Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Film and Media Department Faculty,

I am writing to formally petition for enrollment in FILM 511: Directed Studies under the supervision of Professor Dan Vena. This course is essential for me to complete the final 3 units required for my Film and Media degree and graduate this spring.

I am currently in my final semester as a Film and Media student, having recently transferred from the Honours program to the General program. This transfer was necessary to ensure I could complete my degree this spring, as I have secured full-time employment in the film industry beginning this summer, an opportunity that is time-sensitive and critical to my career trajectory.

During the fall semester, I encountered unexpected grading issues with two courses (FILM 311 and FILM 378) that were initially recorded as failures in the system despite my having completed all required coursework. These grades were later corrected to accurately reflect my work, but the delay in resolution affected my ability to plan my final semester appropriately. By the time the grades were updated and I became aware that I still needed 3 additional units to graduate, the add/drop period for winter courses had already passed.

Given that I am beyond the add/drop deadline and will be working full-time immediately following this semester, enrolling in a traditional spring course would be extremely challenging. The structured schedule and fixed deadlines of a regular spring course would conflict significantly with my work commitments. Professor Vena has graciously offered to supervise a Directed Studies course, which would provide the flexibility I need to complete my degree requirements while fulfilling my professional obligations.

For the Directed Studies course, I propose examining digital content creation and audience engagement strategies within short-form video platforms, specifically TikTok. This study would combine practical content production with critical analysis of platform algorithms, audience analytics, and evolving trends in digital storytelling. Through creating and publishing original content while documenting the creative and strategic decisions involved, I would analyze the intersection of artistic expression, algorithmic distribution, and audience reception in contemporary social media environments. This area of study is directly relevant to the current film and media landscape, where traditional and digital media increasingly converge. Understanding platform-specific content creation, audience engagement metrics, and the iterative creative process required for social media success has become essential for media professionals. This practical research would not only fulfill my degree requirements but would also provide valuable professional skills for my upcoming role in the industry.

I am fully committed to producing high-quality academic work for this course and meeting all expectations Professor Vena establishes. I understand that Directed Studies requires self-motivation and independent scholarship, and I am prepared to dedicate the necessary time and effort to succeed.

I recognize that this petition requests special consideration, and I am deeply grateful for the faculty's time in reviewing my situation. The combination of the grading complications, the timing of their resolution, and my time-sensitive employment opportunity has created circumstances beyond my control. Approval of this petition would allow me to complete my degree on schedule and transition into my professional career without delay.

Thank you for considering my request. I am happy to provide any additional information or meet to discuss this petition further.

Respectfully,
Griffin MacNeil