Petition Letter
December 13, 2015
To: Associate Dean (Studies), Arts and Science
Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON
Canada K7L 3N6
From: Cameron Kirkey
Queen¿¿s University Student Number: 10188357
Re: APPEAL TO DROP ALL OF MY ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-2016 UNDERGRADUATE COURSES, AND REQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM QUEEN¿¿S UNIVERSITY
As a first-year undergraduate Arts and Science student at Queen¿¿s University, I write today to respectfully appeal to your office to drop all of my academic year 2015-2016 courses and to concomitantly take a leave of absence from the university for the balance of the academic year. The courses I am seeking to drop include four full-year courses (FILM 110A ¿¿ 001, HIST 122A ¿¿ 001 and 004, POLS 110A ¿¿ 002 and 004, and SOCY 122A ¿¿ 003 and 008), and two half-year courses (PHIL 153 - 001 fall 2015, and GPHY 101 - 001 winter 2016).
Extenuating circumstances have proven to have significant physical and psychological adverse impacts in fall 2015, directly contributing to my academic performance. Two principal events have, most especially, impacted my ability to consistently undertake, complete, and even submit quality assignments required for all five of my registered courses. In late June 2015, my mother, Donna Kirkey, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery in July, and then underwent daily radiation therapy from August to October. Second, on November 3rd, our family home in Plattsburgh, New York, experienced a fire that resulted in significant damage to the contents and structure of our home.
These two unanticipated events had a profound and ongoing impact on my studies at Queen¿¿s. Soon after arriving at Queen¿¿s in early September, I found it very difficult, given my mother¿¿s circumstances, to concentrate on school. While I attended classes and tutorial sessions, I was unable to focus on required assignments, often submitting quickly written efforts and all too often, finding myself incapable of undertaking any work. By October, I sought out the help of counseling at Student Wellness Services. I increasingly began to become more reclusive, increasingly missing classes and tutorial sessions, effectively staying in my single room at Brockington House. I was planning to seek out Professor Sypnowich to drop PHIL 153 ¿¿ 001 before the November 6th deadline, when the fire struck our home. This event, combined with my mother¿¿s battle with cancer, found me more and more overwhelmed; mentally dealing with the stress and anxiety caused me to miss the November 6 deadline, miss more classes, and not hand in required assignments (for example, I did not complete/submit the following: 8 of 12 weekly assignments and the term essay for FILM 110A; the essay for HIST 122A; 2 essays and a grade of F on the mid-term exam for PHIL 153; 8 weekly homework assignments and the first-term essay for POLS 110A; and, a D- on an encyclopedia assignment, and an F on an annotated bibliography assignment for SOCY 122A). I sought out assistance and met with Heather Carter in Academic Advising, and counseling from Student Wellness Services again, in November. By late November/early December, my physical and mental health had badly deteriorated; my parents reached out to Residence Life and to Queen¿¿s Emergency Services to check in on me.
This is truly an unanticipated, extraordinary situation. I have attached the following official documentation in support of this appeal: 1) notification from Dr. Sally Herschorn, board certified M.D., University of Vermont Medical Center, informing my mother of her breast cancer diagnosis; 2) a letter from Dr. Todd Whitman, board certified medical oncologist/M.D., certifying my mother¿¿s treatment; 3) a letter from my physician Dr. Harold Chaskey, board certified M.D., referencing my mother¿¿s cancer and our house fire, along with the Queen¿¿s Off-campus Physician¿¿s Note; 4) a letter from Janet Roloson, from Queen¿¿s Student Wellness Services dated December 8, 2015 supporting this appeal; 5) a copy of the fire report prepared by the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department, dated November 3, 2015; and, 6) a copy of e-mail correspondence with Professor Christine Sypnowich, instructor of PHIL 153-001 fall 2015, supporting my request to have this course/grade removed from my transcript.
My plan to re-launch my academic undergraduate studies at Queen¿¿s for academic year 2016-2017 involves a series of steps, each designed to ensure success when I return to Kingston in September 2016. First, prior to departing Kingston on December 9, I met with (along with my mother) Heather Carter from Academic Advising, Queen¿¿s Student Wellness Services, and Queen¿¿s University Residences¿¿ to inform them of my plans. I also e-mailed Professor Sypnowich and the teaching assistants for my four year-long courses, to update them on my health and my intention to drop each class and appeal for a leave of absence from the university. Second, I currently need to address my physical and mental health. To that end, I underwent a physical with Dr. Chaskey on December 10, and am scheduled to return for a follow-up in February 2016 ¿¿ in large measure, due to the fact that I unaccountably lost 38 pounds over the past several months. Second, I will in 2016 be seeking out the assistance of a mental health counselor. Third, I intend to spend significant time with my mother, and support her as she works to recover her health. Upon returning to Queen¿¿s, I anticipate undertaking a full-course load (or perhaps four courses for my first year), and scheduling regular support meetings with Queen¿¿s Student Wellness Services, Academic Advising, as well as seeking out the assistance of an upper-year tutor. Finally, I will seek to become a member of one or two student clubs on campus, and apply to have a roommate in residence.
