Graduation and Admission Requirements Committee

The Graduation and Admission Requirements Committee (GARC) considers appeals and/or petitions from students seeking waivers of established admission and graduation requirements. The Committee is composed of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (chairperson), the Registrar, the Director of Admissions, and the Assistant Dean of the College in which the student is enrolled.

Briefly, the GARC appeal process allows a student to explain unique circumstances to consider for a different outcome, specifically relating to admission and graduation requirements set by the Office of the Registrar. More Information about the appeals process can be obtained from the Registrar's Office.

  1. Please follow these steps to submit a GARC petition
    1. Complete and Print GARC Petition Cover Sheet
      1. Include student information and check appropriate box.
    2. Prepare official letter to GARC committee specifying petition.
      1. Official letter specifying the circumstances and petition:
        1. If related to transferring more than 7 of final 30 credits or staying in an old catalog include any supporting documentation supporting petition. 
        2. If relate to reserving credits for graduate credit add the following:
          • Find Reserve/Register for Graduate Credit form
          • Include record of course(s) completed (usually shown on unofficial transcript)
          • Describe situation and include supporting documentation
            • Supporting documentation is important for the GARC committee to understand how the situation is unique and why it should be reviewed for the outcome described in the petition.
            • Include a copy of your DegreeWorks worksheet.
            • Include any paperwork required to complete the described outcome should be included with the petition materials. 
        3. For example: If requesting Adding or Dropping/Withdrawing for extraordinary reasons, student must initiate a DocuSign form with:
          • Their name and email
          • Instructor(s) name and email
          • Academic Advisor's name and email
          • Jennifer Clark's name and email in the place of Associate/Assistant Dean
          • Course details
    3.  Meet with department academic advisor for review and signature confirming conversation.
      • Academic advisor signature does not signify support. Only that you have had a converesation about the petition.
      • If there is support, this must be provided in a formal document as part of the supporting documentation.
    4. Meet with NACOE Assistant Dean, Jennifer Clark, for review and signature confirming conversation.
      • Assistant dean signature does not signify support. Only that you have had a converesation about the petition.
    5. Submit completed petition materials to the Office of the Registrar.
      • Submission of GARC materials must be done by the student.

Cover Sheet

GARC Petition

Print Cover Sheet

 

Letter

Letter Example Format

Official Letter Format

 

MSU Catalog

Curriculum, Enrollment, & Graduation

GARC Petitions are for appealing established requirements for admission and graduation requirements due to extraordinary circumstances.

Supporting Documentation

Supporting Documents

Include any items that support your petition e.g.: course syllabi, advisor letters, department letters , etc.

 

Advisor Meeting

Meet with NACOE Academic Advisor

Review GARC Petition materials. Their signature indicates materials were reviewed by a member of the student's academic department.

 

Assistant Dean Meeting

Meet with NACOE Assistant Dean

Review GARC Petition materials. Their signature indicates materials were reviewed by a member of the student's academic Dean's Office

 

GARC Petiiton Submission

Student Submits Materials to Registrar

Compile materials and submit electronically to the Office of the Registrar.