Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of Arts and Science Studies,

I am writing to appeal to drop a course(s) late after the academic deadline due to extenuating circumstances I was experiencing in the last few weeks of term two of my first year (April 2021) in my BAH degree. I am specifically appealing to drop my course WRIT120 with Professor Lori Vos from winter term 2021, as well as, if possible, my PSYC100 course with Professor Meghan Norris from Fall/Winter terms 2020-2021. Due to extenuating circumstances in my personal life taking place nearing the end and completion of these two courses in April, I fell behind in my end of term course work and exam preparation in these two courses, resulting in receiving failing final grades in both. It is my hope that with your consideration and guidance, that these courses, if not both then perhaps at least one of them, be dropped from my transcript. The extenuating circumstances I was experiencing, though no excuse for my distraction with these courses, made a huge contribution to my focus and mental health state at the time of completing important, heavy weighted final assignments and exam. As for these circumstances, in more detail, on April 9th, 2021, my best friend and roommate in residence became a victim of sexual assault, which is something that I personally have been through in my past, which was incredibly triggering for me and my mental health. Over the course of the week and weeks to come after that, I was her main support system through the entire process which took an incredible amount of my time and focus away from my studies in WRIT120 and PSYC100. More specifically, my final assignment weighing the majority of my grade in WRIT120 was due the day after this incident, which I was unable to finish due to these circumstances substantially affecting my mental health, resulting in my failing grade in that course. As well, my PSYC100 final exam was on April 14, 2021, only days after this incident, which I did complete, however could have been much more prepared for and completed more successfully, also resulting in a failing grade on the exam, evidently receiving a failing grade in PSYC100. This event happening so closely to these two final examinations and assignments unfortunately affected the completion and success of them, as my mental health was very unstable and I was dealing with tremendous past trauma revisiting my life, as well as supporting someone very close to me and assisting her in the reporting process at the same time. As well as this extenuating circumstance occurring, on April 12th, 2021, I received the news that one of my friend¿¿s from home, had passed away due to suicide, which is something very delicate and sensitive to me as I have lost loved ones to it in the past, again impacting my mental health tremendously, becoming an added weight and toll to the other situations going on at the time. Over all, these extenuating circumstances that resulted in the lack of focus and attention on my work in these courses, was a result of substantial mental health issues due to events stated that could not be ignored and unfortunately, took my focus from my school work. During this time, I realize now after the fact that I should have reached out to my professors personally explaining my situation and seeing if there was any accommodation for these examinations and assignments, however at the time I felt that I could handle it on my own, whilst still taking care of my loved ones and my own mental health as well as my school work, however I was evidently, unable to do so. In efforts to help cope and receive assistance with these issues, I contacted my counsellor at Queens Student Wellness. Consulting with her helped a great deal and was the right step to deal with these circumstances, as well as also provided myself with supporting documentation from my counsellor at student wellness in support of this appeal to drop a course late, after the academic deadline. I have been continuously consulting with my counsellor up until now since these events and have now received the documentation for my appeal. My documentation states the severe impact to my mental health that was occurring throughout this period until my final examination in PSYC100 which was my last piece of school work for the year. After experiencing this entire situation and seeing, first hand, how much extenuating circumstances can affect academic success, and can lead to the failure of two courses, has taught me to seek help when I feel is necessary, and to know how to balance both mental health priorities and academic priorities. I have enrolled myself in a 6.0 unit summer course to begin to make up these credits and will continue next summer taking an additional 3.0 unit course in order to assure I am completely caught up after losing these 12.0 credits. I have learnt from this experience and I am making tremendous efforts to ensure that something like this never occurs again and my academic success will never suffer again like this, and I can continue on the path to success in my degree. I hope that you will consider this appeal, and I greatly appreciate your time and consideration on my situation.