Requests for Exception

Please read the following information before submitting a request.

This process is for extenuating circumstances outside of a student’s control or university error.  Please refer to Oakland University's important dates for add, drop or withdrawal deadlines. Students seeking a Petition for Exception (PoE) should consult with their academic adviser or major department for the appropriate form.

The Request for Exception should be submitted either during or immediately following the term in question. Requests must be submitted before the degree is awarded. Significantly delayed requests are rarely approved unless extenuating circumstances support such a delay. Requests will not be reviewed after one calendar year from the credit lock of the end of the term in question.

Semester Withdrawal Request:  

• Refund: A petition for an exception to withdraw from a semester resulting in a tuition refund is limited to the entire semester. Only requests based on documented University administrative error or official military deployment orders will be considered as exceptions that may warrant a tuition refund for individual courses rather than the full semester.
• No Refund: A petition for an exception to withdraw from a semester without a tuition refund is generally for the entire semester. Mitigating circumstances for current semester requests may be considered for one or more courses.

Late add/increase credits: A request for an exception resulting in additional credits that can be requested for individual classes. Typically, only requests due to University error should be requested.

Only the following circumstances will be reviewed:

• Student illness: A letter/note from your physician or medical provider on their letterhead indicating the dates you were seen and general nature of your condition. The letter/note must be signed by your physician or medical provider.
• Illness of immediate family member: A letter from your family member’s physician or medical provider on their letterhead indicating the dates your family member received care and/or you were unable to attend class. The note must be signed by the physician or medical provider.
• Death of immediate family member: A copy of the death certificate, published obituary or memorial folder. If the student’s last name differs, documentation is required to establish immediate family relationship to the deceased.
• Military deployment/reactivation: A copy of official deployment/reactivation notice. Deployment and reactivation dates must be within the semester you are requesting.
• University error: Written confirmation and explanation of error from Oakland University personnel. The support letter must be signed by the staff member or sent from their OU email directly to the Request for Exception team. 
• Non-Attendance: As verified by the instructor(s) a student never academically engaged or participated in the class in-person or online. Most circumstances are accommodated through other administrative processes.
• Hardship Exceptions: We recognize that extreme, unforeseen circumstances can arise. We will review individual cases of verifiable crisis where the situation was entirely unavoidable and not a consequence of personal decision-making. Documentation is required.

These circumstances are not justification for an exception request. You may consider withdrawing from classes in SAIL prior to the withdraw deadlines (important dates calendar). Please refer to the Drop, Withdraw & Repeat for more information:

• Employment-related circumstances: We understand that balancing work and school can be difficult. However, please be aware that a decision to change or accept a new job is considered a voluntary choice, not an extraordinary circumstance, and withdrawing from the University will not reduce the cost of your instruction.
• Missed deadlines: Lack of knowledge of registration/refund deadlines, and disagreement with refund policies are not appropriate rationales for filing a Request for Exception.
• Academic issue: Dissatisfaction with a particular teaching style, issue or concern with an individual or department. Students are encouraged to resolve concerns directly with the person or department involved.  We recognize circumstances will arise where satisfactory resolutions are not found or when the student may need additional assistance in finding such a resolution. Please submit the Academic Affairs Assistance Request Form.
• Grade appeal: Please follow the appropriate procedures outlined in the catalog.

All Requests for Exception must provide a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances and include supporting documentation. This documentation must confirm the situation, listing specific dates and detailing what made it impossible for you to remain enrolled.

A Request for Exception filed without supporting documentation will automatically be denied.

Possible financial aid implications: If you are dropping classes/withdrawing during a term for which you have received financial aid (grants, loans, scholarship, graduate assistantships, etc.), you may be required to return all or a portion of the financial aid that has been disbursed and/or applied to your student account. If your request is to add credit hours after the financial aid credit lock date, please note that additional financial aid may not be applied to your account to cover the increased tuition costs. You are responsible for consulting a financial aid adviser prior to submitting this request to determine if there will be any financial implications should your request be granted. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 120 North Foundation Hall or (248) 370-2550. Once a request is granted, it will not be rescinded.

Programs following alternate tuition structures follow alternative refund processes. Prior to any adjustments to your schedule you should speak with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Other possible implications: In addition to financial implications, we highly encourage you to consider all other implications. For withdrawal requests please review your options and make an informed decision by reviewing our Drop, Withdraw & Repeat informational page.

The Request for Exception is reviewed in the order in which it is received. Submission of this request is NOT a guaranteed approval. Please allow four weeks for processing. While your request is under review, you are required to make tuition payments on schedule. Any authorized refunds will be issued in the manner in which they were paid. Notification of the decision is made in writing to the student’s Oakland University email address or, if unavailable, the personal email provided upon form submission.

Filing a Request for Exception?

Medical-Related:
Medical-Related Requests for Exceptions are handled through the Dean of Students Office. Should you have questions about medical-related requests for exception you may contact the Dean of Students at [email protected]

Application:  Request for Exception (Medical-Related)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (248) 370-3352

Non Medical-Related:
All non-medical related requests are handled through the Office of the Registrar. You may reach the Exceptions team at [email protected]. 

Application: Request for Exception (Non Medical-Related)
     Students without an active NetID please click here for requests.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (248) 370-3455