Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: The Office of the Associate Dean (Studies)
First Floor, Dunning Hall
94 University Avenue
Queen's University
Kingston, ON Canada
K7L 3N6

Attention: Dr. Johanne Bénard, Associate Dean (Studies)

Dear Dr. Bénard,

Re: Student 10180340 - Appeal to Drop English 215, History 260, Summer Term 2018

I am a student currently registered in the Faculty of Arts and wish to initiate an appeal to drop English 215 (Summer, 2018) and History 260 (Summer, 2018), to receive a ¿¿DR¿ designation on my transcript for each respective course, instead of my current ¿¿F¿ standing. My goal in initiating this appeal is to complete my studies in a structured manner, without the blemish on my transcript that I believe is derivative of the extenuating circumstances, which I will outline below.
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Enrolling in Queen¿¿s University in September 2015, I lived in residence, joined the rugby club and took a full course load. In my second year, 2016-2017, I moved into an apartment and continued much as I had in first year. Unfortunately, I began to experience significant health challenges by the Winter Term of 2016-2017. With my family¿¿s encouragement, I consulted a psychiatrist in St. John¿¿s, NL, was diagnosed with several anxiety-related mental health conditions and provided full disclosure to Queen¿¿s University Student Wellness Service. I began a regimented routine involving daily prescription medication and counselling with my NL psychiatrist. Although I was in Kingston, I maintained frequent contact with my NL psychiatrist, booking appointments when in NL. Unfortunately, she retired from practice abruptly which caused another challenge: the limited availability, long waitlist and constant demand on mental health services in NL.

At the start of 2017-2018 however, following my sixth concussion, I stopped playing rugby, which had been a major athletic, social and stress management aspect of my community since 2015. Consequently, my previously active lifestyle decreased, my sleep pattern became erratic, and I became lethargic. My ability to focus on assignments and meet deadlines disappeared. I sought help through Queen¿¿s University Student Wellness Service and through Kingston General Hospital, but naïvely felt that I could not connect on the same level with another mental health professional as with my NL psychiatrist and tried to deal with my issues myself.

By Winter Term 2017-2018, I found myself a precarious position: my marks faltered and I received both my first ¿¿D¿ and ¿¿F¿. Against my family¿¿s advice, I stayed in Kingston and chose instead to take ENGL 215 and HIST 260 in Summer Term 2018 to compensate for those marks. However, I did not foresee the degree of isolation I would experience and my mental state deteriorated further. I became unresponsive to the academic responsibilities of my online summer courses. I became non-compliant with my medication, neglectful of my physical and mental. Without the support network of friends, family, or doctor in Kingston, I refused to consider dropping the courses while I had the opportunity.

By Summer Term exams, I had completed less than half of the required coursework for both courses. Although I passed both exams, my inability to focus on and complete the required coursework resulted in my current ¿¿F¿ standings in both courses. My family saw through my façade and travelled from NL at the last minute to Kingston at the end of August 2018. With their help, I realized I had been on a collision course since Winter Term 2018 and had now reached the breaking point.

After meeting with the Student Wellness Services professionals and with an academic advisor at the end of August 2018, my family and I developed a three-part plan moving forward. Step one; returning to St. John¿¿s for the Fall term to establish a structured lifestyle of work, exercise and healthy living. I have since joined a gym, gaining back nearly 30 lbs., my normal sleep patterns have returned and I am now healthier and happier. Furthermore, working at my parents¿¿ law firm O¿¿Flaherty Wells Law, provided me with a familiar daily routine. Step two; establishing a sustainable mental health treatment plan. I maintain regular appointments with my family doctor, Dr. Marie O¿¿Dea, and am fully compliant with my prescription medication. I am on the waitlist for a psychiatrist at Eastern Health. When I return to Kingston in January 2019, with my father, I will be meeting with medical staff at Student Wellness Service to outline an appropriate medical routine during my studies. Finally, step three; I have pre-registered for a reduced course load of three courses next semester rather than to my usual five.

I plan to enter 2019 with a renewed sense of commitment tethered to a support network to help me achieve success in the next chapter of my studies at Queen¿¿s University. I appreciate any consideration my appeal receives, regardless of the outcome, and will still move forward with a positive mindset while finishing my studies at Queen¿¿s University.

Please let me know if you have any questions or require further documentation to support my appeal, which I will provide in a timely fashion.


Yours very truly,

John (Jack) O¿¿Flaherty
Student Number 10180340
109 Rennies Mill Road
St. John¿¿s, NL A1B 2P1