipissing.

If necessary, Academic Petitions and supporting documentation will be accepted by e-mail to petitions@nipissingu.ca.

Questions regarding Academic Petitions can be directed to petitions@nipissingu.ca.

Keep your information up-to-date! Make sure we have your current contact information on WebAdvisor.

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