Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Academic Appeals Committee,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally request that I receive a Credit (CR) designation instead of a letter grade for two of my courses from the [Fall 2024] term due to extenuating medical and personal circumstances that significantly impacted my academic performance.

In May of 2024, I suffered a severe spinal injury that resulted in temporary paralysis. Throughout the following months, I was in and out of hospitals receiving treatments aimed at improving my quality of life and regaining my mobility. This ongoing medical condition made it extremely difficult to fully engage in my coursework as a typical student would.

Additionally, in early October, I experienced a deeply traumatic event involving sexual violence and discrimination, both in my home and on campus. This resulted in an ongoing investigation involving Queen’s Athletics and Recreation as well as the Student Code of Conduct Office. I have been working closely with lawyers and university officials, providing statements and navigating the legal and institutional processes, which has placed an immense emotional and psychological burden on me.

The combination of my severe medical condition and the ongoing investigation has severely impacted my ability to perform academically to the best of my ability. Despite my efforts to keep up with coursework, I was unable to fully participate in my studies under normal conditions. I believe that a Credit designation for these two courses would more accurately reflect my situation and prevent my academic record from being unfairly impacted due to circumstances beyond my control.