Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: LETTER OF APPEAL
TO:
ASSOCIATE DEAN (STUDIES)
FROM:
KERENZA FREEMANTLE BMUS 19
SUBJECT:
TRANSCRIPT CHANGES
DATE:
APRIL 5, 2019

Request
I am requesting the following courses, all completed in Winter 2016, be listed as Credit Standing (CR) on my transcript: CLST 103, MUSC 129, and MUSC 191.
I also request that CLST 200 (Fall 2016) be removed from my transcript. This removal will not impact the completion of my degree requirements.

Extenuating Circumstances
I entered Queen¿¿s directly from Grade 12, having been accepted into Music on the basis of my audition. I was completely unprepared for both the environment (being only 17 and coming from a small town with many supports) and my program (I am a trumpet player and learned the instrument through high school classes; I had no knowledge of theory, sight singing, ear training, or keyboard ¿¿ all requirements for first-year Music).
Then, in October of 2015, my mother disclosed she had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. The oncologist at the time believed it was stage 1 and could be treated with surgery. My mother is my sole parent (my father died unexpectedly when I was 8, after a massive stroke). As a result of the surgery in Fall 2015, it was determined my mother¿¿s cancer was, in fact, stage 3C, and potentially terminal. She spent the next year and a half in treatment ¿¿ radiation and chemotherapy ¿¿ and unable to work.
Also, in Fall 2015 I suffered a major concussion, exacerbated by the fact it was my third concussion (I suffered two sports-related (figure skating and rugby) ones in high school) and had to have my exams deferred to the following semester.
Winter 2016 was crippling for me ¿¿ I had extra exams to prepare for; I was overwhelmed by the specialized course work in my program; I could barely concentrate because of my anxiety for my mother. I suffered a number of panic attacks, requiring medication and support from my mother. I strategized to the best of my ability with my academic advisor and thought I could be successful. I was not.
On May 11, 2016, my grandmother, who was also suffering from endometrial cancer, passed away. Four days later, my grandfather, unexpectedly also died. I was very close to my grandparents, particularly to my grandfather, who had filled the place of a father for me for most of my life. His death devastated me. My grandmother¿¿s death also brought back the terror of possibly losing my mother. I dealt with those problems by ignoring them and pushing forward, not wanting to add to my mother¿¿s burdens.
In my second year at Queen¿¿s University, I was finally able to access specialized medical help and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. That diagnosis has since been updated to bipolar disorder. I continued to struggle with my mental health and attempted suicide. Fortunately, my housemate called EMS and I ended up in the hospital. After this attempt, I made serious changes to how I was living and the support system around me. I continued to seek professional medical help and have followed my doctor¿¿s advice.
I continue to experience mental health issues but have become more aware of the triggers and mitigation strategies for dealing effectively with my illness. That positive and effective management of my health is reflected in my greater success at Queen¿¿s in my last two years. However, that success has consumed all my energies and is the reason I have not appealed the courses listed in this appeal prior to now.

Future
My goal is to become a music therapist. At the moment the grades I received in these courses are holding me back from achieving what I set out to do when coming to Queen¿¿s. If they are removed from my transcript, the upward trajectory of my academic success will show more clearly, and I will be able to compete for a place in a graduate program to achieve my dream.
If you require any clarification or further details, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerenza Freemantle