Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Note: Unable to add all 16 courses that I¿¿m appealing during Step 2 of online appeal (drop down menus)

Dear Associate Dean Atkinson,

Thank you for waiving the one-term appeal deadline and allowing me to proceed with an appeal to drop courses that were impacted directly by my medical extenuating circumstances. Specifically, I ask that you approve a late drop for CLST 205, HLTH 333, KNPE 330, HLTH 237, HLTH 350, HLTH 405, and PHYS P20 from the 2012/13 academic year and FILM 240, HLTH 333, PHYS P20, PSYC 235, HLTH 237, HLTH 435, KPNE455, and PACT 335 from the 2013/14 academic year. I ask that all courses from both academic years be dropped as I failed all courses. I would also ask that I be granted a CR status for DEVS 100 taken in the summer of 2012. It is my hope that at the end of this process, I will possess a transcript from Queen¿¿s University that is a true refection of my academic achievements while I was still in good health.

Prior to Queen¿¿s

During my grade 10 year in high school I suffered a traumatic brain injury. Due to a lengthy hospital stay and follow-up rehab at the Bloorview Children¿¿s Hospital, I ended up missing several months of school. I faced a number of challenges when I returned to studies and struggled to complete grade 11. However, with on-going rehab support from Sick Children¿¿s Hospital and Bloorview, I finished with a very strong grade 12 year.

Attending Queen¿¿s

I was very excited to be accepted at Queen¿¿s University in the Physical and Health Education program. During my first year at Queen¿¿s I was the First Year Rep. for PHEKSA, became a member of Queen¿¿s Bands (highland dancer) and volunteered at a local nursing home as a bedside companion. Unfortunately, I was experiencing some difficulty adjusting to university life and was struggling to stay on top of my course work. I sought help from Queen¿¿s University Health, Counselling and Disability Services and met with academic advisors through the School of Kinesiology and Health studies (Kathy Jackson, Melody Monte). This led to several accommodations, including extra time to complete my exams and writing my exams in a separate room.
In my second year, while I was still struggling to improve my grades, I felt I was more on top of things. I continued to pursue extra-curricular activities including being the Second Year Rep. for PHEKSA, Queen¿¿s Bands and playing football with the Queen¿¿s Women¿¿s Flag Football Team. I met with my academic advisor and had regular appointments with my family doctor.
In third year, I was able to better balance the demands of life, course work and my extra-curricular interests. For my Athletic Therapy course I served as an athletic therapist with the Queen¿¿s Football Team. I continued my participation with the Queen¿¿s Women¿¿s Flag Football team. As well, I volunteered at the Kingston Humane Society. Importantly, my marks began to reflect, I believe, my true potential.

During my fourth and fifth year at Queen¿¿s, I experienced a serious mental health crisis that was both mentally and physically incapacitating. If you look at my transcripts for this period it is clear that something went terribly wrong. For a period of time I did not feel confident leaving my house to engage with the outside world. I was not eating well or exercising and often I would sleep for most of the day and night. I was not able to keep my medical appointments. I was unable to attend lectures, tutorials and seminars. I have since been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and anxiety. In retrospect, these conditions had a significant impact on my ability to function normally during this period. My academic performance was severely affected as a result of this illness. I was also incapable of advocating for myself in terms of my relationship with Queen¿¿s University. During this crisis, I should have attempted to successfully drop my courses while I concentrated on getting well. Unfortunately, due to the debilitating nature of my illness, I was unable to pursue this course of action.
I began my fifth year at Queen¿¿s hoping for a fresh start while trying to manage my mental health challenges. It soon became evident that I was not capable of continuing with my studies at this time. I wrote a letter to my academic advisor, Melody Monte, looking for advice about dropping courses and perhaps completing some courses on-line from home. When December arrived, I was feeling completely incapacitated. On Dec. 6, 2013, I was admitted to Kingston General Hospital. My parents came to Kingston and took me back home to Markham to begin a long recovery from the darkest time of my life.

After Queen¿¿s

Since 2014, I have been working hard to put my life back together. I have developed skills imperative to my future success at Queen¿¿s. Attending outpatient mental health services such as BRIDGE, The Living Room, and Case Work, have helped me define and implement coping strategies for my illness. I was referred to a psychiatrist and am on a medication regimen that will allow me to function as close to ¿¿normal¿ as possible. Further, participating in psychotherapy has ensured that I have built important life skills.

My Future Plans

I have once again attained a measure of stability in my life that will help support my plans for the future. I have spoken with Anna van der Meulen (Undergraduate Coordinator at SKHS) and as per her consult, I will finish the remaining 3 electives during the summer, fall, and winter semesters. I will complete these courses online, so that I can remain in Markham and continue appointments with my health team here. I will be mindful of drop dates during this time. My goal is to be realistic by finishing my undergraduate degree first, and potentially returning to Queen¿¿s in the future to finish an Honours degree. I am aware of the mental health circumstances that led to difficulties previously in my academic career, and through psychiatric and psychology help, have steps in place to ensure academic success.

Supporting documentation for my appeal has been mailed to the Academic Appeals Office at the Faculty of Arts and Science.

I wish to thank you for considering my appeal, and look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Mary Christine Faulds 06041557
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Physical and Health Education
Appeal Number 3995