College of Humanities and Sciences

Current Students

Instructions for Writing a Letter to the ARAC

Note: Your letter must by typed, dated and signed!

  1. Address your letter to the Academic Regulations Appeal Committee.
    1. The first sentence should be one of the following based on the type of appeal you're filing:
      • I request a retroactive withdrawal or drop (choose one) from _________class, _____semester______year. List each class if there is more than one.
      • I request a retroactive add into _________class, ____semester______year. List each class if there is more than one.
      • I request a waiver of the continuance policy following a first suspension that occurred in the (FA, SP, SU) _____, (yr.) _______semester.
      • I request a waiver of the continuance policy following a second suspension that occurred in the (FA, SP, SU) _____, (yr.) ______semester.
      • I request a waiver of the policy limiting a student on academic probation to 13 credits, to the extent of ______credits, for the (FA, SP, SU) _____, (yr.) _______semester.
      • I request a waiver, to the extent of ____credits, of the requirement stating that 30 of the last 45 credits must be earned in residence at VCU.
      • I request a waiver, to the extent of ______credits, of the requirement stating that 45 credits of upper level courses are required for graduation.
      • I request a waiver of the requirement that 120 credits be earned for graduation to the extent of ____credits.
      • I request a change in academic standing based on late historical repeats for the (FA, SP, SU) _____, (yr.) _______semester.
      • Other: Specify___________________________________________
    2. After this sentence, you should indicate the reasons why you are making your request. Be clear, concise, specific and complete. You are trying to convince the committee to make an exception to a university policy for you.
    3. If you are asking for selective retroactive withdrawal for some classes but not others in the same semester, explain and document why.
  2. If there are medical reasons associated with your request, submit a doctor’s statement (or other medical verification) indicating date(s) or visit(s), treatment, diagnosis, etc. The more detailed in terms of dates, the better.
  3. If there are job-related reasons for your request, submit documentation of change in schedule, out-of-town trips, etc. from your supervisor.

Rev. 2016-09-06