Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to respectfully petition for a Credit Received (CR) grade in HIST 253:
Public Policy, which I completed during the Winter 2024 term. My request is based on
extenuating academic circumstances beyond my control that significantly impaired my ability to
succeed in this course. Throughout the term, the course lacked the academic structure and
instructional clarity necessary for student success. Several scheduled lectures were cancelled
without proper rescheduling or posted material. When class was held, the professor frequently
went on extended tangents and rants unrelated to the course content. As a result, key concepts
outlined in the syllabus, particularly those essential for the midterm, paper and final exam, were
either skipped or never properly explained. I attended every class and made every attempt to
learn the course material.

This instructional approach created significant confusion. Without proper lectures, I
struggled to understand the foundational themes of the course, which directly impacted my
ability to complete assessments. The readings posted to the course’s OnQ site added further
confusion. Several documents were poorly scanned or formatted, with key paragraphs crossed
out, author names removed, and sections appearing incomplete or unreadable. This made it
extremely difficult to engage with the material in a meaningful or academically productive way.
Although I made efforts to engage with the readings and independently prepare, the absence of
clear instruction and guidance made it extremely difficult to meet the course expectations. I
attempted to seek clarification through email and by reviewing course materials independently,
but these efforts could not fully replace the missed instruction. This situation was particularly
frustrating, as I am typically a strong and engaged student. My academic performance in other
Winter 2024 courses remained consistent and positive, highlighting that the issue in HIST 253
was specific and isolated to the delivery of the course itself, not a broader reflection of my
academic ability or effort.

I am therefore requesting that a Credit Received (CR) grade be granted for this course in place of
the final letter grade. I believe this resolution would fairly reflect the unique and uncontrollable
nature of the academic disruption I experienced, while preserving the integrity of my academic
record.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my petition. I am happy to provide any further
information if needed.

Sincerely,

Madeleine Bernais