Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am writing to you to appeal for a request to waive the 21-day deadline for a late add into the course ARTF 337 - Advanced Programs Section 001 with professor Rebecca Anweiller. I have attached the supporting documentation necessary which includes a letter from a professional counsellor, instructor support, undergraduate chair support, and my academic plan for completing the course work.

This summer I was faced with extenuating circumstances with my family in my hometown Brampton. Due to this personal matter, I had to stay in Kingston and work to support myself in my apartment as being home gave me incredible anxiety. In July and August, I worked as a hostess at a restaurant 5 days a week. During August I became extremely depressed, and this was also relevant during September and October. As I started this academic year, I was feeling incredibly anxious about my performance, as well as attending classes in person. I was feeling unmotivated, hopeless and scared. I have always loved art as it is my biggest passion, and I was terrified of not being able to perform in class to the best of my abilities. I was feeling a lot of pressure, and my anxiety was unbearable. I chose to drop my art class, ARTF 337 on September 22 fairly abruptly since I did not want to lose any money and the last day to drop classes without financial penalty was around this time. I had realized that I was incredibly burnt out from the summer and needed to take some time to better my mental health.

From September 22 onward I was taking it upon myself to continue to paint using the access to the studio space in Ontario Hall that I was granted. I was still using the same space I would have had I still been enrolled in ARTF 337. There were times where I was present during class time and would speak to Rebecca about what I had been working on. I feel a great sense of community in my class and was disheartened to think that I wouldn't be able to be around my talented classmates, but was lucky that Rebecca, Alejandro, and the entire Fine Arts program allowed for me to still feel this sense of community. Through this break from class, I was able to seek counselling from student wellness services, and focus on my mental health. I have been able to improve my eating habits dramatically, as well as get my anxiety under control.

I spoke to Rebecca on November 11 and updated her on how I was feeling better, and felt ready to return to class the next semester. Rebecca expressed that she would be fine with me returning to class to complete the remainder of the semester and gain the credit for ARTF 337 so that I can graduate with my class. It was not possible for me to complete this appeal within the 21-day deadline as I was not aware that Rebecca would be okay with me being added back into the course until November 11. I took some time to think about the decision and decided to attempt to re-enroll back into ARTF 337 and complete the course. I was not aware that there was such a thing as submitting an academic appeal until after November 11, so I would not have been able to make this request in time. Additionally, my anxiety and depression did not get substantially better until the beginning of November, therefore I would not have made the decision to re-enroll in time for the 21 day deadline as my mental health was not where I needed it to be.

I have been putting in the effort to catch up with my classmates on my own time for the past week, and I am attending class everyday starting today, Monday November 22. Regardless of if this appeal to waive the 21 day deadline and my appeal to join the class gets approved, I am working incredibly hard on my art. I have been consistent with painting this semester regardless of if I was in the class or not because it is truly my passion. I would be extremely grateful to get this chance to get right back on track with my studies, while maintaining the amazing friendships and connections I have made to my classmates and professors.

Thank you for your consideration,

Meenakashi Ghadial
She/her