Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Queen's Faculty,

My name is Julianna Manalo, and I am writing to ask that you drop my fall semester classes since the deadline has already passed. After meeting with Pamela Briand, an academic adviser, and Pamela Hall, a school counsellor, as well as my own recovery team, we concluded that the best course of action for me in this situation is to fully stop my courses for the remainder of the school year. I have been struggling with an eating disorder since the beginning of 2021; I was officially diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in September and decided to start treatment with a dietitian, Alida Iacobellis. I began my recovery about the same time that I began my program, and I was doing a decent job of balancing my professional and personal responsibilities. However, I reached a point when I valued my studies over my health, which resulted in my diagnosis of clinical depression and prescription of antidepressants at the end of October by my physician, Dr. Aliya Ali. I was still working my hardest to keep up with my coursework and assignments, but it was getting to be too much for me, and I refused to accept it. My therapist, Debbie Berlin, urged me to return home because she worried my depression and eating habits would worsen if I stayed. I am from Milton Ontario which is 3 hours away from Kingston, with the state of my health it was important to have my family support me. This was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make; academics have always been a big part of my life, and I did not want to give it up. I attempted to think of different scenarios that would allow me to continue with school online or during the next semester, but due to the arrangement of my classes and my specific condition, withdrawal was the best option. I put off consulting with an academic adviser and continuing this process because I believed I was strong enough to do it, but in truth, I was feeling lost and living my life had become a burden. My grades confirm that I had lost motivation and desire to finish my work and study for tests; there is a noticeable difference between my marks at the start of the school year and the beginning of November. This is when I finally listened to my parents, therapist and doctor to prioritize myself and take time to heal without any pressuring influences. After taking this year off to take care of my health, I plan to restart my first year in general science during the 2022-2023 school year. On November 5, 2021, I submitted my academic exchange form and caught the next train home; I officially moved out of Victoria Hall on November 14. I have not felt entirely myself or productive in a long time. I am still devastated as a result of my leave, which is why this procedure has been postponed and delayed.
Therefore, because of the severity of my current medical situation, I am appealing to have the A portion of PHYS 104, CHEM 112, MATH 121 as well as the fall term classes ANAT 100 and ASTR 101 dropped.

Sincerely,
Julianna Manalo