Student Petition Process


Fill out a Petition Form here!

Purpose

The Student Petition Process allows students to formally raise concerns or suggest improvements related to student life, services, or campus policies. This process enables students to gather signatures and present a formal petition to the Student Government Association (SGA) for review and action.


Eligibility to File a petition

Any currently enrolled student at Azusa Pacific University is eligible to file a petition. Petitions can address a wide range of student-related concerns, including but not limited to:

  • Campus services (e.g., dining, housing, transportation)

  • Student life and engagement

  • Academic concerns (non-grade related)

  • Campus safety

  • Environmental or social issues on campus


Informal Resolution Attempts

Before filing a formal petition, students are encouraged to seek resolution informally by discussing the issue with relevant staff, faculty, departments, or student groups. Only after informal efforts are unsuccessful should a formal petition be submitted to the SGA.


Petition Requirements

For a petition to be considered by the SGA, the following criteria must be met:

  • Petition Description: A clear and concise statement of the issue or concern. This should include:

    • A detailed description of the problem

    • Its impact on the student body or campus community

    • Any previous steps taken to resolve the issue

    • A proposed solution or desired outcome

  • Signature Collection:

    • A minimum of 30 signatures from currently enrolled students must be collected to validate the petition.

    • Signatures must include the student's name and school email.

    • Petitions can be submitted with signatures collected either physically (paper format) or digitally via an approved platform.

  • Supporting Documentation: If applicable, any supporting materials (e.g., emails, photos, data) that help clarify or support the petition.


Submission Process

Submission Method:

Students can submit the completed petition via the SGA online petition form, or physically at the SGA office.

  • Required Information:

    • Full name of the student submitting the petition

    • A list of collected signatures (attached)

    • Detailed petition description (as outlined in Section 4)

    • Contact information of the lead petitioner for follow-up discussions

  • Submission Deadline: Petitions must be submitted no later than 30 business days after the issue arises to ensure timely review.


Review Process

Initial Review: Upon receipt, the SGA Student Advocacy Committee will review the petition for completeness and eligibility.

  • Verification of signatures will be conducted to ensure they are valid and meet the required minimum.

  • Committee Discussion: The Student Advocacy Committee will hold a formal meeting within 10 business days to discuss the petition and determine next steps.

    • The committee may request a meeting with the lead petitioner or invite other stakeholders (students, faculty, staff) to gain more information.

    • During this meeting, petitioners may present their case and answer any questions from the committee.

  • SGA Decision: After discussion, the committee will take one of the following actions:

    • Endorsement: If the SGA agrees with the petition, they will endorse it and bring the issue to the appropriate campus department or administrator for further action.

    • Resolution: The SGA may propose a solution that directly addresses the concerns raised in the petition.

    • Denial: If the committee finds insufficient grounds or evidence, the petition may be denied, with an explanation provided to the petitioner.


Communication of Decision

Notification: The lead petitioner will be notified of the SGA's decision in writing within 5 business days following the committee’s final discussion.

  • Student Body Communication: If the petition results in significant campus action, a formal announcement will be made to the student body to inform them of the issue and its resolution.

  • Public Record: The petition and SGA’s decision will be archived in a publicly accessible database for future reference and transparency.


Appeals Process

If a student feels that their petition was not adequately addressed, they may file a formal appeal with the SGA executive team within 10 business days of receiving the decision. The appeal must provide clear reasons for reconsideration, including any additional supporting evidence.


Implementation and Follow-Up

Once a petition has been endorsed and passed, the SGA will work closely with relevant campus departments to ensure that the agreed-upon actions are implemented. Petitioners will be kept informed of the progress and any further steps required.