Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3026
Submitted: January 28, 2017 at 2:10:46 PM
First Name: Kate
Last Name: Thomas
Student Number: 10208188
Email: kate.thomas@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: ENGL
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses, Waive the 21-day or one term deadline
Code: ENGL100
Term: Summer
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Robert G May
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,
I'm writing in regards to appealing a grade I received in a course taken during Summer 2016.
During the 2015/16 school year, I took ENGL100 for the first time. I received a mark of D in the course. After contacting CDS, I was informed that I needed a grade of C in order to take ENGL200 for the following year, 2016/17 (the current school year.) In attempt to make up my grade before the new school year started, I took the condensed 6.0 units throughout the Summer, before Fall in order to not set me back in my degree plan. However, the overwhelming anxiety of trying to finish the course throughout all the circumstances that were present in my life outside of Queens became too much to handle. I began taking medication to manage my anxiety (which I've attached a doctors note verifying the medication) and the stresses of coping with external circumstances and the emotional anxiety behind the possibility of having to take ENGL100 for a third time resulted to me ending up with the same grade I received the first time: D.
I am currently enrolled in ENGL100 for the third time now. After having issues with the course this time around as well, and in addition my TA's lack of understanding and unwillingness to make any exceptions to course rules after explaining circumstances, I battled with my anxiety and was finally at a point of contacting an academic advisor about it. After explaining my story, he was shocked that I didn't appeal the grade to begin with.
The reason I am appealing this grade so late is because I was told originally that I needed a grade of C, and that I would have to take the course again in order to achieve it before moving forward. I wasn't at all in the know that appealing a grade was an option. I was specifically told by CDS that they would be enrolling me in ENGL100 again, they gave me no options. It has been a very confusing and frustrating experience at Queens having been told one thing, and then to turn around and be told something entirely different that would have saved me time, money, and emotional stress.
I understand that mental illness is common amongst students. However, I know that mental illness isn't always taken seriously. One thing that is crippling for those with anxiety is that reaching out to someone and explaining your case isn't at all easy. I spent the better part of December, as well as all of January trying just trying to fight the battle with my mind over simply making a phone call to CDS about my difficulties. Queens U hasn't done anything to put students like myself at ease in situations such as this. I know it is entirely my responsibility to reach out to CDS when I'm having challenges, however I've been told to take different courses of actions which has done nothing but force my anxiety levels to be higher than they once were, not knowing what to do or how to handle things.
What I conclusively hope to appeal through this is my grade of D, being turned into the minimum C I require to move forward in my degree. In addition, I wish to appeal a late financial drop of ENGL100B for the winter term. I understand that I am unable to get my money back for ENGL100A seeing at the semester already ended, however, since it's now been brought to my attention that I was never needing to be enrolled in ENGL100 for the third time to begin with, it is for this reason that I request the late financial drop deadline to be appealed, in hopes that I can use this money towards ENGL200.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and above all, your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kate Thomas
I'm writing in regards to appealing a grade I received in a course taken during Summer 2016.
During the 2015/16 school year, I took ENGL100 for the first time. I received a mark of D in the course. After contacting CDS, I was informed that I needed a grade of C in order to take ENGL200 for the following year, 2016/17 (the current school year.) In attempt to make up my grade before the new school year started, I took the condensed 6.0 units throughout the Summer, before Fall in order to not set me back in my degree plan. However, the overwhelming anxiety of trying to finish the course throughout all the circumstances that were present in my life outside of Queens became too much to handle. I began taking medication to manage my anxiety (which I've attached a doctors note verifying the medication) and the stresses of coping with external circumstances and the emotional anxiety behind the possibility of having to take ENGL100 for a third time resulted to me ending up with the same grade I received the first time: D.
I am currently enrolled in ENGL100 for the third time now. After having issues with the course this time around as well, and in addition my TA's lack of understanding and unwillingness to make any exceptions to course rules after explaining circumstances, I battled with my anxiety and was finally at a point of contacting an academic advisor about it. After explaining my story, he was shocked that I didn't appeal the grade to begin with.
The reason I am appealing this grade so late is because I was told originally that I needed a grade of C, and that I would have to take the course again in order to achieve it before moving forward. I wasn't at all in the know that appealing a grade was an option. I was specifically told by CDS that they would be enrolling me in ENGL100 again, they gave me no options. It has been a very confusing and frustrating experience at Queens having been told one thing, and then to turn around and be told something entirely different that would have saved me time, money, and emotional stress.
I understand that mental illness is common amongst students. However, I know that mental illness isn't always taken seriously. One thing that is crippling for those with anxiety is that reaching out to someone and explaining your case isn't at all easy. I spent the better part of December, as well as all of January trying just trying to fight the battle with my mind over simply making a phone call to CDS about my difficulties. Queens U hasn't done anything to put students like myself at ease in situations such as this. I know it is entirely my responsibility to reach out to CDS when I'm having challenges, however I've been told to take different courses of actions which has done nothing but force my anxiety levels to be higher than they once were, not knowing what to do or how to handle things.
What I conclusively hope to appeal through this is my grade of D, being turned into the minimum C I require to move forward in my degree. In addition, I wish to appeal a late financial drop of ENGL100B for the winter term. I understand that I am unable to get my money back for ENGL100A seeing at the semester already ended, however, since it's now been brought to my attention that I was never needing to be enrolled in ENGL100 for the third time to begin with, it is for this reason that I request the late financial drop deadline to be appealed, in hopes that I can use this money towards ENGL200.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and above all, your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kate Thomas
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Doctor Note