Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean of Studies (Academic)

I am appealing to drop HIST 207 and MUSC 102 (Winter, 2019) and ASTR 101 (Winter, 2020). As suggested by my Academic Advisor, I have included all three courses in one appeal, as the same extenuating circumstances apply in each case.

From Winter 2019, to January 2021, I experienced a serious health crisis that negatively affected my cognitive function. This unexpected extenuating circumstance prevented me from submitting an appeal before the deadline, and it is only now that I have felt well enough to fully address this issue.

During this time period, I experienced episodic and acute mental illness. The diagnosed illness and subsequent changes in medication impacted basic life and learning skills that were essential for my academic success: communication (both on the computer and phone), organization, time-management, attention, and motivation. I have included supporting documentation that demonstrates the health issues that I was struggling to overcome during this time.

Impacts on my cognitive function directly affected my ability to attend lectures, organize and submit assignments, and participate in group activities. This cognitive impairment affected my studies outside of my accommodations through Accessibility Services, since missed schoolwork, needed to pass a course, was not accommodated.

Should this appeal be granted, I have planned for future academic success. Firstly, I will maintain appointments with health and support professionals. Secondly, I have added a counsellor, specific to my illness, as well as a mental health case worker, to my support team. With these plans in place, my academic goals will be supported as my medication will be monitored, my learning skills will be strengthened working with an illness-specific counsellor, and my life and organization skills will be improved through regular meetings with my mental health case worker. At the present time, I am stable and healthy on my current medication.

Despite the challenges I have faced, I am determined to finish my undergraduate degree at Queen¿¿s. Through guidance from medical professionals, counsellors, and academic advisors, I have regained my health and cognitive capabilities. My goal is to produce a transcript that reflects my academic success at Queen¿¿s when I was healthy, and further, to finish the remaining two courses I need to graduate.

I look forward to your response.

Kind regards,

Mary Faulds
06041557