Petition Letter
June 11, 2014
Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts and Science
F200 Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6
Dear Sir/Madame:
Re: Queen¿¿s Notice to Withdraw from Academic Studies dated May 27, 2014
Please consider this letter as my formal response advising you that I am appealing the decision by the Faculty of Arts and Science that I am required to withdraw for one year. I am also appealing to drop the following failed courses: MATH 111, CISC 101 and GEOL 104 on a late basis. Although the Notice was not unexpected given my issued transcript for 2013/2014, I was deeply disappointed to receive it, and all the moreso with myself. After much self-examination I am requesting that due consideration be given to what I honestly believe are real and valid extenuating circumstances (psychological challenges) that were beyond my control and significantly affected my academic performance and which resulted in my yearend transcript. The circumstances for both of these appeals are the same. The documentations listed below supports those extenuating circumstances on which my appeal is based:
(a) Completed Appeal to the Associate Deans (Studies) form
(b) Correspondence from my family Physician, Dr. Bardai, dated June 6, 2014
(c) Correspondences from my Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Laurentiu Sasarean M.S.W., R.S.W. dated May 29, 2014 and June 11, 2014.
(d) Correspondence from my Psychologist, Dr. Brad Reimann, C. Psych, is being prepared and will be forwarded to you.
Extenuating Circumstances
When I arrived at Queen¿¿s in September, 2013, I was nervous in general (like most students) and thought nothing of my nervousness relative to other students. Throughout the past year, I have had problems studying and staying focused on the task at hand which I kept secret to myself. In general, I would daydream intensively and worry consistently about anything and everything, but principally how my efforts to improve my study and resultant marks were very weak as the 2013/2014 year rolled on, and how a poor academic result was leading to a reckoning with my family and considerable disappointment on multiple fronts (including my family place as a 4th generation Queen¿¿s graduate). In retrospect, this worrying and anxiety proceeded to worsen chronically, along with panic attacks, which I kept secret to myself. My motivation to exercise and eat declined, I was constantly fatigued, and I had a new, growing problem with inadequate sleep. This was all mixed up with difficulty focusing, concentrating and retaining what I was studying. While not addressing this psychological impairment throughout the year I nonetheless accessed all avenues of academic support: I engaged a tutor in every subject, I would regularly visit my professors for extra help, and I participated in the new Bounce Back program. In hindsight these outreach efforts were not enough to complete the year successfully because the underlying problem remained a significant negative factor. Also at the time I did not want to publically acknowledge the extent of the worry because I viewed it as a sign of personal weakness.
When I finished first term and returned home for Christmas, my family was intensely interested in my grades. Throughout the break, we devised plans to improve my study habits by just ¿¿trying harder¿ next term based on what they knew about me. When I returned to Queen¿¿s in January, I was proactive and approached my professors individually for their advice given my generally weak academic performance, and I was encouraged by their universal support. At the time, I was also seriously considering dropping my lowest grade 6.0 unit course in Math 111, but my professor strongly advised against it on the basis of my expressed willingness to apply myself more diligently. I concurred with that proposition, and I eagerly participated in the new Bounce Back program and where I was encouraged not to drop any courses. I did not drop any courses as I was consumed with anxiety, fear and thought this would be viewed as giving up or not trying hard enough.
In the third week of January I had a significant disagreement with my (Victoria Hall) roommate. Simply put, my 2014/2015 plans to share accommodation with him and several other joint friends went up in smoke when they decided to proceed with a rental lease without me, without my knowledge, and with another student replacing me. I had maintained a close relationship with my roommate, and this type of action came as a shock, and what I felt was deep betrayal infuriated me, and I turned to the floor Don for advice. My Don, Ms. Kenzie Pearl, suggested that I apply for a residence transfer as a means of calming the matter. I vacated the room for three days and transferred my significant anxiety to my academics. After a few weeks I eventually came to the point that it would be more beneficial not to change residences and to just let it pass. This event was poorly timed given the start of the term.
In March, I came to the painful realization that I was definitely not functioning as a normal student. I took it upon myself to inform my mother of this fact, who was not entirely understanding and saw it as a fabricated excuse. I had absolutely no idea why my days were not more productive, but I knew something was unravelling. Once April exams were over and my marks and behaviours issues were evidenced, my parents then engaged the help of medical services for me here in Woodbridge, which includes my family physician, a cognitive behavioral therapist specializing in anxiety disorders, and a clinical psychologist who has yet to issue a formal diagnosis as of today¿¿s date. I am glad to be receiving treatment which includes daily prescription medication and weekly sessions with both a therapist and psychologist, and I am optimistic it will enable me to re-engage in a successful University experience. Both my family and I have seen improvements in my behaviour and concentration since commencing my treatment and taking my medication. I take responsibility for my actions this past year, but also acknowledge that there were other issues beyond my control affecting me that I did not realize were in need of more serious attention.
