Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Hailey Pride
20129537
18hp3@queensu.ca


To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter to ask for an appeal in order to drop the course GNDS 340 Indigenous Feminisms. I know it is well past the drop deadline but I have experienced extenuating circumstances within the last part of the semester that has directly affected my academic performance within this class and the need to drop it on my transcript.

As every other student right now, doing online schooling within a global pandemic in itself has been difficult for vast reasons. However, throughout the last two months, I have experienced circumstances that have made it even more difficult for me to have completed my work within this class. First I have been dealing with heightened symptoms of my disabilities that are established within my accommodations. I deal with Hashimotos, which is an autoimmune disease, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, anxiety and depression. I have dealt with severe symptoms of these illnesses which affected not only how long it took me to complete tasks if I even was able to complete the work but also the quality of my work. I was also not able to submit assignments due to dealing with symptoms of my disabilities. Mental health is a key and important aspect of a person's wellbeing and I have not been in a good place mentally. My mental health has taken a great toll on my motivation, impairment of my attention and memory along with various other symptoms. These symptoms affected my ability to concentrate and complete assignments which has led to why I really need this appeal.

Another extenuating circumstance that I have experienced during the time that I am asking for an appeal for is my father and I were diagnosed with COVID-19. In the later part of the semester not only was I feeling heightened symptoms of my disabilities but also symptoms of COVID-19 which impacted my schoolwork severely, causing me to either not be able to hand in assignments or be extremely late on assignments such as reading reflections that resulted in a large grade for the course. On top of the stress of school, I then experienced stress and anxiety over the fact that a family member and I have tested positive which not only was a psychological challenge but also a family problem that I had to deal with on top of doing six courses. Attached in this appeal is a copy of the positive result. It also was a challenge to my physical health in that I was and am trying to fight off a virus that is killing thousands upon thousands of people.

The direct correlation between everything I have mentioned and the effect on my schoolwork is that it has impaired my ability to do the assignments and the quality of the assignments as well. All of the circumstances mentioned have had an affect on my physical, emotional and mental health and well-being. My health was compromised which in turn compromised my schoolwork. Which in itself shows the effect that my health can have on my academic performance. Dealing with having COVID-19 amongst just being in a global pandemic has been an unforeseen event that has affected my health and will have ever-lasting effects. I believe that if I was not dealing with a combination of everything I have mentioned then I would not have had the need to ask for this appeal and my schoolwork wouldn't have been affected or compromised. The steps I am taking to recover and move forward from this are following public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 and I have reached out to my physician to refill my medications for my disabilities. I am submitting my appeal now with a letter from my parent and a screenshot of my COVID result and will add a doctor's note later when I can book another appointment with my physician as he books weeks out for appointments.

I am more than happy to speak with anyone regarding any questions or information needed. My contact information is my email 18hp3@queensu.ca or my cell phone 705-715-3389.


Kind Regards,
Hailey Pride