Academic Exceptions, Waivers, and Other Special Requests

The information below applies to students in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, School of Journalism, and School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

Academic Exceptions

Certain degree requirements are established by the State University of New York and exceptions are NOT considered. The following requirements are NOT considered for exceptions:

  1. Grade point average: 2.0 cumulative grade point average required for graduation
  2. Total credit requirement: 120 credits for students in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, and School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences; 127 credits for students in the School of Journalism
  3. Upperdivision credit requirement: 39 upperdivision credits (coursework taken at the 300-level and higher)

While approved in rare circumstances, examples of areas that students may request exceptions include:

  1. Waiver or substitution of a skill or DEC course/requirement
  2. Permission to graduate under a pre-existing curriculum
  3. Permission to apply more than 6 graduate credits toward the total number of credits required to graduate

Guidelines for Submitting an Exception Request

  1. Requests must be submitted via e-mail to Dr. Richard Gatteau, Assistant Provost, at Richard.gatteau@stonybrook.edu, using a Stony Brook e-mail address.
  2. Please include your name, Stony Brook ID number, Stony Brook e-mail address, phone number, and preferred mailing address in your communication.
  3. Include a brief, typed, well-written statement (either as e-mail text or an attachment) noting the specific request and reason for the request. Also include any relevant documentation, which should be scanned and submitted as attachments to your e-mail.   Note that a letter of support from a faculty or professional staff member does not assure approval of any request for an exception to University policy, procedure, or deadline

You will receive an e-mail confirmation of the request, and should expect to receive an answer within seven (7) business days, unless more information is needed to make an informed decision. Should Dr. Gatteau need to meet or speak with you about your request in more detail, he will send you a follow-up e-mail to schedule an appointment. Appointments may only be scheduled after written requests are reviewed.

For more information about academic exceptions, please contact Dr. Richard Gatteau at (631) 632-1197 or richard.gatteau@stonybrook.edu.

Appeals

If the request for an academic exception is denied by the Assistant Provost, the student may appeal that decision ONLY when new documentation is provided. Students have a maximum of seven (7) business days (beginning from the date the Assistant Provost’s decision was communicated), to appeal a decision.   Appeals should be addressed to: Dr. Charles Robbins, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, c/o Nadine Greenstein at nadine.greenstein@stonybrook.edu. Such appeals should include the original request as well as the new documentation.

If the request for an academic exception is denied by the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the student may appeal that decision ONLY when new documentation is provided. Students have a maximum of seven (7) business days (beginning from the date the Vice Provost’s decision was communicated), to appeal a decision.   Appeals should be addressed to: Dr. Tonjanita Johnson, Deputy to the President, c/o Shaneen Washington at shaneen.washington@stonybrook.edu. Such appeals should include the original request as well as the new documentation.

Updated 2/25/13