Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is to request permission for a late drop for PSYC 100, HLTH 101 and DEVS 100 as I was unable to complete the coursework and write the final exams. Extenuating circumstances beyond my control which contributed to this situation are as follows:

I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder prior to beginning my university career. My symptoms of these two conditions were under control when starting at Queens. However, I have since been the victim of sexual assault towards the beginning of the semester and have had issues with a stalker all year. These experiences were out of my control and have exacerbated my symptoms resulting in inability to sleep, difficulty concentrating, irritability, general increased anxiety, severe anxiety surrounding leaving my residence, increased depressed feelings, extreme weight loss and racing thoughts. Due to these symptoms I was unable to concentrate in class, struggled to go to class, struggled to meet assignment deadlines, experienced severe test anxiety and became incapacitated to the point of being unable to write final exams.

In order to address these problems throughout the year I consulted with my don, student life coordinator as well as campus security to address the issues with my stalker. I worked with my TAs and professors to adjust assignment deadlines where possible and attempt to keep up with course work. By the end of term, when my symptoms became increasingly severe I saw PASS academic advising as well as a counsellor through the Arts and Science Department and Doctor Humaria Saeed at the LaSalle Walk-In Clinic (see Verification of Personal Health Condition Form). I have since returned home and begun to address my health concerns. Please see the Action Plan for an outline of how I plan to be successful going forward.

I would appreciate your consideration in allowing me to drop these courses in order to minimize the affects of my health condition on my academics. I am committed to overcoming the issues I have struggled with throughout the year with the long term goal of completing a Queen's Honours degree.

Sincerely,

Lawren Richardson

Please note additional supporting documentation from my family Doctor will also be submitted prior to my appointment on Thursday