Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: January 3, 2018

Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

My name is Zane Grossinger. I am a first-year Kinesiology student and a member of the Queen's Men's Volleyball team. Please accept this correspondence as my formal appeal to receive aegrotat standing in HLTH101 and BIOL102.

On November 28th, I sustained a concussion during a varsity training session. As a result of my injury and immediate consultation with doctors, academic advisors and staff at athletic services, it was determined that I would be unable to write four exams during the December 2017 exam period. I have been advised to seek aegrotat standing in the two courses listed above based on my current academic performance in these subjects and my overall academic and athletic commitments at Queen's. I am currently making arrangements with my professors to write my CHEM 112A and PSYC 100 exams in January. Receiving this standing will allow me to best move forward in my academic school year without having the challenge of writing four exams at the beginning of a new term, while beginning new courses and maintaining my commitment to the intense demands of the varsity volleyball team in the second half of the season.

Immediately following my head injury on Tuesday November 28th my Head Coach, Brenda Willis had me seen by two sports medicine doctors in the Training Zone at the ARC. Following my assessment, I was instructed to get lots of rest/sleep, refrain from using screens and take a leave from academic work. My immediate symptoms were constant headaches, sensitivity to light and inability to focus. The anxiety I experienced during this period is something I have never felt as the uncertainty of the impact this would have on my academic and athletic year was weighing heavily on me. As instructed, I spent the subsequent 7 days committed to the prescribed protocol, taking a few breaks to get fresh air outside my residence at Victoria Hall when needed. The support of my parents (who were out of the country at the time), my coach, teammates and friends were very helpful as I had to literally slow down my daily activities in a way that I have never had to do before.

It was during this time that I submitted my request for academic consideration due to exonerating circumstances with the aid of athletic services and got the appropriate approval. Once my accommodations were confirmed, I made the decision with my coach, doctor and parents to come home on December 5th and recover from my injury. At home, I was able to contact my professors/instructors and maintain a dialogue that continues today. I felt it was important to provide consistent updates on my progress and develop a plan to return to academics once cleared from my concussion. On December 12th, I returned to the ARC with my Dad for a follow-up appointment. Dr. O'Connor reassessed my condition and concluded that my symptoms improved enough to attempt my final exam if I could handle studying while symptom free. As a result, I completed my KNPE153 exam on December 18th. I also met with my family physician while at home so that he is aware of all the steps the Queen's medical staff have taken in my care and have developed a plan so that I can be monitored when not in Kingston as well. As of January 2nd, I have been cleared to return to play, as my concussion symptoms have cleared and have committed to a plan so that they can continue to monitor my health. I am optimistic that a symptom-free return to academics will begin at the start of the second term.

I could not have made a better choice than selecting Queen's University. The Kinesiology program is a perfect fit for my academic interests and will set the proper foundation as I pursue a career in Medicine post-graduation. I am also grateful for the opportunity that Head Coach Brenda Willis has provided me to contribute to the team in my first-year. I have been the starting setter for the team during the first half of the season, our team is currently in 3rd place in our division and my individual statistics place me in the top 5 in the OUA and top 10 in USports at my position. I look forward to contributing to our team's success in the second half of the season and plan to attend the Junior National Team Selection Camp in May. If successful, I would represent Canada at international competitions in the summer. I have learned a lot about striking the balance between academic, athletic and social life on campus and feel that I have managed all three aspects of university life effectively.

I am grateful for the support I have received thus far by so may people at Queen's. I feel this appeal and ultimately receiving aegrotat standing in HLTH101 and BIOL102 would allow for continued success in my total Queen's experience.

Thank you for this consideration.




Sincerely,

Zane Grossinger