Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop CHEM 282 (Winter, 2020).

Over the past several months I have faced extenuating circumstances as a result of battling an acute mental illness exacerbated by a multitude of physical health issues. I have experienced distressing and life altering physical health symptoms that despite active attempts I have been unable to resolve due to long wait times and difficulty obtaining referrals in the Kingston area. The challenges I have faced in seeking appropriate medical care have had a substantial and negative impact on my mental health. It has exacerbated pre-existing mental diagnosis that I have and prevented me from functioning normally throughout all areas of my life. The cumulative impact of these circumstances has affected my performance in all areas of my academic life but particularly in the course CHEM 282. These health issues not only have inhibited me from functioning normally but further prevented me from completing course work resulting in poor academic performance.

I am appealing to drop CHEM 282 as this course has been affected the most by these circumstances. The layout of this course involves 5 online assignments, 20 lab marks, a 35 midterm and a 40 final examination. The most severe impacts of these circumstances involved failing the 35 midterm with a mark of 37. I did not receive the midterm mark until after the deadline for dropping a course without academic penalty. I would have dropped CHEM 282 before the deadline if I had received the mark before the deadline. Continuing with this course I feel would be a significant detriment to both my physical and mental health due to the stressors associated with it. Further, I believe that the impact continuing would have on my mental state would prevent me from seeking the help that I need and ultimately prevent me from getting better. I have consulted with a personal counsellor who agrees that appealing to drop this course is in the best interest of both my mental and physical health. Dropping this course would allow me to focus and succeed in my other four courses and improve my overall wellness. I believe I will be able to succeed academically in CHEM 282 once I have sought necessary help so that I may retake this course with a refreshed mindset and the skills I need to succeed.

In appealing to drop this course late I plan on retaking CHEM 282 in second semester of the following academic year (Winter 2021). I have already spoken with the chemistry department who have informed me that my lab marks that I have completed thus far will be transferred when I retake this course in the future. This will ensure that I will have the time to focus on the lecture material to succeed academically in the course. I plan on having further discussions with an academic counsellor on how I may plan my courses to accommodate retaking this course at a later date. In addition, I will be seeking the help of counsellors at the Student Academic Success Services to provide me with strategies on how to succeed academically while also facing extenuating circumstances that may arise in the future. I also have plans to seek continuous support from a personal counsellor as well as appropriate medical professionals to aid me in this time of illness. I believe these plans will help ensure my academic success in the future.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I believe it is in the interest of my health and well-being at this time to drop CHEM 282 so that I may seek support for my health and to allow me to succeed academically in my other courses.

Kindest regards,

Matheson McFarlane

Student Number: 20101162