Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Samuel Bak
Student 20295163

Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson, Associate Dean (Academic)

I am appealing to drop FILM 110 and POLS 110 Intro to Politics and Government Fall/ Winter 2021/2022? and ??HIST 110 Europe: Antiquity to 1650 Winter 2022?.

I am appealing to drop these courses due to circumstances around the deadline date in March 2022. I had been doing okay during first semester, but I started to really struggle with my anxiety and mental health when classes started again remotely. I had really tried to focus on my courses but was overwhelmed not with the class work but with my mental health struggles, which was affecting my course work and my ability to just function daily. I was missing classes and deadlines and unsure of what to do so I submitted a request for Academic Consideration in mid February just before break and they suggested I apply for QSAS as my issues will be ongoing. In mid February my Mom was able to get me an emergency appointment with my family doctor and I discussed my anxiety and depression for the first time. After another appointment we came up with a trial treatment plan. I had to have another appointment with my doctor before she could complete my medical form to submit to QSAS. I had my appointment on February 28th and submitted the form and my QSAS application once I received them on March 2nd. I returned to campus on the same day. I was extremely anxious about returning to campus at the same time as I was trying to navigate the QSAS process. Ellen Babb, the Intake Coordinator, was so helpful throughout the process. I sent a follow up email after submitting the forms on March 4 and on March 7th the forms had not shown up in QSAS and I had to resubmit the forms. On the weekend I realized that I should probably drop some courses and tried to do that on March 5th or 6th after the deadline. I had my first appointment with my QSAS advisor on March 10th.

All my courses were affected by my mental health in second semester, but I was hopeful that I could catch up. Acknowledging my mental health struggles and discussing it for the first time was overwhelming and the drop deadline occurred while I was applying for QSAS and attending doctor appointments. I request to drop only these two courses as was not able to do any of the work for these courses but managed to do at least one assignment in my other courses. I discussed trying to drop the course with my QSAS advisor and she provided me with the information to appeal. I discussed dropping courses with an academic advisor again later in the term.

I now have an accommodation plan in place, and I have been able to complete the courses this summer that I are ?Incomplete??. I am taking POLS 110 this semester. I completed 2 History courses last year, and I am taking History courses this semester. I talk to my doctor every few months. I did have a therapist during my struggle, and I will be looking for a new one this year. I know my anxiety and mental health issues are ongoing, so I try to acknowledge when I need a break or help so I do not get so overwhelmed and try to come up with a plan to achieve success.

I am sorry that I am sending in my appeal at this late stage. I was reluctant as it is difficult to acknowledge how hard it was during that time. I do feel I can be successful now that I have developed strategies to cope and manage my studies.

Thank you,
Sam
Sam Bak

NOTE: STUDENT ADVISED IN AN EMAIL THAT I RECEIVED SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECEIPT OF HIS APPEAL THAT HE COMPLETED PHIL 111 (CURRENTLY AN in) OVER THE SUMMER TERM. SF