Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Jill Atkinson,

I am appealing to drop DEVS 105 (Winter 2021) and HIST 305 (Fall 2020 - Winter 2021).

Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and my subsequent social and physical isolation, I started to experience significant extenuating circumstances beyond my control that impacted my academic performance. While these circumstances were present in the summer 2020 semester, they worsened in the following terms. In the fall 2020 semester, I chose to take only three classes as I was becoming more aware of my worsening condition. However, despite my smaller course load, I was unable to get a satisfactory grade in two classes, one of those classes being HIST 305. Compared to the other course I was taking at the time, these classes were less structured and had little to no social interaction. I found the remote delivery method of HIST 305 to be particularly poor. Not only was I unaware of what my professor even looked like, but there were also no opportunities to interact with either her or any of my fellow classmates. Due to the delivery of these courses and my health, I felt both overwhelmed and anxious to reach out to my professors, or anyone else, for help. Consequently, I did not drop HIST 305 before the drop period ended. However, at the end of November of 2020, I reached out to my family physician and was prescribed medication for my condition. Additionally, after a long and confusing process of trying to find the resources I needed at Queen's, I was able to receive an interim accommodation letter from QSAS in December 2020 based on my diagnosis.

During the winter 2020 semester, I decided to take a more reduced course load of only two classes, one of which is the aforementioned full-year course HIST 305 and the other DEVS 105. Despite fewer classes and being on medication, I was unable to pass or drop either course due to several reasons. At the beginning of the semester, I had to change my medication due to bad side effects, including extreme lethargy. I also stopped seeing my therapist due to numerous extenuating circumstances. Additionally, I was unable to get registered with QSAS until the end of February because of the high volume of applicants. The lattermost reason particularly hindered me from dropping my courses before the end of the drop period. These reasons, which coincided with my continuing poor health, prevented me from attaining a passing grade in my courses.

Following my poor performance in previous semesters, I have taken numerous measures to ensure I receive satisfactory grades in my classes. I have continued to take a reduced course load. I have also officially registered with QSAS and have made sure to send my accommodations to my professors. My new medication has been working more effectively and has helped my condition overall. Furthermore, I have also taken measures to rectify my failed courses, including retaking two failed courses within the last semester of fall 2021. I have also recently reached out to an academic advisor who advised me to file an appeal. I was unable to file this appeal within the term following the failed courses due to my condition as well as confusion over the appeals process, which has since been clarified following the meeting with the advisor.


Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Macy Briand
20188792