Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

I am writing this letter to appeal for a late withdrawal or an extension to incomplete status- whichever is more appropriate to the situation- regarding two classes that I had taken in the Fall 2019 term. These two classes are HIST 216, with Dr. Roseanne Currarino as its instructor, and HIST 285, with Dr. Nancy van Deusen as its instructor. I have also applied for incomplete status and/or post-deadline drop in several classes in the Winter Term. I was unable to attend the vast majority of lectures and mandatory tutorials for these lectures, and most work to this date remains outstanding. This has caused my grade in these courses to sit at a failing grade and currently puts my prospects of graduating this summer in jeopardy. Both instructors have not been forthcoming in communication and so an informal arrangement was not something that was considered to resolve the situation.
There were multiple reasons for my being unable to attend classes and turn in work, the key factor being a severe breakdown in mental health that occurred during the second month of the fall term and continued to be an issue throughout the winter term as well. Without going into undue detail, it was almost impossible for me to complete schoolwork or attend any University-related lectures, events, or seminars without becoming quite severly unwell. This issue was discussed with counsellors at Student wellness services throughout the term, and I was repeatedly advised to not give primary focus to attending school if doing so was having a negative impact on my mental health. Therefore, it resulted that there were long periods where, in order to remain stable, I had to avoid any University-related activities, with my academics accordingly suffering. This, combined with severe issues in my family and personal life, as well as multiple instances of financial crisis, resulted in these two courses being almost fully ¿¿Written off¿.
Steps were taken throughout both terms to help me get back to a point of mental well-being where I would be able to catch up on my academic obligations, and solid plans involving coping techniques and support networks have been established in concurrence with counseling to ensure that. All that I am lacking is some sort of clear deadline or instructions to complete work, or, failing that, authorization to withdraw late.
Attached to this appeals package is a letter from my counsellor supporting the above information and providing extra details where/if necessary. I truly wish to graduate this year if at all possible, and if any form of accommodation regarding these classes could be reached, up to and including a late withdrawal, I would be extremely grateful. I can be contacted at my University email, 14oc6@queensu.ca, if necessary, or alternatively at (613)-600-2992.

Warm regards,
Olivier Champagne
Student 10177355