Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I am applying to drop GNDS 125.

I initially did well in the course, but currently I am recovering from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and I ended up failing. I was diagnosed in October, and it progressed until it was debilitating throughout second semester. I have been in and out of counseling, spent a few stints in the hospital, had to deal with police, navigate the legal system, and face my abuser on a frequent basis. Juggling all of this, managing my PTSD, holding a job, and keeping up with my school work proved to be too much for me. I became too scared to attend class after discovering that my abuser shared some classes with me. Gender Studies is a course that opens discussion about things like sexual assault, abuse, male entitlement, and rape culture. These subjects were extremely triggering for me and I was fearful of attending class due to the possibility of these topics arising. I simply was not physically or mentally able to preform at my full capacity in Gender Studies.

PTSD has made things a little harder, but I believe that if I get the support I need I can bring my grades up and have a successful undergraduate career. I have signed up for a summer course to make up the lost credit, and I have a support network of psychiatrists, counselors, family and friends to help me work on overcoming my mental illness. I think I am making good progress, academically and mentally. I am willing to put in the work necessary to raise my grades, and being able to put this course behind me would make getting my GPA back up much easier.

Thank you for your consideration,

Michelle Allan