Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3192
Submitted: March 30, 2017 at 12:05:21 PM
First Name: Victoria
Last Name: Guba
Student Number: 10089274
Email: 12vg15@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: BIOL
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: I am appealing the Faculty's regulation that a maximum of 6.0 units may be taken at a visiting University in a student's third or fourth year of studies. I would like to complete my degree, with a total of 12.0 units remaining, at the University of Guelph during the fall/winter 2017 semester under a letter of permission from Queen's.
I am currently in my fourth year of Biology and was planning to complete my degree in Spring 2017 with an undergraduate thesis. However, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in late December. My academics have contributed a significant level of stress and, given my current circumstances, I have found it extremely difficult to organize and manage my time in a healthy fashion. I was especially struggling to balance an independent thesis project as a part of the Biology 537 course this past semester. The unstructured framework of the project was extremely anxiety provoking.
I found it difficult to focus in classes and frequently experienced panic attacks when attempting to complete coursework and studying for evaluations as a result of my illness. My day-to-day functioning was significantly affected. I often missed lectures and dropped extra curricular activities; both of which are extremely out of my character.
Under the advisement of my therapist and doctor I opted to reduce my course load and drop my thesis. I am currently completing three courses, attend regular counseling appointments and have been prescribed antidepressants. While I find this more manageable I continue to experience panic attacks and depressive symptoms and would like to complete the remainder of my degree from home with the support of my family.
I have requested documentation from the Queen's Health and Wellness Services and am waiting for this to be approved. I would be happy to provide medical documentation verifying my diagnosis and treatment once this is completed.
Thank you for your understanding,
Victoria Guba.
I am currently in my fourth year of Biology and was planning to complete my degree in Spring 2017 with an undergraduate thesis. However, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in late December. My academics have contributed a significant level of stress and, given my current circumstances, I have found it extremely difficult to organize and manage my time in a healthy fashion. I was especially struggling to balance an independent thesis project as a part of the Biology 537 course this past semester. The unstructured framework of the project was extremely anxiety provoking.
I found it difficult to focus in classes and frequently experienced panic attacks when attempting to complete coursework and studying for evaluations as a result of my illness. My day-to-day functioning was significantly affected. I often missed lectures and dropped extra curricular activities; both of which are extremely out of my character.
Under the advisement of my therapist and doctor I opted to reduce my course load and drop my thesis. I am currently completing three courses, attend regular counseling appointments and have been prescribed antidepressants. While I find this more manageable I continue to experience panic attacks and depressive symptoms and would like to complete the remainder of my degree from home with the support of my family.
I have requested documentation from the Queen's Health and Wellness Services and am waiting for this to be approved. I would be happy to provide medical documentation verifying my diagnosis and treatment once this is completed.
Thank you for your understanding,
Victoria Guba.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: At Guelph I will continue to take a more manageable reduced course load (12.0 units) in the fall. I have chosen classes with subject focuses I have previously excelled in to ensure my continued academic success. I will continue regularly visiting a therapist and have already been in touch with Homewood, a facility that offers counseling services in Guelph. I will additionally receive emotional support from family and will be living at home to reduce any stress related to financial strains; all of which are less readily available to me in Kingston.
Specifically, my degree plan requires I complete four elective courses (I have completed the courses necessary to satisfy both my Biology major and Psychology Minor). I have selected a number of courses I would be interested in enrolling in to complete my degree. For example I am interested in two psychology courses, Social and Organization Psychology (PSYC 3490) and Evolutionary Psychology (PSYC 3100) offered at the University of Guelph. Alternatively I may complete two biology courses, Lab and Field Work in Ecology (BIOL 3010) and Introduction to Aquatic Environments (BIOL 3450) offered at the University of Guelph. I have also reviewed two additional elective courses at the University of Guelph: a first year Economics course and Environmental Science Course.
I have reviewed my plan with several academic advisors and have received the approval of Jill Atkinson, Psychology Undergraduate Chair and Bill Nelson, Biology Undergraduate Chair. I have attached emails confirming their approval. These courses will be sufficient to meet my degree requirements and I feel the reduced course load and content of these will remain manageable with further support from family given my current circumstances.
I am confident that completing my degree at a University close to home will be beneficial for my mental health and will ensure my continued academic success.
Specifically, my degree plan requires I complete four elective courses (I have completed the courses necessary to satisfy both my Biology major and Psychology Minor). I have selected a number of courses I would be interested in enrolling in to complete my degree. For example I am interested in two psychology courses, Social and Organization Psychology (PSYC 3490) and Evolutionary Psychology (PSYC 3100) offered at the University of Guelph. Alternatively I may complete two biology courses, Lab and Field Work in Ecology (BIOL 3010) and Introduction to Aquatic Environments (BIOL 3450) offered at the University of Guelph. I have also reviewed two additional elective courses at the University of Guelph: a first year Economics course and Environmental Science Course.
I have reviewed my plan with several academic advisors and have received the approval of Jill Atkinson, Psychology Undergraduate Chair and Bill Nelson, Biology Undergraduate Chair. I have attached emails confirming their approval. These courses will be sufficient to meet my degree requirements and I feel the reduced course load and content of these will remain manageable with further support from family given my current circumstances.
I am confident that completing my degree at a University close to home will be beneficial for my mental health and will ensure my continued academic success.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: Documentation from Queen's Health Services
Documentation Detail: Support of Undergrad Chair Biology
Documentation Detail: Support of Undergrad Chair Psychology