Petition Letter
Dear Academic Standing and Petitions Committee,
I am writing to respectfully petition the Requirement to Withdraw decision I received following my 2025–2026 academic standing review. I understand the seriousness of this decision and the academic concerns that led to it. However, I am asking the Committee to reconsider my standing because my academic performance this year was significantly affected by medical circumstances beyond my control.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic gastrointestinal condition. Before receiving this diagnosis, I did not fully understand why I was struggling physically and mentally. Once I began treatment, I had to adjust to medical appointments, testing, medication, side effects, and the stress of managing a long-term medical condition for the first time.
These circumstances directly affected my academic performance. My symptoms and treatment affected my energy, focus, attendance, and ability to keep up with lectures, assignments, tests, studying, and coursework. I also had several medical appointments, specialist consultations, tests, and follow-up visits connected to my diagnosis and treatment. The timing and frequency of these appointments made it difficult to maintain a consistent academic routine. Even when I tried to stay on track, my physical symptoms and medication side effects made it difficult to complete my work at the level I know I am capable of.
The emotional stress of being diagnosed with a chronic illness also affected me. I was trying to understand and manage a medical condition I had never dealt with before while continuing as a full-time student. At the time, I underestimated how much my health was affecting my studies and tried to manage too much on my own. Looking back, I recognize that I should have reached out for academic support earlier.
Living off campus alone also made the situation more difficult. Managing my health, appointments, schoolwork, and daily responsibilities by myself contributed to isolation and made it harder to stay organized, motivated, and connected to support. This made it more difficult to recover academically once I began falling behind.
During the year, I was taking a demanding course load while also dealing with my diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, appointments, and medication side effects. My courses included CISC 102, CISC 121, COGS 100, HIST 109, and MUSC 156. The combination of this workload and my medical circumstances made it difficult to perform consistently across my courses.
Since beginning treatment, my condition has gradually improved, and I am now in a better position physically and mentally than I was during the school year. I have learned more about Crohn’s disease, how to manage my symptoms, and the importance of asking for support before problems become overwhelming. I have also continued following my medical treatment plan and attending required medical appointments.
I take responsibility for not seeking academic support sooner, but I respectfully ask the Committee to consider that my diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and adjustment period were significant extenuating circumstances that affected my ability to succeed this year. My academic performance during this period does not reflect my true ability, effort, or commitment to my degree.
I respectfully request that the Committee waive the Requirement to Withdraw and allow me the opportunity to continue my studies and demonstrate meaningful academic improvement. I have attached my doctor’s note as supporting documentation regarding my medical condition.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my petition.
Sincerely,
Kevin Johal
Student Number: 20548469
I am writing to respectfully petition the Requirement to Withdraw decision I received following my 2025–2026 academic standing review. I understand the seriousness of this decision and the academic concerns that led to it. However, I am asking the Committee to reconsider my standing because my academic performance this year was significantly affected by medical circumstances beyond my control.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic gastrointestinal condition. Before receiving this diagnosis, I did not fully understand why I was struggling physically and mentally. Once I began treatment, I had to adjust to medical appointments, testing, medication, side effects, and the stress of managing a long-term medical condition for the first time.
These circumstances directly affected my academic performance. My symptoms and treatment affected my energy, focus, attendance, and ability to keep up with lectures, assignments, tests, studying, and coursework. I also had several medical appointments, specialist consultations, tests, and follow-up visits connected to my diagnosis and treatment. The timing and frequency of these appointments made it difficult to maintain a consistent academic routine. Even when I tried to stay on track, my physical symptoms and medication side effects made it difficult to complete my work at the level I know I am capable of.
The emotional stress of being diagnosed with a chronic illness also affected me. I was trying to understand and manage a medical condition I had never dealt with before while continuing as a full-time student. At the time, I underestimated how much my health was affecting my studies and tried to manage too much on my own. Looking back, I recognize that I should have reached out for academic support earlier.
Living off campus alone also made the situation more difficult. Managing my health, appointments, schoolwork, and daily responsibilities by myself contributed to isolation and made it harder to stay organized, motivated, and connected to support. This made it more difficult to recover academically once I began falling behind.
During the year, I was taking a demanding course load while also dealing with my diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, appointments, and medication side effects. My courses included CISC 102, CISC 121, COGS 100, HIST 109, and MUSC 156. The combination of this workload and my medical circumstances made it difficult to perform consistently across my courses.
Since beginning treatment, my condition has gradually improved, and I am now in a better position physically and mentally than I was during the school year. I have learned more about Crohn’s disease, how to manage my symptoms, and the importance of asking for support before problems become overwhelming. I have also continued following my medical treatment plan and attending required medical appointments.
I take responsibility for not seeking academic support sooner, but I respectfully ask the Committee to consider that my diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and adjustment period were significant extenuating circumstances that affected my ability to succeed this year. My academic performance during this period does not reflect my true ability, effort, or commitment to my degree.
I respectfully request that the Committee waive the Requirement to Withdraw and allow me the opportunity to continue my studies and demonstrate meaningful academic improvement. I have attached my doctor’s note as supporting documentation regarding my medical condition.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my petition.
Sincerely,
Kevin Johal
Student Number: 20548469