Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Subject: Request to Waive Petition Deadline

Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

I am writing to request an exception to the one-year deadline for submitting a Petition for Aegrotat Standing due to extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control.
As outlined in the Academic Regulations, I understand that the petitions must be submitted within one year of the end of the term in which the class was offered. However, due to ongoing mental health challenges, specifically related to diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder, I was unable to submit my petition within this time frame.

During my second academic year, my symptoms worsened significantly, leading to severe distress, functional impairments, and an inability to meet academic requirements. These challenges culminated in a motor vehicle accident in which I was the driver. The accident significantly impacted my ability to focus and perform on my exams. This, combined with my ongoing mental health struggles, affected me well into my third academic year. I was unable to concentrate, complete any coursework, or manage my academic responsibilities.

I have only recently received the official medical documentation from my family physician, which verifies the timing and impact of my conditions on my academic performance. The medical letter was provided to me on September 3, 2024, after a significant waiting period. Over the last 14 months, I have undergone extensive psychological assessments and trials of medication treatments, which contributed to the delay in obtaining this documentation. This made it impossible for me to submit the petition within the designated timeframe.
In light of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that you approve my request to waive a petition deadline and allow me to submit my petition now. I am fully committed to continuing my studies and believe that with the appropriate support and accommodations, I can improve my academic performance moving forward. A new medication that I started in May of 2024 has been working very well, and both my doctor and I have noticed a significant improvement in my condition.

I am enclosing the medical letter from my physician, along with the York Regional Police report from the motor vehicle accident. I hope you find that this documentation supports that my extenuating circumstances were substantial and directly contributed to my academic difficulties. Should you require any other documentation, please let me know.

Thank you very much for your understanding and consideration.
Sasha Lagoutine