Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Date August 29th 2021

1395 Rosenthal Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1Z 8J1

Dear Associate Dean (Academics):

My name is Catherine Haba, and I have been a student enrolled in the BAH at Queen??s University since September 2017. This present letter isto officially launch an appeal for my Devs 358 and LLCU 249 course ofthe Fall 2020 semester. Throughout this time, I have overcomepersonal challenges (2 previous head injuries) to be an engaged learner in my classes while also finding time to be involved in several extracurricular activities. However, I have faced no challenge greater than thoseI had to confront in both Fall 2020 and Winter 2021. Due to extenuating circumstances, I faced great difficulty this past academic year inmeeting my own goals for success as a student. However, the last few days things in my life have improved to allow me to position myself to again become a successful student and this appeal I hope will further support this journey.

There were three major issues that impacted my ability to be a successful school year particularly, first being a chronic pain condition (acute migraines) due to a major concussion I did not heal well from in Winter 2019. Lastly, the loss of several close family members and friends around the most significant times of the academic year had a great impact on my ability to complete and file an appeal. And lastly, having acute, severe depression and anxiety. After my concussion in April 2019, I was aware it was important for me to seek support to manage the chronic pain I experienced which often made concentrating on large tasks or completing the smallest task impossible. I sought support from an occupational therapist at Student Wellness Services to learn how to work around my migraines. This was useful at first and helped me have the necessary support inplace to complete my coursework. Fall 2021, regularly had therapy sessions,took medication for my migraines, and attended physiotherapy for post-concussion symptoms which required time and energy. My migraines which take place nearly every day and last for 7 hours on average along with unexpected depressive crises, significantly reduced my academic performance and ability to complete work. With a 18 credit course load I was able to complete 4 ofthe 6 courses and received an IN for 2 of my courses that I hoped tofinish in the winter term.

Since the spring of 2021, I continued to struggle to balance school work, a part-time job to alleviate the financial burden or studying away from home, and family responsibilities. I was working toward accomplishing my fall semester incomplete courses when in March I experienced another head injury and in April the loss of a grandparent which required my mother and me to travel to Guinea West Africa for the funeral. These extenuating circumstances had significant issues on mental health, my availability and finally ability to complete my incomplete courses and appeal to drop the DEVS 358 AND LLCU 249 by the April 30th deadline because I had every intention to complete the courses if not for extenuating circumstances.

I sincerely hope that this appeal shows that I am dedicated to being a successful student here but also take hold of my academic journey which for long has been out of my control. Please do not use only my past as a barometer for my success in the future.

Thank you,

Catherine Haba
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