Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am requesting to drop the failed grade for PHIL 493 from my transcript for the semester of Winter 2019. I struggled to complete the course during the regular semester, due to the impacts of my extenuating mental health circumstance. I originally took an incomplete grade in hopes that I would be able to finish the required assignment and then update the grade accordingly. I was not able to complete the assignment.

I began working full time in the spring of 2019, where I continue to be employed. The nature of my work did not allow me to work on the outstanding assignment during business hours, and my mental health severely impacted my ability to complete the assignment when not working. I am also regularly required to work extensive overtime hours. I did make concerted efforts to try to finish the assignment, and contacted the course instructor to determine if he would still accept it, which he supported. However, my condition worsened when my parents suddenly and unexpectedly divorced in the summer of 2019.

I have struggled with my mental health for the entirety of my degree. In the late summer of 2020, my family doctor referred me to a psychiatrist, who gave me a formal diagnosis of chronic reoccurring depression, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and borderline personality disorder traits. The diagnosis has been helpful in my journey towards managing my symptoms, which I am still endeavouring to do.

I enrolled in PHIL 470 for the most recent winter semester in hopes that a fresh start may allow me to complete the final 3 credits I needed to graduate. While I needed a few extra days to get the assignments in, I was successfully able to do so.

I am now requesting that the failure grade for PHIL 493 be removed from my transcript. I was delayed in applying for an appeal because of the extenuating circumstances I have briefly summarized. I feel that I have done my best at trying to complete my degree, and would like my transcript to reflect my efforts.

Thank you for your consideration.