Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To: Associate Dean (Studies)

I am appealing for a withdrawal for my 2 summer courses (Summer, 2014). My appeal is to drop the classes after the last official date for dropping courses. I am appealing to be granted the permission to drop the courses/withdraw. My professors have advised me to not get an INC (incomplete) as I have not done any of the coursework and they have encouraged me to make an appeal to drop the courses. I do not want my GPA to lower significantly because of the extenuating circumstances beyond my control that I have faced with this Summer 2014 semester. I spoke mid-July to my advisor about what to do when I was mentally able to focus on my school. I have since been gathering the appropriate documentation to prepare my appeal.

Also, I would like to figure out how to not have to pay tuition for those 2 courses. I have not yet paid the tuition for Summer 2014 and am subsequently not allowed to register for my Fall 2014 courses until it is paid. I am just not sure how that would work as this is the first time I have ever been unable to complete a semester of school.

The 2 courses I am appealing to drop are:
¿¿ HIST 125 S CDS Evolution of Modern Europe
¿¿ HIST 260 S Canada from the Conquest to the Present

The extenuating circumstance that was beyond my control is due to a psychological challenge. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 2010. It is something that I am constantly working on, however there was a setback this summer. I spiraled down into a deep depression and could not focus on my studies. I was extremely suicidal and could not even get out of bed let alone sit down in front of my computer and write a paper. It is hard for me to write this, but getting my degree is the most important thing to me. I messaged my professors and advisor towards the end of the semester, when I was starting to do better, and was able to start focusing again on my future and current schooling. During the semester, my mind was solely focused on my suicidal feelings and waking up in the morning itself was a feat. Cognitively I was unable to process, focus or retain any information at the time. This particular depression followed a traumatic personal event that occurred mid-May. The period in which I was affected the most was mid-May to mid-July. By mid-July it was almost exam time, and I had completed 0 assignments and hadn't even remotely looked at any course work; therefore I definitely could not do the exams. I wasn't sleeping or eating and those 2 things were also contributing to my inability to get through my summer semester.


My current psychiatrist at the Douglas Institute has been following me (since March 2014), before that another psychiatrist at the Douglas was following me (since July 2013). Before that my GP has been following me and prescribing my antidepressants since 2010. My current psychiatrist has filled out the documents attached attesting to the issues I was having that caused me to be unable to do my courses. He and I have been working together since March, and mid-July added a new medication that so far seems to be effective. I have also begun to see a psychologist at the same Hospital as my psychiatrist. Between the 2 professionals and medication, I am doing what I can and am hopeful that this is the solution. I am doing much better than I was during the Summer 2014 semester. Depression will be something I will constantly deal with, but I am working hard at managing it. I did well in my Winter 2014 semester despite the depression, as it had been manageable and under control at the time. It was only when a traumatic event in May triggered it that it got to be beyond my control.


My future plan is to retake these courses this upcoming semester (Fall 2014). I plan to take a light course load to ensure that I am not overwhelmed. I will continue to see my psychiatrist & psychologist bi-monthly, as well as work on myself with the help of medication. The fact that I am now doing better makes me positive that I will be able to handle my fall courses. I am set on graduating soon and it is my one main goal. My schooling has always been the most important thing to me; unfortunately I have just had some difficult psychological issues along the way. Right now those issues are being managed and I am back on course.


By doing all the aforementioned things, I believe I will be able to complete the History courses that I didn't complete this summer. I am using all the resources available to me, as I always have, and will continue to do so.


Thank you immensely for your consideration.


Sincerely,
Alexandra Thompson
Student I.D : 10126058