Students should treat the exception to policy request process seriously. It is important to prepare a concise personal statement. Personal statements should be as specific as possible, including (1) what type of exception you need, (2) why you need this exception, and (3) what circumstances led you to need this exception to policy. If appropriate, students should have time management plans and graduation plans approved by an advisor ready to submit. Be prepared to provide supporting documentation that may substantiate the events that have affected your academic performance. Think carefully and realistically about changes that can be implemented to support your success.
Below are questions often asked about the Exception to Policy process. Should there still be unanswered questions, please write to engr-exceptions@umd.edu.
Yes. An academic advisor will be able to guide students through the process and can discuss alternatives/options in cases where exception to policy requests are not supported.
No. Contact information for the committee is not provided in order to maintain the integrity of the process and to minimize biases and/or external pressure in decision making. Committee members have access to all information submitted with exception to policy requests in order to make informed decisions. Therefore, it is important that all pertinent information about the issues affecting your academic performance is included in your exception to policy request.
Generally speaking, extenuating circumstances are events which occur that are out of your control and/or unforeseen circumstances. Examples can include death of a family member, an extended personal illness, a change in living/financial situation, accident, etc. This is not an extensive list as each individual situation differs.
Depending on the time of year and peak submission times, exceptions can take up to 15 business days to review. The exceptions committee typically meets twice a week during the fall and spring terms and once a week during the winter and summer sessions. Submitted exception to policy requests are reviewed in the order in which they are received with priority given to time sensitive requests.
All documentation submitted as part of your exception to policy request is kept confidential and only viewed by Exception to Policy committee members as appropriate. Documents are kept in your student record within the Engineering Academic Services office.
Yes. Please send any additional information or documentation to engr-exceptions@umd.edu. Please indicate the type of request in the subject line, and include your full name (as recorded in your UMD records) and your UID in the body of the email. Do not include both your name and UID in the subject line. Similarly, if any edits to the exception to policy request need to be made, please write to engr-exceptions@umd.edu with the updated information.
Exception to policy requests are reviewed by a committee who take a holistic approach to the information submitted. Decisions are based on, but not limited to, a student’s academic record(s) at UMD and other institutions, TerpEngage advising notes, and any supporting documentation provided by the student or their academic major unit. The student must effectively demonstrate an extenuating circumstance that has led to the need for an exception to policy.
Decisions are emailed to students as well as their academic advising unit. In addition to the emails, a copy of the decision is entered into TerpEngage advising notes. Be sure to set up email systems to accept emails from “Wufoo” (the form submission system) so emails are not directed to SPAM or trash folders.
Should an exception be denied, information regarding next steps and appealing the decision will be provided to the student, as well as the student's academic major. If an appeal is submitted within the given time limit (generally 5 days), it is important to provide any new information along with the original supporting documents for the appeals committee to review. If an exception is denied, it is important to reach out to your academic advisor to discuss alternative plans. Note: the appeals committee is not the same as the exception committee.
Top