Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies), I am writing to apply for aegrotat status to be exempted from my exams for my ENGL 200, ENGL 215, ENGL 292 and LAW 201 classes. The extenuating circumstances that have had adverse affects on me include severe depression and anxiety caused by a sexual assault that I unfortunately experienced in the summer, and a recent suicide attempt on March 25th that left me hospitalized overnight. I suffer frequent and intense anxiety attacks that affect me physically and make me ill. I have made attempts to seek help through support groups, individual counselling, and medication, and nothing has been able to effectively help me deal with the very strong and unrelenting depression and anxiety I suffer with all day, every day. It has been mentally exhausting to do the simplest of things. I continue to be affected everyday by my poor mental health, and every day is a struggle to merely get out of bed, let alone go to class and do work. While I have been able to complete the work required for my courses, it has been of extremely poor quality and done only so I do not completely fail. As a result of my severe depression and anxiety, which has become even worse in the last few months, I have been unable to attend most classes. Because of the mental stress and strain I am under, and the impact it has had on my ability to attend my classes, I believe it would directly impact my ability to even write my exams, and to do well on them.
Should my appeal be granted, my plan is to begin regular and intense counselling and therapy. I need to deal with the trauma I have experienced so that I may begin to truly heal and move forward with a healthy mind and a strong support system. I have applied to and been accepted for transfer to my hometown university as well, because I believe it will be beneficial to be with my family and in my own space while I work on healing myself. The combination of regular meetings with a mental health professional as well as being at home with my family will make it easier to heal, as well as provide a less stressful and more familiar environment in order for me to be able to continue my studies and successfully work towards my degree. I hope that I will be granted the opportunity to be exempted so I may begin to work on myself and my mental health immediately without the stress of exams. I appreciate the time taken to read my letter and to evaluate my situation. Thank you.