Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science:
Please allow this letter to serve as my formal appeal of the decision from May 25, 2022 stating
that I am Required to Withdraw from Queen??s University for one year due to poor academic
performance resulting in my Cumulative GPA being below 0.700. I am requesting that you
waive the ??requirement to withdraw for one year?, and allow me to continue my studies in the
Fall of 2022.

I am appealing this decision due to extenuating events and circumstances that negatively affected
both my physical and mental health, anxiety levels, and ultimately led to academic performance
that is not reflective of my potential to achieve above and beyond the standards expected of a
Queen??s student.

The transition from a remote-learning based grade 12 high school year to an in-person, on
campus university learning environment was very difficult for me. While I appreciate that the
pandemic impacted all incoming first years, these impacts were amplified for me, given some
pre-existing social anxieties that had a far more detrimental impact on my learning than I had
anticipated. These mental health challenges laid the foundation for some of the challenges that
were to follow throughout the year.
These underlying anxieties were compounded when, in the Fall term, I was in a car accident over
the Thanksgiving weekend. I suffered a concussion and whiplash that took both a physical and
psychological toll that negatively impacted my ability to be in a learning environment. While the
physical recovery took a few weeks, upon my return to the classroom for the end of the term and
into exams, I was overcome with anxiety as I stared at the mountain of work that I was faced
with. I was unable to get out of bed most days, and waking up in the morning was difficult.
Because of this anxiety, I was unable to meet deadlines, complete work, or attend most classes.
Keeping up with lectures was difficult, making it impossible to complete assignments that I
didn??t understand. I will be the first to admit that I should have leveraged the supports available
to me, but in the moment, I was unable to recognize the need for it or advocate for myself.
These mental health challenges and feelings of helplessness continued into the Winter term, and
it wasn??t until February 2022 that I finally ended up reaching out for academic guidance,
mentorship and support. In March 2022 I received accommodations from QSAS that will be
helpful in the long run, but unfortunately by the time I was approved, the work needed to achieve
success was too great to save my achievement in the winter term.

I am taking full responsibility for not seeking out support sooner, but now that I have fully
recovered from my accident, started taking medication for my anxiety, and begun to access the
resources and support systems available to me, I am confident that I have what it takes to
continue my studies at Queen??s University in the Fall of 2022. Historically, I have always been
an honour student, even completing my 30 credits for my high school diploma early, a semester
ahead of my classmates. I have what it takes to succeed here.

I would like the opportunity to demonstrate that I have the work ethic to achieve academic
success at Queen??s in the Fall of 2022. With the support of QSAS, Student Wellness Services,
and the Department of Athletics and Recreation, I have collaborated with these stakeholders to
come up with a detailed and achievable plan that will help me succeed as a student, a student-athlete and active member of the Queen??s community. A detailed version of my academic plan can be found in the attached appendix: ??Study and Accountability Plan ?? Tattyannah Jackson?

There will be no excuses coming from me. I have the drive and ability, as well as the support and
resources required to succeed at Queen??s. It would mean the world to me if I could continue as a
Queen??s student to prove that to you. I appreciate you reviewing my appeal and I look forward to
hearing back from you.

Sincerely,
Tattyannah Jackson
20298391