Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter to request a late course drop for PHGY 350, which I was enrolled in during the Winter 2024 academic term. This request is being made in light of a significant and ongoing health challenge that has impacted me throughout my studies, and specifically in this course.

During my first year of studies, I was prescribed fluoxetine as a treatment for my clinical depression. While this medication was intended to support me as I navigated living with depression, it caused unfortunate side effects that have negatively impacted my academic capacity. I experienced a lack of motivation, trouble concentrating, cognitive fatigue, and insomnia. All of these symptoms have made it very challenging to engage in courses that require consistent in-person attendance, such as PHGY 350. Despite my interest in the course content, I struggled to maintain the focus required for this course. Throughout the semester, I frequently traveled to Ottawa to stay with family members as I navigated my health concerns. These trips caused me to miss lectures that were critical for success on assignments and exams. I attempted to keep up with the course content, however I was unable to do so after missing so much time.

Although I had a strong desire to taper off my medication, I was concerned about the possibility of a serious mental health relapse. I was particularly fearful due to a difficult experience involving an immediate family member, who had attempted to stop their antidepressants and ended up being hospitalized for several months. Witnessing the impact that this had on my entire family has made me very apprehensive to stop treatment, even with the help of a medical professional. Although this treatment has interfered with my academic performance, I have just recently recovered from this experience with my family member and made the decision to taper off my medication.

Furthermore, while I had every intention of submitting this petition earlier, my ability to do so has been impacted by a personal tragedy that occurred this July as the result of a cabin fire. Since that event, I have been navigating the grief and trauma associated with it. My capacity for focus has been significantly affected by this, and I have not been able to focus on anything beyond my coursework, my part-time job, and wrapping up my research projects before graduation. I sincerely apologize for the delay in submitting this petition, and hope that you will still consider this letter.

The mark that I received for the PHGY 350 course does not accurately reflect the kind of student that I am, or the effort that I typically put into my education. It represents a period of time where I was unable to effectively manage my mental health and the side effects of my medication. I have worked hard to maintain a strong academic record throughout my degree, and have tried to remain resilient and committed to education in the face of personal challenges. I respectfully request that this course be removed from my transcript so that it does not affect my academic standing or future opportunities.

I am prepared to provide documentation from healthcare professionals regarding my diagnosis, treatment, and the effects of the traumatic event I experienced. Although it has been a difficult decision, I hope that tapering off of my fluoxetine with the help of a medical professional will have a positive impact on my motivation and overall well-being.

I want to thank you for taking the time to consider this request. I am grateful to be a part of a university that recognizes the impact that mental health and personal circumstances intersect with academic performance. Please contact me if you require any further information.

Thank you,

Julia Deuville