Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hello Dr Kawaja,


My name is Joshua Chipman, I am writing this appeal to drop my course grades PSYC 370 and GPHY 314 (Winter, 2018). It was suggested to me by an academic advisor at Queen¿¿s to also include that I intend on submitting an additional application to request my grades ANAT 216 and PHGY 214B (Winter, 2017) be changed to Credit Received; as well, CHEM 282 (Summer, 2017), PSYC 370, BCHM 218, PHAR 230, BIOL 201 (Fall, 2017) be dropped for the same circumstances explained in this appeal application.

Over the past year and a half, a number of stressors in my family life and my personal life have had an impact on my academic performance. Beginning in Winter, 2017 I struggled to deal with the recent suicide of my close cousin. As a result I began to experience low mood, poor concentration and other symptoms of depression. These symptoms persisted throughout the Winter, Summer and Fall terms of 2017 and Winter 2018 where I found myself unable to concentrate in class and often unable to attend evaluations. Due to the overwhelming emotions that I was experiencing, often leaving my house to attend classes or tutorials, complete group assignments and even attend social events became impossible. In addition to this, on the first morning of the Fall 2017 Semester I experienced my sister becoming a victim of domestic violence in her relationship. This relationship continued throughout the Fall 2017 and Winter 2018 term, where I took on a reduced class load as it became evident to me that I was having an extreme emotional response to the events in my life. As well, during this time period my roommate was experiencing mental health issues that were obvious to all members of our house. His issues impacted us negatively as we did our best to assist him until he decided to withdraw from his studies permanently.

During the period in which these events occurred, I experienced an emotional response that was out of my control. I became anxious and depressed, I lost interest in the few classes I was enrolled in, and I became too anxious to attend evaluations or events. As I struggled in my personal life, the impact this was having on my academics became overwhelming. Until seeking help at the Queen¿¿s academic advisement office, whose advisors helped me see that a path to academic reconciliation was possible, I was unable to voice my concerns about my health and academic status to my family. I have since began seeking regular mental health treatment upon being recommendation by my GP, as well as a Kingston Mental Health Clinic.

To ensure I succeed in my future courses and degree plan, I have taken a number of steps to facilitate my transition back to full time studies. The courses I have selected for the upcoming terms reflect topics vastly different from those I have taken. I have chosen courses that will help me facilitate my transition back to full time studies. These courses include PHAR, MICR, LIBS, HIST, ENIN in Fall 2018 and PHAR, PSYC, FILM, HLTH, IDIS in Winter 2019. After I ensure a successful transition back to full time studies has been made, I intend to continue to satisfy the core course requirements of my chosen degree plan. Although I am now unable to complete my degree within my intended 4 year plan, I am certain that with additional terms I will succeed in my current Program Plan. A major component of my plan to academic reconciliation has been the decisions made within my personal life to remove many of the situational demands that affected my academic performance. Through ongoing mental health treatment and taking steps to change my involvement in personal and familial situations, I am positive that I am no longer under the same situational demands I once was and will be able to follow my academic plan to completion.

Before pursuing the academic advisements and medical assessments I have since received, I did not know if I was capable of continuing my studies. With a combination of the academic plan outlined in my appeal and the support I am now receiving, I believe that with approval of this appeal application I can continue on my path of academic reconciliation to ensure I have a successful future at Queen¿¿s University.


Best Regards,

Joshua Chipman (SN: 10178525)