Petition Letter
June 5, 2017
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in an effort to appeal the deadline to appeal my grades from the 2016 Winter Term. The following are the specifics of what I am looking to appeal:
-LING 205: Appeal to drop past drop date
-PHIL 316: Appeal for credit standing
-PHIL 204: Appeal for aegrotat standing
-PHIL 250: Appeal for aegrotat standing
During the 2016 Winter Term, I struggled with mental health issues that greatly impacted my studies. I have had difficulty with anxiety and depression dating back to 2014 and was hospitalized for treatment in June 2015. Following my release, I began seeing Dr. William Kenny at Queen's Student Health but my problems persisted and I did not realize the full effect of this treatment until after the academic year had finished. Throughout the 2016 Winter Term I struggled to focus, find energy, and motivate myself and I was troubled by negative thoughts. I became increasingly isolated and I was very rarely able to get myself out of my house resulting in poor attendance. During the last month this worsened and I missed almost all of my classes. I was able to get through my papers throughout most of the term but the exam period proved to be especially problematic as I was unable to bring myself to study and my attendance issues resulting from my depression culminated in my being very unprepared for the one exam I did write (PHIL 316). Following that, I did not attempt to write the exams for LING 205, PHIL 204, and PHIL 250.
I returned home once the year had finished and began further treatment while continuing to be seen by Dr. Kenny up until early July. I was aware I could appeal my grades (and Dr. Kenny wrote me a doctor's note in case I wanted to which I have attached) but I was unaware of the time constraints. I decided at home to distance myself from the pressures of school until I was in a better place. Thanks to the help of Dr. Kenny and the further treatment I received at home, I feel I am now at a point where I would like to reengage with my studies. Unfortunately, it was not until recent weeks that I felt I had reached a place in my recovery in which I could begin to focus again on my academics. I understand that the deadline to appeal for the 2016 winter term has already passed and I am hoping my situation would permit me to appeal beyond the deadline. I have attached the aforementioned letter from Dr. Kenny that speaks to my condition in the 2016 Winter Term as well as a letter from Dr. Jodine Rosenberg, my GP in Toronto, that speaks to my state both at school and in the following months once I had returned home. I am hoping my appeal is granted so I can continue my studies without being impacted by these grades that I feel are not a true reflection of my academic performance. Please let me know if you require any further documentation to support this appeal.
Thank you very much for your consideration,
Noah Stevens
Student 10153482
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in an effort to appeal the deadline to appeal my grades from the 2016 Winter Term. The following are the specifics of what I am looking to appeal:
-LING 205: Appeal to drop past drop date
-PHIL 316: Appeal for credit standing
-PHIL 204: Appeal for aegrotat standing
-PHIL 250: Appeal for aegrotat standing
During the 2016 Winter Term, I struggled with mental health issues that greatly impacted my studies. I have had difficulty with anxiety and depression dating back to 2014 and was hospitalized for treatment in June 2015. Following my release, I began seeing Dr. William Kenny at Queen's Student Health but my problems persisted and I did not realize the full effect of this treatment until after the academic year had finished. Throughout the 2016 Winter Term I struggled to focus, find energy, and motivate myself and I was troubled by negative thoughts. I became increasingly isolated and I was very rarely able to get myself out of my house resulting in poor attendance. During the last month this worsened and I missed almost all of my classes. I was able to get through my papers throughout most of the term but the exam period proved to be especially problematic as I was unable to bring myself to study and my attendance issues resulting from my depression culminated in my being very unprepared for the one exam I did write (PHIL 316). Following that, I did not attempt to write the exams for LING 205, PHIL 204, and PHIL 250.
I returned home once the year had finished and began further treatment while continuing to be seen by Dr. Kenny up until early July. I was aware I could appeal my grades (and Dr. Kenny wrote me a doctor's note in case I wanted to which I have attached) but I was unaware of the time constraints. I decided at home to distance myself from the pressures of school until I was in a better place. Thanks to the help of Dr. Kenny and the further treatment I received at home, I feel I am now at a point where I would like to reengage with my studies. Unfortunately, it was not until recent weeks that I felt I had reached a place in my recovery in which I could begin to focus again on my academics. I understand that the deadline to appeal for the 2016 winter term has already passed and I am hoping my situation would permit me to appeal beyond the deadline. I have attached the aforementioned letter from Dr. Kenny that speaks to my condition in the 2016 Winter Term as well as a letter from Dr. Jodine Rosenberg, my GP in Toronto, that speaks to my state both at school and in the following months once I had returned home. I am hoping my appeal is granted so I can continue my studies without being impacted by these grades that I feel are not a true reflection of my academic performance. Please let me know if you require any further documentation to support this appeal.
Thank you very much for your consideration,
Noah Stevens
Student 10153482