Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 4573
Submitted: May 16, 2018 at 7:44:01 PM
First Name: Jasmine
Last Name: Tordimah
Student Number: 10187719
Email: 14jt70@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Code: POLS 358
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Eleanor MacDonald
Code: LAW 203
Term: Winter
Year: 2018
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Colleen Dempsey
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies) Dr. Jill Atkinson:
After an appointment with an Academic Advisor, it was determined that my best option is to appeal for an Aegrotat standing in two of my courses from the Winter 2018 semester, POLS 358 Critical Perspectives on Capitalism and LAW 203 Workplace Law, as I am unable to complete their final examinations.
I have been suffering from a persistent, difficult to manage medical condition that has led to various physical and mental health challenges, which have directly affected my academic performance. My condition is episodic in nature, meaning that I may experience a short period of good health that is suddenly interrupted by extreme and unpredictable symptoms. Unfortunately, although I have experienced symptoms since early September 2017, this past semester has been particularly difficult, and I am still suffering to date. As mentioned per my medical letter, the recovery time is unknown, which is why I am declaring that this condition has impacted my ability to finish the two course examinations.
As a result of my symptoms, this past semester I have been unable to complete all of my scheduled course work by their initial deadline, missed mandatory tutorials, was unable to attend final exam reviews, and have been unable to have a full-time course load consisting of five courses. My condition limits my ability to walk, due to severe pain (followed by a need to lay down, urgent need to access the bathroom, constant nausea, vomiting, etc.), which has also restricted my ability to attend class regularly. In general, it has and still does restrict my ability to leave my house.
I received treatment prior to as well as during my final examination period. Despite my personal desire to wait until after I finished my exams, my gastroenterologist (GI) advised that I begin treatment immediately, which would hopefully prevent any further and future damage. My GI also advised that stress is a contributing factor that may worsen my symptoms and ultimately cause me to experience more pain. The process of completing my examinations is extremely stressful as I was and am still suffering from extreme fatigue, brain fog, issues maintaining focus/concentration, and difficulty recalling information. Therefore, this has made it extremely hard to prepare for and write my examinations. Additionally, not knowing the outcome of this appeal is also negatively impacting my stress levels as my academics are extremely important to me.
Not only did I take multiple steps to deal with the extenuating circumstances this past semester, but I still am today. I reached out to Queen's Student and Accessibility Services this past semester to seek accommodations that would assist me in completing the semester to the best of my ability during while dealing with this condition. As well as medical treatment, I sought Naturopathic Treatment to possibly help alleviate symptoms in a less-aggressive way. Furthermore, I underwent therapy during the semester to help with my mental health issues. As I mentioned, stress is a huge factor, which is why I reduced my course load and since I was unable to attend class often, I opted for an online course.
Should this appeal be granted, I have devised a plan to achieve my goals regarding academic success for my last year of study. To begin, I declined my job offer from Honda of Canada Mfg. where I have worked for the past two summers since I am still currently suffering and want to use the coming months as a time to focus on treatment, healing, and bettering both my physical and mental health. I have already discussed setting up an appointment mid-August with my Accessibility Advisor, Meg Hall, at the QSAS Office to renew my accommodations and ensure that they are appropriate for the coming year. I have spoken with Undergraduate Assistant Cynthia MacIntosh who assisted me with planning an outline of a course schedule where I will be reducing my course load for the one semester, (to lessen the stress), similar to this past semester. I recently saw my family doctor (Dr. Collins) who is in the process of having me do further testing. Additionally, I am currently in the middle of a referral process to another GI to receive a second opinion regarding my medical condition. Although this condition should not have a significant/detrimental impact on my future academic performance, if I am in a similar state by the end of the summer, I will then make the decision to take a semester off.
Therefore, as documentation validates the fact that I am still suffering, I sincerely request that I be granted this appeal for an Aegrotat standing due to my ongoing medical condition.
Best,
Jasmine Tordimah
After an appointment with an Academic Advisor, it was determined that my best option is to appeal for an Aegrotat standing in two of my courses from the Winter 2018 semester, POLS 358 Critical Perspectives on Capitalism and LAW 203 Workplace Law, as I am unable to complete their final examinations.
I have been suffering from a persistent, difficult to manage medical condition that has led to various physical and mental health challenges, which have directly affected my academic performance. My condition is episodic in nature, meaning that I may experience a short period of good health that is suddenly interrupted by extreme and unpredictable symptoms. Unfortunately, although I have experienced symptoms since early September 2017, this past semester has been particularly difficult, and I am still suffering to date. As mentioned per my medical letter, the recovery time is unknown, which is why I am declaring that this condition has impacted my ability to finish the two course examinations.
As a result of my symptoms, this past semester I have been unable to complete all of my scheduled course work by their initial deadline, missed mandatory tutorials, was unable to attend final exam reviews, and have been unable to have a full-time course load consisting of five courses. My condition limits my ability to walk, due to severe pain (followed by a need to lay down, urgent need to access the bathroom, constant nausea, vomiting, etc.), which has also restricted my ability to attend class regularly. In general, it has and still does restrict my ability to leave my house.
I received treatment prior to as well as during my final examination period. Despite my personal desire to wait until after I finished my exams, my gastroenterologist (GI) advised that I begin treatment immediately, which would hopefully prevent any further and future damage. My GI also advised that stress is a contributing factor that may worsen my symptoms and ultimately cause me to experience more pain. The process of completing my examinations is extremely stressful as I was and am still suffering from extreme fatigue, brain fog, issues maintaining focus/concentration, and difficulty recalling information. Therefore, this has made it extremely hard to prepare for and write my examinations. Additionally, not knowing the outcome of this appeal is also negatively impacting my stress levels as my academics are extremely important to me.
Not only did I take multiple steps to deal with the extenuating circumstances this past semester, but I still am today. I reached out to Queen's Student and Accessibility Services this past semester to seek accommodations that would assist me in completing the semester to the best of my ability during while dealing with this condition. As well as medical treatment, I sought Naturopathic Treatment to possibly help alleviate symptoms in a less-aggressive way. Furthermore, I underwent therapy during the semester to help with my mental health issues. As I mentioned, stress is a huge factor, which is why I reduced my course load and since I was unable to attend class often, I opted for an online course.
Should this appeal be granted, I have devised a plan to achieve my goals regarding academic success for my last year of study. To begin, I declined my job offer from Honda of Canada Mfg. where I have worked for the past two summers since I am still currently suffering and want to use the coming months as a time to focus on treatment, healing, and bettering both my physical and mental health. I have already discussed setting up an appointment mid-August with my Accessibility Advisor, Meg Hall, at the QSAS Office to renew my accommodations and ensure that they are appropriate for the coming year. I have spoken with Undergraduate Assistant Cynthia MacIntosh who assisted me with planning an outline of a course schedule where I will be reducing my course load for the one semester, (to lessen the stress), similar to this past semester. I recently saw my family doctor (Dr. Collins) who is in the process of having me do further testing. Additionally, I am currently in the middle of a referral process to another GI to receive a second opinion regarding my medical condition. Although this condition should not have a significant/detrimental impact on my future academic performance, if I am in a similar state by the end of the summer, I will then make the decision to take a semester off.
Therefore, as documentation validates the fact that I am still suffering, I sincerely request that I be granted this appeal for an Aegrotat standing due to my ongoing medical condition.
Best,
Jasmine Tordimah
Documentation
Professional Letter: Documentation-3.pdf