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Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic),

I am appealing to drop BIOL 403 (Winter, 2022).

In early April 2022, I experienced an unexpected, short-term mental health illness with physical manifestations, which prevented my ability to complete in-person BIOL 403 academic requirements. This illness was acute and impaired my ability to attend labs, focus, communicate, cognitively process information, think critically, and carry out daily functions. It impaired my cognitive and physical faculties in a way that I have not previously experienced, which caused me great emotional distress.

Although I took other courses during the Winter 2022 term, I am only appealing to drop BIOL 403 due to course timeline and academic requirement differences. Unlike my other Winter 2022 courses, BIOL 403 academic requirements involved in-person completion of student-directed labs. Specifically, these course requirements included four labs that needed to be completed by April 8th and a final exam, which was also a lab. Students had to complete these four labs before writing the exam. None of my other courses were evaluated using this format. During the Winter 2022 term, in-person classes resumed on February 28, 2022. Unlike my other courses that were offered online, I could not make progress on academic requirements before February 28th for BIOL 403 due to the requirement of in-person attendance.

The week of April 8th, I had to complete three labs. I could not complete these labs to my full ability due to my illness. For instance, when I tried to complete the second lab, I left in tears after the instructor told me that I had to redo it after spending seven hours trying to complete it. My procedure was wrong for the second lab, and I felt too unwell to continue performing the lab. In addition to impairing cognitive facilities required to complete BIOL 403 course requirements, this illness increased my susceptibility to illnesses and symptoms that had a more physical nature. I frequently felt physically sick or uncomfortable. For instance, on April 8th, I submitted a three day Academic Consideration Request for Extenuating Circumstances with documentation after noticing that several symptoms that I was experiencing at the time resembled COVID-19 symptoms. Ultimately, my illness hindered my ability to complete and attend BIOL 403 labs, thus complete the course to my best ability.

Since August 2022, my illness has improved from my sustained effort. I have been reaching out to build a support network comprised of family, friends, counselors, therapists, psychologists, and physicians as a preventative and prophylactic step. Instead of retaking BIOL 403, I intend to meet program requirements by taking a different biology course at the 400 level or above to minimize any possibility of this situation reoccurring. It is my goal to gain admission into a thesis-based master??s program in microbiology next year. Most graduate programs calculate the minimum GPA required for admission by using the applicant??s coursework from the most recent two academic years (or 60 units). Since BIOL 403 does not reflect my academic abilities, I am concerned that my goal might be impeded by the inclusion of my current grade for BIOL 403 in this GPA calculation. Aside from addressing this concern, I am making several efforts, such as prioritizing my health and seeking additional support systems, to ensure I can be successful in meeting my goal.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this appeal. I hope you have a good week.

Sincerely,
Victoria Archer