Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

I am appealing to drop POLS 211 (Fall 2015), POLS 250 (Fall 2015/Winter 2016) and HIST 245 (Fall 2015) after the deadline, without academic penalty.

Extenuating circumstances during the Fall term negatively affected my academic performance. Specifically during the month of November I began to feel increasingly anxious. I attempted to manage this myself but the episodes of anxiety became more severe. I found myself unable to sleep or eat properly and lost a significant amount of weight. My ability to focus on my course work became increasingly difficult. As I attempted to study for my exams in late November and December, I found that I would spend hours of time with my materials but was unable to retain the information. Eventually I could not manage the anxiety on my own and I sought the help of Dr. Tonya Bauermann through Queen's student counselling office. With Dr. Bauermann's help I determined that the appropriate course of action for me at that time was to appeal to drop the above referenced courses and write the on-line exam for my half-year Film course (my full-year Film course had no Christmas exam).

Since returning home from Kingston for the Christmas break I have had a complete physical at the MedCan Clinic in Toronto to assess my physical health. I have been referred to a psychiatrist in Toronto who specializes in my age group and am developing a plan for ongoing support through that doctor and Dr. Bauermann so that I can address and manage my feelings of anxiety.

I am confident that with the support I will have going forward, and should my appeal be granted, the ability to start fresh with new course material, I will succeed in my academics in the Winter term.

Sincerely,

Ethan Cohen