Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Subject: Appeal for Grade Adjustment – HIST 252 and HIST 265

Dear Associate Dean,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to appeal for a grade adjustment in two of my courses, HIST 252 and HIST 265, from the Fall semester of 2022.

While I understand the university’s policies and expectations regarding course planning and performance, I would like to bring to light a significant life event that I experienced during this period. In the Fall semester of 2022, I became a mother. The joys of welcoming a new life are immense, but so are the challenges that accompany childbirth and the immediate postpartum period.

It was my initial belief that childbirth would be recognized as an exenuating circumstance, granting me some leniency in my academic pursuits. However, I was later informed that this was not the case, and as a result, I tried my utmost to juggle both the rigors of new motherhood and my academic responsibilities. It was an extremely challenging period for me, both physically and mentally. The sleepless nights, the hormonal changes, the postpartum recovery, and the constant need to care for a newborn are intense challenges that, unfortunately, cannot always be 'planned' around. In the end I only had two excused days off including the day I gave birth.

I always strive to achieve the best in my academic pursuits. The grades I received in HIST 252 and HIST 265 are not reflective of my potential or dedication but rather the unique and overwhelming circumstances I was facing at that time. A close look at my academic record will indicate that this performance is not typical of my capabilities.

I kindly request the university to consider adjusting my grades for HIST 252 and HIST 265 to a