Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
I am appealing to drop LING 310: Phonetics (Fall 2016). I became quite ill this fall which caused me to be unable to complete my semester in Kingston. I was diagnosed with a severe viral illness with hepto-spheno megaly. This greatly affected my academic performance as I was not able to receive the lecture notes, complete the required readings or assignments. This appeal is occurring so late because of the timing of my illness and the efforts undergone by myself and my professors to make the accommodations work.
The Tuesday October 11thI first acquired symptoms ¿¿ high fever, upset stomach, body aches and pains and so on. I missed a week of classes, hoping the illness would pass. I went to a walk-in clinic on Friday October 14th, who swabbed my throat to test for strep. I ended up going home on Sunday October 16th, as my state was not improving I was just gaining more symptoms. I went to emergency on Sunday October 16th and again I was tested for strep, along with mononucleosis. The tests for mononucleosis came back negative so I began amoxicillin for my strep throat. I saw my family doctor on Thursday October 21st, because still there was no improvement in my symptoms. During the appointment she noticed that my spleen was quite enlarged. She immediately referred me for an ultrasound, blood work and to an internist. As of Monday October 24th, I was admitted to the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital based on my blood work and ultrasound results. Both my spleen and liver were very inflamed and enlarged, additionally there were lymph nodes surrounding my liver which was affecting its functioning. Before being admitted to the hospital I had a fever of over 100 degree Celsius for 13 days straight and I had an upset stomach for 9 days straight. Also on Monday October 24th, I woke up with a full body rash. When admitted to the hospital it was unsure if the rash developed from the antibiotic ¿¿ amoxicillin, or because of the viral illness. The rash become progressively worse causing my face, ears and lips to swell tremendously. I was taken off amoxicillin and placed on another antibiotic ¿¿ Clindamycin. Eight days following being put on Clindamycin I again broke out in a rash. It was determined that these were drug reactions and I have now been undergoing allergy testing. I was discharged from the hospital on Friday October 28th with strict orders to stay in isolation as my immune system was still quite weak and to rest and take it easy. Due to my condition and the number of follow-up appointments and monitoring needed, my doctor did not want me returning to Kingston for the remainder of the semester. Not being able to return to Kingston greatly affects my academic performance in that I am unable to attend lectures, and make notes and I was already behind in my classes because of the four weeks I missed.
Throughout my illness I kept all of my professors informed via email and provided them with photos of my doctor¿¿s notes. While I was in the hospital it was determined that it would be best for my health if I did not return to Kingston this semester. I informed my professors immediately via email along with the doctor¿¿s note. Following this, I got in touch with Queen¿¿s Student Accessibility Services and they provided me with the necessary next steps. I was matched with an Accommodations Adviser ¿¿ Bonney Hunt and she completed the Accommodations letter which got sent to each of my professors. Lorena Jessop, my LING 310 professor, had gotten in contact with Queen¿¿s Student Accessibility Services before I did, additionally she talked with the Linguistics department head to try and see if LING 310: Phonetics could be accommodated. Ultimately, the course expectations could not be met through the proposed accommodations.
As stated above, I am appealing to drop LING 310: Phonetics. Since this course is not offered in the Winter 2017 term, I plan to receive my last Psychology credit through COMM 251: organizational Behavior (currently on the wait list) or through BIOL 350: Evolution and Human Affairs ¿¿ in communication with the professor. Additionally, based on my graduate school plans, I hope to take a phonetics course during the summer in order to keep my graduate school options open.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Regards,
Jade Ferguson