Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12061
Submitted: June 14, 2024 at 11:12:17 PM
First Name: Jasmine
Last Name: Taylor
Pronoun: She/Her
Student Number: 20269565
Email: 20jvt2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSc
Plan: MATH-G
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,
I am petitioning the decision that I must withdraw for one year from the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s University. I am very academically driven, have always taken pride in being an outstanding student, and consistently strive to put my best foot forward in all areas of my life.
I feel that my recent academic performance has been significantly impacted by extenuating circumstances out of my control and is not, in any way, a reflection of the success I am capable of. During the Fall 2022 term, I started to become increasingly burdened by the escalating toll of mental illness. Severe mental distress was profoundly impacting my personal life and, more alarmingly, my academic performance. Symptoms of general anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder significantly hindered my ability to engage in curricular activities I once enjoyed and excelled in. Compounding my struggle with mental illness was my second year in the especially demanding Life Sciences program, which I was simultaneously realizing I had little interest in pursuing.
As a result of these difficult circumstances, I frequently missed lectures, labs, quizzes, and submission deadlines – all of which was completely out of character for me. Recognizing that my mental health struggles were jeopardizing my academic progress, I began meeting weekly with a mental health professional in November of 2022. Furthermore, in March 2023, I sought treatment from Student Wellness Services, where I was prescribed medication to help manage my symptoms. I continued meeting there for check-ups every six weeks throughout the Winter 2023 academic term and into the summer.
Additionally, I decided to change my major from Life Sciences to Mathematics to pursue a field that truly interested me. Throughout the 2023/2024 school year, I consistently took my prescribed SSRI medication and gradually noticed improvements in my mental health. In conjunction with this, my enrollment in math and business courses that I enjoyed lead to a positive progression in my academic performance. While progress with mental illness is rarely linear and takes time, I began to see encouraging changes, even though my grades did not improve as quickly as I had hoped.
In hindsight, immediately upon being placed on academic probation last year, I should have reconsidered my academic plan. I believe that, had I recognized the severity of my circumstances one year ago and given myself more grace, I would not be in the position I am in today. I am not proud of my academic performance as of late and truly believe that it has been negatively affected due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding my mental health.
Should my petition be granted, I plan to adjust my academic plan to better succeed in my future studies. This will involve continuing with my current Mathematics degree plan but taking a lighter course load each term. Previously, I have enrolled in a full course load each term at Queen’s, which has proven to be exceptionally challenging amidst my mental health struggles. Managing five courses per term has made it difficult to achieve success in each one. By reducing my workload, I will be able to dedicate more time to each course, allowing me to significantly improve my academic performance. Additionally, I plan to continue taking my current SSRI medication and to seek counseling as needed. These adjustments will help me stay on track academically while maintaining a manageable level of stress and mental strain.
I greatly appreciate your time and consideration. Given the extenuating circumstances that recently affected my academic performance, which have now been resolved, I respectfully request that the requirement to withdraw for one year from the Faculty of Arts and Science be waived. I am eager to move forward from this challenging period and to prevent any further disruption to my academic and personal growth. Given the opportunity to return to classes this fall, I am confident in my ability to achieve the results I know I am capable of. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Jasmine Taylor
I am petitioning the decision that I must withdraw for one year from the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s University. I am very academically driven, have always taken pride in being an outstanding student, and consistently strive to put my best foot forward in all areas of my life.
I feel that my recent academic performance has been significantly impacted by extenuating circumstances out of my control and is not, in any way, a reflection of the success I am capable of. During the Fall 2022 term, I started to become increasingly burdened by the escalating toll of mental illness. Severe mental distress was profoundly impacting my personal life and, more alarmingly, my academic performance. Symptoms of general anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder significantly hindered my ability to engage in curricular activities I once enjoyed and excelled in. Compounding my struggle with mental illness was my second year in the especially demanding Life Sciences program, which I was simultaneously realizing I had little interest in pursuing.
As a result of these difficult circumstances, I frequently missed lectures, labs, quizzes, and submission deadlines – all of which was completely out of character for me. Recognizing that my mental health struggles were jeopardizing my academic progress, I began meeting weekly with a mental health professional in November of 2022. Furthermore, in March 2023, I sought treatment from Student Wellness Services, where I was prescribed medication to help manage my symptoms. I continued meeting there for check-ups every six weeks throughout the Winter 2023 academic term and into the summer.
Additionally, I decided to change my major from Life Sciences to Mathematics to pursue a field that truly interested me. Throughout the 2023/2024 school year, I consistently took my prescribed SSRI medication and gradually noticed improvements in my mental health. In conjunction with this, my enrollment in math and business courses that I enjoyed lead to a positive progression in my academic performance. While progress with mental illness is rarely linear and takes time, I began to see encouraging changes, even though my grades did not improve as quickly as I had hoped.
In hindsight, immediately upon being placed on academic probation last year, I should have reconsidered my academic plan. I believe that, had I recognized the severity of my circumstances one year ago and given myself more grace, I would not be in the position I am in today. I am not proud of my academic performance as of late and truly believe that it has been negatively affected due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding my mental health.
Should my petition be granted, I plan to adjust my academic plan to better succeed in my future studies. This will involve continuing with my current Mathematics degree plan but taking a lighter course load each term. Previously, I have enrolled in a full course load each term at Queen’s, which has proven to be exceptionally challenging amidst my mental health struggles. Managing five courses per term has made it difficult to achieve success in each one. By reducing my workload, I will be able to dedicate more time to each course, allowing me to significantly improve my academic performance. Additionally, I plan to continue taking my current SSRI medication and to seek counseling as needed. These adjustments will help me stay on track academically while maintaining a manageable level of stress and mental strain.
