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Petition Type: New
ID: 11162
Submitted: November 22, 2023 at 9:16:57 AM
First Name: David
Last Name: Cutaia
Pronoun: He/him
Student Number: 20228541
Email: david.cutaia@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: FILM
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: FILM 206
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,
My name is David Cutaia and I am a fourth-year Film & Media student. I am writing to petition for a late withdrawal from FILM 206 due to extenuating circumstances that have significantly affected my academic performance this semester.
Despite trying to put my best work forward, I have been severely struggling with my mental health this semester. Sadly, I began the semester on a rough note having lost my grandfather late in the summer. He was like a father figure to me and his loss has taken a toll on the well-being of myself and my family. While coping with this loss has been a difficult start to the school year, I have also spent the past three weeks struggling with relationship troubles. Sadly, my girlfriend fell victim to a sexual assault. The last month has been troubled as I’ve spent much time comforting her and doing anything I can to be there for her physically and mentally. She was refusing to get help, so I have spent the past few weeks going back and forth between Kingston and Toronto to try and arrange a safe way for her to see care for professional help. Through all of this, I have tried my best to keep up with my schoolwork. However, I have been struggling immensely, espeically with my FILM 206 class. This past week I felt like I hit a wall and decided to go home from school and take time to rest. I spoke with my doctor and an academic counsellor from the school, who suggested reaching out about the possibility of requesting accommodations and submitting a petition.
Over this time, I have missed multiple FILM 206 classes and have been struggling to keep up with the weekly assignments. This class specifically has been adding to my stress as each week is a new chapter, and if I am not able to keep up with each one, it adds up very quickly. In addition, the final project is approaching and I am worried that I am not capable of completing it to the best of my ability given my current situation. I did not feel comfortable communicating the specific details of my situation with Professor Vena, but I did reach out to express my concerns on one of the assignments I was struggling with. I was told that he would discuss the possibility of accommodations based on how I perform going forward in the semester. I am genuinely worried about my ability to perform well in this course going forward. After talking with the academic counsellor, she recommended requesting a withdrawl from FILM 206 and re-takeing it in a future semester when I am in a better mindset and better able to focus on my studies.
I’ve been very passionate about studying film at Queen’s and I care about my academic success and grades. My current situation has been very traumatic and has impacted my ability to perform this semester. I am dedicated to completing my remaining courses to the best of my ability, but I believe that withdrawing from FILM 206 will help me better focus on my remaining courses and my overall well-being.
I have attached documentation from my doctor outlining my recent mental health struggles. I have also attached an official obituary for my grandfather as documentation of the loss my family and I have experienced.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and I am willing to provide any further documentation or information that may be necessary. I truly appreciate your consideration of my petition.
Thank you,
David Cutaia
Obituary Link:
https://www.smithsfh.com/memorials/david-stockall/5246738/
Doctor's Note Available in PDF to be Attached
My name is David Cutaia and I am a fourth-year Film & Media student. I am writing to petition for a late withdrawal from FILM 206 due to extenuating circumstances that have significantly affected my academic performance this semester.
Despite trying to put my best work forward, I have been severely struggling with my mental health this semester. Sadly, I began the semester on a rough note having lost my grandfather late in the summer. He was like a father figure to me and his loss has taken a toll on the well-being of myself and my family. While coping with this loss has been a difficult start to the school year, I have also spent the past three weeks struggling with relationship troubles. Sadly, my girlfriend fell victim to a sexual assault. The last month has been troubled as I’ve spent much time comforting her and doing anything I can to be there for her physically and mentally. She was refusing to get help, so I have spent the past few weeks going back and forth between Kingston and Toronto to try and arrange a safe way for her to see care for professional help. Through all of this, I have tried my best to keep up with my schoolwork. However, I have been struggling immensely, espeically with my FILM 206 class. This past week I felt like I hit a wall and decided to go home from school and take time to rest. I spoke with my doctor and an academic counsellor from the school, who suggested reaching out about the possibility of requesting accommodations and submitting a petition.
Over this time, I have missed multiple FILM 206 classes and have been struggling to keep up with the weekly assignments. This class specifically has been adding to my stress as each week is a new chapter, and if I am not able to keep up with each one, it adds up very quickly. In addition, the final project is approaching and I am worried that I am not capable of completing it to the best of my ability given my current situation. I did not feel comfortable communicating the specific details of my situation with Professor Vena, but I did reach out to express my concerns on one of the assignments I was struggling with. I was told that he would discuss the possibility of accommodations based on how I perform going forward in the semester. I am genuinely worried about my ability to perform well in this course going forward. After talking with the academic counsellor, she recommended requesting a withdrawl from FILM 206 and re-takeing it in a future semester when I am in a better mindset and better able to focus on my studies.
I’ve been very passionate about studying film at Queen’s and I care about my academic success and grades. My current situation has been very traumatic and has impacted my ability to perform this semester. I am dedicated to completing my remaining courses to the best of my ability, but I believe that withdrawing from FILM 206 will help me better focus on my remaining courses and my overall well-being.
I have attached documentation from my doctor outlining my recent mental health struggles. I have also attached an official obituary for my grandfather as documentation of the loss my family and I have experienced.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and I am willing to provide any further documentation or information that may be necessary. I truly appreciate your consideration of my petition.
Thank you,
David Cutaia
Obituary Link:
https://www.smithsfh.com/memorials/david-stockall/5246738/
Doctor's Note Available in PDF to be Attached
Documentation
Professional Letter: Dr. James Note .pdf