Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Over the past four years, I have experienced significant medical and personal challenges that substantially impacted my academic performance and ability to manage coursework consistently. As supported by the attached physician’s note, I have been receiving ongoing medical care since July 2022 for a chronic condition that has resulted in recurring and unpredictable flares. These episodes affected my concentration, attendance, energy levels, emotional well-being, physical health and overall ability to complete academic obligations successfully.
Throughout this period, I actively sought treatment and support. I have been undergoing therapy and working closely with medical professionals to manage my symptoms. Adjustments to treatment and accommodations were made over time; however, my response to these interventions varied and the condition remained difficult to stabilize consistently. The unpredictable nature of these flare-ups significantly affected my ability to maintain the level of academic engagement required in the courses listed above.
The impact of these circumstances extended across multiple academic years. During Winter 2023, my condition began to escalate in severity, which negatively affected my performance in FILM 110B and DRAM 100B. In Fall 2023, ongoing symptoms continued to interfere with my ability to manage coursework in ARTH 226. Despite continued treatment efforts, these challenges persisted into Fall 2024 and affected my work in FILM 236. Most recently, during Fall 2025 and Winter 2026, recurring flare-ups and the cumulative effects of managing my condition impaired my academic functioning in RELS 240 and GNDS 125.
Although I remained committed to my education and attempted to continue my studies, there were periods when I was not fully aware of the extent to which my condition was impairing my academic performance. At the time, I believed I would be able to recover and complete the coursework successfully, which contributed to delays in withdrawing from courses or pursuing petition options earlier. I continued trying to meet academic expectations while managing ongoing treatment and symptoms that were often difficult to predict or control.
Despite these setbacks, I remain deeply committed to completing my degree and continuing my academic progress. Over the past several years, I have taken meaningful steps to improve my ability to manage my health and academic responsibilities. I continue to access medical care and therapy, and I am working toward maintaining a healthier balance between my academic workload and personal well-being. Moving forward, I plan to continue utilizing available supports and accommodations to ensure greater academic stability and success.
I respectfully ask the Faculty to consider the significant impact these documented extenuating medical circumstances had on my academic performance in the courses listed above. Thank you for your time, understanding, and consideration of my petition.
Sincerely,
Grace Blakslee