Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Emily Duggan
72 Shephard Ave
Alliston, ON
L9R 2G3
Student 10208800
Net ID: 15epd2

Dear Associate Deans (Studies) of the faculty of Arts and Science,

Today I am writing to you in a request to receive an aegrotat standing for the course STAT 263: Introduction to Statistics CDS W16, that I am currently enrolled in for the 2016 winter semester.

Due to some extenuating circumstances that are now beyond my control, they are affecting my current ability to complete this course. These circumstances are making it rather difficult to complete STAT 263 and is directly affecting my performance in this course. I am currently experiencing severe psychological problems, I have a mental illness, depression. I have also had a significant number of cluster migraines that are also severely impacting my academic performance in this course. My health is greatly impacting my ability to complete this course, if under normal circumstances, I would be able to do so. My depression has been quite severe but manageable with antidepressant medication and psychotherapy, until February 2016. Since than I have steadily declined and as a result, I may not be in the right mindset to properly complete assignments, quizzes and tests. Also as a result my doctors have put me on medical leave from my job to avoid hospitalization. In the middle of February 2016 I started to get cluster migraines, these have resulted in memory loss, and physical illness. Due to this, when I complete a lesson, lecture or assignment, when the migraine has been alleviated, usually 5 days after onset, I do not remember anything that I have learned or competed. After a couple of hours of relief, I get another migraine. As a result, it is extremely hard to handle both illnesses and try to relearn all material that I have forgotten, only to forget it again in a couple of days. I have been referred by my family doctor to see a migraine specialist, however these referrals, as I have been warned can take some time. I see my family doctor weekly to see how my depression is going and my anti-depressant medication dosage has since been doubled, in attempts to help. I have also started to see a psychotherapist bi-weekly as I was previously seeing my psychotherapist monthly, however at this time I need much more help. I am currently still receiving medical help and assistance as right now my doctors have been quite concerned with my mental state. Due to these extenuating circumstances I am unable to complete this course and request an aegrotat standing for STAT 263.

If this appeal is granted and I am able to receive an aegrotat estimated standing for STAT 263, I will then be able to shift more of my attention, time and energy towards getting better and recovering from my mental illness, as well as find an answer towards treating cluster migraines. As I mentioned I am currently on medical leave from my job, however once I am better, I will not be returning. School is my main priority and I do not want to overwhelm my nervous system with unnecessary stress and work. I am going to continue to receive professional help from my doctor and psychotherapist, on a weekly and bi- weekly basis. However I will be taking it day by day so if I am need of more assistance I will seek more frequent visits or if in immediate help, than I will admit myself to a hospital for observations. It may be a hard and long road to recovery but this is what I need to do so that I can once again complete my studies. I hope to have significant improvements in approximately 15-16 weeks. These future plans to fully recover will greatly improve my academic performance in the future. I will than be able to complete my course to the best of my abilities and without worry that my mental health is going to negatively affect my academic performance in the future. For the time being my health is directly affecting my academic performance in STAT 263 and my ability to complete this course.