Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: A) THE REQUEST

To complete outstanding work from my Winter 2022 semester courses: ECON 310, ECON 239, and GEOL 106 (which have been IN until Mid-September)

B) Explanation of the circumstance


Throughout the Winter 2022 semester, I had been coping with several personal circumstances that had extremely negative impacts on my academics/social/mental state (however, this appeal will focus on the academic factor). I had days of motivation, but more often than not, and especially towards the end of the semester, I had days where I was totally disconnected from school. I had contemplated dropping all of my courses and going back home early to focus on getting better, but given I am an international student, it would have been a very expensive burden on myself and my parents. That is why I constantly worked with a counselor at the wellness center, Emily Blacker (who can confirm this), and used accommodations and extensions to try and complete schoolwork. However, even with this, the personal circumstances had an extremely negative impact on my productivity, my studying, and my emotional/mental state, which all combined, led to sleepless nights, loss in appetite, no energy to go out or study, etc. Because of this, I wasn??t able to complete a lot of the work for some of my classes. I had informed my professors of my circumstances, and because of that, I was given an incomplete in the three classes I am addressing. My plan was to catch up and finish outstanding work throughout the summer before the fall 2022 semester, and I even tried to take two summer courses, which I wasn??t too successful with.
However, I went back home to Jordan at the end of the winter semester, and my mother had immediately signed me up for therapy, to begin my recovery and get me back on track. It was very difficult at first, and with that, my grandmother had passed away (which added fuel to the ongoing fire I was already in). I had started seeking therapy more constantly, and towards the middle of the summer, I was meeting the therapist every day as my mental health condition was at an extreme low, and it was severely affecting every aspect of my life. Throughout my therapy, I had sessions where I would focus on planning my success for completing the coursework (which was made up of study sessions, and time to work on assignments and essays). However, with my condition, my therapist insisted I detach myself at the time from any stressful environments (this was one of a few recommendations made) as a way to tackle my depression. This was enforced my mother who was really invested in my improvement. She had taken me to stay at our farmhouse, far away from the city, and had limited my usage of any social media platforms. I was only allowed to use my laptop to meet with my therapist every day. I was in this situation from Mid-May until the beginning of September. I had to prioritize myself getting better before being able to approach any other responsibilities I had, which included completing the outstanding coursework. This is why I was not able to complete the outstanding coursework I needed to throughout the summer, and which is why the IN turned into an F.

C) Future Plan

I understand the importance for a plan for success, although I had never expected to be in such a situation, things happen, and can lead to times of hardship like this. My plan for the future in terms of academics is to make sure I am receiving all the support possible. Thankfully, my mother has been, and is extremely supportive of my situation, which is why she has moved to Canada to be with me for the duration of this school year, to provide any support possible, and ensure I am doing my work. I have also been constantly seeing my therapist virtually (as he is back home). I have also reached out to the student wellness center to receive short-term accommodations for my schoolwork this term. I have also reached out to all of my professors from the courses I am appealing to explain this process, and ask about next steps. (All of my professors were understanding, and gave me permission to complete the outstanding coursework given this appeal is granted). I feel like I have been improving, and have made a lot of progress in the past few months, which is why I hope this appeal, can be granted. (I have already spoken to my professors, and have begun working on the outstanding coursework).