Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I am appealing for an extension of incomplete standing for all courses taken in the Fall 2018 term and Winter 2019 term.

I was recently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and General Anxiety Disorder and while my symptoms are typically manageable, the influence of events in my personal life had severely impaired my ability to cope. Regularly, I was unable to attend lecture and complete assigned course work. I was consistently exhausted and was not able to engage in activities that I had previously felt passionate about, and faced a guilt and feeling of worthlessness that persistently occupied my mind. This further created an inability to focus and extreme irregularity in my sleep patterns.

During the last academic year, I did not drop my enrolled courses because I was not able to determine the anticipated date of my recovery. Each chosen method of treatment had favourable success rates in other patients that established an expectation that I would soon return to my normal level of functioning. At this time, I had arranged temporary accommodations with my professors to extend assignment deadlines and meet outstanding obligations by the end of each respective term. Despite my best efforts to improve my health, including reducing my course load, various rounds of medication, occupational therapy, and psychiatry, my condition continued to progressively worsen.

I have individually contacted all professors from relevant courses in the Fall 2018 term. In Microeconomic Theory with Professor Ruqu Wang, I have completed completed most course work and only have not completed the final examination. As a result of my extenuating circumstances, I received substandard grades on any course work that was completed. Kerri Andrews has advised that I include Microeconomic Theory within my appeal for an extension of incomplete, and later submit another appeal to request Credit Standing in this course. In Introduction to Canadian Law with Professor Mary Jo Maur, International Politics with Professor Wayne Cox, and Introduction to Mathematical Economics with Professor Jan Zabojnik, I have communicated my extenuating circumstances and each professor is agreeable to allowing me to complete any outstanding course work and final examinations. I intend to complete all outstanding course work for the above courses before the year end.

I have further discussed my circumstances with all professors from relevant courses in the Winter 2019 term. In Canadian Organized Crime History with Professor Antonio Nicaso and Introduction to Finance with Professor Naceur Essaddam, the course structure and delivery of content will additionally allow me to complete outstanding course work during the fall term. In Diffusion of Modern Economic Growth with Professor Ian Keay, I will be able to complete the required essay this fall. Considering that the course is solely offered in the Winter term, Professor Keay recommends that the final examination be completed in April and has welcomed me to attend the course lectures throughout the immediate Winter term. For the same reason, Professor Gregor Smith in Introduction to Statistics has recommended a similar plan. Professor Keay and Professor Smith both believe that an extension of my incomplete status to the Winter term will best facilitate my success in the course.

This term, I am enrolled in three courses to maintain my status as a full-time student for purposes related to financial aid eligibility and progression in my academic plan. I am enrolled in Economic Development, Macroeconomic Theory, and Canadian Government.
I am enrolled in Economic Development because it is a required prerequisite for courses of later interest and is only offered in the Fall term. As well, my completion of Marcoeconomic Theory is required for my academic plan. With support from Queen's Student Accessibility Services, this reduced course load will give me sufficient time in my schedule to finish my courses from the previous academic year.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any further information regarding my submission. Thank you for your consideration of my appeal, and I look forward to hearing from you.