Petition Letter
To the Associate Dean (Studies), Dr. Stephenson,
I am appealing to drop HIST 225 (Winter 2019) renaissance and Reformation Europe due to unforeseen personal events that are beyond my control and have significantly impacted my mental health and academic performance in this course. Unfortunately over the Christmas break my family and I were informed that my father has cancer. This has obviously been something that has been weighing on me mentally and emotionally throughout the term and has required some back and forth between campus and home, however I continued with all of my courses knowing that it would be a stressful semester. What I did not realize was that I had accidentally taken one more course this term than necessary, as I am in two upper year history seminars each consisting of 4.5 units. Unfortunately I did not realize this until after the March 1st deadline at which point I felt as if I was drowning in regards to both academic and personal stress.
I initially thought it was best if I attempted to work through the issue, I continued to attend my classes but placed a greater focus on my two history seminars that are part of my degree requirement and my two 300 level art history courses which will complete my minor. Although I have completed the work and attended the classes for HIST 225 it is not necessary to complete my degree and I feel that, due to these extenuating circumstances, my work in this class is not what it could have been. I also feel that this course is causing me with an excess of anxiety during this exam period, the exam for this course unfortunately falls in the middle of four major papers that I have due before April 26th that range in length from 10-20 pages. It is unfortunately also only days away from crucial surgery that my father has to undergo. It is for these reasons I ask that I ask that I be allowed to drop HIST 225. Going forward I am now aware that if I am taking two core history seminars a term I only need to enroll in a total of 4 courses a term. As of the end of this term I will have also completed my minor and will therefore be able to place my focus on finishing my major and the remainder of units which will be electives.
I have been attempting to get a hold of either a formal diagnosis or surgery date from my father and his doctor. My father has spoken to his oncologist and surgeon and while everything is in his medical records they have yet to send him a physical formal copy for me to pass on. I do however have an email response from his doctor¿¿s administrative assistant addressing the matter which I have attached here. Please keep in mind the email itself is confidential and if you need further documentation please reach out, I am currently working on attaining it.
I would like to thank you for your consideration at this time.
Sincerely,
Lauren Archer
I am appealing to drop HIST 225 (Winter 2019) renaissance and Reformation Europe due to unforeseen personal events that are beyond my control and have significantly impacted my mental health and academic performance in this course. Unfortunately over the Christmas break my family and I were informed that my father has cancer. This has obviously been something that has been weighing on me mentally and emotionally throughout the term and has required some back and forth between campus and home, however I continued with all of my courses knowing that it would be a stressful semester. What I did not realize was that I had accidentally taken one more course this term than necessary, as I am in two upper year history seminars each consisting of 4.5 units. Unfortunately I did not realize this until after the March 1st deadline at which point I felt as if I was drowning in regards to both academic and personal stress.
I initially thought it was best if I attempted to work through the issue, I continued to attend my classes but placed a greater focus on my two history seminars that are part of my degree requirement and my two 300 level art history courses which will complete my minor. Although I have completed the work and attended the classes for HIST 225 it is not necessary to complete my degree and I feel that, due to these extenuating circumstances, my work in this class is not what it could have been. I also feel that this course is causing me with an excess of anxiety during this exam period, the exam for this course unfortunately falls in the middle of four major papers that I have due before April 26th that range in length from 10-20 pages. It is unfortunately also only days away from crucial surgery that my father has to undergo. It is for these reasons I ask that I ask that I be allowed to drop HIST 225. Going forward I am now aware that if I am taking two core history seminars a term I only need to enroll in a total of 4 courses a term. As of the end of this term I will have also completed my minor and will therefore be able to place my focus on finishing my major and the remainder of units which will be electives.
I have been attempting to get a hold of either a formal diagnosis or surgery date from my father and his doctor. My father has spoken to his oncologist and surgeon and while everything is in his medical records they have yet to send him a physical formal copy for me to pass on. I do however have an email response from his doctor¿¿s administrative assistant addressing the matter which I have attached here. Please keep in mind the email itself is confidential and if you need further documentation please reach out, I am currently working on attaining it.
I would like to thank you for your consideration at this time.
Sincerely,
Lauren Archer