Skip to main content
Penn State Altoona
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • Academics
    • Summer 2023 Courses
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Research and Engagement
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • New Student Orientation
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Visit Us
    • Admissions Overview
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition and Financial Aid Resources
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
  • Student Success
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • Safety and Security
  • Information For
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Current Students
    • International Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Parents & Families
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Altoona
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
  • Research and Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame

Find Information For:

  • Prospective Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Current Students
  • International Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Parents & Families

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Calendar
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Offices and Divisions
  • Employment Opportunities

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
  1. Home
  2. Offices and Divisions
  3. Academic Affairs
  4. Registrar
  5. Senate Petition Requests

Sample Letters

Senate Petition Requests

These samples include all of the required elements for a student petition letter (date, a clear statement of the requested action, a description of the conditions that warrant an exception, the reason University policy and/or procedure could not be followed, student's name and signature, current address, Penn State ID number, current phone number, and e-mail address).


Letter 1

Request for a Retroactive Withdrawal

January 22, 2010

Senate Committee on Education
Subcommittee on Academic Standards
University Faculty Senate Office
101 Kern Graduate Building
University Park, PA 16802

To Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Education:

I am petitioning for a retroactive withdrawal from the fall semester 2009 for medical reasons. In the third week of fall, I was diagnosed with mono at the University Health Center. Although I was able to keep up with my courses at first, sometimes I was too tired to go to class and I fell behind in my work. Luckily, my instructors were very understanding and allowed me to make up exams and turn in papers late. Although I was behind, I felt I could keep making up the work. Then, just as final exams were beginning, I was hospitalized with pneumonia. I realized then that I was just not going to be able to make up the work I had missed and turn in all of my final projects and take my final exams. I decided that I needed to withdraw, but it was already past the withdrawal deadline at that point. I would have requested deferred grades in order to complete the work next semester, but I will be having surgery on January 4 and therefore will not be able to do school work for an extended time. Under the circumstances, it will not be possible to complete the work by the deferred grade deadline.

I would appreciate it if the Faculty Senate would allow me to withdraw from last semester even though I missed the withdrawal deadline. I have enclosed documentation from the health center and from my family doctor.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Q. Student
123 Old Main Street
State College, PA 16803
PSU ID# 912345678
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 814-555-1212

Letter 2

Request for a Retroactive Late Course Drop

January 22, 2010

Senate Committee on Education
Subcommittee on Academic Standards
University Faculty Senate Office
101 Kern Graduate Building
University Park, PA 16802

To Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Education:

I am petitioning to retroactively late drop Marketing 437 and 440 from the fall semester 2009. On December 3, 2009, I was hit by a pickup truck on Route 322 in Lewistown, PA. I suffered a severe concussion and my left patella was broken in several places (please see attached medical documentation and the hospital records). Since the accident, I underwent two surgeries to have my kneecap rebuilt and another operation to have the hardware removed. I was unable to attend my classes for the rest of the semester. I was able to complete Marketing 426 and 428 from my home, but I was unable to complete Marketing 437 and 440 because both courses required a practicum, which I was unable to attend; thus, my reason for being selective in asking for a retroactive late drop of these two courses.

This letter serves as my formal petition for a retroactive late drop from the two courses and my explanation of the circumstances.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Q. Student
123 Old Main Street
State College, PA 16803
PSU ID# 912345678
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 814-555-1212


Last Update: May 2012

Reference(s): Policy Stated in the Preamble to "Academic Policies and Procedures for Undergraduate Students" in The University Faculty Senate Policies for Students

Category: Academic Success and Difficulties

Source: Undergraduate Advising Handbook

Registrar

  • Academic Calendars
  • Search for Courses on LionPATH
  • Enrollment Appointment Dates
  • Change of Major
  • Change of Campus
    • Change of Campus Procedures
    • Change of Campus Resources and Services
  • Senate Petition Requests
    • Retroactive Withdrawal Checklist
    • Retroactive Late Course Drop Checklist
    • Sample Letters
    • Deadline to Petition for a Reduction in Length of Academic Suspension
  • Student Forms and Procedures
    • Final Exam Conflict or Overload Resolution Form for Altoona Students
    • Grade Forgiveness Request Form
    • Multi-campus Registration Add Form
    • Permission to Participate in Commencement Ceremony
    • Prerequisite Override Request Instructions
    • Special Course Repeat/Credit Overload Request
    • Returning to Penn State
    • Undergraduate Non-Degree Enrollment Procedures
    • Leaving the University
    • Withdrawal Procedures
    • Frequently Asked Questions for Students
  • Ready to Graduate?
  • Information for Faculty and Staff
    • Certificate Completion Approval Form
    • Course by Arrangement
    • FERPA
    • No Grade/Deferred Grade Deadlines
    • Finals Matrix for a Four Day Final Exam Schedule
  • Registrar Office Staff

Registrar Office

E130 Smith Building
814-949-5035
Fax: 814-949-5702
[email protected]

HOURS
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Registrar Office Staff

Registrar Quick Links

University Registrar
Academic Advising
LionPATH
Canvas
Closing and Delay Information
Transferring Credits to Penn State
25Live: Room Reservations
Starfish

Academic Actions

Adding, Dropping, and Auditing Courses
Entrance to Major
Change of Major
Withdrawal Procedures
Re-enrollment Procedures
Change of Campus
Degree Audit
Commencement
Faculty Senate Petition Process
Academic Progress
Academic Calendar
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State