Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Appealing to Late Drop Winter 2021

I am appealing to do a late drop of course numbers SOCY 275 and SOCY 227 and SOCY 211 (Winter, 2021) due to extenuating circumstances, beyond my control. I have been struggling with mental health issues since late August 2020 and tried to treat these issues with weekly therapy sessions throughout the fall term.
Shortly before Christmas break, both my therapist and doctor recommended that I begin to take antidepressants to address the challenges I was facing with my health. During the winter break, I began this medication and returned to Queens in January feeling a bit better. Unfortunately, by early February 2021, I took a turn for the worse. My medications were having a negative effect, and my depression began to overtake my daily life. It impacted my ability to get out of bed, to take basic care of myself, my moods, anxiety, and my ability to complete school assignments and studies.
The week of March 7th, my therapist stepped in and out of absolute concern and caution, suggested I return home to my family and my doctor to change medications and treatment plan. By March 12th I had an appointment with my doctor who increased my medications and suggested I take time off school to address my anxiety and depression disorder. I continue weekly therapy and am currently in my parent¿¿s care.
For the three courses, I am appealing a late drop-in, one will note the time that my health and grades take a shift. For SOCY 275 Deviance, my grade by early February was 84. Unfortunately, an assignment that was due on March 4th was not completed as I was too unwell.
For SOCY 227 I had an 80 and 90 in two of my assignments, but I also missed assignments due to my mental health struggles.
For SOCY 211 I scored between 70-90 on my tests and labs and then once my mental health struggles took control my grades began to drop.
I am appealing for late drops for just these three courses as I am not well enough to complete a full course load between now and the fall semester. In fact my doctor suggests no more than ten hours of school and studies combined. These are the three courses that I am most behind in because of my mental health, and the three I feel I should reattempt in the fall, when I am healthy.
My plan is to retake these two courses in the 21/22 calendar year, and to stay in Sociology. To ensure that I have the support and structure I require work well with my accommodation needs, I have registered for QSAS and am getting a school counsellor, in addition to my personal therapist and medications. I anticipate taking light course loads until such time as my support network indicates I may be ready to take on more.
For the other course FILM 110, my goal is to complete it this summer as it has had the most assignments completed.

Sincerely,

Maiya Parker
Student ID: 20164017
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