Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

My name is Ehis McEwen-Imoisili, and I have asked for a waiver of the one-term appeal regulation. I am requesting to drop a total of 5 courses between Fall 2019 and Fall 2020. While I realize this is a rather unorthodox request, I have experienced a series of extenuating circumstances related to disability and health struggles.

Early in the Winter of 2019, I fell sick with a kidney infection and began to struggle academically. After receiving academic consideration and working with my professors, I noticed I still had trouble maintaining my academic load and approached my family physician about stress and anxiety surrounding making deadlines, attending class, and maintaining focus in school. On February 28, 2019, my physician provided me with a letter requesting academic accommodation for the semester. Unfortunately, I had fallen too far behind in DEVS 392 (Winter 2019). After discussion with Professor Ayca Tomac, we agreed it would be best for me to appeal to late drop the course as I was not in a position mentally to attempt to complete it over the summer.

When things had not improved by July of 2019, I was referred to a specialist for a developmental disability assessment. I had hoped to be assessed in time for the upcoming fall semester. However, the soonest available specialist appointment was in October. Unfortunately, I was told by QSAS that I was ineligible for accommodations without a diagnosis and continued to struggle with my undiagnosed ADHD well into the Fall 2019 semester. When I finally received my diagnosis in late fall, I submitted my QSAS intake forms and began reaching out to my professors regarding my newly acquired accommodations in November. Aware of my previous struggles, professor Tomac of DEVS260 and I once again agreed it would be best to appeal for a late drop in DEVS260 (Fall 2019) and focus on my other courses. As a result, professor Karen Dubinsky granted me an incomplete in DEVS492(Fall 2019), and I intended to finish the course in the Winter semester.
When the Covid-19 hit, my priorities shifted. Like all students, I was affected by the abrupt closure and elected to pass/fail two out of three courses. Unfortunately, amid the chaos of the pandemic was unable to finish the incomplete DEVS492 course by the extended August deadline.

While I wish I could say my troubles ended there, but they did not. As a full-time essential worker, I experienced what is now commonly known as ¿¿COVID fatigue.¿ I became extremely depressed and suicidal, resulting in physician-recommended disability leave in September of 2020. I underwent emergency psychiatric treatment for my mental illness and subsequently failed the Fall 2020 semester (DEVS 340 and DEVS 393) while incapacitated.

I remain in treatment to address my mental health issues and have made exceptional progress this year. With my disability and mental health under control, I have maintained good standing in the Winter 2020 semester. I have connected with QSAS for additional supports and have been upfront with my current professors about my condition in order to navigate any periods of mental decline. I continue to work hard to get both my personal and academic life back on track, and this appeal is a part of that process. I recognize several terms have passed since I took some of these courses, but facing one extenuating circumstance after the next, I never found the time to get back on my feet.

I hope that my candor has provided you with enough rationale to consider my case. If you need any other information, please don¿¿t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Ehis McEwen-Imoisili (20029803)