Petition Letter
I am writing to formally appeal a DR removal and full refund for KNPE 493 during the 2025 Winter Term. Due to extenuating circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to fully participate in the course as intended, and I believe my situation warrants reconsideration.
At the beginning of the term, I developed a severe throat infection that significantly impacted my ability to attend class. Given that this course was highly discussion-oriented, my condition made active participation—one of the key aspects of the course—extremely difficult. My illness prevented me from speaking for prolonged periods, which was essential for engaging in class discussions. As a result, I made the difficult decision to focus on completing and submitting my weekly assignments remotely, with the expectation that I would return to in-person discussions as soon as my health improved. Throughout the term, I submitted my assignments consistently, believing that this would allow me to remain engaged with the course material despite my absence.
However, despite my ongoing efforts, I did not receive any grades or feedback on my submissions for an extended period. It was only after a conversation with my instructor—one that unfortunately became quite heated—that I was informed that I would receive some of my grades. The conversation ended abruptly when my instructor left, stating that he would follow up regarding my assignments. I finally received my first graded assignment on March 3rd, which was after the deadline to drop the course without penalty.
Receiving my first grade so late in the term was extremely detrimental to my progress. Since this course relied heavily on continuous improvement through weekly assignments, having no feedback or grades for most of the term left me at a severe disadvantage. Without any indication of how I was performing, I was unable to adjust my work or improve based on instructor expectations. I had no opportunity to learn from my mistakes or refine my approach, which ultimately hindered my academic development in the course. Had I received timely feedback, I would have been able to assess my standing and make necessary adjustments. Additionally, had I known my grades earlier, I could have made an informed decision about whether to continue or drop the course before the penalty-free deadline.
After consulting with my instructor and other mentors, I ultimately decided to withdraw from the course. However, given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding my illness and the delayed feedback on my work, I am requesting the DR be removed from my academic record in addition to a full refund on the course.
I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing my appeal. Please let me know if you require any additional information or documentation to support my request. I am happy to provide further details as needed.
At the beginning of the term, I developed a severe throat infection that significantly impacted my ability to attend class. Given that this course was highly discussion-oriented, my condition made active participation—one of the key aspects of the course—extremely difficult. My illness prevented me from speaking for prolonged periods, which was essential for engaging in class discussions. As a result, I made the difficult decision to focus on completing and submitting my weekly assignments remotely, with the expectation that I would return to in-person discussions as soon as my health improved. Throughout the term, I submitted my assignments consistently, believing that this would allow me to remain engaged with the course material despite my absence.
However, despite my ongoing efforts, I did not receive any grades or feedback on my submissions for an extended period. It was only after a conversation with my instructor—one that unfortunately became quite heated—that I was informed that I would receive some of my grades. The conversation ended abruptly when my instructor left, stating that he would follow up regarding my assignments. I finally received my first graded assignment on March 3rd, which was after the deadline to drop the course without penalty.
Receiving my first grade so late in the term was extremely detrimental to my progress. Since this course relied heavily on continuous improvement through weekly assignments, having no feedback or grades for most of the term left me at a severe disadvantage. Without any indication of how I was performing, I was unable to adjust my work or improve based on instructor expectations. I had no opportunity to learn from my mistakes or refine my approach, which ultimately hindered my academic development in the course. Had I received timely feedback, I would have been able to assess my standing and make necessary adjustments. Additionally, had I known my grades earlier, I could have made an informed decision about whether to continue or drop the course before the penalty-free deadline.
After consulting with my instructor and other mentors, I ultimately decided to withdraw from the course. However, given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding my illness and the delayed feedback on my work, I am requesting the DR be removed from my academic record in addition to a full refund on the course.
I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing my appeal. Please let me know if you require any additional information or documentation to support my request. I am happy to provide further details as needed.