Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing to the associate dean (Academic) to late drop CISC 221 Winter Term 2021. I have been dealing with extenuating circumstances related to my mental health and personal circumstances. Throughout January and February, I was severely isolated due to COVID-19 restrictions which impacted my mental health while experiencing complications in my some of my relationships were extremely upsetting and further isolating. During this period, I had volatile changes in my housing situation for serious reasons that forced me to change housing multiple times in different provinces and on different sides of the country. The changes in my living situation and the circumstances that forced them were extremely stressful and upsetting and further impacted my mental health. Throughout this time in CISC 221, there were changes in the course work and course expectations that were unclear and not clarified till mid-March. Near the deadline, I intended to drop the course but missed the deadline by hours. As the term progressed, I attempted to complete the course requirements as best I could but over time it became evident that I was unable to catch up. In order to support my mental wellness, I set goals for self-care and balance time management, removed myself from some of my harmful relationship and living situations, and was in contact with my family doctor. But, despite my best efforts my mental health continued to be negatively impacted and increasingly worsened my academic situation. I am appealing to late drop only this course due to the fact some of my other courses were full-year courses that I had already made progress on which was helpful, as well as the fact I've received short-term academic accommodations for those classes. The other courses I had taken were building on my previous knowledge and in CISC 221 the combination of the disorganized course content and expectations made it especially difficult to complete the requirements. I have made personal and academic adjustments to resolve the difficulties at hand such as attending counseling, and this summer I plan to take a break from school to focus on my mental health. These aspects are essential to my mental health and my academic goals such that they will allow me to continue my education in the Fall. I am also checking with an academic advisor to ensure that I will be able to continue moving forward in my program and organize myself such that I will have a plan to succeed when I return. Going into the fall, I am in contact with and plan to have consistent meetings with counseling services as well as other services at student wellness and register with QSAS for the next school year. I know that I will be able to better support myself and my academics this way and return to my studies as I have been successful in the past.