Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 3252
Submitted: April 8, 2017 at 6:10:34 PM
First Name: Amanda
Last Name: Cannella
Student Number: 6210005
Email: 9acc56@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: ENGL
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear, Dr. Bénard;
I am a student registered with Student Wellness Services as having a requirement for accommodation.
I am writing to appeal the 21 day limit on filing appeals. I have attended Queen¿¿s as an Arts and Science undergraduate student since fall 2010, at which point I was studying with an undiagnosed chronic pain condition. In December 2013, I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This condition manifests in severe, constant pain localized to my right upper extremity, for which I was put on a series of opioid medication¿¿at my height taking the equivalent of 200 mg of morphine a day¿¿that made it extremely hard to function at the university level. I have provided medical documentation verifying my medical condition and the medication necessary to manage it.
Despite my best efforts, during the time of September 2011 to December 2015, I performed poorly in some of my courses. What I am asking for is a chance to formally appeal to late drop some of these courses; an incomplete grade extension for one; and credit standings or an aegrotat grade for others, for which the 21 day limit on appeals would need to be waived.
In the time since taking a leave, I have successfully weened myself off of the opioid medication and am managing my pain with the use of medicinal marijuana. This has allowed me not only to perform well academically, but to do so while maintaining part time employment on campus.
I have once previously made an appeal, and at such time was unaware that I could file for more than one issue, which is why my appeal extends so far back. After filing that first appeal and eventually, as my condition worsened, realized I would need to file yet another, the burden of it hung over me and only grew with time. Despite meeting with academic advisors in December of 2015 and planning to submit then, I was still struggling and wanted to demonstrate concrete improvement before making such claims. My grades demonstrate steady improvement since my successful termination of opioids and I am finally confident in my ability to continue on this path, which is why it is only now that I am filing my appeal.
My university career has been a struggle, and at this time I find myself blessed with the opportunity of redoing my Bachelor¿¿s degree in a cognizant state, armed with the proper capacities to learn. I hope to be given the chance to plead my case in more detail at a later date and with that ask that you overturn the the 21 day limit on appeals.
Sincerely,
Amanda Cannella
0621-0005
I am a student registered with Student Wellness Services as having a requirement for accommodation.
I am writing to appeal the 21 day limit on filing appeals. I have attended Queen¿¿s as an Arts and Science undergraduate student since fall 2010, at which point I was studying with an undiagnosed chronic pain condition. In December 2013, I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This condition manifests in severe, constant pain localized to my right upper extremity, for which I was put on a series of opioid medication¿¿at my height taking the equivalent of 200 mg of morphine a day¿¿that made it extremely hard to function at the university level. I have provided medical documentation verifying my medical condition and the medication necessary to manage it.
Despite my best efforts, during the time of September 2011 to December 2015, I performed poorly in some of my courses. What I am asking for is a chance to formally appeal to late drop some of these courses; an incomplete grade extension for one; and credit standings or an aegrotat grade for others, for which the 21 day limit on appeals would need to be waived.
In the time since taking a leave, I have successfully weened myself off of the opioid medication and am managing my pain with the use of medicinal marijuana. This has allowed me not only to perform well academically, but to do so while maintaining part time employment on campus.
I have once previously made an appeal, and at such time was unaware that I could file for more than one issue, which is why my appeal extends so far back. After filing that first appeal and eventually, as my condition worsened, realized I would need to file yet another, the burden of it hung over me and only grew with time. Despite meeting with academic advisors in December of 2015 and planning to submit then, I was still struggling and wanted to demonstrate concrete improvement before making such claims. My grades demonstrate steady improvement since my successful termination of opioids and I am finally confident in my ability to continue on this path, which is why it is only now that I am filing my appeal.
My university career has been a struggle, and at this time I find myself blessed with the opportunity of redoing my Bachelor¿¿s degree in a cognizant state, armed with the proper capacities to learn. I hope to be given the chance to plead my case in more detail at a later date and with that ask that you overturn the the 21 day limit on appeals.
Sincerely,
Amanda Cannella
0621-0005
Documentation
Professional Letter: Scan 37.jpeg
Document: Scan 38.jpeg
Decision Letters
Amendment to Appeal 3252
Relevant Petition: 3252
First Name: Amanda
Last Name: Cannella
Student Number: 6210005
Email: 9acc56@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: ENGL
Level of Study: 4
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses, Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Code: ENGL 200
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2011
Petition Category: Request an extension of an incomplete grade
Instructor's Name: Scott-Morgan Straker
Code: ENGL 340
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2012
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PSYC 221
Term: Winter
Year: 2013
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: n/a
Code: PSYC 333
Term: Fall
Year: 2013
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PSYC 342
Term: Winter
Year: 2014
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PSYC 355
Term: Winter
Year: 2014
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: ENGL 321
Term: Fall/Winter
Year: 2013
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: ENGL 466
Term: Fall
Year: 2014
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: FILM 240
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To: Dr. Bénard
Re: Academic Appeal ¿¿ Amanda Cannella (Student 0621-0005)
a. The Request
I am requesting for the above changes to be reviewed for consideration.
b. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances
For my adult life I have had a severe chronic pain disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which necessitates constant pain management. In my second year at Queen¿¿s I was put on a regimen of opiates to manage the pain which caused my academic success and mental health to, unfortunately, decline for several years as a side effect of their pain relief. This is reflected in the quickly degrading performance seen between my first and subsequent years in my transcript, up until the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 years. I believe that the difficulties of navigating my disability in general, and the specific and severe difficulties of effectively managing it without compromising my academic ability or quality of life, merits sincere consideration as regards my request for appeal.
With my disability accommodations, I was permitted to defer certain assignments beyond the due date(s) as it took a considerable amount of effort to complete assignments while I was under the influence of the opioid medications. Deferred assignments started impacting my ability to work on the courses I was later enrolled in, despite my best efforts to keep up. It took three years to complete the two term papers for ENGL 200, which, as it is a prerequisite for upper-year courses, was one of my primary concerns. It took this long largely due to the pain management regime interfering with my ability to work, as well as effecting my ability to make clear decisions regarding my academic affairs up until my position changed throughout the year of 2015.
I have since been focused on improving my academic standing through my coursework but have also been struggling psychologically with the enormity and unorthodox nature of this appeal. After two years of successful terms, this seemed like an opportune time to request such an extensive revision to my transcript, and I was hesitant to submit this appeal until I had proof of improvement.
I have attended psychiatric counselling regularly as well as a pain management specialist, as well as made every possible effort to speak to professors about extensions and other alternative arrangements, but freely admit that the effect of my pain regimen for much of my undergraduate career left me unable to work to my fullest ability.
c. Future Plan
As of the fall of 2015 I have transitioned successfully to a non-opioid pain management regimen which has left me feeling considerably better and able to successfully complete my degree. I have attained a 3.53 GPA for the 2016-2017 school year under a full disability course load, which represents a significant improvement over past years and is, I hope, indicative of my future progress. I have also met with Dr. Chris Bongie of the Department of English to evaluate my plan for degree completion with an English major, which is on track to be completed in time to graduate in Spring 2018. I hope that these improvements demonstrate both the efforts I have made so far and further solidifies the merits of my appeal.
Thank you very much for your time in considering my appeal.
Best,
Amanda Cannella
Re: Academic Appeal ¿¿ Amanda Cannella (Student 0621-0005)
a. The Request
I am requesting for the above changes to be reviewed for consideration.
b. Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances
For my adult life I have had a severe chronic pain disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which necessitates constant pain management. In my second year at Queen¿¿s I was put on a regimen of opiates to manage the pain which caused my academic success and mental health to, unfortunately, decline for several years as a side effect of their pain relief. This is reflected in the quickly degrading performance seen between my first and subsequent years in my transcript, up until the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 years. I believe that the difficulties of navigating my disability in general, and the specific and severe difficulties of effectively managing it without compromising my academic ability or quality of life, merits sincere consideration as regards my request for appeal.
With my disability accommodations, I was permitted to defer certain assignments beyond the due date(s) as it took a considerable amount of effort to complete assignments while I was under the influence of the opioid medications. Deferred assignments started impacting my ability to work on the courses I was later enrolled in, despite my best efforts to keep up. It took three years to complete the two term papers for ENGL 200, which, as it is a prerequisite for upper-year courses, was one of my primary concerns. It took this long largely due to the pain management regime interfering with my ability to work, as well as effecting my ability to make clear decisions regarding my academic affairs up until my position changed throughout the year of 2015.
I have since been focused on improving my academic standing through my coursework but have also been struggling psychologically with the enormity and unorthodox nature of this appeal. After two years of successful terms, this seemed like an opportune time to request such an extensive revision to my transcript, and I was hesitant to submit this appeal until I had proof of improvement.
I have attended psychiatric counselling regularly as well as a pain management specialist, as well as made every possible effort to speak to professors about extensions and other alternative arrangements, but freely admit that the effect of my pain regimen for much of my undergraduate career left me unable to work to my fullest ability.
c. Future Plan
As of the fall of 2015 I have transitioned successfully to a non-opioid pain management regimen which has left me feeling considerably better and able to successfully complete my degree. I have attained a 3.53 GPA for the 2016-2017 school year under a full disability course load, which represents a significant improvement over past years and is, I hope, indicative of my future progress. I have also met with Dr. Chris Bongie of the Department of English to evaluate my plan for degree completion with an English major, which is on track to be completed in time to graduate in Spring 2018. I hope that these improvements demonstrate both the efforts I have made so far and further solidifies the merits of my appeal.
Thank you very much for your time in considering my appeal.
Best,
Amanda Cannella
Documentation
Professional Letter: Scan.tif