Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Associate Dean (Academic)
Dean’s Group, Senior Leadership, Student Services
Dunning Hall
Jenn.stephenson@queensu.ca
Fax: 613-533-2467

CHARLOTTE CERNY - Petition for Late Course Drop Due to Extenuating Circumstances, Fall 2024 Term

Dear Dr. Stephenson,

I am a first-year student in the Direct Entry Life-Sciences and Biochemistry program. I am fulfilling my dream in pursuing my education at Queens University, in the Life-Sciences program. My goal is to become a medical doctor. Unfortunately, I became ill in the Fall of 2024 with pneumonia and severe ear infection. Being new to University life and expecting to make a speedy recovery, I did not anticipate having to drop classes or know that I could drop classes up to December 3rd. I am seeking your assistance to remove MATH 130 and PHYS 115 from my academic transcript.

Being a healthy person, mindful of maintaining a healthy body and mind, I expected this illness would quickly resolve on its own. Unfortunately, it drastically worsened over the first two weeks. I was coughing constantly, had a fever, ear pain, difficulty hearing and couldn’t sleep. I had a feeling of physically drowning, with each breath I took, which was terrifying and pushed me to seek treatment at Kingston General Hospital.

My burdening symptoms included difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, tinnitus, vertigo, chest pain, and ear pain. I was unable to sleep and concentrate. This significantly impacted my performance on midterms, quizzes and my overall academic performance from October 15 through to December 18. Over that period of time, I was prescribed three courses of antibiotics.

My mid-term exams for Physics (October 25) and Math (Oct 2, Oct 23, Nov 13, Nov 27) did not go well. Considering the weight of the midterms, I should have dropped the courses prior to the October 28 deadline, to avoid academic penalty. I had not anticipated needing to drop courses, as I thought my grades from the midterms would not be as low. I expected to be able to redeem myself if I got better, especially with the help of antibiotics. However, the antibiotics were ineffective in relieving my symptoms and I had to repeatedly seek additional medical care. During that time, I was drained, and I was unable to keep up with my workload. Trying to push through my 5-course workload was a mistake. My mid-terms and final exams were sub-par and I failed 2 courses, MATH 130 and PHYS 115. This is very uncharacteristic of my performance, and academic commitment.

Being new to the University, I didn’t know that I should have requested accommodation if my symptoms affected me for more than a few consecutive days. I was also unaware that I could have dropped courses up to December 3rd. Certainly, in the future, if any similar situation were to occur, I would request academic accommodation and drop courses prior to the cut-off dates.

I will gladly retake the courses I failed, but I am very concerned about the impact that the failed courses would have on my future endeavors, should they remain on my transcript. Upon discussing this with the academic advisor, I was made aware of the possibility to remove the failed math and physics courses from my transcript, given the extenuating circumstances. I sincerely request your assistance to remove the failed MATH 130 and PHYS 115 from my academic transcript.

I look forward to discussing any questions that you have.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Cerny
Direct Entry Life-Sciences and Biochemistry
Student Number: 20461151
Email: 23kx45@queensu.ca
Cell: 437-228-9887