Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Naaman (The Associate Dean (Academic)),

I am submitting a First Level Petition requesting CR grades in three Fall term courses: CISC 203, CISC 220, and CISC 204. My request for CISC 203 is particularly important, as it is a prerequisite for upper-year coursework and was the course most impacted by unforeseen medical circumstances beyond my control that directly affected my academic performance.

Throughout the Fall term, I experienced persistent and significant fatigue that increasingly interfered with my ability to perform to my usual academic standard. Beginning in September, I believed these symptoms were linked to a development of depression, due to the constant exhaustion and its impact on my mood and motivation. Under the assumption that my symptoms were mental-health related, I sought mental health support through therapy.

During initial sessions, my therapist recommended a week off from school to rest. While this break was beneficial at the time, it caused me to miss several assessments, including a 20% test in CISC 203, which later required a cumulative makeup assessment. Although I completed this assessment, it was not at a level sufficient to achieve the required grade.

As therapy sessions continued from September through November, I realized that what I initially attributed to a depressive episode was largely due to ongoing mental and physical exhaustion. Based on this, my therapist advised me to consult my doctor for medical testing. Unfortunately, the limited availability of therapy sessions, which led to inconsistent appointments, meant that the decision to consult my doctor occurred relatively late in the semester. On November 17, I was referred for blood work and diagnosed with low iron (iron level 9, indicative of anemia), and prescribed daily iron supplements. By January 2, my iron levels had improved, yet the associated increase in energy lagged behind the lab results. To prevent a recurrence of this situation, I will continue taking my medication, attending therapy, and completing follow-up blood tests to manage my condition moving forward.

The impact of these circumstances was felt across all three courses I am petitioning for, as persistent exhaustion made managing the workload extremely challenging despite my efforts to attend classes and complete all assignments and assessments. On particularly difficult days, the fatigue was so severe that even brief periods in class were debilitating, requiring me to rest before continuing my studies. While all three courses were affected, these circumstances were particularly significant in CISC 203. Missing the initial 20% test and the cumulative nature of the makeup assessment, combined with ongoing fatigue, resulted in my final grade of D+ (58%). While I made every effort to continue with the course, my condition substantially impaired my ability to perform at the level required to successfully complete it.

Initially, I dropped an elective course to lighten my course load, as it was less critical to my degree requirements, while the petitioned courses were required for my program. Additionally, at the time, I did not have clarity regarding the severity or medical cause of my symptoms, and I believed that I could manage the workload with increased effort. I was performing reasonably well in CISC 203 and was projected to earn a grade near the prerequisite threshold, which made dropping the course seem unnecessary. Once I began taking my medication, I hoped that it would improve my energy levels earlier in the term, and allow me to keep up with the course workload. Unfortunately, due to the cumulative impact of my illness—including the missed test during my week away, months of struggling with fatigue and low mood, and the slow response to my medication—I was ultimately unable to achieve the necessary grade threshold. After learning my final grade fell below the required threshold, I contacted my professor three weeks before the end of the term to discuss a grade adjustment, but did not receive a response.

Medical documentation is attached to support this petition, including records related to my week off school and confirmation from my physician of a low iron (low ferritin) diagnosis, which accounts for my exhaustion.

Granting a CR grade in CISC 203, as well as in the other courses affected, would allow me to move forward from a term that was significantly impacted by unforeseen medical circumstances while continuing my studies under improved and actively managed conditions. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Callie Greene