Petition Letter
March 15, 2018
Dear The Associate Dean (Studies):
I am appealing to drop all my winter term courses, which consist of PSYC 231 (Winter, 2018), PSYC 236 (Winter, 2018), STAT 263 (Winter, 2018) and PSYC 215 (Winter, 2018).
I am appealing to drop all my winter courses due to the psychological strain caused by the missing of two of uncles and one of my cousins in the mist of the civil war that is going on in my home country, Ethiopia. My family has not been able to get in contact with my two uncles and my cousins since March 1st, 2018. Unfortunately, a news report on March 5th, 2018, indicated that there was a clash between the protestor and military in the town my uncles lived in. It has been reported that 5 people died and more than 20 casualties were taken to the hospital with minor to severe gun wounds. Due to the nature of the war and the military control, it has been extremely difficult to locate my uncles and cousin or even know if they are still alive. The inability to know the current conditions of my family members and the ongoing war in my hometown is continually causing psychological stress in my life. I have not been able to get a good night sleep, I am constantly on edge and anxious, and I have panic attacks regularly. I am battling an extreme case of survivals guilt and constantly in a negative mental space. I am not able to concentrate in lectures and during my study times. Since I have a close attachment with my hometown, as I have lived there most of my life this situation has taken an extreme toll on my life currently making me feel crippled and unable to proceed with my daily life. With my current mindset, I fully understand I will not be able to deal with everything that is happening around me and still be able to cope with the regular stress of my life and academic load. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the events and the fact the country is in the middle of a war I am not able to get death certificates or any medical report. However, I am currently in contact with my psychologist in Ottawa to organize weekly meeting so I can find better ways to deal with this reality. In the meantime, I have contacted student wellness services to get some counselling services and trying to get an appointment with the school¿¿s chaplain. I have attached news articles pertaining to the events that took place on March 5th in my hometown as an evidence of the tragedy that took place. I fully understand a news article does not satisfy the criteria of a supporting document but I would kindly ask you to make a special consideration seeing my situation and if I am able to retrieve further documentation I will provide them as soon as I get them.
I plan to come back as soon as possible potentially for the summer term to do my STAT 263 course and if not I will most likely comeback by September 2018 to finish my degree. I just need to take these couple of months to be with my family until we confirm their location and deal with the news together as a family. Regardless of the news, under the supervision of my psychologist and family, I plan to come back quickly because I want to finish my degree and be close with my family as these past three years have been the most difficult for my family.
I am tremendously grateful for your consideration and accommodation. I will be looking forward to hearing a positive response from you. Please let me know if there is anything more I can do.
Sincerely,
Eaba Degefa
10138769
Dear The Associate Dean (Studies):
I am appealing to drop all my winter term courses, which consist of PSYC 231 (Winter, 2018), PSYC 236 (Winter, 2018), STAT 263 (Winter, 2018) and PSYC 215 (Winter, 2018).
I am appealing to drop all my winter courses due to the psychological strain caused by the missing of two of uncles and one of my cousins in the mist of the civil war that is going on in my home country, Ethiopia. My family has not been able to get in contact with my two uncles and my cousins since March 1st, 2018. Unfortunately, a news report on March 5th, 2018, indicated that there was a clash between the protestor and military in the town my uncles lived in. It has been reported that 5 people died and more than 20 casualties were taken to the hospital with minor to severe gun wounds. Due to the nature of the war and the military control, it has been extremely difficult to locate my uncles and cousin or even know if they are still alive. The inability to know the current conditions of my family members and the ongoing war in my hometown is continually causing psychological stress in my life. I have not been able to get a good night sleep, I am constantly on edge and anxious, and I have panic attacks regularly. I am battling an extreme case of survivals guilt and constantly in a negative mental space. I am not able to concentrate in lectures and during my study times. Since I have a close attachment with my hometown, as I have lived there most of my life this situation has taken an extreme toll on my life currently making me feel crippled and unable to proceed with my daily life. With my current mindset, I fully understand I will not be able to deal with everything that is happening around me and still be able to cope with the regular stress of my life and academic load. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the events and the fact the country is in the middle of a war I am not able to get death certificates or any medical report. However, I am currently in contact with my psychologist in Ottawa to organize weekly meeting so I can find better ways to deal with this reality. In the meantime, I have contacted student wellness services to get some counselling services and trying to get an appointment with the school¿¿s chaplain. I have attached news articles pertaining to the events that took place on March 5th in my hometown as an evidence of the tragedy that took place. I fully understand a news article does not satisfy the criteria of a supporting document but I would kindly ask you to make a special consideration seeing my situation and if I am able to retrieve further documentation I will provide them as soon as I get them.
I plan to come back as soon as possible potentially for the summer term to do my STAT 263 course and if not I will most likely comeback by September 2018 to finish my degree. I just need to take these couple of months to be with my family until we confirm their location and deal with the news together as a family. Regardless of the news, under the supervision of my psychologist and family, I plan to come back quickly because I want to finish my degree and be close with my family as these past three years have been the most difficult for my family.
I am tremendously grateful for your consideration and accommodation. I will be looking forward to hearing a positive response from you. Please let me know if there is anything more I can do.
Sincerely,
Eaba Degefa
10138769