If you are on a one- or three-year suspension due to your academic standing, you can request an early return from the suspension or lift of suspension using this petition.
Early Return from Suspension
An early return from suspension petition is a request to not serve the full one- or three-year suspension and, if granted, allows the student to resume their studies early.
This petition provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have made good use of your time away and are ready to resume your studies. This petition is not intended to shorten a suspension imposed due to academic standing simply because you wish not to serve your suspension in full. Your petition for early return from suspension will not be granted if your suspension was imposed for academic misconduct.
It is uncommon for students to request early return from a one-year suspension. The Committee on Standing expects it will take you a full year to reflect on and consider an academic plan. If you have been suspended for one year and wish to return to your studies sooner, you should speak to your College Registrar's Office about considering a lift of suspension petition.
If you have been suspended for three years and wish to return to your studies before three years have passed, the Committee on Standing will consider how much of your suspension has been served, what you have done while you have been away and what your academic plan will be to ensure success upon returning to your studies.
If a petition for an early return from suspension is granted, it does not reverse the academic standing of the one- or three-year suspension. Rather, it permits you to return to your studies on academic probation. If you do not meet the necessary minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) or Annual/Sessional Grade Point Average (A/SGPA), you will be refused further registration (i.e., permanently suspended from the university). See the Academic Calendar for a more detailed description of GPA and assessment of academic standing.
Deadline to Submit an Early Return from Suspension Petition
The early return from suspension petition should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than eight weeks before the start of the term in which you would like to resume classes.
Personal Statement for an Early Return from Suspension Petition
In addition to the recommendations listed in Preparing a Petition, your personal statement should explain the following:
- The circumstances that led to your current academic standing (i.e., one- or three-year suspension), the impact the circumstances had on your academic performance, whether these circumstances continue to impact your life and if so, how
- The support you sought out, steps you took, what you learned and your reflection on the issues and opportunities for improvement during your suspension. Examples include:
- Taking courses elsewhere in a discipline related to your area of study at U of T
- Working to save money for school, allowing you to allocate more time for your studies moving forward (if your previous academic progress was hampered by a job)
- How you will mitigate or reduce your circumstances if you are permitted to resume studies. Examples include:
- Consider addressing any campus resources or health support you would access
- Changes in your housing and/or financial situation
- Your academic plan for moving forward successfully if you are permitted to resume studies
If you wish to petition for an early return from a one-year suspension, the importance of showing substantial activities and planning will be critical in making a strong case.
If you wish to petition for an early return from a three-year suspension, when the Committee on Standing is reviewing your petition, they will assume that after your one-year suspension, you tried to change your approach to your academic responsibilities, including, but not limited to, engaging with academic support, learning skills development and/or comprehensive academic planning. In your personal statement, clearly explain what you learned during the one-year suspension and how it will be different this time if you are permitted to return early.
Supporting Documentation for an Early Return from Suspension Petition
In addition to the guidelines listed in Preparing a Petition, you must submit documentation that supports the information provided in your personal statement. For example, if you report that you took on a part time job to relieve your financial strain when returning to U of T, a letter from your employer on company letterhead confirming the start and end date, weekly hours and nature of your employment would be required. For example, if you report that you took on a part-time job to relieve your financial strain when returning to U of T, a letter from your employer on company letterhead confirming the start and end date, weekly hours and nature of your employment would be required.
Lift of Suspension
If you are on a one- or three-year suspension due to your academic standing, you can request to have the suspension reversed to allow you to continue with your studies through a lift of suspension petition.
A lift of suspension petition will allow you to highlight extenuating circumstances that led to your suspension and request to continue with classes. This petition is not intended to circumvent a suspension imposed due to academic standing simply because you do not wish to serve it. Your petition for lift of suspension will not be granted if your suspension was imposed for academic misconduct.
If a lift of suspension is granted, it reverses the academic standing of a one- or three-year suspension. Therefore, it will permit you to continue on academic probation. If upon your return, you do not meet the necessary minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) or Annual/Sessional Grade Point Average (A/SGPA), you will be suspended for one or three years again (i.e., you will serve the same suspension as the one that was lifted). See the Academic Calendar for a more detailed description of GPA and assessment of academic standing.
Deadline to Submit a Lift of Suspension Petition
The lift of suspension petition should be submitted as soon as you learn about your suspension (at the end of the Fall/Winter session or the Summer session) or no later than eight weeks before the start of the term in which you would like to resume classes.
Personal Statement for a Lift of Suspension Petition
In addition to the recommendations listed in Preparing a Petition, your personal statement should explain the following:
- The circumstances that led to your current academic standing (i.e., one- or three-year suspension), the impact the circumstances had on your academic performance, whether these circumstances continue to impact your life, and if so, how
- How you will mitigate or reduce your circumstances if you are permitted to resume studies. Examples include:
- Consider addressing any campus resources or health support you would access
- Changes in your housing and/or financial situation
- Your academic plan for moving forward successfully if you are permitted to resume studies (e.g., reducing your course load, specific courses you plan on taking, changes in program, etc.)
- If you have served part of your suspension already, you must also explain what steps you have taken during the time away from U of T studies that will contribute to a successful return. Examples include:
- Taking courses elsewhere in a discipline related to your area of study at U of T
- Working to save money for school, allowing you to allocate more time for your studies moving forward (if your previous academic progress was hampered by a job)
If you wish to petition to lift a one-year suspension, the importance of showing substantial activities and planning for your return to U of T will be critical in making a strong case.
If you wish to petition to lift a three-year suspension, when the Committee on Standing is reviewing your petition, they will assume that after your one-year suspension, you received support when you needed it and took steps to cancel any course that may have triggered a three-year suspension. In your personal statement, clearly explain the steps you took to avoid a three-year suspension and how extenuating circumstances led to your suspension despite your best efforts.
Supporting Documentation for a Lift of Suspension Petition
In addition to the guidelines listed in Preparing a Petition, you must submit documentation that supports the information provided in your personal statement. For example, if you report that you took on a part-time job to relieve your financial strain when returning to U of T, a letter from your employer on company letterhead confirming the start and end date, weekly hours and nature of your employment would be required.