Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Academic):


I am appealing for an extension of an Incomplete (IN) grade for PHIL 311 (Fall, 2021), an extension of an Incomplete (IN) grade for PHIL 362 (Fall, 2021), and to drop courses after the drop deadline PHIL 329 (Winter, 2022) and CISC 251 (Fall, 2021).

Due to extenuating circumstances, I was unable to complete PHIL 311 and PHIL 362 by the end of the Winter 2022 term. I am choosing to appeal for an extension of the IN grades for these courses rather than appeal to drop because I think that I have made sufficient progress with the incomplete coursework, and I would be able to complete it given more time. I have spoken with the instructors for these courses (PHIL 311 Prof. David Bakhurst; PHIL 362 Prof. Adèle Mercier) and they support my appeal for an extension of the IN grades.

The same circumstances also made it so that I was unable to complete PHIL 329. I had tried to request an Incomplete (IN) grade for PHIL 329 so that I could complete the coursework, but was unable to get the instructor's support, which is why I am appealing to drop the course. Likewise, I was also unable to get an Incomplete (IN) grade for CISC 251, thus I am appealing to drop the course.

Since the later part of the Fall 2021 term (after the drop deadline), I have been suffering from an acute episode of a chronic mental illness, including symptoms (as outlined in supporting documentation: Off-Campus Physician's Note) that have negatively affected my ability to fulfill academic duties. During the early stages of the episode, I felt that I might be able to recover sufficiently because I had successfully completed a few courses during the Winter 2021 and had been doing well. However, the added stress of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to course delivery and course assessments made it difficult to do so; though, I did manage to complete one of my courses in Fall 2021 under the circumstances. I was hopeful that I would be able to complete the incomplete coursework early in Winter 2022 term and had enrolled in some other courses, however, with the uncertainty due to the COVID-19 restrictions and flux with course delivery, I realized that I needed to reduce my course load and only kept one course (PHIL 329) for the Winter 2022 term at the Winter 2022 drop deadline. At the time, I felt that this was a reasonable choice because I was able to make some progress on the unfinished coursework for PHIL 311 and 362, and had been able to keep up with most of the reading for PHIL 329. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing worsening and severe stress, anxiety, and depression for the remainder of Winter 2022 and currently.

Regarding the future, it is very difficult to predict the onset, course, and duration of an episode of my mental illness, and I am working on improving my current condition. It helps that the stress of regulations and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has lessened. I feel as though I have been responsible with regards to my course load from the perspective of wanting to make better progress on my studies toward my program. I have been mindful with regards to drop deadlines to the best of my ability and only kept courses that would satisfy degree/program requirements for Fall-Winter 2021-2022. I had been optimistic because I had found some success during Winter 2021. I plan to continue to try to manage my mental health and improve my condition by Fall 2022 so that I can make progress on my degree program, to repeat and complete required courses as necessary, and my priority is to complete the incomplete coursework for PHIL 311 and PHIL 362 that I am currently working on. If an extension of the IN grades is not granted through the appeals process, then I appeal to drop PHIL 311 and PHIL 362.

I have attached some supporting documentation from my psychiatrist. I can provide further supporting documentation, if necessary.

Thank you for your time and consideration.


Sincerely,



Nancy Shiao-Yin Chua
Student 05277663