Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: October 5, 2015.

Dear Sir or Madam:
I am providing this letter to appeal for credit standing in MATH 232 - Differential Equations. I would like to appeal because significant life stressors, as well as an illness, have had an impact on my success in the course.
This past April, I enrolled in two courses: MATH 232 (Differential Equations), and BIOL307 (Field Biology, a course in New Brunswick in July), fully believing that I had the possibility of success in both. In addition to taking these two courses, I held a full time job for the Town Of Oakville.
At the time of enrolment in MATH 232, Professor Ableson, whose first year online Calculus course I had been successful in previously (Grade B), had kindly offered me the opportunity to complete the exam in September, even though the course ended in July, since there was overlap in the two courses and I would be away at BIOL307 in New Brunswick during the exam. I was very appreciative of this flexibility.
I continued to work on my Calculus course throughout the summer. However, unexpectedly, in July, my grandfather became critically ill, and entered ICU. He remained hospitalized in ICU through July, again in August, and subsequently entered palliative care at the end of August. This did detract from my ability to devote the kind of time to the course that I wished to, since I had a great deal on my plate with two courses ending, working, and caring for my brother while my parents were sole caregivers for my grandfather.
In late August, I moved into my new house in Kingston. It was my plan to re-devote my attention to Calculus as I knew there had been a long break between the end of the course and my exam. Unfortunately, I developed a respiratory infection two days before my exam. At the time, I did not want to take time out to seek medical attention for it, and just put up with it for the exam.
More significantly, a few days before the final exam, my girlfriend of three years informed me that she wished to end our relationship.
I was not expecting to be writing my MATH 232 exam ill, while also grieving the loss of a very significant relationship in my life, as well as preparing for the end of life of my grandfather. When it came time to write, I kept looking at the material on the test knowing I had gone over it so many times, but I couldn't focus while writing.
I have attached supporting documentation related to my grandfather's illness and have contacted my physician for further supporting documentation related to my own health. I have also followed up with counseling appointments to provide support at this difficult time as I work through my goal to be academically successful.
I am hopeful that my application for credit standing will be successful.

Sincerely,

Kieran DeFilippis