Academic Procedures Committee (APC)

The Academic Procedures Committee (APC) is a standing committee of the faculty charged with ruling on student petitions for exceptions to the academic rules and regulations of the faculty. 

The committee meets once a week during the fall and spring semester.  Its members include three faculty members (one from each division of the College) the registrar, the dean of students, and two students chosen by the Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC). 

Petitions
Examples of the kinds of requests handled by the Academic Procedures Committee include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Changes to final exam times
• Course overloads
• Exceptions to registration deadlines
• Exceptions to residency requirements
• Incomplete grades
• Requests for enrollment beyond the eighth semester
• Second major declarations
• Variances in cross registration and general education requirements

Dismissal from Courses
A student who proves unable or unwilling to carry a course satisfactorily may be dropped from it by the Academic Procedures Committee upon the recommendation of the instructor.

How to submit a petition to the APC

1. Complete an APC Petition Form or an Incomplete Petition Form.

Your petition consists mainly of your statement as to why you feel the committee would be justified in allowing you an exception to a particular rule. Educational appropriateness is important, but in many cases—particularly for late drops—the committee is also concerned about equity to other students.

Include all relevant supporting material, such as medical verification (see below). It is your responsibility to present your case fully. The Committee will not make assumptions in your favor when information necessary to support your case is missing.

Print the form and present it to your advisor and instructor for signatures and comments.  Your instructor and advisor must sign each page of your petition. (Advisor signature is not required for petitions to change final exam date or time.)

2. If you have been seen at Monsour Counseling Center or Student Health Services Center and wish for relevant information to be submitted in support of your petition, please use these forms to authorize the release of information to the APC:

• Mounsour Counseling Center - Request for Information (PDF)
• Student Health Services - Request for Information (PDF)

3. Faculty that want to provide special support or additional comments to the committee should direct them to registrar@pomona.edu.

When should your petition be filed?

If you submit your completed petition to the Registrar's Office by noon on Thursday, the APC will consider it in the following week's meeting.  Note that the APC meets once a week during each semester and does not meet after the last day of classes.

What should you do after filing?

Until you receive notification of the APC’s decision, take no action which may adversely affect your status in a course. Keep going to class. You and all other signers of the petition will receive a notice of the committee decision via email to your Pomona College address.

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