Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Academic Petition Letter.

Dear Associate Dean,

My name is Sophie Harmsen and I am a student in fourth year Concurrent Education/
History. I am writing you to petition for late drop in HIST 220 and HIST 344.
I am requesting this consideration because I have been struggling with severe health issues that have increasingly worsened thus preventing me from effectively completing my schoolwork. To provide further insight on these issues, I am living with several mental illnesses including depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.
I have been seeking treatment for these conditions by means of medication and counselling. Yet in spite of these efforts, my mental health has plummeted. I spoke to my nurse practitioner about these issues in December of 2022 and then again in January of 2023. I have been suffering from panic attacks and depressive episodes that are so severe, I can barely get out of bed, let alone leave my house.
I feel very unsafe outside of my house. I cannot participate in or enjoy the things that I used to, such as spending time with my friends or being active on campus. By reading week of 2023 I started experiencing panic attacks anytime I would try to study on campus. I have engaged in self harm by way of cutting myself and restricting my diet. In addition, my pain and suffering has increased to the extent that I struggle having a desire to live.
On March 5th I had to be rushed to the Emergency Room because I was overwhelmed with suicidal ideation. The health care professionals with whom I spoke advised that I prioritize stabilizing my mental health and taking care of myself. I was also prescribed double the medication I take to manage my depression currently. I will not feel any improvement from the medication for at least six weeks and I only started taking it on March 16th (that was soonest I could receive the prescription).
During this time I have been incapable of attending classes or completing any projects. The side effects of my medication include headaches, nausea, and increased suicidal thoughts for the first 6-8 weeks, all of which I have experienced. My sleep patterns have been incredibly disturbed because of this and I am completely exhausted.
Given my ongoing struggles, I am unable to balance my academics with my health. I have always tried my best with classes and have consistently been a Dean??s List student. I would like to maintain the GPA I have worked so hard for. I hope to stabilize my mental health and then proceed with my academics when I am feeling well. In fact, a key part of my recovery is focusing on my health. Remaining enrolled in these courses is a major contributor to the feelings of stress and hopelessness that are deteriorating my mental state. For these reasons I hope I will be permitted to have a late drop in HIST 220 and 344.

Thank you for considering my request.

Sophie Harmsen
20162460