Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dean Stephenson,

I am petitioning to be granted Aegrotat (AG) status in all of my Fall 2023 semester classes due to extenuating circumstances that occurred from November 2023 to present day. The classes that I am petitioning to be granted Aegrotat (AG) status are BIOL 205, BIOL 243, PSYC 251, PSYC 271, and HIST 110. I previously asked my professors/department accommodation figures for permission for an Incomplete standing (IN) because I was led to believe that it was the only choice for my circumstance. However, Professor Yakimowski (BIOL 243) and Ms. D’Souza (program associate for BIOL 243) suggested pursuing a petition for Aegrotat (AG) standing. Now I strongly consider Aegrotat (AG) status as the right path for me to take due to the extenuating circumstances that I am facing.

My extenuating circumstances are caused by a chronic, subacute condition that does not respond to over-the-counter painkillers and needs a surgical procedure in order to correct. This condition started on November 5th, 2023. This condition has caused frequent, distressing attacks, as well as chronic pain that has significantly degraded my quality of life. This chronic pain includes symptoms such as frequent diarrhea and urination, sweating, acute stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. These difficulties have inhibited me from submitting assignments, attending lectures, and studying for final projects and finals. In order to address this extenuating circumstance, I have gone to the Kingston General Hospital Emergency Department (November 5th) and the Hôtel Dieu Hospital Urgent Care (November 15th) for diagnoses and paperwork. I obtained a signed Verification of Extenuating Circumstances form from a medical professional at the CDK Family Medicine and Walk-In Clinic. I have also emailed both academic accommodation services and my professors/department accommodation figures in order to stay transparent about my health and remain accountable for my work and progress within my classes.

Despite my circumstances, I have managed to finish over 60% of the course work for all my classes and completed all necessary learning outcomes. Unfortunately, my condition has gotten worse over time. This circumstance has left me with no ability to study for my final exams or finish my last assignments within my classes. In addition to my poor physical condition, I was not able to obtain timely surgical healthcare within Kingston (despite having OHIP coverage) and had to fly back home to Tucson, Arizona in the United States. Even though I will eventually receive care at home, my primary care physician (Dr. Theodorou) has made a professional estimate that surgery will not take place until late January at the earliest, after which I will need weeks to recover. Therefore, I will not be able to complete deferred exams and assignments in January. Ergo, the best path forwards is obtaining Aegrotat (AG) status in each of my classes.

Should my petition be granted, my plan for achieving academic success within the future is to return to Queen’s University for classes within the Summer Semester/Term. Once I have the surgical operation and have healed within 2-3 weeks, my ability to complete work and perform as a student will be restored. As previously mentioned, my surgery is not likely to take place before the end of January, at which point going back to university within the Winter 2024 semester would be too difficult and disruptive as I heal. My goal is to complete my Honours Bachelors of Science degree (in which I currently have a 3.44 GPA). I have a sincere passion for my current biology and psychology specialization major and want to return to Kingston in order to continue furthering my education.

These extenuating circumstances are why I humbly petition to be granted Aegrotat (AG) status within all of my Fall 2023 semester classes.

Thank you for your consideration,

Emmeline Close