Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop any failed courses from the Fall term of 2015, if receiving a CR or AR is not an option.

Full disclosure, this appeal may not be entirely formal nor might some of the details be of any relevance. Not to be disrespectful in any way, but because of the severity of the circumstances I want to be clear about what has occurred and what my plan is regarding the future of my academic career.


Around the beginning of November 2015 I lost the ability to sleep. Various sedatives and tranquilizers were prescribed but none had any effect, except for one medication. This however granted me one hour of sleep, per week, occasionally.

I have no memory of November onwards but according to e-mails, friends and peers, here is what happened from comparing sources:

Stopped attending classes, no energy to leave house - mid-November.
Hallucinations and other sleep deprivation effects took place.
I requested exams to be postponed into the Winter Term.
January 2016: I asked to drop/fail Fall term courses.
January 15, 2016 around 3 am: I committed suicide and died, found at around 8am in the morning, and was revived 1-2 hours later.
January 15-March 29: Hospitalized.

I have been told by professionals that the actions during the period of November-January were outside of my control, hence why I should appeal to have my courses dropped. I agree, but there's one more thing that needs to be discussed.

I survived of course, but now I am going through physiotherapy as my hands have sustained severe nerve damage as well as sustaining minor lung damage. Both injuries are healing rapidly, but these organs are unfortunately the slowest to heal. You may dissuade me to returning to my studies this year, but...

I am stubborn. Tried to get into engineering for three years, despite being turned away by the respective associate dean. Might try it again in the future, because I hate to give up. It's probably why I survived. It's probably why I seem to be rushing back into my studies despite the severity of my injuries. It's probably why I survived when 20 doctors said that I would not survive the accident. After that I was told I would not be able to do the things I would normally do for a year or two. No eating by myself, no grooming by myself, no going to room A to room B because I can't use my hands, nada.

But I'm doing it. Immediately after being discharged once I was stable, could walk, talk and eat, I was right back to using my computer, playing videogames (with my feet), coding, playing and talking with friends, taking care of utilities and rent on behalf of my housemates... even though I was told all these things I would not be able to do. Sadly, that's what I am. Stubborn. But I've learned to adapt to my situation and most importantly, I've gained insight about myself and have the support I need to make sure this never happens again.

Of course I can't do everything yet, I struggle with doorknobs, can't shave, can't drive, list goes on. But it doesn't matter. I have friends who expect me to return this fall and are willing to help, with everything. I will also see to receiving the appropriate accommodations I need to help finish my education.

So, that's where things stand. As for my plan:

- I request that further investigation be done. Speak with my professors and determine if that respective course can be dropped, granted CR or perhaps even AR depending on the circumstances (PHYS 242 comes to mind for an aegrotat standing).

- Downgrade to a General Degree, and focus on graduating.

- Nerve regeneration is a slow process. I don't expect to have the functional fine motor skills to write. I can type with one finger and an online keyboard when my shoulders wear out. I will speak with Disability Services to discuss accommodations I need as I recover.

It's simple. Transfer to a GD, acquire the accommodations I need, pass the courses that I haven't taken, retake dropped courses to get the rest of the credits I need along with any mandatory courses required in the GD (possibly Gen. Math as I have all but one required course) and then I'll be done with this chapter of my life.

I can provide further documentation if required. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have.

Thank you sincerely for your time.

Best Regards,
Tayyab Jafar