Associate Dean (Studies)
Faculty of Arts and Science
F200 Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6
Dear Sir/Madame:
Re: Queen¿¿s Notice to Withdraw from Academic Studies dated May 27, 2014
Please consider this letter as my formal response advising you that I am appealing the decision by the Faculty of Arts and Science that I am required to withdraw for one year. I am also appealing to drop the following failed courses: MATH 111, CISC 101 and GEOL 104 on a late basis. Although the Notice was not unexpected given my issued transcript for 2013/2014, I was deeply disappointed to receive it, and all the moreso with myself. After much self-examination I am requesting that due consideration be given to what I honestly believe are real and valid extenuating circumstances (psychological challenges) that were beyond my control and significantly affected my academic performance and which resulted in my yearend transcript. The circumstances for both of these appeals are the same. The documentations listed below supports those extenuating circumstances on which my appeal is based:
(a) Completed Appeal to the Associate Deans (Studies) form
(b) Correspondence from my family Physician, Dr. Bardai, dated June 6, 2014
(c) Correspondences from my Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Laurentiu Sasarean M.S.W., R.S.W. dated May 29, 2014 and June 11, 2014.
(d) Correspondence from my Psychologist, Dr. Brad Reimann, C. Psych, is being prepared and will be forwarded to you.
Extenuating Circumstances
When I arrived at Queen¿¿s in September, 2013, I was nervous in general (like most students) and thought nothing of my nervousness relative to other students. Throughout the past year, I have had problems studying and staying focused on the task at hand which I kept secret to myself. In general, I would daydream intensively and worry consistently about anything and everything, but principally how my efforts to improve my study and resultant marks were very weak as the 2013/2014 year rolled on, and how a poor academic result was leading to a reckoning with my family and considerable disappointment on multiple fronts (including my family place as a 4th generation Queen¿¿s graduate). In retrospect, this worrying and anxiety proceeded to worsen chronically, along with panic attacks, which I kept secret to myself. My motivation to exercise and eat declined, I was constantly fatigued, and I had a new, growing problem with inadequate sleep. This was all mixed up with difficulty focusing, concentrating and retaining what I was studying. While not addressing this psychological impairment throughout the year I nonetheless accessed all avenues of academic support: I engaged a tutor in every subject, I would regularly visit my professors for extra help, and I participated in the new Bounce Back program. In hindsight these outreach efforts were not enough to complete the year successfully because the underlying problem remained a significant negative factor. Also at the time I did not want to publically acknowledge the extent of the worry because I viewed it as a sign of personal weakness.
When I finished first term and returned home for Christmas, my family was intensely interested in my grades. Throughout the break, we devised plans to improve my study habits by just ¿¿trying harder¿ next term based on what they knew about me. When I returned to Queen¿¿s in January, I was proactive and approached my professors individually for their advice given my generally weak academic performance, and I was encouraged by their universal support. At the time, I was also seriously considering dropping my lowest grade 6.0 unit course in Math 111, but my professor strongly advised against it on the basis of my expressed willingness to apply myself more diligently. I concurred with that proposition, and I eagerly participated in the new Bounce Back program and where I was encouraged not to drop any courses. I did not drop any courses as I was consumed with anxiety, fear and thought this would be viewed as giving up or not trying hard enough.
In the third week of January I had a significant disagreement with my (Victoria Hall) roommate. Simply put, my 2014/2015 plans to share accommodation with him and several other joint friends went up in smoke when they decided to proceed with a rental lease without me, without my knowledge, and with another student replacing me. I had maintained a close relationship with my roommate, and this type of action came as a shock, and what I felt was deep betrayal infuriated me, and I turned to the floor Don for advice. My Don, Ms. Kenzie Pearl, suggested that I apply for a residence transfer as a means of calming the matter. I vacated the room for three days and transferred my significant anxiety to my academics. After a few weeks I eventually came to the point that it would be more beneficial not to change residences and to just let it pass. This event was poorly timed given the start of the term.
In March, I came to the painful realization that I was definitely not functioning as a normal student. I took it upon myself to inform my mother of this fact, who was not entirely understanding and saw it as a fabricated excuse. I had absolutely no idea why my days were not more productive, but I knew something was unravelling. Once April exams were over and my marks and behaviours issues were evidenced, my parents then engaged the help of medical services for me here in Woodbridge, which includes my family physician, a cognitive behavioral therapist specializing in anxiety disorders, and a clinical psychologist who has yet to issue a formal diagnosis as of today¿¿s date. I am glad to be receiving treatment which includes daily prescription medication and weekly sessions with both a therapist and psychologist, and I am optimistic it will enable me to re-engage in a successful University experience. Both my family and I have seen improvements in my behaviour and concentration since commencing my treatment and taking my medication. I take responsibility for my actions this past year, but also acknowledge that there were other issues beyond my control affecting me that I did not realize were in need of more serious attention.