Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 11063
Submitted: October 31, 2023 at 4:43:02 PM
First Name: Elizabeth
Last Name: Vance Gray
Pronoun: she/her
Preferred Name: Liza
Student Number: 20323378
Email: 21esvg1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: PHIL
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: POLS110
Term: Winter
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Elizabeth Goodyear-Grant
Section/Class Number: 030
Code: PHIL151
Term: Winter
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Mark Smith
Code: ANAT100
Term: Winter
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Liza Vance Gray
20323378
21esvg1@queensu.ca
October 31st, 2023
Dear Associate Dean (Academic), Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally petition for academic consideration because of extenuating circumstances that significantly hindered my ability to meet course requirements in the winter term of 2023.
Due to these circumstances I believe that it is in my best interest and the interest of my success at Queen’s moving forward to drop ANAT100 from my transcript from the winter term of 2023. Furthermore, I kindly request that you consider granting me credits standing in both POLS110B (Winter, 2023) and PHIL151 (Winter, 2023). Despite the level at which I was struggling during this time, I completed the courses but would like to avoid any negative impact on my degree and my overall success at Queen’s.
At the beginning of the 2023 year I was struggling with the relapse of an eating disorder caused by personal and academic stress. The disorder took a toll on my physical and mental health, and made it very challenging to focus on my studies. Despite my best efforts I found it very difficult to keep up with readings, attend classes consistently and submit assignments on time.
During the fall term of 2022 I was seeing an off campus social worker who I had worked with prior to coming to Queen’s, this helped me cope with the transition to university life initially, but at the end of the Fall term they went on leave unexpectedly. It was not until part way through the Winter 2023 term that I became aware of how the stress was weighing down on me. I came clean to my personal support systems and began to see a therapist through the university from early February to mid March.
Out of the five courses I took, I am asking for consideration with specifically these three because PSYC100 was a full year course and my marks from the fall semester carried me through, and WRIT120 was more accommodating, making it possible for me to finish successfully. I did not drop the courses earlier because at the time I was unable to recognize the impact my circumstances had on my studies, and I believed I could get back on track.
In order to achieve long term success I think it is best for me to take a lighter course load during the fall and winter semesters moving forward and compensate by taking courses in the summer. It would also be in my best interest to consider completing my degree with an extra semester. Additionally, I changed the course of my degree. I came from a small rural highschool and my final years of highschool were impacted by the pandemic. The combination of these factors restricted my opportunities prior to starting at Queen’s and I was unable to see the full scope of options available to me. My plan is now to change to a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree during the Change of Plan period in May.
I spent the summer at home receiving regular help and support in dealing with my eating disorder. I worked on managing stress in a healthy way. I have returned to school feeling confident in my ability to prioritize my classes and get back on track academically. I have attached the appropriate documentation from Student Wellness in support of my petition.
Thank you for taking the time to review my request. I sincerely value my spot at Queen’s and I would like the opportunity to be successful in the upcoming years, this petition is my first step towards doing so. I greatly appreciate your consideration.
Regards,
Liza Vance Gray, 20323378
20323378
21esvg1@queensu.ca
October 31st, 2023
Dear Associate Dean (Academic), Dr. Jenn Stephenson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally petition for academic consideration because of extenuating circumstances that significantly hindered my ability to meet course requirements in the winter term of 2023.
Due to these circumstances I believe that it is in my best interest and the interest of my success at Queen’s moving forward to drop ANAT100 from my transcript from the winter term of 2023. Furthermore, I kindly request that you consider granting me credits standing in both POLS110B (Winter, 2023) and PHIL151 (Winter, 2023). Despite the level at which I was struggling during this time, I completed the courses but would like to avoid any negative impact on my degree and my overall success at Queen’s.
At the beginning of the 2023 year I was struggling with the relapse of an eating disorder caused by personal and academic stress. The disorder took a toll on my physical and mental health, and made it very challenging to focus on my studies. Despite my best efforts I found it very difficult to keep up with readings, attend classes consistently and submit assignments on time.
During the fall term of 2022 I was seeing an off campus social worker who I had worked with prior to coming to Queen’s, this helped me cope with the transition to university life initially, but at the end of the Fall term they went on leave unexpectedly. It was not until part way through the Winter 2023 term that I became aware of how the stress was weighing down on me. I came clean to my personal support systems and began to see a therapist through the university from early February to mid March.
Out of the five courses I took, I am asking for consideration with specifically these three because PSYC100 was a full year course and my marks from the fall semester carried me through, and WRIT120 was more accommodating, making it possible for me to finish successfully. I did not drop the courses earlier because at the time I was unable to recognize the impact my circumstances had on my studies, and I believed I could get back on track.
In order to achieve long term success I think it is best for me to take a lighter course load during the fall and winter semesters moving forward and compensate by taking courses in the summer. It would also be in my best interest to consider completing my degree with an extra semester. Additionally, I changed the course of my degree. I came from a small rural highschool and my final years of highschool were impacted by the pandemic. The combination of these factors restricted my opportunities prior to starting at Queen’s and I was unable to see the full scope of options available to me. My plan is now to change to a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree during the Change of Plan period in May.
I spent the summer at home receiving regular help and support in dealing with my eating disorder. I worked on managing stress in a healthy way. I have returned to school feeling confident in my ability to prioritize my classes and get back on track academically. I have attached the appropriate documentation from Student Wellness in support of my petition.
Thank you for taking the time to review my request. I sincerely value my spot at Queen’s and I would like the opportunity to be successful in the upcoming years, this petition is my first step towards doing so. I greatly appreciate your consideration.
Regards,
Liza Vance Gray, 20323378
Documentation
Professional Letter: Petition support.pdf