Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: TRISTAN RUSE
10095 Pineview Trail
Campbellville, ON
L0P 1B0
T: (647) 403-2404
August 10, 2016

QUEEN¿¿S UNIVERSITY
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6

Attention: Dr. J. Bénard
Associate Dean (Admission & Recruitment) and Associate Dean (Studies)


Dear Dr. Bénard,

Re: Appeal of Withdrawal
Tristan Ruse
Student No: 10136537

I am writing to appeal the faculty¿¿s decision requiring my withdrawal from the 2016/17 academic year.
My appeal is based on the fact that during the 2015/16 OUA rugby season, while playing for the Queen¿¿s men¿¿s varsity rugby team against Western on October 3rd 2015, I suffered a hit to my head. I did not consider the injury to be serious enough to withdraw from the game - especially given the importance of the game and consequently, did not mention the event to my coaches. Although at the time, I did not realize the significance or the degree of the injury, it became apparent in the days following that I had been concussed. I did not fully realize the consequence of the concussion until the demands of the heavier exam work load in late November. I began to struggle with concentration and noticed I was having memory/recall issues as well as constant headaches.
When I returned home for the Christmas break, I discussed the concussion along with the resulting negative impact on my academic performance with my parents, who advised that I rest thoroughly during the holiday period ¿¿ which I did. When I returned to school in January, I did notice an improvement. I was able to study more consistently and my marks improved. I did feel that by the end of the second semester I was fully recovered. Unfortunately as a result of my concussion, I was not able to do as well as I had hoped in first semester. Although my grades in the second semester improved significantly, the first term negative variance on my overall GPA, when combined with my first year grades, was too significant to overcome.
On June 3rd 2016, during a summer rugby league game, I was hit on the head and lost consciousness. I subsequently saw a concussion medical specialist at the University of Toronto Concussion Clinic and Dr. Julia Alleyne indicated the cumulative impact of the concussions in such a short period of time warranted a withdraw from contact sports for a one year period.
I do realize my first year academic performance was extraordinarily disappointing however, I did have a proactive plan to achieve academic success in my second year. My first year GPA was 1.010, whilst my second year GPA was 2.460, which is a significant improvement despite my concussion struggles in the first semester.
Should my appeal be granted, I would be returning as a full time student, carrying five courses a semester and attending fifteen to twenty hours of classes per week, as well as spending another twenty or more hours a week studying outside of class time. I intend to stay in the economics program, but would be connecting with a tutor for my math and statistics courses (courses that I have struggled with in the past). I have also been tested for a learning disability this summer, however I am still awaiting the results as the follow up meeting is scheduled for August 17th 2016. In addition, I have met with a learning professional so I can better understand how I learn in order to develop learning /study strategies to help me achieve greater academic success. I will also be maintaining regular appointments with my doctor to assess the state of my recovery.
On a personal note, I would like to express my desire to continue as a Queen¿¿s student. The realization that I might not be returning to Queen¿¿s has really shaken me to the core. Being a Queen¿¿s graduate has been a lifelong goal. There is no other university I wish to attend, graduate from or represent. Should I be reinstated I will make academics my utmost priority. I appreciate you reviewing my appeal and your patience in this process.
Sincerely,
Tristan Ruse