Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dr. Johanne Benard, Associate Dean,


I am seeking to appeal a late drop from Pols 385 from my course load this semester. My primary reason for my desire to drop this course is that I have been suffering from powerful migraines, which have caused my academic performance to suffer. My migraines started earlier this year around mid September and have been continuing since.
My migraines have made it particularly difficult for me to focus in class and have made it hard for me to study at night, working on a computer at night has become especially frustrating. My migraines have heavily affected my sleep and study patterns which in turn have negatively affected my academics. I am looking to specifically drop 385, as it is not a required course for my major, which I am looking to change next academic year. Furthermore the majority of the assessments in Pols 385 are still not due with only around 30 having been marked. I'm hoping that a lighter course load will make it easier for me to deal with these migraines and will help me solve what could be causing them. My migraines usually persist from midday at around 5 pm to early morning usually between 3 or 4 am, making it difficult for me to study and pay attention in classes. Politics 385 is a night class meaning I have particularly struggled to maintain focus during the lectures (6:30 - 9:30pm).
I am doing a number of things in an attempt to solve my migraine issue; I have gone to my family doctor and recently, at the doctors request I have gotten an MRI, which I hope will allow for better understanding of my migraines. I have also, at the doctor's recommendation been changing my diet and workout routines to possibly pinpoint a particular food or workout, which could be causing these migraines.
I hope to solve this problem, through the recommendations of the doctors, and by taking lighter course loads in the future so that these migraines will not be as detrimental to my academics as it has been this semester. I've contacted my family doctor to fax the faculty at 613-533-2467, information on my migraines.