Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies ,
I am writing to formally appeal the decision regarding my petition regarding Credit Standing (CR) in PSYC 100 and CHEM 112.
I wholeheartedly believe it was dismissed without the thorough and thoughtful consideration it warrants. While I understand the importance of providing a clear timeline for extenuating circumstances, mental health challenges do not always follow a linear or predictable course. The cumulative and unpredictable nature of events resulting in a decline in my overall well being significantly impacted my academic performance, and I hope this additional clarification and documentation demonstrate the severity of their effects.
During the Fall 2023 exam period, I realized that my performance did not reflect my usual academic abilities. This decline was due to extenuating circumstances affecting my well-being. At that time, my transcript only displayed my BIOL 102 grade, as PSYC 100 and CHEM 112 were full-year courses (6 credits each) and showed “NG” on my 2023-24 transcript. I have attached my Fall 2023 transcript for your reference.
I acknowledge that I received an email from the Faculty of Arts and Science that was sent to all students, outlining the requirement to improve if a GPA fell below 1.60 to avoid academic probation. However, my transcript indicated a mid-year GPA of 2.00, leading me to believe that my academic standing was not at serious risk. As a result, I did not fully grasp the extent of my academic decline or that dropping courses was necessary
In the second semester, my ability to focus further deteriorated due to extreme anxiety about my personal safety on campus. I feared encountering my ex-partner, who had enrolled at Queens against my wishes, and this constant worry led me to isolate myself in my dorm room, spiraling into depression.
As final exams approached, my distress intensified due to concerns for my family in the Northwest Territories, where recurring wildfires posed significant threats to their safety.When I recognized that my mental health was not improving, I attempted to seek support through Residence Counselling. Unfortunately, after several unsuccessful attempts to schedule an appointment, I tried to manage on my own- which was equally as unsuccessful. It was only during a recent meeting with a nurse practitioner at Student Wellness that I learned I could have accessed additional counselling services through Student Wellness.
The transition from high school to university is a challenging experience for anyone, but I feel that the start to my school year had some unique challenges. I attended a Francophone school where I learned the curriculum entirely in French, making the adjustment to university-level coursework in English more difficult. Additionally, I graduated from a class of only four students and entered a university setting with lecture halls of 400+ students, which required a significant period of adaptation. Compounding these challenges, my Grade 11 and 12 classes did not complete the full curriculum for Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics due to displacement caused by natural disasters. This left gaps in foundational knowledge that made certain subjects, such as CHEM 112, especially difficult for me.
The decision to deny my petition suggests that my situation was assessed in a way that does not reflect the reality of how mental health challenges manifest. Unlike physical illnesses, mental health struggles fluctuate, and a period of seeming stability can be followed by a sharp decline due to triggering circumstances. This unpredictability led to cycles of omitted meals, forgotten medications, insomnia, and extreme fatigue, which severely affected my cognitive functioning. While I recognize the importance of personal responsibility in making academic decisions such as dropping courses, the nature of my circumstances made it incredibly difficult to make that judgment at the time. It was not simply a matter of enjoying the course content but rather struggling to navigate my academic responsibilities while managing significant personal challenges.
I am deeply concerned that this decision may create barriers to my future aspirations in healthcare—a field I am deeply passionate about and in which I have previously demonstrated strong academic potential. In high school, I was highly successful, earning multiple scholarships and academic honors. My personal experiences have only strengthened my desire to support others facing similar challenges. However, I worry that my grades, rather than my abilities and dedication, will prevent me from pursuing this path.
Given these clarifications and the additional documentation I have provided, I respectfully request a reconsideration of my petition. I hope this appeal will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of my circumstances so that my academic and professional future is not unfairly impacted.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the opportunity to provide further context and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Josee Touesnard
20381494