I greatly appreciate your time and consideration. Given the extenuating circumstances that recently affected my academic performance, which have now been resolved, I respectfully request that the requirement to withdraw for one year from the Faculty of Arts and Science be waived. I am eager to move forward from this challenging period and to prevent any further disruption to my academic and personal growth. Given the opportunity to return to classes this fall, I am confident in my ability to achieve the results I know I am capable of. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Jasmine Taylor
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Course of Study:
In the upcoming academic year, I plan to continue pursuing my Bachelor of Science – Mathematics (MATH-G-BSC) plan. I have reviewed my Academic Requirements Report in SOLUS, and I have completed 48.0 of the 90.0 units required for my degree. I must now complete an additional 42.0 units to complete my degree. Of these 42.0 units, 15.0 units must be obtained in the core and option courses which satisfy my degree plan, and the remaining 27.0 units can be obtained by completing elective courses.
Course Load:
In the Fall 2024 term I plan to resume full-time studies, however, considering the extenuating circumstances which previously made it challenging for me to manage 15.0 units per term, I will reduce my course load to 9.0 units per term. This will reduce the external stressors in my life to ensure I can continue succeeding in my academic and personal progress. Should 9.0 units per term be a sufficiently rigorous, yet manageable, course load for me, I will continue on this path. If, after one successful term, I am confident that I can handle more than 9.0 units, I may decide to increase my course load in future terms accordingly. With this plan, I can aim to fulfill my degree requirements in a realistic time frame while succeeding in each one of my future courses.
Strategies for Success:
Based on the Faculty of Arts and Science’s grading scheme for repeating courses, by repeating and passing a previously failed course, the failing grade that I received will be excluded from the calculation of my GPA. Implementing this strategy, I plan on repeating courses such as MATH 111A, MATH 111B, STAT 252, and MATH 225, to give myself a better opportunity of increasing my GPA to my satisfaction. Not only will repeating these courses help boost my GPA, but they are also going to work towards satisfying the requirements of my Mathematics – General plan.
Additionally, in response to the personal circumstances which recently prevented me from performing my academic responsibilities, I will continue treating my diagnosed issue with the help of my current prescribed medication and by seeking counselling from Student Wellness Services. In doing so, I aim to continue my personal and academic progression while monitoring my condition to ensure a successful return to my studies.
I plan to meet with an academic advisor to determine a realistic course of action in response to the outcome of my petition. Should I be permitted to return to classes in the Fall 2024 term, I will ensure that I have a thorough understanding of my academic responsibilities in terms of the minimum GPA requirement, as well as what grades I must achieve in each my future courses to accomplish this. I am confident that in doing so, I will be fully prepared to accomplish my academic goals and succeed in completing my degree.
In the upcoming academic year, I plan to continue pursuing my Bachelor of Science – Mathematics (MATH-G-BSC) plan. I have reviewed my Academic Requirements Report in SOLUS, and I have completed 48.0 of the 90.0 units required for my degree. I must now complete an additional 42.0 units to complete my degree. Of these 42.0 units, 15.0 units must be obtained in the core and option courses which satisfy my degree plan, and the remaining 27.0 units can be obtained by completing elective courses.
Course Load:
In the Fall 2024 term I plan to resume full-time studies, however, considering the extenuating circumstances which previously made it challenging for me to manage 15.0 units per term, I will reduce my course load to 9.0 units per term. This will reduce the external stressors in my life to ensure I can continue succeeding in my academic and personal progress. Should 9.0 units per term be a sufficiently rigorous, yet manageable, course load for me, I will continue on this path. If, after one successful term, I am confident that I can handle more than 9.0 units, I may decide to increase my course load in future terms accordingly. With this plan, I can aim to fulfill my degree requirements in a realistic time frame while succeeding in each one of my future courses.
Strategies for Success:
Based on the Faculty of Arts and Science’s grading scheme for repeating courses, by repeating and passing a previously failed course, the failing grade that I received will be excluded from the calculation of my GPA. Implementing this strategy, I plan on repeating courses such as MATH 111A, MATH 111B, STAT 252, and MATH 225, to give myself a better opportunity of increasing my GPA to my satisfaction. Not only will repeating these courses help boost my GPA, but they are also going to work towards satisfying the requirements of my Mathematics – General plan.
Additionally, in response to the personal circumstances which recently prevented me from performing my academic responsibilities, I will continue treating my diagnosed issue with the help of my current prescribed medication and by seeking counselling from Student Wellness Services. In doing so, I aim to continue my personal and academic progression while monitoring my condition to ensure a successful return to my studies.
I plan to meet with an academic advisor to determine a realistic course of action in response to the outcome of my petition. Should I be permitted to return to classes in the Fall 2024 term, I will ensure that I have a thorough understanding of my academic responsibilities in terms of the minimum GPA requirement, as well as what grades I must achieve in each my future courses to accomplish this. I am confident that in doing so, I will be fully prepared to accomplish my academic goals and succeed in completing my degree.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 12061
Relevant Petition: 12061
Student Number: 20269565
Documentation
Professional Letter: 20240626102218.pdf
History
Originally submitted June 14, 2024 at 11:12:17 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Incomplete | Kerri Andrews | 2024-06-16 8:37:38 PM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2024-06-26 4:08:50 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Denied | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-08 12:10:20 PM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D. | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-08 12:10:20 PM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2024-07-08 12:11:10 PM |