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George Madrid\par
14 Saint Paul Street, \#2\par
Cambridge, MA 02139\par
(617) 354-7853\par

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June 19, 1995

Dear Members of the Committee on Academic Performance,

I would like to address the circumstances regarding my performance during the
Spring term of 1995.  Personal issues of which the CSS is aware were
detrimental to both my academic and professional life.  I spoke to my
professors and took action which I considered appropriate and sufficient to
salvage the term.  I was surprised and confused when I received the letter
from the CAP and more surprised when I received my grade report.  I have
discussed my situation with Dean Henderson of Counseling and Support Services,
and he is aware of the issues involved.

In addition to being a student at MIT, I am a full-time employee at a local
computer company called Dimensional Insight, Inc.  I work to pay my tuition.
I get no aid from my parents.  I enrolled last term as a light-load student as
I had for Fall 1994.  I was not concerned about the work load since I had
successfully passed all my classes in the Fall with no trouble.  In February,
I was enthusiastic and looking forward to an enjoyable and successful term.

I have been dating a young woman since late October.  She had an extremely
difficult term this Spring.  The Dean's Office is aware of her problems which
has an extreme impact on her school life.  Every time she just about caught
up, another difficulty arose, unrelated to the previous and through no fault
of her own.

I mention her difficulties because they are linked to mine.  In being
supportive to her, my own work suffered.  I tried not to let her realize how
much of an effect she was having on me, since she needed someone and resisted
my attempts to send her to CSS or to the psychiatrists in the MIT Medical
Department.  I fell behind both at work and at school.

At this point, I approached both my professors to discuss my absences with
them.  As a result, I dropped my French class.  I remained in my math class.
After my discussion with Professor Sacks, I believed that if I turned in the
homework for the classes which I missed, I would be okay.  There were no exams
or finals in this class, so that seemed more than reasonable.  Since I was
still facing a great deal of pressure at work, I wasn't able to do this
immediately, but when I met my work deadlines, I did the homework.  This was
still before the end of the term.

Since I thought I had done what Professor Sacks asked me, I was very surprised
by the events of last week.  I received the letter from the CAP last Wednesday
and my grade report on Thursday.  Since that time, I have tried to reach
Professor Sacks but I have failed.  He has not responded to my email and has
not been in his office when I have looked for him.  I believe that the grade
is just a misunderstanding of some sort.  Perhaps my name and situation
slipped his mind.  Perhaps I wasn't clear on his instructions.  I don't know.

My current plans are to quit my job in August and return to MIT full-time
until I have completed my degree.  I am looking forward to being a student
unencumbered by the responsibilities or a full-time job.  I am confident that
without the additional pressures of a full-time job, I can finish up in a
timely manner and proceed with the rest of my life. 

With regards, 

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George Madrid


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