Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Date: Friday September 6, 2019
Name: Scotlynn Jones
Student ID: 20100112

To the Associate Dean of Arts and Science,

I, Scotlynn Jones am appealing to drop my MATH121 mark (Winter, 2019) as well as, appealing for credit standing for PHYS117 (Winter, 2019), PSYC100 (Winter, 2019) and for surpassing the twenty-one-day deadline of an appeal.

Last year I was an incoming first year student in Arts and Science. Leaning towards the sciences, I was enrolled in MATH121, PHYS117, PSYC100, BIOL102/103, and CHEM112. Adjusting from moving to a different city, living on my own, being away from my family and this heavy workload, I became mentally ill. Peers and TA¿¿s noticed and expressed concerns of potential self-harm and directed me to Meghan Norris (Chair of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology). Dr. Norris emailed me on October 3, 2018 and a meeting was set up for the following day (October 4, 2018). From this meeting, it was concluded that I needed extra help. On October 5, I had my first counselling meeting in the LaSalle building with Dr. Anna Paolucci and for the first time, I admitted that I was struggling with anxiety and depression, to the point where I was hyperventilating from the anxiety and contemplating my life from the depression. I was then directed to Dr. Carolyn Anne Borins also located in the LaSalle building who gave me a mental health assessment and I soon was diagnosed with severe anxiety. I continued to make a couple of appointments with Dr. Paolucci for counselling within two months and several appointments with Dr. Borins throughout the 2018/¿¿19 year. Going to these people helped me through the year and overall, I felt a little better. I was prescribed medication to help ease my anxiety, however, later deciding to continue without it due to personal reasons. I kept the medication just in case.

Through the year, I sought out tutors through ASUS Peer Tutoring which I believed was helping me with my calculus class and other courses. Overall, I spent over 400 in tutoring for both semesters, applied myself during lectures, tutorials, etc. I kept going. I did not give up, even though I was still struggling (some days being harder than others).

I worked continuously throughout the year, after lectures starting at 8:30 am on West Campus to then going back to my dorm or library to work on homework or study was my entire life last year. I respected my studies and held my studies to my highest priority. I did not go to parties and I did not in any means risk my studies to ¿¿have a good time¿.

I did not drop these courses before the deadline during the year because I was not ready to give up and I strongly believed that with seeking extra help (tutors, TA help), would help me achieve a good mark in all of these courses.
I did not submit an academic appeal within the twenty-one-day deadline not only due to moving back home, starting a full-time job, but due to the fact that I was placed under academic probation, my Gael position was taken away and because I knew that I did not have many options, in regards to my studies. Therefore, my mental health was diminishing. During the summer (2019), I switched family doctors (which was a long process) and the medication I was prescribed by Dr. Borins I took into my new physician, Dr. Julie Gallagher for a second opinion and I am now taking them in hopes to get better. Due to my situation, I enrolled in two online courses as well (ANAT100 and PHARM100, Summer ¿19). I was able to raise my GPA and reobtain my Gael position. I love Queen¿¿s and I am willing to do whatever it takes to stay here to continue my studies with the hopes of improving my mental health.

My future plan is to continue taking my medication, as well as, continuing to see a counsellor throughout my studies here at Queen¿¿s and back home. Also, to get immediate help if any signs start to arise and to continue to seek out extra help if needed for any future courses.

During my high school education, I achieved honour roll for all years, was on student council for all years (treasurer my third year and president my final year), was the main organizer/director for the Relay for Life committee for my last year of high school and was involved in the committee for the two years prior. I was also valedictorian of my graduating class of 2018, at Patrick Fogarty CSS in Orillia, Ontario. I am an extremely hard worker and unfortunately my mental health suffered during my first year here at Queen¿¿s University.

I appreciate all of your time and consideration and I hope that you are able to see past my mental illness and see my true potential.

Sincerely,
Scotlynn Jones