Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Dear Board of studies,
In my decision letter, the Associate Dean mentioned that my challenges were commencing in September 2022, which was before the drop class deadline. I must acknowledge that my letter was unsuccessful in effectively elucidating the situation, particularly the timelines. In September 2022, protests began in Iran, and this is indeed accurate. However, for the initial two months, the impact on me was minimal since the protests were confined to my home country. While it was disheartening, I found it manageable, given that my family, friends, and relatives remained unaffected by these events.

In the middle of November, the situation took a turn for the worse, involving my family and friends more deeply. Around November 20th, my family, friends, and I became aware of the situation; furthermore, the matter gained widespread coverage in the news and on social media. Notably, my friend Mahan Sedarat Madani was apprehended by the government for participating in the protests to assert his fundamental rights. As time progressed, news circulated that the authorities intended to execute him by hanging, heightening my distress. This was an exceptionally challenging period, as a close friend, previously joyful and youthful, now faced the prospect of execution by hanging, merely for advocating for his rights without causing harm to anyone. Being close in age to him, the notion of my friend facing such an unjust fate was incomprehensible and agonizing. Every week, updates arrive from him, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the impending execution. His images were even displayed outside Stauffer Library, symbolizing the collective effort to secure his release.

To this day, he remains incarcerated, the reasons for his imprisonment remain elusive, and a search of his name provides a comprehensive account of the events. The culmination of this challenge coincided precisely with my final exams, rendering studying arduous. It was difficult to muster enthusiasm for academics when a dear friend's life hung in the balance due to his activism, not violence. The challenge did not cease with Mahan; as mentioned in my earlier correspondence, my family members are journalists who have faced intellectual persecution in Iran. My parents were compelled to cease their journalistic pursuits, as continuing could have dire consequences, including execution or imprisonment.

In Iran, even a tweet could lead to arrest and execution, exemplifying the gravity of the situation. This led to numerous financial difficulties, causing them to struggle with supporting me financially and even impacting their own financial stability. Consequently, I experienced heightened stress while living in a different country, compounded by concerns for my family's challenging situation in Iran.

Around February and March, further adversities befell my family. Regrettably, I am unable to provide details here due to safety concerns that extend to both me and my family's security. Revealing these specifics in writing could potentially jeopardize their safety, and I am more than willing to provide a comprehensive explanation during an in-person meeting if it is deemed necessary. From late November 2022 to nearly May 2023, the situation remained perilous, leaving me incapable of concentrating on studies, let alone strategizing to aid my family. Throughout this period, numerous journalists were detained, and casualties escalated,

intensifying the overall insecurity, particularly for my family members. Additionally, my father's telephone conversations were laden with caution, given the government's potential eavesdropping capabilities, and he was also providing guidance to help me navigate these concerns. This compounded my challenges, as I struggled to grasp the true extent of the circumstances. The situation was both unknown and deeply worrying for me, especially while maintaining a façade of normalcy over the phone. In March during one such conversation, he confided in me about matters I cannot disclose in this letter due to the significant safety concerns that exist for my family which I explained earlier.

Additionally, amid these traumatic events, persistent challenges, and underlying fears, I discovered that I suffer from ADHD, a condition that significantly hindered my ability to focus. The wellness center physician diagnosed me after my petition. This diagnosis shed light on the difficulties I had been experiencing, as studying became more arduous than ever. During the winter term, the confluence of familial turmoil, ADHD, and impending final exams created an exceedingly taxing environment for me. Despite these challenges, I refrained from dropping my courses, fueled by the hope that circumstances would improve. In January and mid-February, my father withheld information from me, but in May, he disclosed everything, leaving me with limited time to prepare for exams. My struggles with ADHD and concentration issues exacerbated the difficulty of studying, placing me in an exceptionally demanding predicament.

In conclusion, my initial letter inadequately delineated the timeline and omitted certain aspects due to safety concerns. Presently, I still find it unsafe to divulge all the details, which underscores my hesitation. However, I am more than willing to elaborate during an in-person meeting. Moreover, the Associate Dean observed in the decision letter that