Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Dear Board of Studies,

My name is Alyah Opel, a fourth-year Kinesiology student here at Queens University. I am submitting this letter as a request to appeal the Associate Dean’s decision to Drop in KNPE 491 taken during Fall 2022 and HLTH 334 taken during the Winter 2023. In addition, although courses from this past year are a priority I would also like The Board of Studies to review my request to have ANAT 316 and KNPE 331 completed during Winter 2022 changed to a Credit Standing (CS). The grounds for this appeal are based on the extenuating circumstances I have previously faced and are supported by updated documentation by both my psychologist and family physician. Lastly, although this letter is quite lengthy, it includes crucial information and a timeline that best describes my circumstances. However, I hoped it could be reviewed with my previous letter to ensure The Board of Studies has all the information when making their decision.

Firstly, with regards to KNPE 491, my independent study course was taken during the Fall Semester of my Fourth Year. After my grandfather passed away, my independent study timeline was not revised by my supervisor, but rather accommodations were given. I did not receive any hard deadlines in this course once my grandfather passed away. However, assignments for different courses with hard deadlines were prioritized. I received accommodations in all my courses after my grandfather passed away. Week 8 had already passed when I realized I was extremely behind on my independent study. I had begun having conversations with my supervisor Dr. Adams on how I was going to finish the course during roughly week 12 of the semester. Whilst in exam season, conversation with my supervisor and the Dean of my Faculty Anna Van del Mullen began regarding continuing my independent study during the winter semester as a result of my extenuating circumstance; however, Dr. Adams would be away on sabbatical and option of continuing into the following semester was not an option. From there, Dr. Adams and Anna van der Mullen both recommended that I appeal to drop the course late based on my extenuating circumstances. I ask The Board of Studies to please consider the loss of my grandfather when deciding the results of my appeal. When my grandfather passed away, I felt as though I had lost a parent and am still carrying that pain with me. I worked very hard to still finish the semester with adequate grades as academics are very important to me. I ask the Board of Studies to please consider the loss of my grandfather when deciding the results of my appeal.

Regarding this past semester and my taking HLTH 334, I faced another extenuating circumstance. At the end of January, I found out that my father had been re-diagnosed with a very rare stomach cancer. Note that specific dates and details regarding the semester can be found in my previous appeal; however, details to clarify will be provided here. On February 15th, I was notified that my father would be having a partial stomach removal surgery to treat his cancer. This took a significant toll on my mental health. I got an extension on an assignment in HLTH 334 that was due over reading week; however, was not given a hard deadline. This first assignment was worth 20%. My father’s surgery then took place on March 20th, and I went home to be with him and my family. I had a presentation due the following week also worth 20%. I was not able to finish my assignment. At this point in the semester, I was very behind in all my courses due to my father’s illness and was receiving accommodations. All my assignments in this course were due after Week 8 with the exception of my first assignment which I had not received a hard deadline on. My father’s surgery had taken place during Week 10. As such, based on the due dates, by Week 8 I was not aware that I was so behind in the course and unable to catch up. Therefore, I would not have been able to drop HLTH 334 by the Week 8 deadline. Additionally, I had decided to take 6 courses this semester to ensure I was eligible to apply for specific graduate programs as I knew I would be dropping KNPE 491 from the previous semester.

Although I had gone to all lectures and tutorials, it was not feasible for me to catch up on the several missed assignments. Given the situation, I once again had a conversation with my professors; Jill Takacs and Gagan Minhas who pointed me in the direction of Anna. Based on these conversations and because of my extenuating circumstances, I was encouraged to apply for an appeal to drop HLTH 334 by both Anna and my professors. My father’s illness has continued to affect me, I have put all the supports in place to be as successful as possible. As a result of this timeline, it would have been very difficult for me to be successful in HLTH 334 despite my success in my other courses this semester. I ask the Board of Studies to please consider this when making their decision.

At the end of the term, I had an in-person meeting with Anna to discuss my circumstances for the last year. Anna recommended I also apply for a Credit Standing (CS) for two courses from last Winter. As my father was originally diagnosed last fall (2021), his condition has continuously played a significant role on my mental health. I had returned to therapy in November 2021 and was put on medication by my doctor in December 2021. Unfortunately, the medication caused negative symptoms resulting in continuous difficulty with my mental health. In February/March 2022, I was really struggling resulting in my friends and family being extremely concerned regarding my mental health. I received help at the end of March/beginning of April in which my medication was altered; however, by this point, the Week 8 drop deadline had already passed. By May 2022, I was feeling more like myself; however, my altered medication did not start improving my mental health until after the term was completed. Over the course of the semester, I really struggled with my mental health resulting in several of my assessments and exams in all my courses being extended. In KNPE 331 and ANAT 316, I completed both final exams and however was not able to prepare for either to the extent I normally would as a result of my mental health struggles. Although I was able to pass both courses, my final mark was significantly lower as a result of my struggles with my mental health and the difficulties with my medication. In both courses, I completed all the coursework but at a significantly lower grade than would have expected as a result of my mental health. I ask the board of studies to please consider my father’s health and my ongoing mental illness struggles when deciding the fate of my (CS) appeal.

I plan to return to Queens in the fall for a fifth year of my Undergraduate Degree. To ensure I am successful, I will continue receiving therapy to receive support regarding my current circumstances as well as manage my mental health.

With regard to my documentation, I have attached a letter from my doctor from last spring describing the situation as well as an updated letter from June 2023. Additionally, my psychologist who is currently on maternity leave wrote me additional documentation to support my appeal to the board of studies. Lastly, I have attached a copy of my grandfather’s obituary from September 2022.

I have very high academic standards for myself with my future goal to attend postgraduate school and eventually medical school. I believe that I have faced several barriers over the last few years, with my father becoming ill and the loss of my grandfather. However, I am gathering support options to be successful in the future.

Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. I am more than happy to clarify or discuss the circumstances further as The Board sees fit.

Sincerest regards,
Alyah Opel