Committee on Academic Standing

The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) plays an important role in supporting students’ academic progress and upholding Wheaton’s academic policies. This committee reviews student petitions for exceptions due to extenuating circumstances, monitors academic standing and progress towards degree completion, and makes decisions about continued enrollment for students who are not in good academic standing. CAS is composed of faculty and administrators who work together to ensure that students have a fair and transparent process for addressing academic challenges.

In addition to reviewing academic petitions, CAS is also responsible for awarding Wheaton College Graduate Fellowships, which provide limited/competitive funding for postgraduate study. Senior students interested in these fellowships must apply through CAS as part of the selection process.

If you need to petition CAS, please review the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for more details.

FAQ

CAS reviews petitions from students requesting consideration of certain actions, including but not limited to:

Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits in a semester; enrolling in fewer than the minimum number of credits in a semester; course withdrawals; applications for cross-registration opportunities; readmission after an academic dismissal or leave of absence*.

*If you are unsure whether your situation requires a petition, please consult with your academic advisor or the Filene Center Advising Office – [email protected]

To submit a petition, complete the CAS Petition Form (pdf), and provide a written statement explaining your request and extenuating circumstances to [email protected]. You will also need supporting documentation, including an advisor’s recommendation and other relevant materials.

Petitions must be submitted by Friday at 4pm in a given week during the Fall/Spring semester to ensure review during the following week’s CAS meeting. Check the Academic Calendar for important deadlines.

What are considered extenuating circumstances supporting a petition for an exception to College policy?

Extenuating circumstances are serious, unexpected, and documented situation that that significantly interfered with a student’s ability to meet published academic deadlines or policies. These typically include:

• Acute or severe medical conditions that required treatment and meaningfully limited academic functioning.
• Significant family emergencies (such as serious illness or death of an immediate family member)
• Unexpected personal crises or traumatic events
• Documented institutional or administrative error

Extenuating circumstances are generally situations that were outside of your control, could not reasonably have been anticipated, and directly affected your performance or ability to act within established deadlines. The following are not typically considered extenuating circumstances on their own:

• Forgetting a deadline or misunderstanding a policy
• Heavy course load or competing academic responsibilities
• Work schedule conflicts
• Travel plans or personal commitments
• Preference for a different section or instructor
• Change of mind about a course or major after deadlines have passed
• Registration holds (e.g. Major Declaration, SFS, Health, Dean of Students Office)

How do I communicate about my extenuating circumstances to the Committee?

If your petition is based on extenuating circumstances, you should be prepared to provide appropriate documentation upon request. The timing of your petition also matters, as petitions submitted significantly after an academic deadline face a higher standard of review. The longer the delay, the stronger and more clearly documented the circumstances must be.

In your written statement, you should clearly explain the 1) circumstances that affected you, 2) how those circumstances directly prevented you from meeting the relevant policy or deadline, and 3) the steps you are taking to prevent a recurrence of the situation.

How long does it take to receive a decision?

Decisions may take between 5-7 business days after the submission deadline. You will be notified via Wheaton email once a decision has been made. If additional information is needed, the committee may request follow-up documentation, which could extend the timeline.

If you are not in good academic standing, CAS will review your academic performance and determine whether you can continue at the college. If placed on probation, you will need to follow specific conditions, such as meeting regularly with an advisor or limiting your course load and co-curricular activities. If your performance does not improve, you may face academic dismissal.

CAS consists of faculty members and administrators, including the Dean of Advising, Registrar, Dean of Students, and divisional faculty representatives.

Can a CAS decision be reconsidered?

A student may request reconsideration of a decision rendered by the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) by submitting a written appeal.

Appeals must be initiated directly by the student and submitted within five (5) calendar days of notification of the original decision, unless otherwise specified. The appeal must include new and compelling information that was not available at the time of the original review. Appeals that do not present new and compelling information will not be reconsidered.

The Wheaton College Graduate Fellowships provide funding for postgraduate study and are awarded by CAS to outstanding graduating seniors or recent alumnae/i. These fellowships support students pursuing advanced degrees in a variety of fields.

Students must submit an application to CAS, including a personal statement, academic transcript, letters of recommendation, and a detailed plan for graduate study. Specific requirements and deadlines are announced annually.