Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies):

I am submitting an appeal for an extension of the incomplete grade for History 339, a half-year seminar for Winter 2016. I was originally granted an incomplete grade in this course but I was unable to finish it over the summer due to medical issues and extenuating circumstances.

This current lack of completion for History 339 is not reflective of my enjoyment of the class. I greatly enjoyed this class while I was taking it. I have a good rapport with the professor who has agreed to support my request for an appeal. I attended classes, did my readings and watched videos to prepare for the quizzes, and even delivered an innovative presentation with a fellow classmate. I project receiving a decent grade if I am able to finish this course.

I have ongoing medical issues and I do have a history of finishing my coursework over the summer. Nevertheless, I believe I would have finished History 339 on time if it weren¿¿t for difficulties I experienced with a full-year seminar, History 367. There was a negative classroom environment in which I was ridiculed for expressing my ideas. The breaking point was the professor¿¿s hostility to accommodations.

It took me the first two months of my summer to complete the appeal to drop History 367. My difficulties with History 367 also affected another course which I normally should have been able to finish on time. I finished this course in June. In July, I did the Explore program. I believe that going away helped to refresh me after a difficult year. Also, I should be able to transfer the credits to count towards the amount of elective credits that I need to graduate. I met with Spring Forsberg in early June and she told me that the option to extend the incomplete grade was available.

I was granted my appeal to drop History 367 in early July. I experienced a relapse of my medical issues when I returned from my trip in early August. I still have not completely recovered from the stress I experienced during the first part of this year. I have attached a Verification of Illness for Summer 2016. I am currently taking a lighter course load with just one elective course. I believe that this lighter course load will allow me to restore my energy in time for Winter 2017. It would also allow me enough time to complete the requirements of History 339.

If I am unable to finish History 339, I am afraid that I will not be able to graduate in time for June 2017. I am in my fifth year. I already have to take two half-year history seminars next winter which is challenging but doable with a restful fall semester. I do not think I would be able to take three history seminars at one time.

For me, the importance of finishing History 339 extends beyond meeting the requirements to graduate. The title of the course is ¿¿Jews Without Judaism¿. I have a passion for Jewish culture. My elective is a course on Judaism. I am currently volunteering as a guide for the Anne Frank exhibit at the central branch of the library. I always learn a lot from this professor and I look forward to demonstrating my knowledge.

Completing the requirements of this course is feasible. I have 60 of the course left to complete but this number is not as overwhelming as it seems. This professor has a tendency to heavily weight assignments towards the end of the term. This 60 remainder of the course consists of a ten-page research paper and a seven-page take-home exam. I have already absorbed the material and I have notes written up for these two assignments.

I have medical documentation which confirms my past difficulties and that I am currently receiving ¿¿ongoing medical care and support¿. I have already given this piece of documentation to the front desk of the FASC office in Dunning Hall. I have photographs of this piece of documentation available upon request.

I should be able to graduate in June 2017 if I successfully transfer my Explore credits, I complete my elective course this fall, I take two history seminars in the winter semester, and if I am granted the opportunity to finish this seminar during the fall semester. My inability to finish this course up until this point is solely based on extenuating circumstances and belies the passion that I have for this subject matter.

Thank you for your consideration,
Tamarra Wallace