Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Nov. 19th, 2014

Letter of Appeal for Richard Karl Matzinger

Office of the Associate Dean of Studies
Queen¿¿s University

Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I am making the following requests for my transcript:

1. Drop three courses after the deadline for the Fall 2014 semester:
a. Econ 212
b. Econ 222
c. Econ 280
2. Drop an incomplete course from the Summer 2014 semester:

a. Econ 223
b. Grade lapsed from IN to F in September 2014 on Solus instead of remaining as an IN for the full Fall 2014 semester.


I have been dealing with a higher level of depression and anxiety since the summer of 2014. I was a very good student throughout my engineering degree program and performed well in my classes. Unfortunately my ability to concentrate and work effectively significantly worsened over the past year. I had my summer 2014 exams deferred to the fall due to my depression preventing me from being able to study adequately. I was able to write one exam in September 2014. I was optimistic that with the new fall semester I could study well again with a new subject I enjoyed, economics. Unfortunately I still lacked the concentration and drive that I previously had. In early November I decided it would be best to withdraw from the program to focus more time on improving my mental health. I did drop one course, Econ 255, before the fall deadline hoping I could better focus on my three other courses and the summer exam I had yet to write. In early November however I realized that school was detracting from me improving my mental health and that I felt stopping school was important decision going forward. I will not be able to finish my three fall courses or write the exam for my remaining summer course.
I have been working with a therapist since August 2014 and have benefited greatly from this treatment. I will continue working with him going forward to improve my mental health. I hope that in a few months I can begin searching for work in the engineering job market.