Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Please accept this petition for consideration.

1 st semester 2021

Starting my first year there was a lot of uneasiness, like most students, after going through 2
years of lock down. I was not as confident or comfortable but starting my first year at Queens I
was full of excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, I experienced multiple bouts of strep
throat over first semester and lost almost 8 weeks of class time as I was bed ridden for much of
those 8 weeks (I am still awaiting my doctors note but wanted to send this petition in as soon as
possible). I was able the weather the storm in most courses however missing that much class due
to sickness was a major setback with respect to my Spanish course. Unfortunately, as my health
improved, I was targeted by a group of (three) male students and harassed constantly. Their
harassment was both in person and virtual. The harassment was a constant presence. I was
afraid to go and look for help and tried to deal with it on my own. It had a major impact on my
mental health and my ability to effectively engage in my studies. As a result, my academic
performance suffered. My marks were lower than my potential and my expectations and I failed
Spanish. I am respectfully requesting that the timelines to drop a course be extended in this case
and that my Spanish (SPAN 111) course be dropped.

2 nd Semester 2022

I was hopeful the harassment would stop when I returned from Christmas break. That was not
the case. These male students would damage personal property, make harassing phone calls to

cause my anxiety to rise, they impacted my self-esteem by spending false narratives and
spreading awful lies including carving my name into the walls at Vic Hall and horrible words
next to my name like ??whore?, ??slut? and ??STD?. They would spread nasty rumours about me
causing conflict with other people at school, or to make me feel bad about myself. Throughout
the entire second semester their harassment was unrelenting. Finally, I had reached a breaking
point, mentally I was exhausted, and anxiety had overtaken me. I was struggling academically to
keep up. I was constantly worried about what would be next in terms of the harassment. At the
end of March, I searched out my options and complained to the university. Their harassment
continued and it was very detrimental to my mental state. My academic results were
significantly impacted, and I finished the semester with a F, three Ds and a C. The results of
the investigation could not ??determine who was directly responsible? however harassment was
founded as these students had knowledge or were ??some way involved? (Attached is the email
notice I received from the school on the investigation). Despite confirmation of what I knew
occurred there was no closure and as a result the impacts lingered. I am petitioning that my F be
dropped (EMPR 110), and the three Ds be moved to credit standing (HLTH 102, POLS 110,
PSYC 100).

Summer 2022

In an attempt to make up for lost ground I enrolled in a summer course which started on May 9,
2022. Unfortunately, I did not recognize this at the time, I was mentally in no condition to
engage in course work. The harassment had substantial impact on my well-being restricting my
ability to engage fully in my course. Unfortunately, two traumatic incidents occurred that

summer. On July 5, two masked men broke into my house as I slept that morning. I was the
only one home at the time and one of the masked men entered my room waking me from a deep
sleep. Fortunately, I was not physically harmed. The police were called and despite their quick
response they got away. The Durham Regional Police Service file number is 22-146774 (if
required I can apply to get a copy of the police report) . This experience further impacted my
mental health. Two weeks later, I was entering my vehicle after work and a person was lying in
the back seat of my car awaiting my return. I ran out of my car and members of the public came
to my support. The Durham Regional Police Service file number is 22-704707 (if required I can
apply to get a copy of the police report). As a result of these circumstances, I am petitioning that
my PHIL 151 class by dropped.

Semester 1 Year 2 Fall 2023

Entering second year the cumulative impact of all these events had taken a toll on my health. I
found myself incapable of asking for assistance, I tried to fake everything was fine however, I
was drained and by the second week of the semester I was having trouble getting out of bed and
attending class. This continued until the weekend before reading week when my roommates
called my mother to tell her I was not leaving my room or eating. I spent that week and reading
week trying to ?get it together?? and agreed to see a school therapist. The week after reading
week I had an appointment and continued to see her for all the sessions made available. Despite
her willingness to assist and efforts, my problems were beyond what she was able to offer, and I
was not able to pull out of my depression and I was riddled with anxiety, at this time my
depression and anxiety had not been diagnosed but I received that diagnosis in early in 2023.

Unfortunately, a third traumatic event occurred, and I was in a car accident as I was struck by a
bus, while at home preparing for my final exam. I was fortunate to not be seriously hurt as the
vehicle I was driving was completely written off. The Durham Regional Police Service file
number is 22-273786 (if required I can apply to get a copy of the police report). The trauma I
experienced, the harassment with little closure, and other issues I was trying to address, resulted
in my being very mentally and physically unwell. I was physically unable to eat, I had no energy
and l was losing weight. I was mentally so strained I couldn??t focus and I was left with very
little to give to school and as a result I did very poorly. I am petitioning to have the three Fs
dropped (POLS 211, POLS 230, and POLS 250).

My Plan Moving Forward

Moving forward I have made many changes to ensure I can perform to the standards I am
capable of and expect of myself. After Christmas I spoke to my parents at length about the many
challenges and asked for help. The changes and plans I made involved addressing my mental
and physical health issues, developing a study plan and engaging supports to help me stay on
track.
- I have been able to start working with a psychotherapist who specializes with young
women dealing with trauma, depression and anxiety and I work with her every week.
- Given a family history of a disability that impacts the ability to focus and I have engaged
in testing to assess this potential issue and get support to deal with the likely result that I
have this issue.
- I have been working with my family doctor to address other health issues and that
support has also been beneficial
- I have set up study plan and committed to its requirements to ensure I can meet the
requirements of the school and my own expectations.
- I have set a schedule to prepare for classes in advance.
- I have committed to attending all classes and tutorials in person (or in some cases
virtually). I have missed a few classes but have attended the vast majority. I have
made sure I have taken good notes at each class and the few I have missed I made
sure to review the materials related to class.
- I have committed to ensure I dedicated study blocks of time, usually 2-hour
blocks, ensuring I review the material weekly and blocking time for each course
so there is a balanced approach to my studies.
- I have a dedicated plan to prepare for finals that will build on these improved
habits I have been working on.
I appreciate your time and consideration of my request. As I continue on my journey of healing I know that I will be able to better demonstrate my potential to achieve the expectations of queens university and myself.