The degree requirements, academic policies and procedures, and deadlines have been established to comply with the Standards for Accreditation of the American Bar Association, policies of the University of Connecticut and Federal Regulation, and policies approved by the Faculty of the University of Connecticut School of Law. Matters pertaining to the ABA Standards and Federal Regulations may not be deviated from; policies, procedures, and/or deadlines established by the School of Law may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students seeking waiver from any School of Law policy, procedure and/or deadline, may do so by placing their request before the Faculty Petitions Committee.

Procedure for Submitting a Request to the Petitions Committee

• Students should complete a Student Petition form in its entirety. The petition should contain a complete statement of the facts and circumstances supporting the request. The Petitions Committee undertakes no responsibility for conducting supplemental inquiries.
• The opinion of the involved faculty member is required for all matters except those related to pass/fail grading or where the anonymity of the student's exam would be compromised.
• Once a petition is received, the Registrar's Office will append information indicating the student's petition history and any relevant ABA, University or Law School regulation that the Committee may wish to consider in reaching its decision. The petition will then be forwarded to the Committee.
• The Petitions Committee consists of three faculty members appointed annually by the Dean as well as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Director of Student Affairs and the Registrar, who are ex officio (non-voting) members.
• The Committee will not consider oral petitions. Students should not contact Petitions Committee members to discuss the facts or merit of a petition. The Committee may request an oral presentation in rare circumstances.
• The Petitions Committee will attempt to decide petitions within seven days of their receipt but this may not always be possible. If the petitioner has a compelling need for expedited consideration, this should be explained in the petition. Petitions occasioned by students' failure to act within prescribed Law School deadlines will not be considered emergencies warranting expedited consideration.
• The Registrar is informed of the Committee's decision by the chairperson who in turn notifies the student. The Committee does not issue written decisions explaining its rationale. Students seeking additional information are referred to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Decisions of the Petitions Committee are final and non-appealable.