Petitions
Please read the following before submitting a petition.
The Fisher School of Accounting adheres closely to Fisher School and University policies. Students wishing to petition any policy are expected to have extenuating circumstances beyond their control, and even in such cases, petition outcomes are not guaranteed. Documentation of any claims made in the petition is strongly encouraged, if applicable.
Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in the Fisher School prior to submitting a petition, if time permits. Until a decision is made and communicated to you, you should not operate under any presumption that the petition will be approved.
Some petitions depend on critical dates (such as drop/withdrawal deadlines, last day of class, etc.). For semester-long classes, visit All Approved Academic Calendars, and click on the Dates and Deadlines link for the appropriate academic year.
Graduate module courses follow a different calendar. Visit Module Dates for more information. Keep in mind that when withdrawing from all classes for a semester, what courses you can drop, and what will wind up on your transcript, depends on what module you are in. For example, if you request a withdrawal prior to the drop/withdrawal deadline for Module 1, you will be able to drop all Mod 1 courses and will earn grades of W for them. Your Module 2 courses can be dropped without appearing on your transcript because drop/add has not yet occurred. However, if you withdraw during Mod 2, grades earned in Mod 1 will remain on your transcript.
Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing and review of petitions submitted to the Fisher School of Accounting. The decision will be emailed to you as soon as it is available.
If your petition is denied
Students often ask, “Why was my petition denied?” As stated above, students should not presume a petition will be approved, even if they believe they have a good reason for the request. A petition is a formal request for an exception to a policy. The Fisher School of Accounting adheres strictly to all policies set by its faculty and the university. We consider petitions on case-by-case basis, and approve them if the Appeals Committee concludes there is sufficient reason to do so. If a petition is denied, the Appeals Committee determined the explanation and documentation was insufficient to justify waiving a universal student policy. Students who have concerns about their petition results and how the policy in question may affect their academic plans should meet with an academic advisor in their major.
Please select the type of petition you would like to submit below, and carefully review the information provided, prior to submitting your petition.
For this purpose, Summer A, Summer B, and Summer C are considered separate semesters. So, for example, if you have one Summer A course, and one Summer C course, and you would like to drop just the Summer A course, then you are requesting to withdraw from all classes from Summer A. You should not request to drop a class. Instead, you should choose Withdraw From All Classes.
Dropping a class after the drop/add period will results in a grade of W on your transcript. In addition, you will still be liable for tuition and fees for the class.
To determine whether you have drops available, please check the Drop Policy for your program in the FSOA Student Handbook. Go to the Fisher Current Students page, and click on your program. If you are not sure, you may contact your academic advisor if time permits.
If you are requesting to drop after the last day of class, the Fisher School is unable to approve your drop, and you should not submit a Fisher School petition. Please see University Petitions, below.
If you are requesting to drop prior to the Drop Deadline, and you will not exceed your available drops, you should not submit a Fisher School petition. Instead, submit a drop request via ONE.UF by the Drop Deadline.
For the following types of petitions, submit an FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies:
- Drop a class or classes (not all) after the deadline, but before the last day of class
Please note that if we receive this request after noon two business days before the last day of class, we may be unable to process it and have it reviewed by our Appeals Committee in time, in which case you’d need to petition a retroactive drop. See University Petitions, below. - Drop a class or classes (not all), but I do not have enough drops available
You have already used your available drops, or you are requesting to drop multiple courses, and doing so would exceed your available drops.
For this purpose, Summer A, Summer B, and Summer C are considered separate semesters. So, for example, if you have one Summer A course, and one Summer C course, and you would like to drop just the Summer A course, then you are requesting to withdraw from all classes from Summer A.
Withdrawing from all classes will result in grades of W on your transcript. In addition, you will still be liable for tuition and fees for the classes.
If you are requesting to withdraw before the deadline, you should not submit a Fisher School petition. Instead, submit a request to Withdraw From All Classes on ONE.UF.
If you are requesting to withdraw after the last day of class, the Fisher School is unable to approve your request, and you should not submit a Fisher School petition. Please see University Petitions, below.
For the following types of petitions, submit an FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies:
- Withdraw from all classes after the deadline, but before the last day of class
The deadline to withdraw has passed, but the last day of class has not yet arrived. Please note that if we receive this request after noon two business days before the last day of class, we may be unable to process it and have it reviewed by our Appeals Committee in time, in which case you’d need to petition a retroactive withdrawal. See University Petitions, below.
