Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

I am appealing to drop ANAT 409 (Winter 2020), and for an extension of incomplete (IN) status for NSCI 499 (Winter 2020), ENGL 161 (Fall 2020), and ENGL 162 (Winter 2021).

Previously, I appealed ANAT 409 and NSCI 499 and was allowed to complete them by the end of the Summer 2021 term. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the courses in the time allotted. Furthermore, I originally requested to appeal ENGL 161 for an extension of IN status, however, the IN status had not expired thus it was not eligible for appeal. Though the IN status had not expired I was having difficulties completing the extended course and other courses at that time, including ENGL 162.
The issues I have been experiencing that have been affecting my ability to complete my schoolwork intensified in the spring of 2020. I understand that students are not to appeal ongoing extenuating circumstances or circumstances that are not being addressed. Thus, I did not submit my first appeal regarding these courses until the spring of 2021. During that interim period, I was in the process of working through my circumstances. Unfortunately, while I continued to work through these circumstances after my appeal was granted there remained exacerbations beyond my control. Therefore, there have been many interruptions to all aspects of my life including my academics that have made additional appeals necessary. I remain devoted to my academics and have continued to communicate these issues and to try to address them through the proper channels.

During the summer of 2021, I was able to make progress in my incomplete courses and I communicated with my professors about my courses work. However, nearing the end of my allotted time period this progress was stopped due to the presence of severe extenuating circumstances. The severity and timeline of these circumstances have been supported with documentation.
Regarding my inability to complete the courses I was in communication with my professors for ANAT 409 (Stephen Pang), NSCI 499 (Michael Kawaja), and ENGL 161 and 162 (Adam Cotton). My professors confirmed that they would accept my work in light of my circumstances, please see the attached emails documenting this communication and agreement ??Permission emails 1, 2, and 3?. Although ENGL 161 and ENGL 162 had not been appealed I was working to complete the courses after the IN status expired with permission from my professor which was agreed upon after I was in consultation with the English department, please see the included supporting document ??Additional ENGL support?. With all this, I continued to work towards their completion and was able to complete NSCI 499 and make progress in English. However, despite these agreements, leading up to this appeal I have been informed that I may only address these courses with an approved appeal at this time.
Therefore, I am appealing for a formal extension of IN status for NSCI 499, ENGL 161, and ENGL 162. I am appealing to drop ANAT 409 instead of an extension of IN status for the following reasons: in order to best promote successful completion it is necessary to appropriately limit the number of outstanding courses at this time; this course is no longer a necessary prerequisite; most significantly I have not been able to make substantial progress in this course, this is negatively affected by the fact that I no longer have access to most of the online and lab materials and Prof. Pang has confirmed that he cannot grant me access at this time.

Furthermore, despite the exacerbation of extenuating circumstances that stopped my progress over the summer I continued to work through my circumstances with the help of my care team and to work on my courses with the permission of my professors. I was able to successfully complete my NSCI 499 thesis in its entirety, and it has been marked by my professors. Additionally, I have made progress towards my ENGL courses and have the support of my professor to complete them at this time. It is only necessary for me to receive a short extension period to address the remaining requirements for my ENGL courses. The approval of these requests will allow me to appropriately address the ENGL failures and have my thesis work accepted in order for me to graduate. Therefore, it is critical for me to move forward and so I am highly dedicated to accomplishing this at this time.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my letter. I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration. I am able to provide further information regarding this letter as necessary.

Best regards,

Osarumwense Brenda Omoruna