Exceptions to Academic Policies

1. Academic policies and deadlines are carefully crafted by the University to ensure integrity in
academic programs and provide equity for all University of Maryland students.

2. Exceptions are not appropriate solutions for problems students can avoid by taking personal
responsibility.

3. In some cases, however, we will consider granting exceptions to students who have made a
diligent effort to work within the requirements but who encounter problems that are clearly
beyond their control and not predictable.

4. If you are considering requesting an exception to policy, we request that you consider the
reasons for your request very carefully and recommend discussing them with an advisor.

5. Often, an advisor can help you discover solutions that do not require an exception to policy.
Should you decide to proceed with the request, you must fill out an on-line Exceptions to
Academic Policy form.

6. Please note that we require a written explanation detailing the exception and the reasons
behind it. Please take the time to make a clear, thoughtful, and concise presentation. The better
we understand your situation, the more likely it is that we can help you.

7. Although we make every attempt to respond to your request as soon as possible, it takes time to arrive at a fair decision; therefore,
it is critical that you take whatever actions necessary in the event your request is denied. Requests generally take between 5 – 7 business days to process.

8. You will be notified via email when your request has been completed. Should you have any questions about your exception or to check on the status of your request, email: ltscexceptions@umd.edu.