Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dr. Johanne Bénard
Queen¿¿s University
99 University Ave, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
13 March, 2015

Dear Dr. Bénard,

I am writing this letter of appeal to acquire an Aegrotat Standing in my 2014-2015 Winter term courses. I am in Concurrent Education but do not require any appeal in my Education course. I am appealing for an Aegrotat Standing in the following Arts courses; HIST 206, HIST 390, ENGL 215 and DRAM 205.

The extenuating circumstances which have affected my school work are due to a recent development of a mental illness. I have been experiencing a change in my mental health since the beginning of October. Throughout the year I took steps to develop skills to cope with my illness as well as assist me in my completion of school work. I had addressed some professors with the issues and asked for additional help. I met with disability services and acquired accommodations to help me complete my school work with more ease. I was set up with a peer mentor to help me manage my school work more effectively. I saw two counsellors on a regular basis, one through my mother¿¿s Employee Assistance Program and one through Queen¿¿s Counselling Services to help me with the challenges I was experiencing. Additionally, I saw a Queen¿¿s doctor who diagnosed me with Depression and Anxiety, and was prescribed anti-depressants which in time are supposed to help my mood, motivation and concentration.

Although I was receiving support and help in many different aspects, I was still struggling to keep up with school work. The reason the circumstances affected my ability to succeed in school was because of lack of sleep, energy and concentration, low mood and high amounts of stress which led to break downs. I received extensions on assignments when needed, however, this was not enough to help me finish the semester as I had to keep pushing assignments back due to circumstances. In the past week I experienced further setbacks and spent two nights in the hospital in which I received doctor¿¿s notes which outline my difficulties in keeping up with school during this time.

My future plan for achieving academic success includes taking steps in order to improve my mental health and well-being so that I can return to school next year ready for my studies. At this point in time I am concerned with my health and would benefit from having a decreased work load or not having the stress of school at all. I am hoping that with time and a plan to help me better cope with my illness, I will be able to return to school in the fall prepared to take on a full course load. In the mean time I will be getting rest as well as seeing professionals who will help me learn to cope with mental illness. I will be attending an IPP program at Kingston General Hospital called ¿¿Living Well with Mental Illness¿ once a week as well as on a waiting list to get into a group therapy program called ¿¿Managing Powerful Emotions.¿ Finally, I will use the resources I have acquired this year such as a peer mentor and accommodations from disability services in my studies in the fall and winter terms of 2015-2016.

I have attached the notes I have received from doctors at Kingston General Hospital as well as my letter from disability services.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,

Claire Zwicker