Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2996
Submitted: January 23, 2017 at 8:16:49 PM
First Name: Mara
Last Name: Hortsing-Perna
Student Number: 10153402
Email: 14mhp2@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: POLS 310
Term: Fall
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Janet Hieber
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To: Dear Associate Dean (Studies)
The Request
I am appealing to the Facility of Political Science in order to gain a Credit Standing (CR) for the course POLS 310 (Fall, 2016-2017).
Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances
In September of 2016, I began my third year at Queen's while still struggling with depression and was unable to take my medication due to their side effects. I was unable to attend class and struggled to eat regularly ultimately depleting my energy and making it extremely difficult to complete assignments and even readings. On November 15th, I returned home for two weeks, attended four doctors appointments during that time and changed my medication and increased the dosage. I experienced severe side effects from the medication such as hand tremors, memory loss, issues with working memory, confusion and disorientation, lack of motivation, and piercing migraines. I had to stop attending class because of the migraines, my hand tremors made it excruciatingly hard to type or write, and near impossible to concentrate. Additionally, I have a processing disorder that, along with my mental illness, became even more prevalent making understanding content and concentrating even more challenging. The essay for this particular class was based on a book and with my issues with remembering and processing the information due to my medication made this extremely difficult to complete the assignment. In December, my doctor started to wean me off of my medication in order to switch to a new one with potentially less debilitating side effects. The weaning-off process resulted in an increase in the migraines, intensified hand tremors, and extreme fatigue. During the exam period, I was still experiencing withdrawal symptoms making studying very taxing. During the POLS 310 exam, in particular, I experienced disorientation, confusion, and issues with my memory in order to recall the course material. I completed two out of my three exams and received an extension for POLS384. As I was going to still be going through withdrawal or an introduction of a new medication when returning back to classes in January, I attempted to spread out the exams instead of getting an extension for all of them as the current issues were likely to still be occur when returning to Queen's. This was with done with the support of my doctor, the Accommodations Advisor as well as an Academic Advisor.
Future plan
I have taken a lighter course load in order to allow more time to concentrate and focus on each course. This will allow me more time for readings and reviewing content in order to accommodate my working memory issues. I resigned from my weekend job back in November in order to allow more time as well. I have regular phone appointments with my doctor and I have seen an academic advisor in order to create a new plan to complete my degree because I plan to take an extra semester in order to support taking three courses instead of five. I have also changed medications and am working through that process with my doctor. Additionally, I have found a mental health practitioner in Kingston to further my recovery.
The Request
I am appealing to the Facility of Political Science in order to gain a Credit Standing (CR) for the course POLS 310 (Fall, 2016-2017).
Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances
In September of 2016, I began my third year at Queen's while still struggling with depression and was unable to take my medication due to their side effects. I was unable to attend class and struggled to eat regularly ultimately depleting my energy and making it extremely difficult to complete assignments and even readings. On November 15th, I returned home for two weeks, attended four doctors appointments during that time and changed my medication and increased the dosage. I experienced severe side effects from the medication such as hand tremors, memory loss, issues with working memory, confusion and disorientation, lack of motivation, and piercing migraines. I had to stop attending class because of the migraines, my hand tremors made it excruciatingly hard to type or write, and near impossible to concentrate. Additionally, I have a processing disorder that, along with my mental illness, became even more prevalent making understanding content and concentrating even more challenging. The essay for this particular class was based on a book and with my issues with remembering and processing the information due to my medication made this extremely difficult to complete the assignment. In December, my doctor started to wean me off of my medication in order to switch to a new one with potentially less debilitating side effects. The weaning-off process resulted in an increase in the migraines, intensified hand tremors, and extreme fatigue. During the exam period, I was still experiencing withdrawal symptoms making studying very taxing. During the POLS 310 exam, in particular, I experienced disorientation, confusion, and issues with my memory in order to recall the course material. I completed two out of my three exams and received an extension for POLS384. As I was going to still be going through withdrawal or an introduction of a new medication when returning back to classes in January, I attempted to spread out the exams instead of getting an extension for all of them as the current issues were likely to still be occur when returning to Queen's. This was with done with the support of my doctor, the Accommodations Advisor as well as an Academic Advisor.
Future plan
I have taken a lighter course load in order to allow more time to concentrate and focus on each course. This will allow me more time for readings and reviewing content in order to accommodate my working memory issues. I resigned from my weekend job back in November in order to allow more time as well. I have regular phone appointments with my doctor and I have seen an academic advisor in order to create a new plan to complete my degree because I plan to take an extra semester in order to support taking three courses instead of five. I have also changed medications and am working through that process with my doctor. Additionally, I have found a mental health practitioner in Kingston to further my recovery.
Documentation
Professional Letter: DoctorsNote-0.pdf