Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Faculty of Arts and Science,
I am formally requesting to withdraw from course PHGY-170 (online) and postpone my studies until the Fall of 2024.
The past year has been exceedingly challenging for everyone. Initially, I attempted to defer my studies, but my request was denied because I pursued the standard non-online student route, unaware of the specific procedure for online students. In September, I accompanied my grandmother to her home country of Portugal for her final visit before her passing. She had suffered a stroke last year, leaving her with mobility difficulties, but she remained a resilient fighter. Overcoming various obstacles, I was the only family member able to take her home, given my age and practical circumstances. Regrettably, I missed the first few weeks of classes due to this trip. Although I initially believed I could catch up, balancing full-time work as a paramedic and a phlebotomist left me with limited time. Moreover, I experienced various health issues this year.
I was diagnosed with severe allergic rhinitis, which escalated into ethmoid air cell disease, meaning my sinuses were severely inflamed and unable to clear. I underwent a six-week course of antibiotics and had surgery on October 19th in Dryden, Ontario, to insert ear tubes. While this procedure was relatively minor, it resulted in significant postoperative discomfort. This may have contributed to a weakened immune system, as shortly afterward, I contracted COVID-19, which had a severe impact on my health. Despite these circumstances, I attempted to take my midterm exam, but my performance was significantly affected. As a result, I have decided to withdraw from the course prior to Halloween.
Regrettably, all these events unfolded within the past few weeks, leaving me severely unwell and unable to maintain regular communication. My mental health has also reached an all-time low due to the cumulative stressors. I feel badly because I have taken an educational, financial, and general health hit. It's important to mention that I have a history of mental health issues, including a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder in 2015, PTSD in 2016, and OCD in 2019. Despite these, I have been able to overcome my issues, and be able to live normally for the most part, until now.
I can also add medical record if need be and copies of my positive covid tests. Anything that requires a doctor’s note may take a while though however, as I have not had a family doctor in over 3 years (which really, really sucks). Below I will attach photos of antibiotic prescription, positive covid tests, temperatures and what I have currently available.

If contacted by email, I will forwards the following images that coincide with this petition

Thank you,

Emma Vieira