Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: April 27, 2023

Request to Drop DEVS 358 and BIOL 350, GLPH 281, a Pass for DEVS 220 and an AG for BIOL 243 for Transcript

To whom it may concern,

I would like to request to drop certain courses and appeal for a Pass for another due to extenuating circumstances that have been prevalent for the past school year.

This year has been especially difficult as it is expected from my family that I will be graduating for Spring 2023 and do not expect anything more than graduating in four years. However, I have found it difficult to maintain a full course load and submit assignments on time due to panic attacks and anxiety among other reasons concerning my mental health. I had attended classes but could not concentrate well and found anxiety in completing course assignments as well as taking care of myself (i.e poor eating habits or not eating at all, unable to sleep, anxiety over things I cannot control which has prevented me from doing simple things such as sometimes going to class, doing my laundry or even sitting down to start an assignment).

I began seeing a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Arunima Khanna through virtual meetings beginning Fall term as well as a QSAS Advisor, Angel Varette and up until recently, an Academic Advisor, Spring Forsberg on options regarding my courses, my mental health and options for graduating. They have helped greatly and the accommodations had somewhat helped but I had reached a point in the schoolyear where it was all so greatly overwhelming that I contemplated suicide later this term, around February/early March. I did confide in my QSAS Advisor this and was marked as a Student of Concern. I did not mean to worry anyone at Queen??s until I received a call from QSAS on their concern for my safety and that had I not picked up the call, the police were going to my house to investigate if I had hurt myself. My overwhelming feelings grew and grew as my biggest fear was not graduating this year as my parents have already bought tickets to come. I delayed their knowing of my graduation date as much as possible but they had googled the convocation and found out it was June 21st. I feared that I would not be able to graduate for Spring 2023 and would have to delay to Fall which they would not like but I found out that I am eligible for a general BSc degree and could graduate for Spring, (they just would not know that it??s not an honours however, I was also informed that I could do a degree upgrade in time. I do not currently have the money to upgrade for a degree, but I would like to continue my way towards it in the future) however was informed by Art Sci Degree Requirements that the IN must be finalized for grades on my transcript or else a degree cannot be conferred yet which is what has really been worrying me for a while because I??m not sure what I will do or tell my parents if I cannot graduate in time this school year. I fear going home and I fear the physical and emotional abuse that will happen if I do have to bring them this bad news. My parents never understood mental illness and they also do not know that I have been seeking support on campus and was recently diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. They have always talked poorly about mental illness and counseling my whole life and it is through that among other reasons that I cannot confide in them about my struggles.

For DEVS 358, I found it difficult to attend class and was behind on class lectures and submitting assignments. For BIOL 243, I attended my tutorials and lectures and I thought I did well but failed the midterm exam by a single percent. I had asked for an IN for BIOL 243 as my final exam was deferred due to an extenuating circumstance that severely impacted my mindset (this can also be confirmed with Dr. Khanna as she was aware that it was a very difficult period). Upon the deferral period, I had vision problems and woke up one morning distressed as I could not see and my surroundings were clouded and blurry. I had a panic attack and decided to defer my exam again. I sought out an optometrist and had my first eye appointment ever. My vision was okay and was also prescribed glasses but I could not afford them. They explained my vision problem that morning was likely due to stress and dry eye. I followed up with the Professor on the deferral for the final exam as well as asked my QSAS Advisor to follow-up as well and after several emails, a date for a final was never given and an email was not responded to regarding the deferral exam request so after discussing this situation with my QSAS Advisor and Clinical Psychologist recently, I was advised to request an appeal for either an AG standing or a DR and I would like to do an AG standing. I completed 60% of the coursework with only the final exam incomplete. In DEVS 220, I was denied accommodations for a large assignment (worth 15%) and another smaller assignment as it was not fair to the class and I received accommodations halfway in the term. I was strongly advised by my Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Khanna and Academic Advisor, Spring Forsberg, that I could request for a Pass in this course as the lack of accommodations provided resulted in a lower mark in the course. As for GLPH 281 and BIOL 350, I found it difficult to do the work asked of me due to my anxiety. I would get anxious thinking about school that I would shut down and resort to a panic attack lasting for an hour or two. I was denied accommodations as it was too late to request them and was suggested to not submit anything in for marks as there would be no guarantee that I would pass the course and for BIOL 350, I was denied alternative accommodations and suggested that doing the exam would not be worth it as I would fail the course anyway and that an appeal for a late drop for both courses was suggested by my Professors.
I believe these drops and the pass would help me find peace of mind for the rest of the year as I would really like to graduate for Spring 2023. I fear disappointing my parents and all the money that has gone to me and my family of five coming down here for my graduation. I??m not sure what I would do if I was denied graduation for Spring 2023, I do not have the heart to tell them that I had to drop courses or failed or struggled throughout the entirety of my undergraduate career, they just would simply not understand and resort to abusing me. I would like to drop these courses and obtain a Pass for another and I thank you for your time in reading this appeal letter. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Abigail Atienza (20184720)
4th Year, Undergraduate Student
Queen's University