Petition Letter
I am petitioning the faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for a minimum of one year and respectfully request to be re-instated for the Fall term of 2023.
In the Fall of 2022, I was actively managing pre-existing mental health difficulties from the previous year which had put me on academic probation. I had accommodations put in place that were reviewed and modified over the year as needed. I actively changed and tailored them over the year (adjustments) with the help of Mary Buynak to better mitigate a previously identified learning disability. I also was actively updating my psycho-educational assessment (September 2022) to better understand my academic needs. However, over the year, there were extenuating circumstances that seriously impacted my academic performance.
Important information was discovered during diagnostics in the fall but the final report was not completed until January 20th. The temporary Ventus accommodations I received were originally put in place on November 3rd, 2022 - before the official diagnostic results were released to me but after the add/drop date for the term. After this time the accommodations I had put in place made a material difference in my coursework. However, the elective half-year course (FILM 240) was irretrievable.
I was managing well in the second term, until March when serious physical and mental health issues arose. Although I sought medical treatment promptly for my recent diagnoses, the severity of my symptoms impacted my attendance and performance. Medications were started the week of February 26th and March 10th. Said medications then had to be changed due to serious side effects. This resulted in a number of dropped deadlines during this time. Once the medication was adequately adjusted and my condition improved I was able to complete a large number of my outstanding assignments, specifically for my full-year courses (PHIL 115 and DEVS 100). Despite this, there was not enough time remaining in the semester to be able to adequately make up all of the work, especially in my half-year courses (HIST 109 and GNDS 125 respectively).
Now that my physical and mental health challenges have been adequately addressed, I believe that with my current accommodations in place, I would be able to succeed with a reduced course load next year. I have medical and mental health support in place and intend to meet with Gail Eaton-Smith (the learning and disabilities strategist) over the summer to create a more thorough academic plan in preparation for whenever I return to my studies. Additionally, I am actively pursuing Queen's Academic Student resources, and intend to review their resources extensively over the summer.
I understand that more timely communication with my professors will be necessary and valuable to my academic success in the future. If allowed back, I will speak with both my profs and TA's about my academic background and come up with strategies together about how best to move forward with their courses. I will maintain regular contact for accountability, feedback and troubleshooting.
If allowed back, I have selected and planned courses that align well with the accommodations I have in place, and have a clear set of academic goals for my time at Queen's. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to return in the fall and put my best foot forward academically.
Sincerely,
Willow Cox
20291528
In the Fall of 2022, I was actively managing pre-existing mental health difficulties from the previous year which had put me on academic probation. I had accommodations put in place that were reviewed and modified over the year as needed. I actively changed and tailored them over the year (adjustments) with the help of Mary Buynak to better mitigate a previously identified learning disability. I also was actively updating my psycho-educational assessment (September 2022) to better understand my academic needs. However, over the year, there were extenuating circumstances that seriously impacted my academic performance.
Important information was discovered during diagnostics in the fall but the final report was not completed until January 20th. The temporary Ventus accommodations I received were originally put in place on November 3rd, 2022 - before the official diagnostic results were released to me but after the add/drop date for the term. After this time the accommodations I had put in place made a material difference in my coursework. However, the elective half-year course (FILM 240) was irretrievable.
I was managing well in the second term, until March when serious physical and mental health issues arose. Although I sought medical treatment promptly for my recent diagnoses, the severity of my symptoms impacted my attendance and performance. Medications were started the week of February 26th and March 10th. Said medications then had to be changed due to serious side effects. This resulted in a number of dropped deadlines during this time. Once the medication was adequately adjusted and my condition improved I was able to complete a large number of my outstanding assignments, specifically for my full-year courses (PHIL 115 and DEVS 100). Despite this, there was not enough time remaining in the semester to be able to adequately make up all of the work, especially in my half-year courses (HIST 109 and GNDS 125 respectively).
Now that my physical and mental health challenges have been adequately addressed, I believe that with my current accommodations in place, I would be able to succeed with a reduced course load next year. I have medical and mental health support in place and intend to meet with Gail Eaton-Smith (the learning and disabilities strategist) over the summer to create a more thorough academic plan in preparation for whenever I return to my studies. Additionally, I am actively pursuing Queen's Academic Student resources, and intend to review their resources extensively over the summer.
I understand that more timely communication with my professors will be necessary and valuable to my academic success in the future. If allowed back, I will speak with both my profs and TA's about my academic background and come up with strategies together about how best to move forward with their courses. I will maintain regular contact for accountability, feedback and troubleshooting.
If allowed back, I have selected and planned courses that align well with the accommodations I have in place, and have a clear set of academic goals for my time at Queen's. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to return in the fall and put my best foot forward academically.
Sincerely,
Willow Cox
20291528