This section is primarily for MAcc students and upper-division BSAc students who have been dropped from the program per the Unsatisfactory Performance standards outlined in the FSOA Student Handbook.
Students who have not met the terms of their Universal Tracking Agreements (for Semesters 1-4) are typically not considered for an exception to the Universal Tracking policies, and must change their major. If you think you have a legitimate extenuating circumstance, you should discuss your situation with an academic advisor prior to submitting a petition.
Submit an FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies to continue in the accounting program.
Please note: For some courses, we may not be able to make a decision until close to the start of the Fall semester, to ensure that we have enough room for all students who are already qualified to take the courses in Fall.
IA students must have a legitimate reason to take on-campus classes in the Fall. Attempting to graduate in less than four years, convenience in scheduling, or wanting a lighter course load, are not legitimate reasons. Please note that as a student on a Spring/Summer calendar, graduating in Spring of your fourth year is not “on time.” “On time” graduation is in Summer of your fourth year.
Students should only petition the Fisher School if they are requesting to take an on-campus accounting course (ACG or TAX prefix) in the Fall semester. Students requesting to take any other course must first contact the college, school, or department offering that course.
If your reason for petitioning involves doing an internship, study abroad, or other experience during a Summer semester, you must provide an IA Alternative Academic Engagement Request Form, approved by your major advisor and the IA program. See your IA advisor for more information. Note that approval of this form does not guarantee approval of your petition to take on-campus classes in Fall.
Accounting majors should meet with an academic advisor prior to submitting a petition.
Non-Accounting majors petitioning to take accounting courses are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in their major and ask them to provide the Fisher School with confirmation of any claims the student is making in their petition. For example, if a student claims failure to take the course in Fall would delay graduation, prevent the student meeting tracking requirements, etc, the student’s advisor should confirm that claim. The advisor can write a letter to submit with this petition or add a statement of support in the student’s “Advising Notes,” within their student record.
3/2 Program Applicants: If you are applying to the 3/2 Program to start in the Fall, you may not need to petition. If admitted to the 3/2 Program, you will be permitted to enroll in Tax and Audit, and if necessary, other on-campus classes. You should note that if you have not completed the Innovation Minor prior to Fall, and you begin the 3/2 Program, the IA program will remove you from the minor. If you have questions or concerns, you should discuss them with your IA advisor.
Submit an FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies to take on-campus classes in the Fall.
If you are a current UF student and already meet the criteria for changing your major, you do not need a petition. Please make an appointment with an academic advisor in the Fisher School.
Do not submit a petition unless you have met with an academic advisor in the Fisher School to discuss your situation, and have completed the FSOA Major Change Application, which will be provided to you by the advisor.
To petition to change your major to accounting when you do not meet the criteria, and after you have met with a Fisher School academic advisor, submit an FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies.
If your preferred section of a class is full, you should keep checking back regularly and, if available, add yourself to the waiting list. Students are often dropping classes, which can free up seats. In addition, enrollment is monitored regularly, and seats are added when necessary. It is rare we would allow a student into a closed section of a class, as doing so would not be fair to others who have attempted to add the section. School should be a priority for students, and they are expected to adjust their work or personal activities around their classes, not the other way around. We may make accommodations for students who have documented academic conflicts.
We only have control over registration for accounting courses (ACG or TAX prefix) and MAcc-specific sections of MAcc business core classes. We cannot assist with registration in courses taught by any other department or college.
If you feel you have an extenuating circumstance that would justify being added to a particular section of an accounting class that is currently closed, submit an FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies.
The Fisher School of Accounting is unable to waive prerequisites for courses not taught by the School. Only submit a Fisher School petition for accounting courses (ACG or TAX prefix). For non-accounting courses, contact the College, School, or Department offering the course.
If you meet the prerequisite, but are having trouble registering, you do not need to petition. This includes students who took the prerequisite at another school. Please email the FSOA office from your GatorLink email for assistance. Be sure to include the course, class number, and a screenshot of the error message you are receiving.
If you are a MAcc student who was advised to take a course, but you cannot register because of prerequisite errors, email Tracy Hicks.
Aside from the above, the Fisher School is very strict on prerequisites. It is extremely rare for us to make an exception. If you are requesting to take an accounting course, but do not meet the prerequisites, we recommend you first discuss your situation with an academic advisor.
To petition a prerequisite, submit an FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies.
