Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop 5 failed courses. These courses are as follows; LLCU 249 (Fall 2020), DEVS 220 (Fall 2020), DEVS 300 (Winter 2021), DEVS 352 (Winter 2021), and HIST 254 (Winter 2021).


I experienced a post-traumatic stress injury due to two experiences of sexual violence. After the first experience during October 2019, I was able to ?hold it together?? so to speak, however the second experience during October 2020, the psychological was too much for me to handle while simultaneously maintaining my academics. The second experience severely impacted my ability to participate and complete my assignments. My ability to perform academically during this time was further impacted by the development of mental illnesses related to my trauma. I attempted to catch up with my schoolwork over the summer by obtaining an IN grade for the Winter 2022 semester courses that I had not yet completed, however right as the summer began, I went through an abortion. This experience severely exacerbated mental health issues related to my experiences with sexual violence. Until connecting with SVPR on campus, I had been extremely nervous to begin the appeals process as I knew that it would involve revisiting extremely triggering memories and carried the possibility that it could end with the denial of my request (and subsequently, what I would perceive as the denial of my reality).


On the subject of my future plan, I will begin by noting that I have now retaken and passed LLCU 249 and DEVS 300, both during the Fall 2021 semester. I am currently enrolled in DEVS 352 during this Winter 2022 semester, and I am also enrolled to take DEVS 220 in the Summer 2022 semester (May 2022). HIST 254 remains, which I am hoping to not have to retake, but rather, select a different course of my choosing to obtain the necessary units. I have worked extremely hard to build myself a support system that helps ensure I have individuals to turn to before I find myself in a position where I am no longer able to handle my responsibilities. I have received counselling, attended a support group, and obtained treatment in the form of medication from a physician which have all added to my ability to mitigate the detriments of this issue to my mental health and academic success. During my research methods course last semester (that I failed last year) I chose to focus my research on the effects of sexual violence on the academic success of women in universities. Unsurprisingly, there was not a ton of information available, but the information that WAS available was overwhelmingly affirming that sexual violence is as much an economic crime as a sexual one. It hinders the ability of victims to reach the level of success that they otherwise would have easily been able to. I want the university to acknowledge this, and I want them to accommodate me. I think I deserve it. I would like to state that no amount of planning can truly ensure this situation does not arise again, as sexual assault cannot be ?planned?? for. This trauma can happen (again) to anyone. Despite this, I am an incredibly intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated student, and with a reliable support system. I know for a fact that if I ever found myself in a situation that resembled circumstances that led to my five failed courses, I have steps I can take to preserve my wellbeing and my success.

Thank you for your consideration.

Kindly,
Martha Katherine Hillen
20125010