Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing to extend the IN period for the following course after the assigned IN date: PSYC 550 (Fall 2013).

In the Fall 2013 term I had a serious depressive episode, which prevented me from attending some of my classes, and prevented me from completing a large amount of the course load for the courses I was enrolled in, especially in PSYC 550. I was ultimately hospitalized near the end of the Fall 2013 term, and because of this I was unable to complete the coursework for PSYC 255500, and as I am still recovering, I think that the most prudent decision would be to drop the course.

In the Winter 2014 term I was still recovering from my depressive episode, and then was faced with the difficult decision of undergoing a prophylactic double-mastectomy. I received my surgery date with very little notice, and as such I was unable to address my academic issues until after my recovery. My post-op recovery was difficult, and as such I wasn¿¿t able to complete the required coursework in that time. I consulted with both my family doctor, and my surgeons, and they agreed it would be in my best interest to simply focus on my mental and physical recovery. I am only recently in the position to start addressing my academic issues, such as trying to extend the IN period for PSYC 550.

I am now working very closely with my therapist to address my depression, and we will be making strategies to help with me deal with it in a proactive manner in the future. I am also going to complete any outstanding coursework I have PSYC 550 as soon as possible. In the future, I will try to take a lighter course load if necessary, but I am hopeful that once I am fully recovered from my prophylactic double-mastectomy, I wont have any more extenuating medial circumstances that interfere with my ability to complete my academic work.

Thank you for your time.

Kathleen Merwin
05862897