Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 8368
Submitted: November 23, 2021 at 8:33:18 PM
First Name: Sasha
Last Name: Morrison
Student Number: 20226082
Email: 19smkm@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BScH
Plan: MATH
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: MATH 225
Term: Fall
Year: 2021
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Sasha Morrison
317 University Ave, Kingston, ON
(647) 261-2421
To: The Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts & Science, Queen??s University
I am appealing to drop MATH 225 (Fall 2021) and for Credit standing in PHYS 206 (Fall 2021). I
have experienced acute mental and physical health issues that have severely affected my
performance in these courses.
At the beginning of this term, with a return to in-person learning, I experienced challenges with
anxiety-depression. To accommodate, I changed my courses in September to lighten the
course load however, in October, I experienced an acute deterioration in my mental health.
Together with my healthcare team, I adjusted the frequency of my therapy, changed my
medication and dropped one of my MATH courses prior to the academic deadline, believing
that the reduction in coursework would be sufficient. Unfortunately, my adjustment to the
new medication had more side effects and was longer than anticipated; the impact was an
inability to stay on top of my work. While my mental health is improving, I have now
unfortunately contracted strep throat and a sinus infection, which has caused me to miss a
critical in-person test for MATH 225.
I am appealing to drop the MATH 225 and take credit standing in the PHYS 206 course, rather than all four courses, because the math-based nature of these two requires more time-consuming problem-set practice and repetition for me, above the expected learning hours. Additionally:
1. The heavy test-based grading structure of the math course is such that it would be next to impossible for me to pass at this point; my anxiety is exacerbated in test-taking
situations and I have performed poorly on the tests. I would need to score an A- on the
final exam in order to achieve a 50% pass, which is highly unlikely, given the amount of
learning I need to catch up on.
2. The physics course structure has enabled me to complete assignments and earn more credit for the coursework; I still have an opportunity to pass the Physics course,
especially with eliminating the math course load. However, I have performed far below what I am capable of.
To achieve future academic success while addressing the constraints of my mental illness, I am
intending to change my program to one in which I am able to achieve higher grades within the
anticipated learning hours of the courses and extend the time to complete my degree, i.e. 5
years rather than 4. For the Winter 2022 term, as I am continuing to adjust to my
healthcare plan, I will be taking a reduced course load. Additionally, I will be repeating the
MATH 225 course next year.
I have attached the medical letter about my mental health, and proof of my medications to
treat both the anxiety and the physical infections.
317 University Ave, Kingston, ON
(647) 261-2421
To: The Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts & Science, Queen??s University
I am appealing to drop MATH 225 (Fall 2021) and for Credit standing in PHYS 206 (Fall 2021). I
have experienced acute mental and physical health issues that have severely affected my
performance in these courses.
At the beginning of this term, with a return to in-person learning, I experienced challenges with
anxiety-depression. To accommodate, I changed my courses in September to lighten the
course load however, in October, I experienced an acute deterioration in my mental health.
Together with my healthcare team, I adjusted the frequency of my therapy, changed my
medication and dropped one of my MATH courses prior to the academic deadline, believing
that the reduction in coursework would be sufficient. Unfortunately, my adjustment to the
new medication had more side effects and was longer than anticipated; the impact was an
inability to stay on top of my work. While my mental health is improving, I have now
unfortunately contracted strep throat and a sinus infection, which has caused me to miss a
critical in-person test for MATH 225.
I am appealing to drop the MATH 225 and take credit standing in the PHYS 206 course, rather than all four courses, because the math-based nature of these two requires more time-consuming problem-set practice and repetition for me, above the expected learning hours. Additionally:
1. The heavy test-based grading structure of the math course is such that it would be next to impossible for me to pass at this point; my anxiety is exacerbated in test-taking
situations and I have performed poorly on the tests. I would need to score an A- on the
final exam in order to achieve a 50% pass, which is highly unlikely, given the amount of
learning I need to catch up on.
2. The physics course structure has enabled me to complete assignments and earn more credit for the coursework; I still have an opportunity to pass the Physics course,
especially with eliminating the math course load. However, I have performed far below what I am capable of.
To achieve future academic success while addressing the constraints of my mental illness, I am
intending to change my program to one in which I am able to achieve higher grades within the
anticipated learning hours of the courses and extend the time to complete my degree, i.e. 5
years rather than 4. For the Winter 2022 term, as I am continuing to adjust to my
healthcare plan, I will be taking a reduced course load. Additionally, I will be repeating the
MATH 225 course next year.
I have attached the medical letter about my mental health, and proof of my medications to
treat both the anxiety and the physical infections.
Documentation
Professional Letter: EC Verification of Personal Health Condition Form August 2021 - fillable-0.pdf