Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To: Associate Dean (Studies)

I am appealing to have my course grades for Cisc124 and Cisc204 dropped on my transcript and Cisc203 shown as credit standing, based on circumstances beyond my control that greatly affected them.

My grades for this past semester declined, due to the grief I was suffering from the recent loss of my grandmother. I had chosen to take only four courses, so I would have a better chance of being successful during this difficult time. Although I had received a B in biology, I truly believe that I would have been capable of achieving a much better mark, had my mind been in a healthier place. I struggled very much this semester, as I suffered the loss of my grandmother in August, just prior to starting school. My grandmother lived with us for the past three years and was a huge part of my life. I never had any grandfathers and my paternal grandmother had long since passed. While I was home in the summer, I helped to take care of her. She had a fall in May, causing her health to rapidly decline. The trauma of watching my grandmother quickly go from taking care of herself to confined to a hospital bed in our family room, requiring us to provide 24 hour care, had taken its' toll on my whole family. I took a leave from my summer employment due to the grief I was suffering after her passing. Her funeral took place just prior to me having to move into a new residence, with a group of students that had already resided in the home the previous year, leaving me to feel uncomfortable and sad inside. The trauma I suffered from watching my grandmother deteriorate rapidly throughout my time home in the summer, then pass away in our family room in my mother's arms, had a significant affect on my mental well-being when I returned to school. When I returned home at Thanksgiving, the memories of my grandmother throughout our home and the pain on my mother's face, contributed to more feelings of sadness that I was already feeling at the loss of my grandmother. I became aware that my grades were being affected and attended at the Arts and Science Department on October 22, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., where I spoke to Karen Knight. I indicated to her that I needed to drop my computer science course because I felt I was going to be unsuccessful in it. I didn't, however, mention the loss of my grandmother and what I had suffered. Unaware of the circumstances that played a significant role in the decline of my marks, Ms. Knight stated that I should stay in the class and do the best I could. I took her advice, but was unable to be successful, as my marks had already suffered greatly. Based on these circumstances, I am appealing to you to have my courses Cisc124 and Cisc204 dropped on my transcript and Cisc203 shown as a credit standing.

When I returned home at the Christmas break, I was able to spend an abundance of time with my family and start to heal along with them. We were able to share good stories of my grandmoter, although some tears were shed. I was able to start to come to terms with our family's loss and embrace the happy memories of my grandmother. This was my first experience with the death of someone I loved so much. I have learned that it takes time to heal from the loss of a loved one and although I still feel sad at times and miss her very much, I am healing. I feel like I will be in a better place when I return to school next week, from being surrounded by the love and support of my family over the Christmas break and witnessing the healing that is taking place in our home.

Brooke Holmes
Student Number 20049015