ARC Petitions

Printable Instructions

*Only students with USF Sarasota-Manatee designated as their home campus may submit petitions to the USF Sarasota-Manatee ARC Committee.

What is an ARC petition?
An ARC petition is a petition that goes before the Academic Regulations Committee. The Academic Regulations Committee serves as a board of appeal for USF Sarasota-Manatee students that wish to secure waiver or modification of University-wide academic regulations.

ARC Petitions are used when a student experiences extenuating circumstances that necessitate an appeal to the Academic Regulations Committee for the late add or drop of a course, total withdrawal from a semester, withdrawal limit exemption or reinstatement after academic dismissal.

How to fill out the ARC forms

Course Petition (late add/drop course, withdrawal limit exemption, or total withdrawal)

  • Completely fill out parts 1 and 2
  • Print out, sign and date
  • Submit (along with all other required documentation) to the Office of Student Services, SMC-C107

Instructor's Documentation Form (separate forms needed for each course affected by the petition)
  • Completely fill out parts 1 and 2
  • Email to your instructor or print out and take it to him/her
  • Have your instructor completely fill out part 3, then sign, date and return to the address in the instructions

Reinstatement After Academic Dismissal Medical Form (to be used if any medical information is involved in the petition)
  • Completely fill out part 1
  • Print out, sign and date
  • Have your physician fill out part 2 and return to USF Sarasota-Manatee (address is listed in the Instructions section)

Frequently Asked ARC Questions

When is an ARC petition appropriate?
An ARC petition is appropriate if:
  • extenuating circumstances occur that prevent a student from successfully completing a course(s) in a semester
  • a student's registration needs to be altered outside of the add/drop registration period

What are extenuating circumstances?
  • Students should meet with the ARC representative from their college to determine if their petition is appropriate.
  • Extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
    • Medical problems
    • Death of a family member

What is included in an ARC petition?
  • ARC Late Drop/Add Petition Form or ARC Reinstatement After Academic Dismissal
  • ARC Instructor Statement, if applicable (a separate statement for each course affected by the petition)
  • Academic Advising Record for Reinstatement Form, if applicable
  • ARC Medical Form (mandatory if medical issues are addressed in the petition)
  • Personal Statement
  • Documentation that you can provide to support your statement, if applicable (ex: obituary, court document, etc.)

What is included in the personal statement?
  • A statement of why you are submitting a petition
  • Explanation of the circumstances for the petition
  • If applicable, why you will be able to be more successful at USF in the future
  • Explanation of why you were unable to alter your course registration within the specified university timeframes
  • Documentation that you can provide to support your statement (ex: obituary, court document, etc.)
  • The personal statement must be typed and include a signature and date at the bottom.
  • Remember this statement is a reflection of you, and should be professional in nature.
      *Note: Proofread your statement for spelling and grammar. The committee takes everything into consideration; please avoid errors as these documents become part of your student record.

What if there are items of personal nature that you do not want to be included in the petition?
If you do not want certain items of personal nature to be directly mentioned in your petition, you may meet with a counselor in the Counseling & Wellness Center (941-487-4254). All matters discussed are confidential.

How to access information needed on forms (ex: course reference numbers, etc.)
This information can be accessed by logging into OASIS and viewing past/current student schedules.

When is the ARC Medical Form necessary?
The medical form is required if medical issues are addressed in the petition.

How long does it take to find out the decision on an ARC petition?
The ARC committee typically meets once a week. Petitions are not heard until all documentation is submitted. Decisions are usually emailed to students within three weeks of submission of the petition. The committee may request additional information from the student, which can delay the decision.

Who are the USF Sarasota-Manatee ARC representatives?

College of Arts & Sciences
Bethery von Dassow
bethery@sar.usf.edu

College of Business and School of Hotel & Restaurant Managment
Amanda Shurtleff
amandas@sar.usf.edu

College of Education
Ashley Sowell
asowell@sar.usf.edu 

Academic Advising Phone: (941) 359-4330
Academic Advising Fax: (941) 359-4236
Academic Advising Appointment Scheduling
North Port students can call 941-408-1577 to meet with an advisor and receive assistance with ARC petitions.