The Commission for Reviewing Special Cases, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, is established at universities and higher education institutions to examine, in accordance with the provisions of this bylaw, only the academic status of students who are identified as special cases and to issue a final decision.

Article 1: Definition of Special Cases

Special cases refer to the situation of students whose academic progress has been disrupted due to circumstances beyond their control and occurring during their studies, such as the death of immediate family members, unforeseen incidents, acute or incurable illness, divorce, severe psychological conditions, or addiction, resulting in academic difficulties that cannot be resolved under existing rules and regulations.

It should be noted that circumstances such as employment, helping one’s family, and financial problems are not considered special cases.

Article 2: Powers of the Commission

The Commission reviews, on a case-by-case basis, matters concerning currently enrolled students and students facing academic dismissal at higher education institutions, and issues decisions within the framework of the following powers:

A. Powers Related to Associate, Bachelor’s, and Integrated Master’s Students

• A-1. Granting permission to continue studies for students who, despite compliance with Article 27 of the Educational Regulations for Associate and Bachelor’s Programs approved in Esfand 1369 by the Supreme Council for Educational Planning, are at risk of academic dismissal, provided that their cumulative GPA is not below 10 and that they do not go on academic probation again thereafter.
• A-2. Granting approval for temporary or permanent transfer from one university to another for students who do not qualify for transfer under existing educational regulations, subject to the approval of the Special Cases Commissions at both the origin and destination universities.
• A-3. Approving an extension of study duration for up to one semester for associate degree and discontinuous bachelor’s students, and up to two semesters for continuous bachelor’s and integrated master’s students whose maximum permitted study period has ended, provided there is no other educational regulation preventing them from continuing their studies.
• A-4. Approving return to study for students who, for justified reasons supported by documented evidence, have failed to register and continue their studies for a maximum of one year, provided they have no issues related to military service.
• A-5. Approving up to one year of leave of absence not counted toward the maximum study duration for students who, upon presenting documented evidence, suffer from acute or chronic illness, or for women during pregnancy and childbirth, or for individuals whose work is deemed urgently necessary by the relevant minister.
• A-6. Approving a change of major from one field to another within the same entrance examination group and academic level, if the student has lost the ability to continue in their current field of study, provided the student has at least the minimum national entrance examination score required for the requested field within the relevant quota.
• A-7. Approving a change of major from one entrance examination group to another, if the student has lost the ability to continue in all fields within their original group, provided the student has at least the minimum proportional national entrance examination score required for the requested field within the relevant quota.

B. Powers Related to Discontinuous Master’s Students

• B-1. Approving a one-semester extension of the study period for students whose maximum permitted duration of study has ended in accordance with regulations, provided they are otherwise eligible to continue their studies under educational regulations.
• B-2. Approving up to one year of leave of absence not counted toward the maximum study duration for students who, upon presenting documented evidence, suffer from acute or chronic illness, or for women during pregnancy and childbirth, or for individuals whose work is deemed urgently necessary by the relevant authority.

C. General Principles Applicable in All Cases

In all cases, the following principles must be observed:

• Preservation of educational quality
• Preservation of the minimum required credits and GPA for graduation
• Preservation of the minimum passing grade in each course
• Preservation of the minimum examination score, or proportional national entrance examination score as applicable, within the relevant quota
• No change of academic level from lower to higher

Article 3: Composition of Members

The Commission consists of the following members:

• The President of the institution (Chair)
• The Vice President for Academic Affairs (Vice Chair)
• The Vice President for Student Affairs (Secretary)
• The Head of the institution’s Counseling and Health Center
• Three knowledgeable faculty members of the institution, nominated by the Secretary of the Council and appointed by the Chair for a two-year term, renewable

Article 4: Referral of Cases to the Commission

The Commission reviews academic status and requests referred through one of the following two channels:

• Cases referred to the Commission after review by the University Educational Commission or the Graduate Studies Council, with the signature of the Vice President for Academic Affairs

• Requests of students referred to the Commission at the discretion of the University President, the Vice President for Student Affairs, or the Vice President for Academic Affairs