Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Petitions Office,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to appeal for Credit Standing in my ECON 422 course from the Fall 2022 semester, due to exceptional and challenging health circumstances that significantly impacted my ability to complete coursework as initially intended. I kindly request that the grading weight for this course be adjusted to account for 100% of the coursework I was able to complete, allowing me to achieve Credit Standing based on the completed components.

In January 2022, I began experiencing serious health issues that led to a series of medical tests throughout February, without a definitive diagnosis. Despite my condition, I traveled to Canada to begin the semester but had to return to Jordan in early March for further evaluation, including potential cancer testing. My health continued to decline, and in April 2022, I was diagnosed with cancer, requiring multiple rounds of chemotherapy from May to August. This intensive treatment prevented me from fully engaging in academic responsibilities.

Although I returned to my studies in the Fall 2022 semester, my health struggles persisted. During the reading week, I had to travel back to Jordan for additional chemotherapy, which affected my ability to stay on top of coursework. Compounding these difficulties, I began experiencing severe mental health challenges, including panic attacks and symptoms later diagnosed as schizophrenia. These issues further impeded my academic performance and extended into April 2023, when the deadline for submitting academic appeals had already passed.

In Summer 2023, I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where I spent nearly eight months undergoing treatment. Following my discharge in February 2024, I initiated the process of writing appeal letters for various courses. However, I faced another hospitalization while preparing the appeal for the current matter, further delaying my ability to address the missed deadlines.

Regarding Assignment 2, I received a 0% despite having academic consideration granted for the period during which it was due. The professor was aware of the academic consideration, but no accommodation was made for this assignment, unlike other students who had similar considerations. Given these circumstances, I was unable to manage coursework or submit any academic petitions during the affected period. I am now in a stable position and respectfully request an adjustment to the grading weight for ECON 422, so that 100% of the course can be considered based on the assignments I completed. This adjustment would enable me to obtain Credit Standing in the course, reflecting my efforts despite the significant health barriers I faced.

I am also aware that Aegrotat Standing is a possible option, but I would consider this as a last resort, as I believe it would not provide a fair accommodation for the challenges I experienced. My preference is to pursue a solution that more accurately reflects the work I was able to complete during the course.

Additionally, I am open to the option of extending an incomplete grade to allow me to complete the missed assignment. I understand that the Petitions Office mentioned reaching out to the instructor currently teaching ECON 422 this semester to discuss potential accommodations. If extending the incomplete grade is a viable option, I would be willing to complete the assignment alongside the current students, or an equivalent second assignment, to fulfill the course requirements.

I have included relevant medical documentation with this appeal, providing context and support for my request. I appreciate your understanding and consideration of my situation, and I am available to discuss any further details or provide additional information if necessary.

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this request.

Sincerely,
Saif.