Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

Thank you so much for your consideration of my extenuating circumstances. I first went into the hospital for surgery on March 18th, and submitted documentation for academic considerations in my courses on March 21st. I then developed complications and returned to the emergency room several times before submitting additional documentation to extend my considerations on March 29th. I was able to complete two of my courses in time to submit marks for the winter semester. I was then advised to consult with my professors for EPID 499 and PATH 430, who were able to give me a temporary incomplete grade for the winter semester. The plan was to complete these courses by June 30th so that I was able to graduate on time (note: I believe the date for grades to be updated has since been changed to July 6th for July 15th degree conferral).

When this plan was created, my medical team and I were optimistic that my complications would be resolved, and I would be able to return to my schoolwork at a reasonable pace. Unfortunately, this has been far from true. Over the past several months, I have had more procedures, tests and specialists visits than I can count. I am still in severe pain which significantly impacts my ability to complete schoolwork, both from a cognitive and physical perspective. It is extremely difficult to focus with the pain and other impairing symptoms, as well as find any position where I am physically comfortable and able to do work. All of my appointments and overall medical care also takes up large amounts of my time. We have not yet found anything that is effective in relieving the pain and I am still waiting to see several specialists. I have had no significant relief or improvement in pain or day-to-day functioning since my surgery. The degree of these complications and severity of my illness could not have been predicted when we originally set up the plan to complete my courses by June 30th.

I am aware that I must complete EPID 499 by July 6th in order to graduate, therefore I have been obligated to spend the limited amount of time I am able to do work on this course and I am making progress. I am asking that you please consider allowing me to drop PATH 430, as I took this as an extra course and I do not need it to graduate. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, however it is not feasible that I will be able to complete my remaining work (specifically the term paper) in the 2021 Summer Term and in time to graduate.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

All the best,
Tera Armel