Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am writing to ask for permission to complete the final requirements for my degree at Athabasca University. Specifically, I need to complete:

My first year Linear Algebra requirement.
My first year Calculus requirement.
STAT 263.

In the case of Linear Algebra and STAT 263, I’m requesting that I be able to take them by distance because they’re not offered by distance at Queen’s, and I currently live in Vancouver so attending on campus isn’t possible.

While there is a Calculus course offered by distance at Queen’s in the Summer semester, I’m worried that due to some serious mental health challenges I’m not currently in a position where I can complete a course that isn’t self-paced. Particularly one that is on a compressed schedule.

Over the past four months I’ve been experiencing serious mental health issues that have resulted in being hospitalized twice. Additionally, I was recently in an intensive 5 week psychiatric program at the HOpe centre at Lions Gate Hospital, which had me seeing a psychiatrist once a week, and a psychiatric nurse twice a week. I’m now in another program at the HOpe Centre that involves weekly group sessions and sessions with a therapist. In short, I’m going through an extremely difficult time with my mental health.

Completing my degree is extremely important for me. One of the causes of my depressive episode is some professional challenges I’ve been going through, and I’m confident that having my degree will play a big role in addressing that specific issue. There are people in my professional network who can get me interviews for some solid Software Engineering roles, but all of them require that my degree be completed and conferred. Being able to make meaningful progress towards my degree isn’t just an academic issue for me, it’s directly connected to my mental health and recovery.

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Perry Bhandal
05155455