Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello,

I am wishing to drop POLS 459 as I believe certain extenuating circumstances that were outside my control have negatively impacted my performance for this course. My grandfather passed away at the end of January and he played a very important role in my life. He was my main father figure and a man that I looked up to and had the utmost respect for. After my grandfather's passing, I had a very difficult time simply moving on and adjusting to regular school life, but I had to because I did not want to fall behind in school.
I was thinking of dropping POLS 459 at the beginning of the semester and taking a new POLS course in the summer, but once my grandfather passed, I never got around to dropping the course and was essentially on auto-pilot for the next month-and-a-half. This is when I noticed that the deadline to drop courses passed and I began to panic. I know that the work I have done in this course does not reflect my ability in the slightest, and am wishing to drop the course so I can take another POLS course in the summer when my mind is in the right place.
These extenuating circumstances have had a real negative impact on my academic performance, especially in this course. I have experienced anxiety that was never around prior to my grandfather's passing, and I am in the process of consulting with a mental health professional so I can heal properly. If I do get the chance to drop this course, I will take another 400-level POLS course in the summer when I know I am in a much better state of mind, which is why I am hoping this request will be accepted.

Kind Regards,

Alexander Divizio