Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: I am appealing the decision by the Queen??s University Faculty of Arts and Science to deny my appeal for a credit standing for the course ECON 480, which was completed during the winter semester of 2020. This seminar course is the only prerequisite remaining for my bachelor??s degree. The onset of the pandemic completely altered the dynamic of my academic experience as we shifted to online learning. This initiated an intense episode of anxiety that negatively affected my ability to handle academic load. With deteriorating mental health faculties, I was not able to submit my ECON 480 final paper on time, resulting in a failed grade. I had requested an extension due to the circumstances surrounding my mental health, but I was denied. I do not believe that sufficient efforts were made by the instructor to accommodate for the negative externalities of the pandemic. Because of this, an appropriate opportunity was not offered to complete remaining course material. Strong consideration for a credit standing is therefore justified.

All of my course work for ECON 480 had been successfully completed. This includes class participation, presentation, and final paper components. The final paper made up roughly 80% of the total weight. Due to the impact on my mental health, I submitted the final paper 2 weeks late. This resulted in a 30% deduction in the paper??s final grade. My final grade for ECON 480 was 46%. After my request for extension was denied, I knew I would be unable to complete my paper on time, this worsened my anxiety and diminished my abilities further. For this course, no accommodations were made to address pandemic-related negative externalities. All deadlines remained the same and no pandemic-relevant resources were offered. Without the late penalty, my grade would have been passing by a significant margin. With even a 3-day extension, my grade would have been passing. This rigidity demonstrated a lack of sensitivity towards the pandemic??s impact on the mental health of students. Therefore, I believe an appropriate opportunity was not offered to those who were struggling with mental health issues.

Winter 2020 was scheduled to be my final semester at Queen??s, and previous to the course in question, I had not failed a course in 3 academic years. I have now re-attempted the seminar course on 2 other occasions during the Fall 2020 and Fall 2021 semesters. I failed in both attempts. I was unable to participate in class, complete the presentation, or hand in the final paper in either attempt. My anxiety had grown, this level of anxiety was novel to me, and I was unable to act accordingly. Failing 3 times and having to face the idea of being unable to complete by degree because of 1 course was mentally crippling. In South Asian culture, there is stigma and social pressure against seeking help for mental health struggles, this mindset ingrained the idea that seeking help was not necessary. I had not contacted a mental health professional before or during these 2 attempts.

This appeal request is long overdue, I ask for forgiveness and seek understanding as my mental health struggles have stifled my ability and desire to complete this process. I ask for forgiveness for any hurdles this may cause. I appreciate any consideration regarding this. I have now been in contact with my family physician and have been referred to a mental health professional. I am currently engaged in a recovery plan which has manifested in the creation of this appeal. I understand it is unconventional to consider an appeal so far removed from the date in question, but considering the unconventional circumstances created by the pandemic, I kindly request the committee to grant my appeal as I know this may be the only opportunity to complete my degree for which I have worked so hard for the last 5+ years. I sincerely thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Sincerely,

Riyan