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D-Plan Petition Definitions

D-Plan petitions are requests for an exception to enrollment pattern (D-Plan) policies established by the Arts and Sciences Faculty as defined in the ORC/Catalog. There are several different types of petitions based on the policy exception you are requesting.  

Each D-Plan Petition requires the following:

• D-Plan Proposal: A proposed D-Plan that demonstrates a clear path to complete all necessary degree requirements, including having an approved major plan on file that is aligned with the proposed D-Plan.
• Rationale: A well written rationale for the proposed D-Plan that provides a detailed description of the circumstances by which you are requesting an exception to D-Plan Policy. A well written rationale addresses all the specific policy exceptions the proposed D-Plan requires. See below for definitions of the various types of D-Plan Petitions and guidance on writing your rationale.
• Letter of Support: You may decide, or be asked to provide a support document from an appropriate professional (e.g. advisor, health provider, financial aid officer, etc.). While a support document is not required submitting your petition without one may delay the review of your petition if a supporting document is determined to be necessary. D-Plan petitions generally fall into three categories depending upon your circumstances:
  • Significant enrichment of your academic program. A letter of support from an academic advisor who can speak to the educational value of the proposed D-Plan and the need to waive the enrollment requirement is often necessary.
  • Serious financial hardship. A letter of support from the Dartmouth Financial Aid office which speaks to the student’s financial hardship and need to waive the enrollment requirement is often necessary.
  • Serious personal or health problem. A letter of support from a health care provider, Title IX Officer, or similar official is often necessary. Note: information regarding specific medical condition(s) or diagnosis(es) is not necessary.
• Deadline: Students submit all enrollment pattern (D-Plan) petitions to the Registrar each term no later than one week prior to the last day of the term.

It is strongly recommended you seek counsel from appropriate college officials such as OVIS, Athletics Department, Financial Aid Office as well as Undergraduate Deans and Academic Advisors to ensure you are fully aware of the impact of making your proposed D-plan change.

Below is a list of all the different D-Plan petition types, an explanation of the policy exception requested, and some guidance on writing a rationale for the petition. Students often request exceptions to multiple D-Plan policies. In these cases, students should take care to address all the various policy exceptions their petition requires in their written rationale.

D-Plan Rules and Petition Types

12 Residence Term Rule

According to D-Plan policy, first-year students’ initial D-Plans must include exactly 12 terms in residence (D-Plan = R). After the first year, students may substitute an Off-Campus program term (O or X) for one or more of their remaining terms in residence.

Transfer students may be limited to fewer terms in residence as determined by the Registrar at the time of matriculation. All transfer students must complete a minimum of 6 terms in residence (D-Plan =R). This minimum is not petitionable.

Petition for an Additional Term of Enrollment

Students who desire a D-Plan which includes an additional term of enrollment (D-Plan = R, O, or X) may submit this petition to the Registrar. Petitions for Additional Terms of Enrollment are granted only in truly exceptional circumstances which demonstrate a significant enrichment in the student’s academic program at Dartmouth or in cases of demonstrable serious financial hardship, serious personal or health problems.

Students who have or will have met all graduation requirements after twelve terms are not approved for additional terms. The desire to add or complete a minor, additional major, or participate in an off-campus program does not qualify a student to enroll in additional terms.

Approval to add an additional term of enrollment is an approval for a D-Plan change only and does not guarantee housing, financial aid, etc.

Petition to Remove a Term of Enrollment

Petitions to Remove a Term of Enrollment should clearly state the student’s plan to graduate and complete all degree requirements and include an approved major plan.

Fall and Spring Residence Rule

Students may have at most seven fall or spring residence (D-Plan = R) terms in total unless one of more of those terms is participation in a Dartmouth-sponsored Off-Campus Program. Students who wish to have 8 or more combined fall or spring terms in residence (D-Plan = R) may petition the Registrar.

