More edits! Thank you everyone for your help. I have just a few more days to submit this, as well as letters of support from my doctor and therapist, and copies of my hospital records.
I made edits based off your feedback and after reading some sample reinstatement letters. Please let me know what you think.
I am writing this letter to appeal my dismissal from Eastern Michigan University. I received the notice of dismissal a few days ago, and would like to take this opportunity to explain the circumstances that led up to my poor performance, and to plead my case for reinstatement. I am confident that moving forward, I will be able to demonstrate my exceptional academic performance if given a second chance.
I transferred to Eastern Michigan this past January, joining in the prestigious College of Health and Human Services to complete my bachelorās degree in Exercise Science. In those first two months, I stayed on top of my academics, albeit taking a bit longer than my peers to understand the material. I do have a documented learning disability, for which I receive accommodations from the Disability Resource Center. I was doing well, staying on top of my assignments and spending as much time as I could on campus studying.
I tested positive for Covid-19 on March 20, 2021. I had been feeling ill for a week leading up to the positive test result. My symptoms included fatigue, fever, body aches, loss of sense of smell, and shortness of breath. I couldnāt get out of bed for more than 5 minutes without being extremely exhausted, out of breath, and in pain. As the days continued, it became clear that I was not getting better on my own. Two weeks in, I was hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia. During my time there, my oxygen levels continued to drop, and I was briefly put on oxygen. But thankfully my lungs responded to the medication, and I was able to be taken off the oxygen and sent home a few days later.
Recovery from this has not been easy. I am thankful that with time my symptoms have improved. Although some symptoms continue, my illness has mainly resolved, and I am well enough to attend school again. Everyday I give thanks to my friends, family, and medical team, who have played a crucial role in supporting me throughout my recovery. My health took priority these past two semesters, but now that I am on the mend, school comes first.
In order to succeed, there must be a balance between health and academics. My plan for next semester includes working with a primary care physician, and continuing to work with my therapist to develop concentration, relaxation, and communication skills. As an autistic woman who was diagnosed as an adult, itās taken me years to learn how to properly advocate for myself, but over time I have made significant improvements in that aspect.
In terms of my academics, I will take full use of all the support resources EMU has to offer. I will set up weekly meetings with a peer Success Coach. I will organize or find study groups for each of my classes. I have met with my academic advisor, and we agreed that the best approach would be for me to take a lighter course load this fall, so I can focus on improving my overall G.
I will also make use of the Disability resource center, to get testing and in-class accommodations appropriate for my needs, which include Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety. I will also check-in with my DRC advisor and academic advisor every two weeks, to let them know how things are progressing and what I am struggling with at the time.
I have spent the better part of 5 months recovering. My doctor and therapist can attest to the significant improvements that Iāve made these last few months, and that I am more than well enough to return to campus this fall. With all of that now behind me, I can now switch my focus towards my academics, and put all my energy into being the best student I can be.