Petitions For Exceptions

CHP students who have unexpected or unusual academic planning problems which do not allow them to follow/complete the normal honors curriculum plan or who need an exception to stated CHP requirements or policy may file a petition for special consideration. There is no preprinted petition form.

The petition process has changed (Fall 2009)! Please read carefully, make note of our new process and deadlines, and plan ahead!

NEW WEEK 8 DEADLINE Petitions may be submitted no later than the end of week 8 of the quarter PRIOR to when your proposed change will take effect. For example, a petition dealing with winter quarter must be submitted no later than the end of week 8 of fall quarter. (We accept petitions early as well, so if you want to avoid the rush, plan ahead and submit your petition early!)

NEW REQUIREMENT TO MEET WITH A CHP ACADEMIC ADVISOR Students must meet with a CHP academic advisor PRIOR to submitting a petition to Professor Hart. Bring your petition (completed and typed) and proposed course plan to the meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that your petition contains all of the information needed. (A decision on your petition is not made in this meeting.)

All petitions require the following:

1. An email explaining your circumstances, detailing what you are asking for and why
2. 2) A copy of your currently filed course plan
3. A proposed course plan (assuming the petition is approved)

The process for filing a petition:

• Compose an email addressed to the Director of the CHP, Professor Gail Hart.
• State the purpose of your request. (What do you want — a postponement, substitution, waiver, or extension?)
• Describe your circumstances and the rationale for your request (Why is this a sound academic request for you? If you are asking for a waiver of a particular honors course requirement, and this course would have helped you satisfy a certain area of General Education (GE), explain how you will meet the GE requirement). You might also want to meet with your school academic counselor if your petition relates to a conflict between an honors class and something “required” for your major. Sometimes there is flexibility regarding when you can take certain courses for your school/major requirements.
• Conclude your petition by briefly restating your request (e.g. I am requesting to postpone one quarter of Social Science Core because….)
• All course-related petitions need to include a proposed alternative course plan that shows all courses planned from now through graduation (assuming that the petition gets approved). Include the alternate class(es) you plan to take to satisfy your GE requirements (if petitioning to waive) or when you propose to complete the honors courses (if petitioning to postpone).
• Call the CHP office at (949) 824-5461 to schedule an appointment with an honors advisor, preferably prior to week 8 of the quarter.
• Meet with a CHP academic advisor to review your petition. (Bring your completed petition and a proposed course plan to the meeting.)
• Once a CHP academic advisor has reviewed your petition, and you have made any needed changes, submit your petition via email to honors@uci.edu and CC Professor Hart at gkhart@uci.edu.

You should petition in advance for any exception related to waiving or postponing a required CHP class. Your petition should also be carefully prepared — typed, clearly stated, and well- thought out. Remember, petitions are only accepted for exceptional circumstances and are subject to the review and approval of the Director of the Program. The Director will look at your academic plan and the rationale for your request, but also will consider the goals and spirit of honors education when reviewing petitions. There are no guarantees! (Please note that petitions will not be granted simply because you have failed to register for a CHP course, or have already departed from the CHP curriculum requirements without approval.)

Remember to include your full name, email address, and student ID# with any petition you submit. Prepare your petition carefully, as it may be delayed or denied if it lacks necessary detail.