Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Faculty of Arts and Science Petitons Committee,

My name is David Syrota (Student #20302949), a 5th year student in the Global Develoment Studies program. I am submitting this petition regarding DEVS 340, which I previously enrolled in during the fall of 2024, and in the Winter of 2024 of the previous year. I am also formally requesting a waiver of the deadline on April 30th, 2025.

During the semester, I faced significant personal and health challenges that directly impacted my ability to complete the final assignment, despite successfully completing other key components of the course such as each exam, course tutorials, and group assignment. At the time, these circumstances prevented me from filing a formal incomplete request before the year concluded on April 30th. There is only one remaining requirement preventing me from completing this course.

I am now in my 5th year, and my ability to graduate this year depends almost entirely on successfully completing DEVS 300, 340, and DEVS 492. Without the opportunity to resolve DEVS 340 through this petition, I risk being unable to graduate on time, which would cause significant financial and personal hardship.

I am respectfully requesting permission to complete DEVS 340 by submitting the outstanding essay. I have been in contact with Professor David McDonad, the course instructor, who has confirmed his support for this petition and he has stated that he is willing to accept this one essay to complete my coursework and receive an acceptable grade.

I want to emphasize that I am fully dedicated, committed, and confident in my ability to complete this outstanding requirement to the highest standard. I am prepared to meet any timeline set by the department and have structured my current workload to prioritze finishing this essay promptly and thoroughly.

At present, I do not have formal supporting documentation for some of the personal challenges I faced. These challenges are of a deeply personal nature and not easily verified by traditional medicinal or professional institutions. However, I am actively working to obtain appropriate documentation if required. In addition, I am willing to provide a written statement from a family member or close friend who can attest to the challenges I experienced and their impact on my studies. I hope the Comittee will also weigh the combination of my circumstances, my strong performance in other components of the course, and my instructor’s support as sufficient grounds to allow me to complete the course.

I also want to stress the urgency of this petition. With the add/drop deadline for Fall 2025 courses on September 15, a deay in this petition being reviewed could result in further complications with my enrollment. If this is not resolved in time, I may be forced to petiton once again in order to address additional enrollment issues, adding unnecessary difficulty and delay to my academic progress.

Thank you for your time and understandin. I am deeply grateful for your consideration and the opportunity to resolve this outstanding requirement so that I may complete my degree this year.

Sincerely,
David Syrota
(#20302949)