Petition Letter
September 15, 2022, 2022
To Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am appealing to drop one winter term 2022 course after the drop deadline, due to extenuating circumstances involving severe complications to my mental health throughout the winter 2022 term and the summer. The course I would like permission to drop is:
HIST 242
I became ill early during the winter 2022 term, and sought academic accommodations by requesting incomplete grades for three of my four courses that term, with the coursework to be completed throughout the summer prior to August 30th. My various intructors graciously granted these requests. Of these incomplete courses, I could only complete two due to the complications arising from my condition. I discussed and implemented revisions to my medications with my psychiatrist to improve my state of mind throughout the whole summer. However, the effects of the medication have yet to improve my condition sufficiently. I have attached with this request a letter from my psychiatrist, Dr. McCulloch, attesting to my illness and its impact on me.
When experiencing a mental health crisis, my academic performance can become severely compromised. I suffer from various cognitive difficulties, such as an inability to focus, during periods of unwellness, making the completion of coursework on a standard timeline impossible for me. In particular, I experience a reduction in my ability to process written and spoken language, which makes the coursework inherent to my history degree particularly challenging. Consequently, despite my best efforts, I could not complete the outstanding coursework for HIST 242.
If my request is granted, I will alter my approach to my academic commitments during the final year of my undergraduate degree to ensure that possible downturns to my mental health do not unduly impact my ability to complete my courses. I am confident that the measures I have already implemented throughout my time as a student have already yielded benefits, as evidenced by the improvement in my academic performance and ability to complete courses. Building on my current strategies will require that I continue close collaboration with my psychiatrist, Dr. McCulloch, and my QSASS advisor if I begin to feel that the state of my health is slipping out of my control. Further, I intend to continue connecting with a therapist for psychotherapy sessions to give me the tools and structure to maintain a solid mental health foundation throughout the coming year. My intent is to take a full course load this term, as during the winter 2023 term. However, I am confident that I will use the various resources at my disposal to overcome the kinds of difficulties that incapacitated me during the winter 2022 term. In particular, having established the foundation for an effective medication-based response to my condition has given me considerably more functionality and reduced the extent and duration of periods of unwellness.
Thank you for considering this appeal. I am confident that if granted, the plan I have outlined will allow me to complete the final year of my bachelor??s degree smoothly.
Sincerely,
Ethan Dignam
10156428
To Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am appealing to drop one winter term 2022 course after the drop deadline, due to extenuating circumstances involving severe complications to my mental health throughout the winter 2022 term and the summer. The course I would like permission to drop is:
HIST 242
I became ill early during the winter 2022 term, and sought academic accommodations by requesting incomplete grades for three of my four courses that term, with the coursework to be completed throughout the summer prior to August 30th. My various intructors graciously granted these requests. Of these incomplete courses, I could only complete two due to the complications arising from my condition. I discussed and implemented revisions to my medications with my psychiatrist to improve my state of mind throughout the whole summer. However, the effects of the medication have yet to improve my condition sufficiently. I have attached with this request a letter from my psychiatrist, Dr. McCulloch, attesting to my illness and its impact on me.
When experiencing a mental health crisis, my academic performance can become severely compromised. I suffer from various cognitive difficulties, such as an inability to focus, during periods of unwellness, making the completion of coursework on a standard timeline impossible for me. In particular, I experience a reduction in my ability to process written and spoken language, which makes the coursework inherent to my history degree particularly challenging. Consequently, despite my best efforts, I could not complete the outstanding coursework for HIST 242.
If my request is granted, I will alter my approach to my academic commitments during the final year of my undergraduate degree to ensure that possible downturns to my mental health do not unduly impact my ability to complete my courses. I am confident that the measures I have already implemented throughout my time as a student have already yielded benefits, as evidenced by the improvement in my academic performance and ability to complete courses. Building on my current strategies will require that I continue close collaboration with my psychiatrist, Dr. McCulloch, and my QSASS advisor if I begin to feel that the state of my health is slipping out of my control. Further, I intend to continue connecting with a therapist for psychotherapy sessions to give me the tools and structure to maintain a solid mental health foundation throughout the coming year. My intent is to take a full course load this term, as during the winter 2023 term. However, I am confident that I will use the various resources at my disposal to overcome the kinds of difficulties that incapacitated me during the winter 2022 term. In particular, having established the foundation for an effective medication-based response to my condition has given me considerably more functionality and reduced the extent and duration of periods of unwellness.
Thank you for considering this appeal. I am confident that if granted, the plan I have outlined will allow me to complete the final year of my bachelor??s degree smoothly.
Sincerely,
Ethan Dignam
10156428