The Committee and Examination Petition form is used to request modifications to exam committees, such as the inclusion of external committee members as well as requests for continuous committee service for retired/leaving faculty. The form also covers requests for one-semester extensions of a student’s post-candidacy status, and waivers of Graduate School policy.
Important Notes:
- Requests related to exam committees should be submitted before or at the time of scheduling your exam or submitting a related exam application or application to graduate.
- Requests must include clear academic justification and documentation, especially for external members of exam committees.
- The form does not replace the Application for Exam forms or Application to Graduate—it must be submitted in addition to those.
- Refer to the Graduate School Handbook for procedures related to exam scheduling and applying to graduate.
Submission Instructions:
Step 1: Log in to GradForms at https://gradforms.osu.edu.
Step 2: Navigate to Forms → Graduation/Examination.
Step 3: Click “Create New” next to Committee and Examination Petition.
- Student Information: This section is for informational purposes only. Consult Buckeyelink for the most up to date information about your academic record. If the “Missing Grades” field shows “Yes”, review your advising report on Buckeyelink.
Step 4: Select the reason for the petition.
Step 5: Details and Justification:
- Provide a detailed rationale for the request.
- For external members, include:
- Full name, title, institution, email address.
- Qualifications relevant to your project.
- Their expected role (e.g., subject matter expert, methodology reviewer).
Step 6: Include Supporting Documentation if required (CV or resume needed for external members)
Step 7: Select Graduation Level: Use the dropdown menu for selection
Step 8: Select Graduation Plan: Choose your graduate program plus degree
Step 9: Use the dropdown to enter your advisor’s name. Your advisor must review and approve the petition
Step 10: After reviewing your entries:
- Click “Save” to pause and return later, or
- Click “Submit” to begin the approval process.
Approval Workflow:
- Initial Review: Sent to your Advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator.
- Grad School Review: The Graduate School will evaluate the petition for policy compliance and academic merit.
After Submission:
- Track your form's progress via the Home page > Active Forms or use the Search > Forms tool.
- The History tab logs all approvals and status changes.
- The Comments tab will include messages about if revisions or additional information are requested.
Tips for Successful Petition:
- Use clear academic reasoning to explain your requests
- Secure documentation and approvals well before your exam scheduling deadline.
- For external members, ensure they are aware of OSU expectations for exam participation and timelines.
GRADFORMS Support
GRADFORMS Help Page
Alternatively, you can reach out to:
The Ohio State University Graduate School
250 University Hall, 230 N Oval Mall, Columbus OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-6031 | Fax: 614-292-3656
Graduation Services Email: Grad-SchoolGraduationServices@osu.edu
Registration Services Email: Grad-SchoolRegistrationServices@osu.edu