Petition Letter
Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am writing today as I would like to appeal to late drop PHIL 233 and HIST 214 (both Winter, 2024).
I am appealing to late drop these two courses due to extenuating circumstances that I faced during the Winter semester, causing me to not be able to complete all of my course work. I was dealing with a severe mental health crisis during the semester and was unable to be in contact with a healthcare professional as my previous doctor could no longer take me as a patient. These disability related impacts began for me in approximately November but became severely worsened in the beginning of the New Year. I was still feeling extreme impacts until I met with my new doctor in April and established a new course of action. This mental health crisis affected me greatly in terms of academics as I was unable to attend all classes and finish all course work. When attending classes, I was always engaged and a productive member of class conversation and discussion. I did not drop the courses earlier because I believed that I would be able to complete all of the coursework on time. In reality, my course work just ended up piling up due to mental health related impacts and I was unable to complete all of my work by the time I was mentally back on track. These two courses just ended up being the ones that I kept pushing the work back, which is why I am appealing to drop these two and not any of my other courses.
I have since then met with a new healthcare professional who has created a plan with me and helped me to get back on track. My doctor has provided me with medical assistance and resources to help me be comfortable and able to get back to my work productively and healthily. I also met with a counsellor at student wellness throughout the year to discuss my mental health related issues, but it was not enough to help me remain on track with my academics.
My plan for success in the future has a variety of steps and resources. Since meeting with my doctor and creating a plan with her, I have met with QSAS and set up accommodations to help me with my disability related impacts. My QSAS advisor has also connected me with someone at SASS to help me create a plan for success and steps to take to do well in my academics while dealing with disability related impacts. In addition, I am taking two ASO courses this summer (HIST 260 and HIST 200) so that I can be back on track in the fall and be comfortable with my academic standing. I have taken all of the necessary steps in order for me to do well in the current summer semester and my upcoming semesters of my undergraduate degree.
Doing well during my undergrad is extremely important to me and I have been working hard to be proud of the work I produce. I have taken all of my courses seriously and intend to do so in the future.
I really appreciate your consideration in allowing me to appeal these two courses due to extenuating circumstances that were outside of my control.
Thank you,
Brooke Simons-Vatch
I am writing today as I would like to appeal to late drop PHIL 233 and HIST 214 (both Winter, 2024).
I am appealing to late drop these two courses due to extenuating circumstances that I faced during the Winter semester, causing me to not be able to complete all of my course work. I was dealing with a severe mental health crisis during the semester and was unable to be in contact with a healthcare professional as my previous doctor could no longer take me as a patient. These disability related impacts began for me in approximately November but became severely worsened in the beginning of the New Year. I was still feeling extreme impacts until I met with my new doctor in April and established a new course of action. This mental health crisis affected me greatly in terms of academics as I was unable to attend all classes and finish all course work. When attending classes, I was always engaged and a productive member of class conversation and discussion. I did not drop the courses earlier because I believed that I would be able to complete all of the coursework on time. In reality, my course work just ended up piling up due to mental health related impacts and I was unable to complete all of my work by the time I was mentally back on track. These two courses just ended up being the ones that I kept pushing the work back, which is why I am appealing to drop these two and not any of my other courses.
I have since then met with a new healthcare professional who has created a plan with me and helped me to get back on track. My doctor has provided me with medical assistance and resources to help me be comfortable and able to get back to my work productively and healthily. I also met with a counsellor at student wellness throughout the year to discuss my mental health related issues, but it was not enough to help me remain on track with my academics.
My plan for success in the future has a variety of steps and resources. Since meeting with my doctor and creating a plan with her, I have met with QSAS and set up accommodations to help me with my disability related impacts. My QSAS advisor has also connected me with someone at SASS to help me create a plan for success and steps to take to do well in my academics while dealing with disability related impacts. In addition, I am taking two ASO courses this summer (HIST 260 and HIST 200) so that I can be back on track in the fall and be comfortable with my academic standing. I have taken all of the necessary steps in order for me to do well in the current summer semester and my upcoming semesters of my undergraduate degree.
Doing well during my undergrad is extremely important to me and I have been working hard to be proud of the work I produce. I have taken all of my courses seriously and intend to do so in the future.
I really appreciate your consideration in allowing me to appeal these two courses due to extenuating circumstances that were outside of my control.
Thank you,
Brooke Simons-Vatch