The International and Domestic Programs Committee (IDPC) is a standing committee of faculty, staff, and student members that establishes and oversees International and Domestic Programs policies. This includes ruling on student petitions for exceptions to the rules and regulations for International and Domestic Programs at the College.
The Committee approaches its deliberations with an assumption that the rules and regulations should normally be followed. When considering exceptions, the Committee attempts to be both "consistent" (i.e., to apply uniform standards) and "flexible" (i.e., to give personal attention and respond to individual circumstances). Students should not present a petition to the Committee based on a fundamental disagreement with a rule or regulation.
The Committee may make exceptions to policies when justified by unforeseeable or extraordinary individual circumstances.
Petitions should include all relevant information and be clearly articulated with appropriate documentation. The Committee cannot fill in missing information; it is the student's responsibility to present the case fully. Study away advisors will be glad to talk to students who are considering filing petitions.
The Committee meets every other week during the fall and spring semesters. Its members include four faculty members (one from each division of the College and a language faculty member), the director of international and domestic programs, the registrar, the dean of students or an associate dean of students, the staff director of the Oldenborg Center, the associate dean of the college with responsibility for international initiatives, and two students who have participated in Pomona’s international or domestic programs appointed by the Senate of the Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC).
Examples of the kinds of requests handled by the International and Domestic Programs Committee include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Petitions for approval to apply for a program that has not been pre-approved by the IDPC (Programs by Petition)
- Petitions for exceptions to the College’s policies for International and Domestic Programs
- Study away grade disputes
Certain types of petitions are rarely, if ever granted, such as late CR/NC requests after grades have been released. Additionally, the IDPC will not consider petitions to the College’s fee policy for study away as this policy is applied for all students and programs equally to ensure access.
Deadlines
Deadlines for petitions for a Program by Petition are listed on the deadlines page for the active application cycle and shared with students by email. There is one deadline each for fall and spring study away.
For all other petitions, the International and Domestic Programs Committee will meet every other Monday for the 2025-2026 academic year while the semesters are in session. The deadline to file a petition for pending review is two Fridays prior to a Monday meeting.
Example: If the Committee meets on Monday, September 15, the deadline to submit a petition for the review docket is Friday, September 5. Students should meet with a study away advisor to discuss their petition prior to submission.
All supporting documents and comments from the student's academic advisor must be submitted with the petition for it to be considered complete and eligible to be added to the IDPC agenda for the Monday meeting. If the Committee requires additional information regarding the student's petition, the International and Domestic Programs Office will reach out to the student via email.
The IDPC issues decision notifications before the end of the Friday following a meeting. If a student submits a petition by the requisite Friday and does not receive a decision the by the end of the Friday following the meeting, they can reach out to the International and Domestic Programs Office (IDPO).
The last day to submit a petition for review in the fall 2025 semester is Friday, November 21.
How to Submit a Petition to the IDPC
- Meet with the relevant study away advisor. This is the advisor with whom you have already been working, or contact IDPO to request a meeting with an advisor to discuss your request.
- Submit your completed petition to IDPO by the relevant deadline along with any supporting documents requested by the IDPO.
Your petition consists mainly of your statement as to why you believe the committee would be justified in allowing you an exception to a particular rule. Educational appropriateness is important, but in many cases-particularly for deadline extensions-the committee is also concerned about equity to other students. Include all relevant supporting material as PDF attachments. This may include documents such as medical verification. It is your responsibility to present your case fully. The Committee will not make assumptions in your favor when information necessary to support your case is missing.
- Your academic advisor must add their acknowledgement and/or comments to your petition, either in the petition form (in the case of Programs by Petition) or by email to IDPO. Petitions will not be considered without acknowledgement from the academic advisor.
- Other faculty, department chairs, program staff, or health care providers that wish to provide special support or additional comments to the Committee should send their comments to IDPO.
Until you receive notification of the IDPC’s decision, take no action which may adversely affect your status in a course or your overall registration. It is highly advised that you proceed under the pretense that the petition has not been approved; in other words, you are strongly urged to continue attending classes, submitting assignments, and following the expectations as laid out in the policy you have petitioned. You will be notified of the Committee's decision after the Committee meets (i.e., one week or more later).
Any student who has questions about their petition is invited to discuss these questions with their study away advisor. A student whose petition has been denied may consult with the Chair of the Committee for an explanation of the Committee's action.
Decisions of the Committee are final. Appeals are only considered when there is new evidence or information that was not available when the original petition was filed.