Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: December 19, 2018
Letter of Academic Appeal
Clayton Tomlinson
Re: ENGL 442 - Romantic Women Writers

Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
I am writing you to appeal the incomplete (IN) mark I received in ENGL 442 ¿¿ Romantic Women Writers, a course taught by Dr. Shelley King in the winter term semester of the 2017-18 academic year at Queen¿¿s University. In effect, I am appealing so that I can submit the final essay, which I never did last year, allowing me to achieve a passing grade. I have already discussed this with Dr. King and she approves. The reason for my appeal is the same as my attainment of an IN mark in that course: I was severely affected by clinical depression. This illness has affected me in many ways since my time at Queen¿¿s, I was diagnosed with it by my family doctor, one on campus, and have accessed the Counseling Services offered at Lasalle. All of this precipitated me going to a therapist last August. Kris Thiele was recommended by the therapist I saw at Queen¿¿s and has helped me immensely with my illness. My symptoms, which affected the courses I took that term have not abated but have subsided enough that I am doing well this year. They are not likely to go away, such is the nature of depression, but they do not affect my life to such a profound effect anymore. The reason I am appealing this grade in particular is so that I do not have to take an over-scheduled course load next term. For my English Literature degree, I need to complete five 400-level ENGL courses. I did one this semester and should I receive this appeal, which is supported by the Professor in question, I will only need to take a total of five courses next semester instead of six. Given my success in the classes I took this term, as well as the extracurriculars I¿¿ve been able to successfully accomplish, I hope that this appeal will be granted.