Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Dear Board of Studies,

I am appealing the Associate Dean??s decision to deny my appeal to drop PHIL240
(Summer) after the academic deadline.

My appeal was denied because my accommodation had been given by my professor and I still failed to turn in the outstanding assignment, until 15 days after the window my professor had given me. And, because I am lacking the documentation to confirm that there were in fact extenuating circumstances that prevented me for being able to meet this deadline. (Please note that in the decision letter it was incorrectly labeled 249).

While I understand this decision I do not agree with it. I did not explain the full severity of my situation in the original appeal because it is very hard to return to emotionally. However, I was deeply struggling this summer, in part due to my substance issues, but the root of it was that my two younger sisters were dealing with severe mental illness and it is very hard for me to this day. At this point they had both dropped out of High School and were just trying to get by. I would be happy to provide the dates my two sisters went to the hospital for an attempted overdose, and the other due to an extreme mental breakdown/psychotic episode. I did the very best I could to submit the assignment by ??mid-july? however I was seriously struggling with my mental health to the point wherein I am still affected by severe anxiety and depression. There was absolutely no way I would have been able to fulfill my responsibilities as a student in an environment where people I dearly love are suffering so intensely and in such close proximity. In fact, I am still dealing with the emotional toll it took on me to live at home this past year, and particularly the summer. I was only able to manage two classes last term and I am only taking one this term. I can get any documentation regarding the severity of my sister??s situations upon request, but I don??t want to have to explain why I could not get the essay done when the last thing on my mind was my school work during this time. If further proof that I was in an extreme depression is necessary I can provide evidence, despite that it is extremely difficult and disturbing to re-visit this situation.

Again, I respect the Associate Dean??s decision based on the depth of the information given, however with a deeper understanding of the situation I hope the severity my conditions can explain me turning in the assignment August 2nd.
Thank you for the consideration.

Olivia