Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

Re: Academic Appeal

I am a fourth year student B.A. (Hons) student with a major in Politics and a minor in Mathematics. I am appealing to drop POLS 486 (Fall 2017).
I have over the past five years suffered approximately four significant concussions with serious health impacts. Unfortunately, last semester in November 2016 I was struck by a volleyball and suffered another severe concussion, which ultimately led me to leaving school for the remainder of the year. I was hoping that coming back this year that I would be a bit better, but unfortunately that has not been the case. I suffer from daily headaches, dizziness, and problems with concentration. I am only able to do ten minutes of work at a time before I am overcome with feelings of nausea and severe headaches. My symptoms throughout the semester have been getting progressively worse every week as I have tried to keep up with my school work and my ability to complete all my coursework this semester has been severely affected by my concussion symptoms.
I am looking to drop POLS 486 from my course load, which would leave me in just two courses for the final month of the semester. By reducing my overall workload, I am hoping that I will be able to complete the remaining two courses so as to salvage something from this semester. Since I am only able to work in such small fragments of time, having one less course will allow me to complete my remaining work at a pace that is possible for me without causing significant pain.
I have seen a number of doctors about my symptoms, both in Halifax and Kingston. I have met with Dr. O¿¿Connor at the KOPI clinic as well as Dr. Butt at LaSalle. Both have advised me to withdraw from classes as much as possible to give my brain time to recover.