Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello,

I am writing to request a Credit Standing (CR) for the course PHGY 216 that I took during the Winter 2023 semester. I am compelled to make this petition due to extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control, specifically relating to medical issues that compromised mental and physical health.

Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, I grappled with severe medical issues that significantly hindered my academic performance. The first documentation for this illness was documented on December 11th, 2022. Symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, nausea, migraine, and vision impairment caused immense distress, exacerbating my pre-existing mental health disorder. This compounded the challenges I faced, leading to panic attacks, vomiting episodes, hyperventilation, and profound fatigue. These issues continued, and were again documented on January 14th, 2023, at the beginning of the course, by which time my health had deteriorated significantly.

As the year progressed, my condition worsened, reaching its peak in February 2023 when I was scheduled to write my midterm exam for the course. However, the severity of my symptoms, especially visual impairment and vertigo, left me physically unable to perform at my academic best during the exam. This led to a failing grade on the assessment, which was particularly detrimental due to the significant weight of the midterm assessment. My physician, recognizing the severity of my condition, signed off on documentation that confirmed my inability to fulfil academic responsibilities from December 10th, 2022, to February 15th, 2023. This is problematic because my midterm examination fell into this period. Moreover, my declining mental health was so severe during this period that on February 10th, 2023, I received a comprehensive assessment at Student Wellness Services, where I was provided with temporary accommodations, including additional time for assessments. Subsequent diagnosis by a medical professional confirmed a long-term mental health disorder, prompting my enrollment in QSAS and ensuring access to necessary accommodations to ensure academic equity.

However, my mental and physical health remained on a stagnant decline throughout the remainder of the course. Symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, nausea, migraines, and overwhelming feelings of helplessness hindered my ability to fulfil academic duties to the best of my potential throughout the eternity of the semester. The resulting grade fails to reflect my true capabilities and undermines the ongoing disability I am managing.

Granting a CR grade would rectify this discrepancy and provide me with the opportunity to demonstrate my true academic potential. I am committed to overcoming these challenges and contributing meaningfully to my academic pursuits.
Thank you for considering my petition.

Sincerely,
Alessandra (20279287)