To: Associate Dean (Studies), Arts and Science
Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON
Canada K7L 3N6
From: Cameron Kirkey
Queen¿¿s University Student Number: 10188357
Re: APPEAL TO DROP ALL OF MY ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-2016 UNDERGRADUATE COURSES, AND REQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM QUEEN¿¿S UNIVERSITY
As a first-year undergraduate Arts and Science student at Queen¿¿s University, I write today to respectfully appeal to your office to drop all of my academic year 2015-2016 courses and to concomitantly take a leave of absence from the university for the balance of the academic year. The courses I am seeking to drop include four full-year courses (FILM 110A ¿¿ 001, HIST 122A ¿¿ 001 and 004, POLS 110A ¿¿ 002 and 004, and SOCY 122A ¿¿ 003 and 008), and two half-year courses (PHIL 153 - 001 fall 2015, and GPHY 101 - 001 winter 2016).
Extenuating circumstances have proven to have significant physical and psychological adverse impacts in fall 2015, directly contributing to my academic performance. Two principal events have, most especially, impacted my ability to consistently undertake, complete, and even submit quality assignments required for all five of my registered courses. In late June 2015, my mother, Donna Kirkey, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery in July, and then underwent daily radiation therapy from August to October. Second, on November 3rd, our family home in Plattsburgh, New York, experienced a fire that resulted in significant damage to the contents and structure of our home.
These two unanticipated events had a profound and ongoing impact on my studies at Queen¿¿s. Soon after arriving at Queen¿¿s in early September, I found it very difficult, given my mother¿¿s circumstances, to concentrate on school. While I attended classes and tutorial sessions, I was unable to focus on required assignments, often submitting quickly written efforts and all too often, finding myself incapable of undertaking any work. By October, I sought out the help of counseling at Student Wellness Services. I increasingly began to become more reclusive, increasingly missing classes and tutorial sessions, effectively staying in my single room at Brockington House. I was planning to seek out Professor Sypnowich to drop PHIL 153 ¿¿ 001 before the November 6th deadline, when the fire struck our home. This event, combined with my mother¿¿s battle with cancer, found me more and more overwhelmed; mentally dealing with the stress and anxiety caused me to miss the November 6 deadline, miss more classes, and not hand in required assignments (for example, I did not complete/submit the following: 8 of 12 weekly assignments and the term essay for FILM 110A; the essay for HIST 122A; 2 essays and a grade of F on the mid-term exam for PHIL 153; 8 weekly homework assignments and the first-term essay for POLS 110A; and, a D- on an encyclopedia assignment, and an F on an annotated bibliography assignment for SOCY 122A). I sought out assistance and met with Heather Carter in Academic Advising, and counseling from Student Wellness Services again, in November. By late November/early December, my physical and mental health had badly deteriorated; my parents reached out to Residence Life and to Queen¿¿s Emergency Services to check in on me.
This is truly an unanticipated, extraordinary situation. I have attached the following official documentation in support of this appeal: 1) notification from Dr. Sally Herschorn, board certified M.D., University of Vermont Medical Center, informing my mother of her breast cancer diagnosis; 2) a letter from Dr. Todd Whitman, board certified medical oncologist/M.D., certifying my mother¿¿s treatment; 3) a letter from my physician Dr. Harold Chaskey, board certified M.D., referencing my mother¿¿s cancer and our house fire, along with the Queen¿¿s Off-campus Physician¿¿s Note; 4) a letter from Janet Roloson, from Queen¿¿s Student Wellness Services dated December 8, 2015 supporting this appeal; 5) a copy of the fire report prepared by the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department, dated November 3, 2015; and, 6) a copy of e-mail correspondence with Professor Christine Sypnowich, instructor of PHIL 153-001 fall 2015, supporting my request to have this course/grade removed from my transcript.
My plan to re-launch my academic undergraduate studies at Queen¿¿s for academic year 2016-2017 involves a series of steps, each designed to ensure success when I return to Kingston in September 2016. First, prior to departing Kingston on December 9, I met with (along with my mother) Heather Carter from Academic Advising, Queen¿¿s Student Wellness Services, and Queen¿¿s University Residences¿¿ to inform them of my plans. I also e-mailed Professor Sypnowich and the teaching assistants for my four year-long courses, to update them on my health and my intention to drop each class and appeal for a leave of absence from the university. Second, I currently need to address my physical and mental health. To that end, I underwent a physical with Dr. Chaskey on December 10, and am scheduled to return for a follow-up in February 2016 ¿¿ in large measure, due to the fact that I unaccountably lost 38 pounds over the past several months. Second, I will in 2016 be seeking out the assistance of a mental health counselor. Third, I intend to spend significant time with my mother, and support her as she works to recover her health. Upon returning to Queen¿¿s, I anticipate undertaking a full-course load (or perhaps four courses for my first year), and scheduling regular support meetings with Queen¿¿s Student Wellness Services, Academic Advising, as well as seeking out the assistance of an upper-year tutor. Finally, I will seek to become a member of one or two student clubs on campus, and apply to have a roommate in residence.