Petition to Exceed 7-Maximum Fall/Spring Terms

Petitions to exceed the 7-maximum fall/spring term limit are granted only in truly exceptional circumstances which demonstrate a significant enrichment in the student’s academic program at Dartmouth or in cases of demonstrable serious financial hardship, serious personal or health problems. (Student athletes who participate in varsity athletics in the fall, winter, and spring terms of every year may submit a Petition for Exemption from Residence Requirements for Varsity Student-Athletes.)

Students’ petitions should address their specific need to be in residence all 8 (or more) fall/spring terms.

Summer Residency Rule

All students are expected to be in residence (D-Plan = R) during at least one summer term. Typically, students complete their summer residency requirement during the summer term that immediately follows their sophomore year. Students who desire a D-Plan which does not include enrollment in any summer term may submit a petition to waive the summer residency requirement.

Summer Residency Petition

Petitions to waive the summer residency requirement are granted only in truly exceptional circumstances which demonstrate a significant enrichment in the student’s academic program at Dartmouth or in cases of demonstrable serious financial hardship, serious personal or health problems. (Student athletes who participate in varsity athletics in the fall, winter, and spring terms of every year may submit a Petition for Exemption from Residence Requirements for Varsity Student-Athletes.)

Students whose petitions fail to address why enrollment in a future summer term is not an option may be denied. It is important to note that exceptions to the summer residency requirement are limited to no more than eight percent of any given class year (including exemptions for three-term athletes).

Senior Residency Rule

Seniors are expected to be in residence at least two terms their senior year. The senior year is a student’s final academic year of enrollment prior to graduation. Typically, this is the fourth year after matriculation but could be later for students who graduate in more than 4 years. When submitting a Senior Year Residence Petition it is important to be clear regarding your intended graduation term.

Senior Year Residence Petition

Students may petition the registrar to have only one term in residence their senior year. As always, students D-Plans must demonstrate a path to complete all degree requirements.

Senior Year Residence Petition to Request Early Graduation

Students who meet their graduation requirements are expected to apply to be graduated and will be included on the graduation list. It is up to the student who wishes to graduate at other than their originally scheduled term to inform the Office of the Registrar and their major department or program of this intention.

Senior Year Residence Petition to Request Leave in Final Term Prior to Graduation

This type of petition is only approved in cases where the student has a temporary grade designation on their transcript (AD or ON) that prevents graduation, and which will be resolved during the student’s final leave term.

Petition to Extend D-Plan Across Additional Academic Year

According to D-Plan policy, first-year students’ initial D-Plans must be within a period of four academic years. Transfer students may be limited to fewer years for their D-Plan as determined by the Registrar at the time of matriculation. Students who desire a D-Plan which extends into an additional academic year, or beyond, may submit a petition to the Registrar. Approval of such a petition is specific to the D-Plan submitted by the student. Any future change to a D-Plan approved to span an additional year requires further petition and approval.

Requests to extend enrollment patterns into an additional year will not be reviewed until a student has progressed well into the sophomore year and has an approved major on their academic record that aligns with the proposed D-Plan.

Petition for Exemption from Residence Requirements for Varsity Student Athletes

Students submitting this type of petition use the Petition for Exemption from Residence Requirements for Varsity Student Athletes form and must get approval from the Athletics Compliance Office.

Petition for Exemption from Summer Residency Requirement

This petition requires the student participates in official intercollegiate athletic competition during all twelve fall, winter, and spring terms of their D-Plan. In addition, students must be in residence (R-term), paying tuition and taking a regular course load in all twelve Fall/Winter/Spring terms of the four undergraduate years at Dartmouth.

Petition for Exemption from 7-Maximum Fall/Spring Terms

This petition requires the student participates in official intercollegiate athletic competition during all eight fall and spring terms of their D-Plan. In addition, students must be in residence (R-term), paying tuition and taking a regular course load in all eight Fall/Spring terms of the four undergraduate years at Dartmouth.