Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Stephenson,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to formally petition for late enrollment in HIST 402-008 Indigenous Peoples & the British Empire, beyond the add deadline. I understand the importance of adhering to academic deadlines, and I sincerely appreciate your consideration of my request.

Unfortunately, unforeseen personal financial challenges delayed my ability to access transcripts, leading to an incorrect belief that I had registered for the requisite number of courses to complete my history degree this year. It was only upon meeting with Alexandra Geris, Undergraduate Program Assistant of the History Department, on Monday, January 22nd that I learned of my oversight. Ms. Geris had contacted me the previous Wednesday to coordinate a meeting; but regrettably, I did not become aware of the email until the Friday.

I want to assure you that I am taking proactive steps to improve my financial situation, such as securing part-time employment. I recognize that improved organization could have prevented this oversight, and I genuinely feel embarrassed about this lapse. Going forward, I am dedicated to addressing this shortcoming by consistently maintaining a higher level of organization throughout the semester. Additionally, I intend to improve my communication with academic support staff. Ms. Geris has provided assurance of the History Department's support for my petition, which is essential for the successful completion of my history degree this year. I am grateful for this support, and I sincerely hope you will consider my request favourably.

I recognize the significance of this request and am committed to making up for any missed coursework promptly. Following Ms. Geris' guidance, I attended the most recent HIST 402 seminar on Tuesday, Jan 23, and have already initiated contact with Professor Borsato to inquire about the material I may have missed and to seek guidance on how best to excel in his course.
Thank you for taking the time to review my petition. I am more than willing to provide any additional documentation or information if required. I look forward to the possibility of being accepted into HIST 402: Indigenous Peoples & the British Empire and appreciate your understanding of my situation.

Sincerely,

Bianca Blackwood