3/2 Applicants: Because admission to the 3/2 Program is simply early admission to graduate school, there are no exceptions made for students who do not meet all minimum admission requirements. Students denied admission to the 3/2 Program are encouraged to improve their academic performance during their senior year and apply for admission to the traditional Master of Accounting Program upon completion of the BSAc.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Master of Accounting program, your application will be denied. If your application has been denied, and you would like to appeal the decision, do not submit a Fisher School petition. Contact Tracy Hicks for instructions.
If you wish to appeal a grade you received in any course taught in the Warrington College of Business (including the Fisher School of Accounting), do not submit a Fisher School petition. Please see the college’s Grade Appeals Process. If you wish to appeal a grade received in any course outside the Warrington College of Business, you are encouraged to discuss your situation first with your instructor, then with the department offering the course.
Some petitions are not handled by the Fisher School of Accounting, but must be submitted directly to university-wide offices.
Medical Drops/Withdrawals
If you are petitioning to drop one or more classes, or withdraw from the entire semester, for medical reasons, you should visit the Medical Petition Portal for more information. Please note that if you are making the request prior to the last day of class, you must first drop or withdraw before submitting a medical petition (and you may need to petition the Fisher School to drop or withdraw. See above.)
Summer Enrollment Requirement Waiver
This waiver is typically used by students who have not met the requirement, but who have completed a substantial Summer internship. First, complete the Summer Enrollment Requirement Waiver, available on the Office of the University Registrar’s Forms page. Then contact the Fisher School to schedule an appointment with an Interviewing Officer. After scheduling the appointment, email the FSOA office with the waiver form which you have filled out and signed, along with documentation supporting your request (such as proof of completing an internship).
Other non-FSOA Petitions
Examples of other types of petitions include retroactive drops or withdrawals (non-medical), and refund of fees, which require a University Petition. For these petitions, please continue reading below.
Interviewing Officer: Part of the University Petition process involves meeting with an Interviewing Officer in your major. If you are not an accounting major, and need to submit a University Petition, you should contact an advisor in your major college or school. We are not able to sign the required Interviewing Officer Statement Form for any student who is not currently an accounting major, even if it involves an accounting course.
If you are an accounting major, please read the following carefully:
The Interviewing Officer form is not required for medical drop/withdrawal petitions.
Do not submit university petitions directly to the Registrar! The Fisher School of Accounting will submit your petition and all supporting documents directly to the Registrar after your meeting with an Interviewing Officer. If you have documents that you do not wish to share with the Interviewing Officer, you can discuss that during your appointment.
The purpose of meeting with an Interviewing Officer is twofold:
- The Interviewing Officer will discuss your situation with you, review your petition forms and documentation, and ensure you are adequately explaining your request and extenuating circumstances in a way that will best help you make your case to the University Petitions Committee.
- By completing the Interviewing Officer Statement, the Interviewing Officer may be able to provide the University Petitions Committee with some context to your petition as it relates to your academic program or your interactions with our office.
Before meeting with your Interviewing Officer, you should have the following documents ready (the following does not apply to the Summer Enrollment Requirement Waiver – see above):
- University Petition Form – Complete all fields above “Below is for committee use only,” sign, and date.
- Personal Statement – Note the instructions for the statement on the petition form!
- Instructor Statement Form – One for each course involved in the petition. Complete all fields above “Below is for faculty/instructor use only,” sign, and date. Provide the signed form to each instructor, and ask them to forward the form directly to your Interviewing Officer. If you have elected not to waive your right to access the information, you could request they send it to you, and you forward it to the Interviewing Officer. Include the following information:
- Interviewing Officer’s name: John Laibson
- Fax number: (352) 392-7962
- Email: john.laibson@warrington.ufl.edu
- Interviewing Officer Statement Form – Complete all fields above “Below is for interviewing officer use only,” sign, and date.
- Other Documentation – It is strongly recommended you provide documentation substantiating your claims of extenuating circumstances.
Send all completed documents to John Laibson prior to your appointment. Instructor Statement Forms should be sent directly to the instructor for completion, then forwarded to the Interviewing Officer. You may meet with the Interviewing Officer before all Instructor Statement Forms have been received, but you must submit all other information prior to your appointment.
If you would like to petition something not listed above, we recommend you speak with an academic advisor prior to submitting a petition to ensure you are making the request to the proper office. If you are sure your petition should be submitted to the Fisher School, submit the FSOA Petition to Waive School Policies.