Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: This appeal is being submitted for Elise Wight to drop DRAM240 from her 2022 curriculum. This is due to extenuating circumstances from a physical illness emergency that impacted her ability to attend this course in person. Please see the information below regarding the nature and extent of this medical emergency.

DRAM240 required in class physical attendance as it was focused on a lab component incorporating personal interaction in real time with the instructor and class members. The course used proprietary autoCAD software, based around set design, requiring the ability to meet in-house deadlines and in-class task submissions under deadline. The hands-on, real-time nature of DRAM240 did not allow Elise to be able to take the course as required as it could not be remotely completed due the above criteria. Elise was unable to complete assignments or get caught up after her 6-week+ absence due to her unplanned health issues.

Elise was able to maintain her other courses remotely during her recovery via online sessions and assistance from her professors. This was guided by Grahame Renyk, whose assistance was integral in Elise's success during this difficult period. All faculty were provided updates by Elise as her illness and recovery progressed, helping with accommodation planning.

During this time, Elise requested and was granted Academic Consideration from the Faculty Of Arts And Science until the end of October. An extension was submitted and excepted to the end of the first semester after further medical consultation.

It should be noted that Elise has special accommodation granted surrounding her academic needs via QSAS. Her accommodation is guided by QSAS Accessibility Advisor Meg Hall, who can be referenced for specifics. Documentation can be provided as required.

Please note that Elise tried to drop the course before the designated deadline but was unable to do so due to issues with the SOLUS interface. The system would identify the information entered and then error out when attempting to submit. Grahame Renyk has identified and corroborated this issue in his supporting documents.

Elise will be taking this course next year (Fall semester, 2023) when it is offered, in order to complete her requirements. This is recognized and accepted by both Grahame Renyk and the course professor, Joe Pagnan.

Elise was taken by ambulance to Kingston General Hospital on Sunday, September 4, 2022. She was admitted on Monday, September 5, 2022, for a burst appendix and the resulting toxicity and health risks this illness created. She underwent surgery on Tuesday, September 6 and remained in hospital until Friday, September 9, 2022. She was released with specific instructions to return home with her parents to receive direct attention and assisted convalescent care via a medical caregiver. This was to monitor/maintain two drainage bags inserted surgically into her abdomen to assist with infection and related fluid removal from the burst appendix. Recovery limited her mobility due to the attached bags and ongoing post-surgery pain.

Elise remained at home in Toronto, making arrangements with Graham Renyk and her course professors to continue her courses remotely. She returned to KGH on Friday, September 23, 2022, for a follow-up appointment. One drainage bag was removed at this time, with the second remaining inserted due to continuing infection and complications. A second follow-up on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Hotel Dieu Hospital, identified that the second bag was to remain inserted indefinitely with surgery to be scheduled in November (date TBD). Elise was advised she would be allowed to return to school the following week if she followed strict light duty instructions regarding activity and movement.

Elise returned to class on Monday, October 10, 2022. On Thursday, October 20, 2022, Elise was admitted back to KGH by ambulance with severe abdominal pain, fever, accelerated heart rate, weakness and nausea/vomiting. She was diagnosed with severe abdominal sepsis brought on by complications of the remaining drainage bag and residual appendix issues. She remained in critical care in KGH for the following week, until the infection was brought under control. Final surgery for the remaining drainage bag removal, residual appendix investigation and potential further upper and lower abdominal issues was scheduled for early Thursday, October 27, 2022.

All surgery was successful, and Elise was released to home observation late on Friday, October 28, 2022. She returned to school on Monday, October 31, 2022, under a very strict limited mobility and activity regimen. This was to remain in place for the following 6-8 weeks as per doctor??s orders.

Elise has since been given a clean bill of health and has been able to reconvene her studies. She is active and working hard and successfully in her winter semester.