Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

My name is John Abacioglu (10155500) and I am appealing for a credit standing in Phil 256 (Fall 2016) as a result of an unusual academic incident. In one sentence, a combination of the actions and later, a lack of action from Professor Knight made it exceedingly difficult for me to engage in her class. Aside from being unable to engage in her lectures, my work was not an accurate reflection of my ability nor was it appropriately graded. I will first try to summarize what happened followed by an explanation as to why I think a re-read would be inappropriate.
About a month into the semester, we are going to have our first test. The day of, I walk into class, sit down, and relax as I prepare to ace this test. Before I can pick up my pencil, I notice the professor start walking towards me. Trying to remain unbothered, I begin writing and assume this is simply part of her routine. As I write, I feel her presence over my shoulder and after a slight hesitation she starts walking away and I then finish my test and continue my day. It is now the next class and we are beginning a new topic this lecture. Having completely done the readings for this lecture, I am following along in class when all of sudden I hear the professor yelling towards my direction for someone to get out of her class. I look up and she yells again followed by an extremely embarrassing minute of her trying to belittle me in front of the class. I however, do not want this to continue and manage to somehow arrange her to talk with me in a more private environment after my lecture. As I am walking up to her after class, she has a very disgusted look but trying to not let this affect me, I apologize and ask what I did to deserve such treatment. She ignores this and demands my personal information, I tell her I am more than willing to give her my information but ask that she also responds to my initial inquiry. She once again ignores this and repeats her initial demand followed by threatening to report me if I do not start complying. I am shocked by the way this is going and tell her that I am okay to leave today in the past, start next class fresh, apologize once again, tell her my information, and ask one last time if she could please tell me what I did so it does not occur in the future. She starts telling me that I was making uncomfortable faces, was using my phone...then all of a sudden stops talking once she notices me writing down notes. She quickly threatens to report me again and states that I am not allowed to write notes while she speaks. At this point, I am not only shocked but do not how else to continue this conversation. Again, I manage to end on a positive note (I thought) and continue my day. On a final note, as the elevator doors close, I hear he is _____ but---, she notices me, stops, and stares.
Trying to put this under the blanket, I go to the next lecture only to experience possibly one of the most uncomfortable lectures I have had in my years here. I try to talk to her after class but she manages to avoid a conversation and I am left asking my TA's for help but they are unsure of what to do as well. The following weekend, I bump into one of my fellow members of the department and he asks me what happened last week. Initially startled by how he knows, I put two and two together and realize he has something to tell me. After giving him this same summary above, he is shocked as well and tells me that firstly he would like to apologize for what happened, then apologized on behalf of the department, and finally said that Professor Knight is very sorry as well and she would also like to apologize to me in person. I am extremely surprised but also appreciative of this and am happy to start seeing a light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Unfortunately, I wait around after next class only to hear nothing from her and initially receive the same treatment when I go to pick up my work during her office hours. Having had enough of this negativity, I ask her after picking up my papers if she has anything to comment/say only for her to respond by shutting me down and effectively ruining my relationship with her and Phil 256.
I try to continue going to those uncomfortable lectures to get the most out of the course instead, I am unable to and end up taking not only an academic but mental and social harm as well. In terms of what I plan to do, I decided to make an effort to quickly make a great impression with new professors in order for them to better understand not only my academic but personal goals I hope to achieve from their classes. I started this semester (Winter 2017) with this motive and have already started seeing the benefits as well as a few unanticipated rewards.
In regards to why I believe an appeal for a re-read is inappropriate, I think the spread of this problem over the entire course (multiple assignments) combined with the unorthodox nature of this problem are valid causes. That is why I believe a credit standing is the most appropriate option.
Having read my case, I would like to add that I was unable to recover the notes from our first talk after class and understand that these would be useful but I can always arrange witnesses (TAs) if required. Hopefully, it will not require such extremes but I would also like to note that I have chosen to leave out my friend's name for his own privacy. Thank you for your time and please advise as to any required steps I may need to take.

Best Regards,

John Abacioglu
10155500