Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

I am writing this letter in hopes of receiving an exemption for the first half of Math 126. I have been coping with a chronic inflammatory condition of the throat known as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) for several years. This causes my throat to close up resulting in food impaction. This has had an effect on my study habits and ability to concentrate as I am often low on energy and struggling to find soft foods to eat. Being away from home and on the Queens meal plan, it has been much harder for me to have control over my condition.

For the past year I have been using a swallowed steroid (Fluticasone propionate), this helps alleviate the inflammation in my throat allowing me to get the calories I need throughout the day. A month into my time at Queens I began noticing side effects to this medication. It started causing my blood pressure to raise and made me feel very irritable throughout the day. As a result, I went off my medication which had a serious toll on my throat and ability to maintain a sufficient calorie intake.

Being unable to eat properly, I decided that it would be in my best interest to drop Math 126 to lighten my load until I had control over my condition and was taking proper medication. Over the break, I have recovered and am feeling fully back to normal. I discussed with my parents and if there was a possibility for me to get back into Math 126, I believe I am in a stable place now to finish this course.

I have tried my best to not let this condition get in the way of achieving my goals. My doctors and I thought that this letter would be a good way for me to illustrate the adversity that I deal with and to hopefully give me a second chance at this course given my circumstances. Thank you for your consideration.

Yours truly,


Alexander Dobell