Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean (Studies),

My name is Alexandrina Pinheiro, and I am appealing to drop PHIL 259 (Winter 2014), and SOCY 211 (Winter 2014). I am also appealing to receive a credit standing for SOCY 276 (Winter 2014) and SOCY 387 (Winter 2014).

During the previous semester (Winter 2014), I had dealt with some extenuating circumstances that have impacted my ability to complete these four courses. The extenuating circumstance, to be more specific, was that I was diagnosed with depression in the summer of 2013. My depression worsened over the year, and began to affect my ability to concentrate, memorize and pass course work. This past semester my doctors attempted to manage my medication differently; however, these changes and adjustments to my medication made me unable to get out of bed, attend classes, and, therefore, do well in my courses.

I have already begun a new plan that will help me in achieving academic success in the future. Since the semester has come to an end, I have been seeing a new psychiatrist and have been taken off all medication. I have been started on a treatment called Neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a specialized type of Biofeedback. Biofeedback is the use of instrumentation to mirror physiological processes of which the individual is not normally aware and which may be brought under voluntary control. Neurofeedback monitors the brain activity of the user and displays this information back to the user. Once the user becomes aware of their own mental activity the goal of Neurofeedback is to then adjust and self-regulate that activity to achieve a more calm, focused mental state. It has also been proven to help with depression and anxiety. I have now just finished my first six sessions and am already seeing improvements in my memory, concentration, mood, and overall health. I am looking to continue with these sessions to better equip myself for the upcoming academic year.

If the appeal to drop SOCY 211 and PHIL 259 is granted, I will be retaking SOCY 211, as well as taking another course this summer through Western University, in order to satisfy my program requirements.

Thank you for your consideration,
Alexandrina Pinheiro