Petition Letter
Dear Members of the Petitions Committee,
I am writing to formally request approval for a late drop of DRAM 300A due to medical circumstances beyond my control that significantly affected my ability to complete the course successfully. The challenges I faced this term stem from a workplace injury, compounded by delays in receiving proper treatment, which directly impaired my ability to participate in this primarily in-person course.
At the beginning of the term, I sustained a workplace injury. I initially sought care at a walk-in clinic, where I was informed that the injury would heal within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this expectation proved inaccurate, and my symptoms persisted far longer than anticipated. Because the injury occurred at work, my care was managed through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). While this process ensured proper medical oversight, it resulted in significant delays before I could access consistent treatment. Between October and November, I was largely unable to obtain physiotherapy, specialist consultations, or other recommended interventions, leaving my condition largely unmanaged.
During this period, I experienced ongoing pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing routine tasks. Beyond the physical challenges, the stress and uncertainty of navigating WSIB processes, including claim approvals, documentation, and authorized referrals, created a considerable psychological burden. The combination of persistent pain and stress directly impacted my focus, energy, and ability to engage academically at my usual standard. At the earliest I could, I also made an appointment with an on-campus doctor that I regularly see, which provided me the attached Verification of Extenuating Circumstances Form. Since he did not see me earlier in the year, he could only have the start date from when he saw me at the end of October.
DRAM 300A is a course that relies heavily on in-person participation, including seminars and quizzes, which are integral to both learning outcomes and assessment. Unlike other courses I have taken, which allow remote engagement, recorded lectures, or independent assignments, DRAM 300A requires consistent attendance and active participation. Due to my injury and the prolonged delays in treatment, I missed the majority of in-class seminars and quizzes. These absences and limitations made it impossible to keep up with the course’s experiential and collaborative structure, directly affecting my performance and understanding of the material.
Throughout this period, I took proactive steps to manage both my health and my academic responsibilities. I sought medical attention as soon as it became available and followed all professional guidance regarding activity restrictions and rehabilitation. I communicated with healthcare providers and adhered to recommended treatments. I also made every effort to maintain performance in my other courses, which were more flexible in format/received an IN to complete the work for the Winter term to minimize the overall impact on my academic record. Despite these efforts, the combination of delayed treatment and the course’s in-person demands made successful completion impossible.
The timing of my injury and the extended treatment delays coincided with critical periods in the course, including key seminars and quizzes that I was unable to attend. Because DRAM 300A builds skills and understanding incrementally, missing these in-person components had a cumulative effect on my learning. Unlike other courses where missed content can be reviewed independently, the interactive and participatory nature of this class meant that the educational experience could not be made up outside of class. As a result, my ability to demonstrate competence in the course objectives was severely compromised.
My injury, the prolonged and delayed medical treatment through WSIB, and the mismatch between the course’s in-person requirements and my physical limitations created a situation that could not be mitigated through normal student effort. My performance in other courses during the same period demonstrates my usual academic diligence and capability when not facing these exceptional circumstances.
Given the documented medical issues, the initial expectation of quick recovery that proved inaccurate, and the direct effect on my ability to attend in-class seminars and complete quizzes, I respectfully request approval for a late drop of DRAM 300A. This adjustment will allow me to focus on my recovery and return to full academic engagement without the long-term penalty of a failing grade. I intend to retake the course, or take a possible substitution once my medical situation is resolved so that I can fully participate and meet its requirements at the level expected.
Thank you for your time and careful consideration of my petition. I greatly appreciate your understanding of these extenuating circumstances and your consideration of my request for a late drop.
Sincerely,
Serena Melody James
I am writing to formally request approval for a late drop of DRAM 300A due to medical circumstances beyond my control that significantly affected my ability to complete the course successfully. The challenges I faced this term stem from a workplace injury, compounded by delays in receiving proper treatment, which directly impaired my ability to participate in this primarily in-person course.
At the beginning of the term, I sustained a workplace injury. I initially sought care at a walk-in clinic, where I was informed that the injury would heal within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this expectation proved inaccurate, and my symptoms persisted far longer than anticipated. Because the injury occurred at work, my care was managed through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). While this process ensured proper medical oversight, it resulted in significant delays before I could access consistent treatment. Between October and November, I was largely unable to obtain physiotherapy, specialist consultations, or other recommended interventions, leaving my condition largely unmanaged.
During this period, I experienced ongoing pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing routine tasks. Beyond the physical challenges, the stress and uncertainty of navigating WSIB processes, including claim approvals, documentation, and authorized referrals, created a considerable psychological burden. The combination of persistent pain and stress directly impacted my focus, energy, and ability to engage academically at my usual standard. At the earliest I could, I also made an appointment with an on-campus doctor that I regularly see, which provided me the attached Verification of Extenuating Circumstances Form. Since he did not see me earlier in the year, he could only have the start date from when he saw me at the end of October.
DRAM 300A is a course that relies heavily on in-person participation, including seminars and quizzes, which are integral to both learning outcomes and assessment. Unlike other courses I have taken, which allow remote engagement, recorded lectures, or independent assignments, DRAM 300A requires consistent attendance and active participation. Due to my injury and the prolonged delays in treatment, I missed the majority of in-class seminars and quizzes. These absences and limitations made it impossible to keep up with the course’s experiential and collaborative structure, directly affecting my performance and understanding of the material.
Throughout this period, I took proactive steps to manage both my health and my academic responsibilities. I sought medical attention as soon as it became available and followed all professional guidance regarding activity restrictions and rehabilitation. I communicated with healthcare providers and adhered to recommended treatments. I also made every effort to maintain performance in my other courses, which were more flexible in format/received an IN to complete the work for the Winter term to minimize the overall impact on my academic record. Despite these efforts, the combination of delayed treatment and the course’s in-person demands made successful completion impossible.
The timing of my injury and the extended treatment delays coincided with critical periods in the course, including key seminars and quizzes that I was unable to attend. Because DRAM 300A builds skills and understanding incrementally, missing these in-person components had a cumulative effect on my learning. Unlike other courses where missed content can be reviewed independently, the interactive and participatory nature of this class meant that the educational experience could not be made up outside of class. As a result, my ability to demonstrate competence in the course objectives was severely compromised.
My injury, the prolonged and delayed medical treatment through WSIB, and the mismatch between the course’s in-person requirements and my physical limitations created a situation that could not be mitigated through normal student effort. My performance in other courses during the same period demonstrates my usual academic diligence and capability when not facing these exceptional circumstances.
Given the documented medical issues, the initial expectation of quick recovery that proved inaccurate, and the direct effect on my ability to attend in-class seminars and complete quizzes, I respectfully request approval for a late drop of DRAM 300A. This adjustment will allow me to focus on my recovery and return to full academic engagement without the long-term penalty of a failing grade. I intend to retake the course, or take a possible substitution once my medical situation is resolved so that I can fully participate and meet its requirements at the level expected.
Thank you for your time and careful consideration of my petition. I greatly appreciate your understanding of these extenuating circumstances and your consideration of my request for a late drop.
Sincerely,
Serena Melody James