Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing in order to appeal to drop two Winter 2002 courses after the drop deadline.

As background, I became ill midway through second semester. I had not anticipated at the outset that I was going to miss the remainder of the second semester and was in Intensive Care at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto during the drop period. Below please find the background on my condition. In addition, I have attached supporting documentation from my doctors.

On February 16th, I was diagnosed and treated for infectious mononucleosis at Hotel Dieux hospital in Kingston. I was treated with oral steriods, and sent home that evening. At this time I returned to Toronto to recover at home with the support of my family. Unfortunately, February 17th I was treated at Sunnybrook Hospital Emergency as I was having troubles breathing from extremely swollen tonsils as a result of the mono. I was put on IV steriods and sent home later that evening. The next day, I applied for an Academic Consideration as I was not well enough to finish off my assignments prior to reading week given my condition.

During Reading week, my condition worsened and I was admitted by ambulance to Sunnybrook hospital on February 23rd, where I remained in treatment in the Intensive Care Unit for 20 days (until March 14th). During this time, I was diagnosed with septicemia from Strep Angenosis, tachycardia, two pleural effusions and pneumonia in addition to the mono. In hospital I required oxygen and IV antibiotic treatment and was in isolation due to my constant fevers. While in hospital I did my best to communicate with the school and professors and extend my Consideration where possible. I also engaged the Academic Accommodations office. That said, I was very unwell and communication was difficult.

I was discharged from hospital March 14th on a treatment of IV antibiotics daily, until April 14th. I required daily assistance with the IV medications and weekly clinic visits in Toronto. In addition, I had lost 40 lbs during my hospital stay, and required help with basic daily activities (e.g. climbing stairs, showering) making a return to campus impossible. In addition, one of the side effects of the medication is extreme fatigue and I was sleeping up to 5 hrs during each day and working to recondition my body to get back my strength. Attending online lectures or engaging in any reading or labs was not possible given my condition at this time.

Given this, on March 17th, I talked with the Academic Considerations office to understand how to move forward given I was still very unwell and knew I could not attend classes. I also engaged with the Kinesiology Academic Counselling office on Monday March 21st to better understand any implications to my particular program and future progression. On the 21st of March, I applied for IN consideration across all of my courses.

Unfortunately I became febrile on March 24th, and was readmitted to hospital with a new left lower lung abscess. During my time in hospital, I was treated with IV antibiotics, and also had a bronchoscopy to assess future treatment and my lung infection. I was discharged on March 30th and given an additional course of antibiotics to continue for 30 days along with my existing IV treatment. I was reassessed on April 14th at Sunnybrook hospital and moved to a treatment plan of oral antibiotics for the next few weeks.

I am now home from hospital and recuperating, but have been advised by my professors that I cannot be granted IN status on two of my courses (BIO 103 and KPNE 167) given that I have missed a fair amount of course material. At the beginning of my illness, I was not aware that my illness would take me out of class for the remainder of the semester. In addition, I was unfortunately in Intensive Care during the drop deadline, and missed the cut off date. Given that I have not been granted IN status and am not able to complete these two courses I am now appealing the late drop deadline to ensure that my transcript remains clean, and I am able to progress in my program.

Thank you for your consideration.
Jake