Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Riley Kapuscinski; 20115258
46 Sandhill Crt.
Whitby, ON. L1M2J4
November 15th, 2021

Associate Deans Office (Academic)
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen??s University

My name is Riley Kapuscinski, and I am appealing for late drops in select 2020 Fall and 2021 Winter courses. The Fall 2020 courses include FILM217, SOCY210, SOCY226, SOCY336 and SOCY352. The Winter 2021 courses include HIST228, SOCY227, SOCY300, SOCY309, SOCY363 and SOCY388. I am appealing for late drops in these failed courses in hopes that they be changed to DRs on my transcript.

During the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms, I experienced substantial extenuating circumstances beyond my control that affected my academic performance. In the Fall 2020 term, I was experiencing intimate partner violence. The turmoil of this relationship was at its peak in the final months of the Fall 2020 term and beginning months of the Winter 2021 term (November 2020- January 2021). On February 12th, 2021, I was able to involve the police where 4 violent charges were laid against this individual. This event and those leading up to it were extremely traumatic and detrimental to my health, physical safety and my academic performance. At this time, my entire life was disrupted. I moved back home to live with my parents for my physical safety, strongly encouraged by the police and my family. As a victim of domestic violence, the negative impacts are lasting. My mental health struggled tremendously and as a result, my behaviour was completely abnormal. It was extremely difficult to focus or complete everyday tasks. Once I was able to begin a healing process, I took steps such as consulting a health-care professional and receiving psychotherapy treatment. As well, I consulted Victim Witness Services, as provided by the police service to assist my understanding in the domestic violence court process.

In the latter months following the police intervention, I was working on regaining my mental stability and repairing trauma surrounding the incident. It was exceptionally difficult to discuss the events that had occurred and still is to this day. I was unable to complete any academic work and had a multitude of emotions surrounding having to explain why I was incapable. I was ashamed of myself for doing poorly academically and did not understand that I was experiencing an extenuating circumstance. It took a lot of work to be able to come to the realization that these events were not my fault, so realizing that my poor academic performance was also out of my control came much later. The court case remains ongoing, and the uncertainty of a resolution is still something I struggle with.

I have always been tremendously passionate about my studies and academic success, to a fault on some occasions. The fact that this situation completely shifted my passion for academics demonstrates its magnitude and toll it took on me. I continue to heal from the events that took place and have developed personal and academic goals. I meet with a therapist regularly and have discovered coping mechanisms and mental health management. I have also developed strategies for no longer allowing my extenuating circumstances to negatively affect my academic progress. I am currently enrolled in a few of the courses that I failed to receive a better grade, and plan to take another year to finish my degree without rushing. My academic goal is to achieve enough success to attend law school. I have learned first-hand how the Justice System operates, and I believe my personal experience will assist me in making a difference.

Once again, I ask that you consideration granting my appeal for late drops in these courses from the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms. I appreciate your time and consideration in advance.

Riley Kapuscinski