Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

Thank you for taking the time to consider my petition, I appreciate your thoughtfulness around my circumstances related to my coursework this past fall. In early November 2024, I started to go through withdrawal from a prescription medication that I was coming off due to mental and other health reasons. My first reduction in dosage was around November 5th, and my second was December 6th. I did not initially reach out for help because I did not recognize that my struggles were due to withdrawal, and I thought I would just be able to navigate them and my coursework. However, by December 16th, it was obvious to me that I was intensely struggling; I was not sleeping, I could not think or focus, I was very dizzy, and I had shakes and cold spells. I was unable to even attempt to complete my coursework. At this point, I filed for academic consideration and went to see the doctor to consider my options. The doctor suggested I go through Accessibility Services for accommodation, so I withdrew my academic consideration, and my advisor, Toni Thorton, reached out to my professors. I have been able to clear up all of my courses and got additional extensions on final essays. However, in PHIL 378, Dr Ruwe had already confirmed his grades by the time I was getting everything sorted out and recommended I apply for a change of grade.

I understand it has been a long time since this conversation in December. However, I had withdrawal symptoms well into January, and I am just applying for this because I have been working very hard to finish my other courses on top of my coursework for this semester and diligently ensuring that I am not falling behind in this semester's courses in any way. Applying for petitions and completing the work necessary for them even to be considered is emotionally exhausting, and I needed to have the capacity to do so without sacrificing any of my other courses.

Thanks again for your consideration,
Amelia Nicholas