Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I am petitioning the Faculty’s decision that I must withdraw from Queen’s for a minimum period of one year, as well as I am petitioning to drop HLTH 101 (2022, Fall), ENSC103 (2022, Fall), DEVS 220 (2022, Fall), ASTR 101 (2022, Fall), HIST 109 (2023, Winter). I am a second-generation Indigenous student in my family to attend Queens University after both of my parents. I was full of joy when receiving my acceptance letter and very excited about my new education journey but from the beginning things didn’t go to plan. As an Indigenous student coming to Queen’s, I was promised first choice on my residence so I could select somewhere on campus where I felt welcome and safe as an Indigenous student. When the time came to select residence buildings I had been put in the bottom of the list and ended up on west campus. Living on west campus was not somewhere I felt comfortable and safe as I have a medical condition where I cannot be exposed to the sun. Walking that distance multiple times a day would involve intense sun exposure my body cannot handle on a daily basis. I am from Six Nations of the Grand River, over 400km away from Queens University which means I am over 400km away from my home, my family, my Indigenous community, the place I feel safe. When moving away from home I was hoping to be living somewhere on campus where I felt included not disconnected from everything and everyone. After calling and emailing numerous times as well as getting a note from my doctor, I got moved to Waldron Tower, a building that was a 10–15-minute walk from my amenities and classes. On top of that I was put into a corner room with one neighbour and that room was empty for half the year as my first neighbour Mona, my only friend moved back to Singapore just a few weeks into the year. After living in residence for a few weeks I had made a couple of friends who later turned out to be hurtful bullies and after that I had no companions or anyone I could count on or feel comfortable and safe around. Being so far away from my home and feeling so isolated and alone really took a toll on my mental health. I have diagnosed depressive anxiety and at home to lift my spirits I will dance. Here at Queens, I auditioned for the dance team and tried to join the dance club, but I was unable to. Having all these overwhelming feelings and not being able to do what I love made things even harder for me. I did not feel welcome or included, I felt alone and helpless. My grades were slipping, and I did not know who I could trust and reach out to for help, every day was a battle to get up and out of bed to go to my classes with an open mind ready to learn. The classes I was taking, I had little interest in and struggled in them, especially DEVS 220 as it is a second-year course that I enrolled in without the knowledge of it being an upper year level course. First semester was a very hard couple of months for me, when I came back in the winter, I had some plans set to help improve my academics. I reached out to Four Directions Indigenous Center and had counselling meetings with Lisa Doxtator and academic advising with Jenna Kring as well as help from Jessica Parks. Nearing the end of the semester Four Directions helped me contact my professors in seek of extra assistance in my courses. My professors were very generous and allowed me extra time on my assignments and I received an incomplete for GPHY 101 and SOCY 122, I completed GPHY 101 and am currently completing SOCY 122. I am also currently enrolled in two summer courses, COGS 100 and HLTH 101 to receive the credit and improve my grade point average. Coming into the 2023 school year I feel much more prepared and able to successfully complete all my classes and further improve my grade point average. I now have new living arrangements that are more suitable for me as well as my personal transportation for my medical condition. Before the school year begins, I will have a meeting with Jenna Kring about choosing the best courses for me and deciding whether a smaller course load is what is best. Additionally, I will be having a meeting with the career counsellor at Queens to better direct me on a career path that feels right for me. I will have weekly counselling meetings with Lisa Doxtator at Four Directions as well as time management meetings with Jessica Parks. Jessica can also help me sign up for the tutoring program if I need additional support in my upcoming courses. I have very frequent communication with Four Directions and now feel very comfortable and safe there. I enjoyed attending their events and social gatherings as it brings me a piece of home. Having grown this connection with Four Directions I now feel comfortable to reach out to them whenever I need help with a course or an assignment. I will also be joining the Dance Club this year and being a part of the VOUGE Fashion show, this will give me the ability to dance again while getting involved in the campus and making friends. I spent a year at Queens, and I now know what helps me and what doesn’t. I am confident that if the request is granted and I have the supports outlined above in place, I will be a successful student in the years to come. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Aislyn Gee
20364109