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During their time at Smith, all students engage with basic academic procedures such as adding and dropping courses, declaring a major or minor, seeking out and receiving advising, and reviewing credit accrual and program completion. Some students may also engage with less common academic procedures, such as graduating early, taking a personal leave of absence or withdrawing, or studying away from Smith. Links to information about and forms to initiate a variety of academic procedures are found here. 

Sometimes you will need to request an exception to an academic policy. At Smith that is done by a process called petitioning the Academic Board. To find out how to petition the Academic Board, see the final section of this page.

Petitioning the Academic Board

The Academic Board meets during the academic year only. A student may petition the Academic Board to consider an exception to an academic regulation. Petitions are decided by a Board vote, as a result, submissions are not guaranteed approval.

Petitions received by noon (EST) on Friday will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Academic Board. If Monday is a holiday, petitions are due at noon (EST) on Thursday.

Petitions received after the deadline will be reviewed the following week. Incomplete petitions will not be reviewed.

Submitting a petition does not guarantee that your request will be approved. Please note: the Academic Board does not meet during fall break or winter break.

To petition the board please use the Academic Board Petition Form.