Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr.Bénard,

I am appealing to drop the following courses past the drop deadline February 26:

PHYS 117 (Fall/Winter, 2016)
CHEM 112 (Fall/Winter, 2016)
BIOL 103 (Winter, 2016)
GEOL 104 (Winter, 2016)

Early in the week of February 22, 2016, I became acutely ill with the flu with high fever and was bedridden until March 2nd. I went to the Student Health and Wellness Center on February 25 for a medical consultation (see attached medical records). The doctor recommended rest and taking over-the-counter medication to alleviate my symptoms.

For nearly two weeks, I was not well enough to attend lectures, labs, rehearsals and sit for my midterm exams. I notified my professors of my health status (see attached emails) and rescheduled one exam. However, I was unable to make-up missed labs and lectures. My illness also coincided with the final drop deadline. As a result, my grades, which I had hoped to improve, suffered further in this period, affecting my semester as a whole.

In an effort to get back on track, I met with my Bounce Back facilitator on March 2nd in a rescheduled appointment from the previous week. Observing my poor physical and emotional state, my facilitator recommended that I speak with Nadia Sawaya Fehr my residence counselor. Nadia and I met on March 4th and discussed strategies to avoid academic probation. I subsequently met with an academic advisor, Lois Fleming, who explained to me that I had missed the final course drop date and informed me of the appeal process.

Being an aspiring Drama major, I met with Lee Atkinson, the department advisor, and worked out an academic plan in the event that this appeal is granted. After dropping the aforementioned courses, I would have 9.0 units. In order to make up for my lost credits, my plan is to take DRAM 239 (3.0 units) in the spring and DRAM 205 (3.0 units) in the summer. This would put me up to 15.0 units by the start of the next academic session. My course selection for next year would include the mandatory DRAM 200 (6.0 units), DRAM 220 (3.0 units), and DRAM 240 (3.0 units). In addition, I would take DRAM 237, 238, and 251 (all 3.0 units). This reduced course load along with taking summer courses would set me up for a 5-year degree plan as a drama major.

Due to my acute illness, I respectfully request that my failure to meet the drop date be excused and that the administration allow me to drop the aforementioned courses. Thank you very much for considering this appeal. Please do not hesitate to contact me if any additional documentation is required.

Lucas Cmok Kehoe

Student Number: 10184750

Email: 14lck1@queensu.ca

Phone: (617)-230-2089