Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Mrs. Sue Blake,

My name is Renee Sands and I am a third year student who took Chemistry 282 (285) online this past summer term. I am appealing to drop my Summer 2017 CHEM 282 grade.

This outcome is inconsistent with my history of academic performance, and it is overwhelmingly disappointing and distressing to me. However, over the summer term during which I was enrolled in the course, I experienced extreme extenuating circumstances.

The circumstances involve several different factors following an extremely toxic house-mate situation I endured during the 2016/2016 academic term, which resulted in stress-related health issues. Over the 2017 Winter and Summer semester, I was progressively unwell, both physically and psychologically (I have medical records, doctors' & psychologists' notes). Attached, please note a letter of support from my psychiatrist.

I have had chronic anxiety and significant sleep disturbances, both of which the circumstances I have endured recently have exacerbated, beyond a level that has been manageable. One of my roommates with whom I shared a house this past school year was continually abusive: He made repeated verbal and violent threats including once with a knife, and locking two of my other roommates in the basement. I was unable to sleep through the night or even study in my home during the day, due to endless screaming and blasting of music, both during the day and in the middle of the night. This escalated to the point where I had to pay for hotels to sleep sometimes in order to have occasional uninterrupted sleep and escape this untenable environment. In addition, I made increasingly frequent trips back and forth to my parents' home in Aurora, Ontario. Additionally, during this time, my father and brother both experienced unexpected medical emergencies which had a profound adverse impact on my whole family, and compounded my pre-existing stress.

When I moved back home following the end of second semester, I was on an acute downward spiral. Physically, I was in extreme distress due to the incapability to sleep and a gastroenterological condition that is intensified by stress, (which I am still undergoing tests with specialists to identify. Psychologically, I was at a point which terrified me. I was unable to get out of bed, could not communicate with my friends or family without crying or yelling, my appetite was affected, and I eventually suffered a breakdown which prompted my physician to refer me immediately for psychiatric assessment. I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety as well as acute insomnia and a binge eating disorder; and put on medications immediately. Upon attending several sessions, it was concluded that the sudden onset of these illnesses were most likely the result of a post-traumatic stress response to the turbulence of my life in the months preceding. I enrolled in Chemistry 285 online in attempt to stay on track with my academic plan, however, did not receive a passing grade in the course. Although I was grateful to have the summer to start to re-gain control of my life and focus on my wellbeing, it is clear in retrospect that I was not in a psychological state in which I was capable of succeeding in an academic course.

In conclusion, I would be indescribably thankful if you would consider granting me allowance to drop the course Chem 282. My experiences in the last year cascaded into a scary wake-up call. I was lucky in that I was able to seek professional help, and have since been able to work toward recovery - both psychologically and physically - to restore normalcy in my life. If I could have this course dropped from my transcript, I would be endlessly grateful to be able to move forward with my academic career on a clean slate.

Thank you so much for your understanding, time, and consideration.

Respectfully,

-Renee Sands
10182252
(289) 879 - 1665