Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies),

I am writing this letter as an appeal to drop CISC 110 which I took in the fall of 2018. I
am going into my 4th year this fall pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Honours with a Major in
Sociology. In the Fall of 2018, I decided to take CISC 110 as an elective course. I did
not have any prior knowledge or background in computing.

My mental health relapse began the fall of 2018 with continued struggles entering my
second term. In choosing to take CISC 110 as an elective, I was pushed completely
out of my comfort zone. I spent countless hours working on the assignments which
led me to fall behind in other work and I had to ask for extensions on other
assignments in my major course of study. At that time I received an accommodation
for my anxiety, depression and panic where I was allowed more time to complete my
mid-terms and exams. Although I did well on most of my assignments in CISC 110
due to the considerable amount of time spent working on each assignment I was
unable to pass this course due to my poor mid-term grade and failing the final exam.
My anxiety depression and panic took over and I was unable to focus and complete
the final exam. My cumulative grade could have granted me a pass in the course but a
passing grade on the final exam is required to pass the course.

Since I did well on most of the assignments I decided to persevere with the course
after the mid-term. When I failed the course I thought it would be best to repeat it and
did not consider an appeal to drop the course. At the time of course registration I
realized it would be very detrimental to my mental health to retake CISC 110 as I fear I
will repeat the pattern and outcome which has been causing me more anxiety. Should
I be granted the appeal to drop CISC 110 and take another elective to replace it I feel I
would be setting myself up for a more positive and successful 4th year at Queens.

I am hoping to graduate after completing this next school year and I am faced with
having to repeat CISC 110 or take another course in it's place and have a failing grade
on my transcript. This could have a negative impact on my future studies.

Despite dealing with anxiety and depression during my time at Queens I have tried to
do my work to the best of my ability and hold myself accountable and I have had
success in many courses with the help of my accommodation, medication and
continued therapy. I hope you will take this all into consideration when making your
decision on my appeal to drop CISC 110.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Madeline Reston