Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Faculty of Arts and Science,

My name is John Nicholson and I am a student in my 4th year at Queen's, pursuing a BAH with a medial in English and Geography. I am looking to drop GPHY 243 after the academic deadline, making the decision to do so on November 6th, 2018.

My academic performance this semester has been hampered by compounding mental health concerns. I have a documented history of depression and anxiety, having received treatment in the past from professionals at the LaSalle Building. My mental state was worsened by the death of my friend, teammate, and fellow Queen's student Achintya Garikaparthi in a fatal car crash over the summer. I entered the school year in a bad place and it only worsened with the memorial service held at the Smith School of Business. Specifically relating these circumstances to low academic performance, my failing mental health has resulted in lethargy, inability to focus, and isolation. These traits have predictably resulted in substandard academic results, particularly in GPHY 243.

Additionally, in combination with the mentioned mental obstacles, I have sustained two physical injuries that have also affected my ability to perform academically this semester. In a tackle during a contact sport I compressed a vertibrae in my back which led to an emergency visit to KGH. I have also sprained my achilles tendon. Both injuries have received treatment from the Live Well Centre on Bagot Street. In regards to academic performance, these two physical hindrances have led to missed class time.

Despite the mentioned setbacks, my goal for the rest of the semester is to pass my remaining classes and to position myself as best as possible to graduate next year, taking an extra semester to round out my plan requirements. I have organized and taken the necessary steps to help with the physical issues listed, however I need to do more regarding the mental obstacles involved, specifically the death of my friend. Therefore I will be going back to the LaSalle Building to receive treatment for grief.

Thank you.

John Nicholson