Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To: Associate Dean of Studies,

This letter is regarding my request for a late drop-out for POLS 360. My grandfather who lived with me in my home was laid to rest in Oct 2019 and I applied for academic considerations for all of my courses due to considerable that later became significantly affecting my performance in my academics this semester. I am emotionally dealing with a lot, severe anxiety and panic and unable to cope the loss of my grandfather. This summer I had an academic consideration in place as my grandmother passed away and now my grandfather¿¿s death has taken a huge toll on me. I have tried and been diligent to request accommodations to my professors for all courses and have been working hard to catch up on missed mid-terms, assignments and examinations that I have caught up on. For this course, I have fallen behind a lot and it is because of bereavement. This circumstance has affected my ability to attend classes regularly, meet assignment deadlines and complete course requirements for this course. I have been unable to meet deadlines as I am severely depressed from my grandfather¿¿s loss. I have been in contact with Alisson la vinge the bereavement counsellor and a chaplin to guide me to become better and help me cope with my situation better, it helps a lot. I have academic considerations in place until the end of December 2019 however my professor and I have been discussing that it is best for me to request a late drop out as I was unable to fulfill the whole requirements of this course as the assignments that were due happened right after my grandfather¿¿s death, mid-term and final examination to occur this week. I have informed my professor of this situation and she also supports my request to ask for a late drop out for this course. Professor Stephanie Martal stated to me through email communication that the best course of action would be to consider taking a late drop out due to my mental health having priority over course work. I am not able to focus, not able to concentrate and am simply suffering from the loss of someone very close and dear to me. I would like to apply for a late drop out to fulfil the POLS-300 level course credit when I am in a position to fulfil the requirements and get something out of it not at the expense of my mental health. I have attached the email communication between professor Martel and I, obituary documentation and supporting documentation from Allison LaVinge. I am a student with a disability, and I am registered with QSAS, these accommodations were in place to assist me however the death of my grandfather has really hindered me and impacted my ability to fulfill this course. I have managed to pull through and work through the other courses however it was a lot to manage and my professors are aware of my mental state due to this circumstance. I have taken the responsibility to contact them and make them aware of my situation prior to deadlines and informed them that I am not in a position to be as diligent as before. I am grieving a huge loss and given my extenuating circumstance, I truly ask if you can please provide me the opportunity to have a late drop out for this course. I have missed out on the course requirements except journal entries that were done on a weekly basis ¿¿ 1 page reflections that I got an A- in. I was unable to fulfill other course requirements due to my extenuating circumstance and was unable to engage, follow and take part in this course after this incident occurred in Oct 18th.