Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To The Associate Dean,

I am writing to request an appeal for an extension on an Incomplete course, namely DRAM200, taught by Professor Kelsey Jacobson. It is with Professor Jacobson??s full support that I write this request. I began my studies at Queen??s University during the pandemic remotely, with little awareness of accommodation options as a student living with Permanent Disability.

During the 2020-2021 academic year, I faced major difficulties relating to my mental health, including coming to terms with a new diagnosis and adjusting to new medications. In October 2020, a month into my studies, I was formally diagnosed with Bipolar-2 disorder. At that time, I was prescribed a new medication which I began taking in late October. The titration period, as I began increasing the dosage of this medication, was incredibly difficult. I experienced many side effects and not functioning at a full capacity for several months. Eventually, it was understood by my doctor that the medication was a poor fit for me and that it was increasing my symptoms and creating a debilitating effect, rather than a curative one. I spent the Christmas holidays detoxing from these medications, which also left me feeling ill. As DRAM200 was a full year course, Prof. Jacobson was made aware of my situation and that I was falling behind in the course work. Based on my previous performance in the class, it was discussed that catching up in the winter term would not be an issue for me.

In the January term, I began a new medication, which was prescribed to me after having a follow up psychologist appointment. After 2 or 3 weeks, it was clear that this medication was not the right fit for me. My anxiety was increased exponentially and I was in constant crisis management mode. As it was the start of the winter term, this did not greatly affect my school work, but I was slowly falling behind.

The third medication trial was a longer and more difficult one, as it took 6-8 weeks of slowly increasing the dosage to reach the ??optimal? dosage. I was attempting to cope with the symptoms, which included feeling sedated, unable to stay awake, among others. These symptoms were certainly holding me back in my work and it was discussed between my doctor and I, that perhaps I should withdraw from all of my winter courses. Since I was doing well in DRAM200, albeit behind, Prof. Jacobson accommodated me and I endeavoured to stay in the course, as well as MUSC224, which were my two full year 6 credit courses. At that time, I made the decision to drop my other winter term courses.

One night, I had a very severe reaction to my medication, as I woke up having convulsions, broke out into a full body rash and had an extreme reaction. After a phone call with TeleHealth, I was told to immediately lower my dosage on this medication. The following day, I met with my doctor and made a plan to detox off this medication. The strength of this particular medication makes it so that you cannot just abruptly stop the dosage. Instead, you must slowly detox off of it. This was a terrible process and left me unable to do the majority of my work for the remainder of the semester. It was after this event, that I was directed to Student Wellness Services, after requesting an extension for an assignment. As a new student, and one who had only been on Zoom, I was not aware of this service. I had my SWS appointment on January 21st, 2021 and was then further directed to QSAS.

As I waited for my QSAS intake appointment on March 8th, I was falling further behind and had missed the drop dates for the term. I am now officially documented through QSAS as a student with Permanent Disability. The outline of the events I describe should be well documented in my files and it was at this point, on March 8th, that I was able to finally access Letters of Accommodations, and other services that I desperately needed all year long. In hindsight, perhaps I should have dropped all of my winter courses in January, however, had I done that I would not have been directed to QSAS, which is a service that is necessary for my success moving forward at Queen??s. In a strange way, I do not regret the chain of events, as it led me to getting the help, documentation and accommodations that I have a right to as a student with Permanent Disability. Although this accommodation and service is helpful, it was too late to truly help with DRAM200, as it was the end of the year, and I had fallen so far behind. Prof. Jacobson offered me the option to take an Incomplete and finish my course work over the summer. Although the extension was incredibly accommodating and I am thankful for it, I was not able to complete all the outstanding course work. This summer, I desperately needed time to decompress and rest, as I was truly burned out from the year I had. I had frequent counselling sessions and took a break from medication trials. Although I tried, I did not make enough progress to complete the outstanding work. I could never have foreseen the difficulties last year brought me, with so many failed medication trials, and the feeling of grief that comes with a new diagnosis of living with Disability. This being said, I do feel that I am within reach of completion and that if I were granted an extra semester, I could not only complete this course, but succeed in it.

I would like to request an appeal to have an extra semester to finish my course work for DRAM200 or to have a late drop date. I do feel that I would be able to finish this course with an extra semester, but if that is not an option that you see fit, I would ask for your consideration in extending a late drop date for the course. It is with Prof. Jacobson??s support that I request the extra time, and I do feel that with the support I now have in place from my medical team, QSAS and Prof. Jacobson, that I could not only complete this course, but excel in it, as I have done in my other courses.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Emma Ferrante