Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Queen's University
Dunning Hall
94 University Ave
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N9
Attention: Associate Deans (Studies) of Arts and Sciences


Dear Dr. Jill Atkinson and Dr. Johanne Benard,

I am appealing to drop courses (late) BMED 373 (2017 Summer), HIST 295 (2017 Fall), POLS 241 (2017 Fall), CLST 203 (2018 Winter), POLS 212 (2018 Winter), ENGL 321 (2017 Fall/ 2018 Winter), ENGL 340 (2017 Fall/2018 Winter), and ENGL 375 (2017 Fall/ 2018 Winter). Included with this application is evidence of my extenuating circumstances and treatment plan as explained below.

There were extenuating circumstances beyond my control that affected my ability to perform to the best of my potential during these semesters. I was diagnosed with PTSD and there was a traumatic event beyond my control last summer that caused my PTSD to intensify. This psychological challenge caused me to have severe lack of sleep, disturbed sleep, as well as episodes of severe panic and anxiety, all of which significantly affected my basic daily living functions and made it extremely difficult to complete my academic obligations. These symptoms of PTSD affected my ability to have the motivation to attend classes, complete assignments, and made it extremely difficult to complete my school work, even though I know I am capable of it as my previous grades will attest. On most days, I was sleep deprived, frozen with severe panic and anxiety, and unable to leave my house. This traumatic event last summer continued to affect me throughout the school year and continues to affect me today. I did however start to receive therapy in the fall and continued throughout the year as I believed it would help me manage my symptoms enough that I would be able to maintain my academic obligations. I also opened up to my parents about my psychological state in order to start a dialogue and gain support. I truly believed that between therapy and the support of my parents, I would be able to cope with my PTSD and work hard so that I may obtain better grades. I kept believing that my situation as a whole would improve. However, it became apparent to me too late in the year that I wouldn't be able to recover psychologically in time to complete my academic commitments and at that point I was at a loss of what to do. Nevertheless, I now understand that my PTSD needs at this point to be a full-time commitment and that my mental health needs to my number one priority in order to get back to my full potential.

Should this appeal be granted, my future plan is to either defer a semester or even a year in order to focus on my mental health and psychological well being, or possibly take an online course from home in order to slowly raise my GPA while still focusing on my health with the support and safety of my home, family, and the assistance of my therapist. My academic goal is to graduate with my undergraduate degree but with a much higher GPA and achieve this degree at a slower pace so that I may still focus on my mental health and academic obligations. I have and will continue to consult an academic advisor if this appeal is granted in order to help make the most appropriate decision regarding next steps.


Thank you so much for your consideration,
Sincerely,
Claire Macpherson