Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Associate Dean (Academics), Faculty of Arts & Science
Queen??s University
Kingston, Ontario

Dear Dr. Stephenson,

My name is Nicholas Swerhone, and I am a 4th year biology student. I am writing to appeal the following Fall 2021 courses for late withdrawal without academic penalty: BIOL 369 and MICR 360, and the following Fall 2021 courses for credit standing: BIOL 300, PHIL 362 and EPID 301. I also wish to appeal PHGY 215 (Summer 2021) for late withdrawal without academic penalty. While I understand that I should have appealed the summer 2021 course earlier, I am appealing on the grounds of extenuating circumstances which have had a significant negative impact on my academic performance since the spring of 2021.

I have recently been diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder DSM 5 with symptoms which, according to my psychologist, first presented early in my first year at Queen??s University. Over the past four years my condition has progressed, resulting in a steady decline in academic performance, with the worst being the Fall 2021 term. I had a very difficult time last fall; I had not reached out to anyone and struggled alone. I now understand that my pre??existing and ongoing extenuating circumstances became significantly more severe throughout the term, and therefore I was not able to assess my circumstances by the drop dates.

While I believe that my mental health has significantly impacted my grades throughout my time at Queen??s, I did not recognize the state of my mental health until recently. The impact of my mental health on my academic success has been profound. With the help of a professional, I have identified the severity of my situation and I have taken significant steps to improve it, including weekly sessions beginning early January 2022, as well as identifying personal goals. In addition, I have reduced my course load to four courses for the winter term and I am progressing well in these courses.

Although I am still working on my mental health, I have seen significant improvement in my grades through a combination of weekly sessions with a professional and a reduced course load. My plan is to continue regular sessions with my psychologist and to continue taking a lighter course load in my final year.

Nothing is more important to me than improving my mental health and my grades and I have taken important steps towards that goal. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Swerhone
Student Number: 20103893