Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: august 22, 2018

Jenelle Hogarth

Student Number: 20022559

16jih@queensu.ca

Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing this letter of appeal to drop the following courses: CHEM 223, CHEM 222, CHEM 112, CHEM 212 and BIO 103. I would like to have my laboratory work accounted for either through my appeal or speaking to the head of the Chemistry Department. To explain the extenuating circumstances resulting in my inability to complete the courses:

In April 2018, over the Easter break I was involved in an assault resulting in police contact and subsequent physical and emotional scars. I found myself without any contact with my family, who were siding with the perpetrator. Also during this time, I was and still am, struggling with symptoms of Epilepsy. I was diagnosed with Epilepsy before my acceptance to Queen's University, and was connected with an Accessibility Advisor to provide extra support. I found it difficult to complete assignments due to my limited memory and consistent seizures (sometimes up to 6 daily). I was meeting with the doctor at the Student Wellness Centre who referred me to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Kingston General Hospital, and where I continue to have follow-up appointments with Dr. Lomax. I also connected with Laurie Hooke, Drop-In Crisis Counsellor at the Student Wellness Centre who continues to provide support.

Additionally, I was also facing financial strain as my OSAP support was not sufficient and I was almost evicted from my apartment. I received significant support from different staff and faculty at the university in order to manage during that time.

My symptoms of Epilepsy include difficulty with memory which made studying and retaining information challenging. I was also sleeping many hours a day as I was feeling exhausted and fatigued. I was sent for a sleep study to rule out narcolepsy because my inability to get up and complete activities of daily living was compromised. I do not have narcolepsy, but continue to have difficulty maintaining an appropriate sleep schedule, and find it hard to get up and out most days. I have had the support of Laurie Hooke, and Shannon Ruddy- Transitional Connector at YOUTHAB to complete an application for Ontario Disability Support Program over this summer to ensure that I will be able to meet my daily needs on a long-term basis.

My mental health has also been difficult to manage on top of my physical health. I recently met with Dr. McNevin, psychiatrist at Queens to complete an assessment regarding my mental health concerns. At this time, I am managing symptoms of low mood on top of everything else. Dr. McNevin also discussed the potential of being connected to a long-term community treatment team to help me manage my physical and mental health on a daily basis.

It is for these reasons that I ask to drop the courses. Since the spring I have taken significant steps to try and deal with my physical and mental health. I have also spent some time this summer completing other course work to try and recover what I can. I am also motivated to re-do the courses above and did complete most of the labs and coursework. If there is any possibility of retaining the work that I have completed given my challenges, I would be very appreciative.

I am motivated to return to full-time studies in a capacity that allows me to be successful and will continue to work with the supports at Queens in order to do so. With the supports I have been connected to I am sure that I will have the help I need to address the symptoms I am experiencing and meet the academic expectations of my course load. I plan on retaking the courses in a better state.

If there is an opportunity to meet and discuss further, I am available at your convenience.

Thanks in advance,

Jenelle Hogarth