Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: May 16, 2019

Dear Associate Dean Stephenson,
I am writing to you today in hopes of appealing to drop one course; RELS 321.
I am hoping that you will honour my request, as prior to the 2019 Fall Semester, I was sexually assaulted thrice over the span of July 2018-May 2019. The most recent instance taking place at the Herstmonceux Castle during my 2019 Summer Semester. Because the instance occurred in such an isolated place, it was much harder to manage; there was nowhere to escape that individual and I did not feel comfortable reporting the instance, as it occurred the second week of studies. Additionally, when I arrived home, I could not confide in my family as there was ongoing issues there¿¿ both unrelated, as well as, related to the first assault (previously mentioned). So, I continued to pretend as though the instances of sexual assault were manageable, leading me to go into a state of disassociation as a result of the extremely traumatic events.
Upon returning to Queen¿¿s, I was forced to see this individual on numerous occasions. As well, the instance has dramatically increased previous diagnoses of depression and anxiety, as well as, preventing me from sleeping. Additionally, I lost over 30 pounds since May 2019 because I could no longer eat ¿¿ I am now 5¿¿5, 103 lbs. This has severely impacted my studies for a number of reasons. First, as I mentioned, I can no longer sleep; so, I am always exhausted and frequently oversleep ¿¿ missing class as a result. Additionally, although I was attending classes, I was not absorbing or retaining any information ¿¿ a common result of disassociation. As well, because the individual attends Queen¿¿s, my anxiety about leaving the house had increased to the severity of me exclusively leaving to go to class and was often late to class as a result. Moreover, because of my extreme weight loss, I usually have zero physical or mental energy ¿¿ plus, my body dysmorphia is heightened, increasing my overall anxiety levels and desire to avoid social situations.
I dropped a course before the Fall drop-deadline, and as well, dropped other courses in hopes on being able to focus on RELS 321 when I returned home in November, in efforts to focus on my therapy and improve my mental health. However, when I was at home, events out of my control made improving my mental health and completing school increasingly difficult. Unfortunately, I returned to Queen¿¿s with RELS 321 incomplete. I have attempted to finish the course requirements; however, I have found it extremely difficult to do on top of my regular course load. As well, I find it triggering, as it reminds me of being in a much darker place in my life.
Since, I have successfully completed three courses at Queen¿¿s in the Winter Semester ¿¿ gaining two As and one B. I originally tried to complete Stats at the same time but found 4 courses to be too overwhelming at that time. I am continuing to make up for my deferrals by engaging in online courses during the summer term.
Additionally, I am now continuing to take many positive steps to approach this issue. These include, meeting with Barbara Lotan, who led me to (ongoing) attending therapy at KGH from Jennifer Beaver (Social Worker). Also, I am now on anti-anxiety medication, as well as, medication to assist my sleeping irregularities. I am also taking positive steps to better my mental health in my personal life as well, including participating in yoga and group-therapy. As well, I have been seeing specialists to overcome my anorexia. Moreover, I have ensured to the best of my ability that I will not have to see this individual anymore and gained a No-Contact order for On Campus. Finally, I am planning on taking a light, 3-4 course-load in the Fall 2020 semester to continue my ongoing improvements and success.

I hope that you hear my concerns and approve my request.
All the best and I hope you are staying safe during these troubling times.
Sincerely,
Alyanna Royce