Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies):

I am writing to request permission to extend the 21 days and appeal the dropping of one of my 2016 winter electives, ASTR 102, which I did not obtain a passing grade for due to extensive health issues that impaired my ability to function normally. I would also like to appeal to extend the incomplete deadline for my other FILM 460 course.

At the end of the fall term, I began experiencing physical health issues that progressively worsened over the next few months, affecting my nutritional intake and subsequently my cognitive functions. This was coupled with mental health issues, and in particular I was diagnosed around March with a lifelong cluster B (DSM-V) disorder. The attempts to process this diagnosis, the inability to stomach foods, and the harmful behaviours associated with the disorder meant that I was barely functioning in day-to-day life. Especially affected were my memory, decision-making abilities, judgment, and motivation. I was granted an extension for 460, but by April I knew I was not going to be able to finish the Astronomy course. This was incredibly devastating, as I had previously appealed courses more than a year ago, and since then (I thought) I had been doing a lot better in terms of health.

I was determined that the summer would be enough time to sort everything out, but the symptoms did not go away and I had a host of other life-related issues also piling up. I was unable (and due to my illness, unwilling) to see a doctor or therapist regularly during this time. I have since started to get back on the right track, but it will be a long road to recovery. I do very much want to graduate and I have no qualms about taking another elective to do so. Somewhere down this road I see myself in graduate studies, and having a GPA that reflects my true abilities would be a great help. However, the more important of the two is 460, which I need if I want to graduate from my program. I have some of it finished ¿¿it is an independent thesis project¿¿so all I need is the time. My 460 professor is very supportive of this, and has communicated with me that as long as I am granted the extension, he has no issue with it.

One of the main behavioural symptoms of my disorder is that it comes and goes in angry cycles, and there were always so many aspects I never knew what to address first. Depression and anxiety are side effects that previously I thought to be the main concern. And while they affected my abilities to work and do what I needed to do, they were not the underlying issue. I have since been informed of an effective treatment plan, which includes a therapy course and taking the fall term off to get back on my feet, and I hope that this time the recovery will be more permanent.

If I could be granted these appeals, that would be extremely helpful and so appreciated. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Most sincerely,
Yu Xin Xue
SN: 10051309
ID: 11yxx