Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop Philosophy 115 and to change my failed grade in Gender Studies 120 to withdrawn or stricken from my transcript.

This past semester, both my physical and mental health greatly affected my academic performance. In Grade 12, as a result of a severe kidney infection, I discovered I only have one functioning kidney. I had numerous tests and medical appointments and missed a lot of school. As a result of the tests, I also learned that I have extremely low iron levels (a healthy iron level is between 50 to 100 ng, but my level was, and continues to be, 6 ng). I was advised that if I continued to get infections I would have to have my kidney removed. I did not realize this at the time, but I became depressed and it affected my Grade 12 academic performance. I realized that something was wrong, but I was fortunate to be at home and had lots of help and support, so I never effectively dealt with it. I had a good summer and felt really good about attending Queens.

Unfortunately, I got another kidney infection this semester. On about September 25th, I felt the symptoms of another infection and I went to get medical treatment. I was placed on a course of antibiotics for 10 days (Sulphamethoxzole and Trimethoprim). Unfortunately, the antibiotics did not work. I was then given a course of an alternative antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride). The second course worked, but by that time I had missed 3 weeks of classes. The antibiotics and my low iron levels combined to make me very weak and lethargic. As a result, I dropped a course with a higher workload, CISC 110, to give me time to try to catch up with my other courses. Even though I tried to stay current in my remaining 4 courses, through self-study and homework, I was in a lot of pain and very lethargic and fell far behind. In hindsight, I was overwhelmed by how much I catch-up I had to do, and I became anxious and depressed. I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety and was prescribed anti-depressants. I also saw counselors and doctors, but the results were very slow in coming. I tried my best to work through it, but I really struggled. My parents offered for me to return to Vancouver, and they suggested I withdraw from all of my classes to avoid it affecting my transcript. I felt that this was taking the easy way out, and decided not to withdraw or return home. In hindsight, I probably made the wrong decision, but I was not thinking clearly. Despite my intentions, I was unable to get back on track and missed numerous assignments and classes. I also missed an exam when I had a panic attack. The side effects of the anti-depressants really affected my focus and ability to study. In summary, the infection and my concern about having my kidney removed this summer had a very detrimental impact on my mental health and my ability to cope and function on even a basic level, let alone academically.

Initially, I contacted both my Philosophy professor, Dr. Davies, and my Gender Studies professor, Prof. Houghtaling and organized alternative due dates for some assignments when I realized I was unable to keep up. However this took much time, effort and energy, and my mental health continued to decline after these meetings, to the point where I was unable to get out of bed for days on end. This resulted in me failing to complete my assignments for the extensions, and my debilitating anxiety affected me from further communicating with my professors and submitting academic consideration forms.

This is why I was absent for numerous lectures and tutorials, and why I performed very poorly in my assignments and the December exams. It is also why I failed to notify you and QSAS about my situation, which only made my situation much worse. I feel very embarrassed and guilty, but my parents have helped me realize that I was not well enough to make good or logical decisions. Being at home the past three weeks without the stress of how poorly I was doing academically has helped me significantly.

After reaching out to my professors over the break, I am only appealing to drop Philosophy due to the sheer amount of lectures, midterm, and work I missed, along with missing the December exam (due to a severe panic attack and fainting episode just before the exam). At this point, both Dr. Davies and I agree it may be more prudent for me to drop this full-year course and begin a winter semester course anew instead of attempting to catch up on an entire semester's worth of work. My Gender Studies course was a fall semester course that I failed to complete several assignments for. As such, I am hoping to drop Gender Studies from my transcript as I did not have the capacity to keep up and complete the course. I believe there is the prospect that I will be able to remedy my academic performance in my other two courses and will endeavor to do so this semester.

I am planning to take only 4 courses this semester so that I will have a better opportunity to adjust and get back on track. I believe I¿¿ve had sufficient time to adjust to the medication, and I will continue seeing a therapist once a week throughout the semester. My family and friends are now fully aware of my situation, so I can begin this semester with their full support. Also, my mother will be flying out to visit me for a week in late January to ensure I am doing well. I keep my parents updated on how I feel each day and what work I¿¿ve accomplished, helping me stay on track and motivated.