Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard, Associate Dean (Studies),

I am writing this appeal in request to drop two (2) courses taken during the Fall 2016 term. Due to extenuating medical circumstances, one of these courses (ANAT215) was left incomplete, and the other (CHEM281) was not passed.

I am registered with Accessibility Services for complications regarding my recovery from multiple head injuries. I struggle during midterm and final exam time, not because I am unprepared but due to the development of headaches and mental blocks from the intense studying. These two courses involved the greatest amount of studying during the semester, and were the ones I found myself having trouble achieving the marks I am capable of. The amount of information and duration of studying triggers the headaches and resulting mental block. It has taken time and assistance from an occupational therapist (Lisa Delaney) and concussion specialist (Dr. Mike O¿¿Connor at KOPI) to alter my habits, and essentially relearn how to learn and study.

I suffered from severe headaches for most of the fall semester, and my test grades in these two courses reflected this. In spite of this, I would have been able to salvage the courses during final exams if I were in good health, however I was diagnosed with mono (see attached medical note) during final exams, which caused me to experience additional fatigue and headaches. I contacted my professor for ANAT215 and had the exam postponed. I attempted the final exam for CHEM281 but was unsuccessful.

I have reduced my course load during winter semester, and am finding with the reduced amount of studying that I am seeing an improvement on my test scores. It has taken time, but I am finally figuring out how to study in ways that allow my brain to perform well during testing.

My original plan was to retake both courses during third year, but my direction of study has changed. I now plan to apply for the Advanced Track Nursing program in December 2017, and will no longer need either CHEM281 or ANAT215 as required courses as I would have in a life science degree program. I believe that over the remainder of my undergraduate degree, my health will continue to improve. It would be greatly appreciated if I were able to have these courses removed so that I may focus on completing the prerequisites needed for the nursing program (i.e. completing ANAT100 instead of ANAT215/216).

Files including documentation of my condition from Dr. O¿¿Connor can be found at Queen¿¿s Student Accessibility Services (this letter can be used as proof of my permission to access these files). A letter from Lisa Delaney will also be sent separately. Can you please advise me on where this letter should be sent

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Baylee Hennigar
10184483