Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: February 15th, 2023

Re: Letter of Appeal

To whom it may concern,

I am a 20 year independent student working towards a university education that is out of my reach without the financial support of the Chernoff Award. I have no parental support, nor a home to go back to. I have paid rent and worked to support myself since the age of 17. I rely on the Chernoff to pay for rent, groceries, books, and my other living expenses.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in January 2022 and spent the rest of the year adjusting to the various therapies and medications used as a part of my treatment plan. I have worked very hard to overcome these difficulties while managing my precarious financial situation, but unforeseen illness and an inability to access medical treatment for my chronic migraines led to a term of incomplete courses in Fall 22. Most of my professors were accommodating and worked with me to help me complete my work. Despite my circumstances and existing accommodations, Professor Ian Cromb has repeatedly denied my requests to take an incomplete or apply for Aegrotat in ECON 111.

I first reached out to my course TA, Tyrique Hamil, on December 1st, 2022. He responded on December 3, 2022 and advised that I would hear back from Professor Cromb within the next few days. Despite several follow up emails, I did not receive a response until December 16th, 2022 wherein Professor Cromb denied my request outright. We exchanged several emails back and forth, with me highlighting my existing accommodations and difficulties with illness. These appeals resulted in the same denial and unwillingness to grant an incomplete.

I consulted with my scholarship advisor, Teresa Alm, regarding the situation and she directed me to reach out to the head of the department who, in turn, directed me to file an appeal here. I need to complete two projects and the final exam, and if that is too much, I am willing to complete the two projects and apply for Aegrotat. I have done everything in my power to reach out early and resolve this issue, yet I was ignored for weeks before having the issue dragged out over two additional months.
I have worked incredibly hard to get myself out of the circumstances in which I grew up. I took ECON 111 out of a passion for the subject and an interest in furthering my knowledge and had no idea that it would spiral into this mess that threatens my ability to complete my studies. I write this appeal because I need to maintain a minimum of three courses per term to retain my scholarship and retroactively dropping ECON 111 would put me below that number. I write this appeal because I have fought to be here and fought to succeed; I will continue to fight against this injustice that threatens my future at your institution.

Academic Plan

I have secured regular treatment for my medical issues and continue to attend both Cognitive Behavioural and Occupational Therapy. I have had success in the current term and will work alongside my therapy team and QSAS advisor to ensure my successes translate into long term stability in regards to my academics at this institution.

Thank you,
Samuel Lowe
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