Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am writing this petition letter in hopes of having ARTH 210 offered by Ron Spronk dropped from my transcript rather than having it impact my GPA due to extenuating circumstances. I deeply value my education, and it is with utmost concern and determination that I address this issue.
During this previous winter semester, I encountered unforeseen health challenges that significantly impacted my ability to perform at my fullest potential. Specifically, I was diagnosed as being severely anemic, a condition which led to extreme fatigue (falling asleep during classes while obtaining more than 8h of sleep the previous night), weakness (was not able to go to the gym which is something I value and prioritize), mental exhaustion and difficulty in maintaining a consistent level of energy throughout the day. I was put on 300mg iron pills/day for three months, the symptoms persisted until my prescription was finished and that was not until after the winter semester.
One of the major obstacles I faced was the fact that ARTH 210 was only offered strictly in person, and the class material was not accessible outside of the classroom (i.e., powerpoint slides, lectures, notes). I was able to complete other course work okay because the material was posted onto OnQ although, ARTH 210 was strictly not, there was not an OnQ portal for that class (something to do with my professors work and copyright). Because I was unable to attend classes in-person, I missed out on: assignment guidelines, slides, lectures, notes, class discussions, readings which could only be accessed by being there in-person. These elements are critical to any course and I unfortunately was negatively impacted by the 100% in-person classroom style due to my condition. Email was the only form of communication to students and that was used for the syllabus and to submit assignments. Despite my best efforts, attending in-person classes became implausible.
I genuinely made every effort to manage my health situation throughout these times, mentally and physically. Physically I was resting, trying to on for walks at least once a day, cooking in a cast iron pan (to increase my iron consumption), eating iron enriched foods (to further increase my iron intake), and emotionally I continued therapy and discussed my situation with my peers. Despite my dedication and commitment, I was unable to meet the expectations outlined in the course due to the limitations imposed by my anemia.
I want to emphasize that my desire to excel academically remains unwavering. I firmly believe that a medical condition should not define my educational journey or hinder my pursuit of knowledge. I have always been a determined and dedicated student, and I refuse to let this setback affect my GPA or impede my future prospects in education.
In addition to the physical challenges, the emotional toll of this situation has also been significant. I have been under the care of a therapist for several years (beginning with one event, now focusing on this), and she can attest to the ongoing stress and perseverance I have displayed during this difficult time in my life. With her guidance, I have developed coping mechanisms to manage the psychological impact of my health condition, allowing me to maintain my focus and commitment to my education despite the challenges I faced.
I kindly request that you consider dropping ARTH 210 from my academic record, as this would enable me to maintain the academic standards I have set for myself and ensure that my GPA accurately reflects my true capabilities. I am more than willing to provide any necessary documentation, including medical records or statements from my therapist, to support my petition.
It is my sincerest hope that you understand the extenuating circumstances I faced during the winter semester and that you recognize my determination to succeed despite the obstacles I encountered. Dropping the course would not only relieve the undue burden on my GPA but also allow me to regroup and continue my academic journey with dedication.
I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing my petition. I would be grateful for an opportunity to discuss this matter further or provide any additional information that may assist in your evaluation. Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Hattie