Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,

I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision to allow me to drop the following courses: LLCU 244, LLCU 249, and GNDS 212 (Fall term, 2019) due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control.

I fully understand the initial week 8 drop deadline for last term¿¿s courses that would have prevented academic penalties on my transcript; however, during that time I was facing severe mental health problems related to depression and anxiety disorders as a result of multiple ongoing occurrences. While I was under the impression that I would be able to manage my course load, my gradually deteriorating mental state inevitably affected both my ability to get work done and tend to my own wellbeing. Consequently, towards the end of the semester, I had many missed assignments and attendance marks that resulted in my failing grades. While I have dealt with these mental health issues before, this instance was an all-time low for me as I even resorted back to self-inflicted harm and suicidal tendencies. One prevalent reason for this was the nationwide civil protests happening in Iran at this time, where the majority of my family is residing. With a detrimental rise in gasoline prices across the country, Iranian citizens, my family included, had no choice but to protest against this act - which the government did not respond well to. With an estimated report of 1500 deaths from police brutality amid protests between November 15-23, the Islamic Republic of Iran disconnected the internet connectivity and phone lines across the country - making it impossible to contact/check up on my family. Naturally, I was in a state of panic and extreme stress from assuming the worst during this situation. My overwhelming fears caused many mental breakdowns that took a toll on my overall health and motivation, which is why I ask that you consider my reasonable request to drop the courses I was circumstantially unable to complete. In addition to this, my massive depressive episode only worsened my overall condition, resulting in a complete lack of energy and isolation in my room. My thoughts became clouded with desires of suicide as I continuously neglected studying and finishing assignments.

Since I am a Gender Studies major, I acknowledge the importance of completing a course such as GNDS 212 as well as my failure to do so. As such, if my appeal to drop the course is granted or it is instead given an incomplete grade, I will be sure to complete it in a later term during my undergraduate studies. With the knowledge that my current GPA following my academic performances last term could result in academic probation, I sincerely request that my appeal is recognized as a matter of circumstance and mental health restraints. Furthermore, during the winter break, I was able to go home and visit my family doctor regarding my case. In doing so, I received a referral to get prescription anti-depressants (Fluoxetine), which I have been taking for nearly three months now. Due to this and other helpful resources, I have been excelling in my winter term courses and have been made aware of my true academic potential. I believe that my current grades are a more evident indicator of my skills as a student rather than a semester that overlapped with the aforementioned extenuating circumstances.