Petition Letter
December 11, 2017
Re: Sean Tippett (10108181) Course Appeal Deadline Waiver
Dear Dr. Atkinson,
I am submitting this request to waive the time limit to appeal final course marks from my first year in the Queen¿¿s Arts and Science Program. This is due to extenuating medical circumstances that affected my ability to address this policy after my first year at the university. Should my request to waive the time limit be approved, I intend to appeal the final marks that I received during that initial period at Queen¿¿s as having been severely impacted by the mental health issues that I was then overcome by. Through this process I hope to remove from my academic record the first year marks from the courses that reflect the negative effects of those issues.
During the 2013/14 academic year I was enrolled in the Queen¿¿s Arts and Science Program in the hopes of obtaining a degree in Computer Science. During that first year, I became progressively affected by significant issues related to my ability to absorb course material and comprehend the requirements of the various members of the faculty. I was also unable to assess the degree to which these mental issues were affecting my academic standing during the year. It was only upon receiving my final first year marks that the full ramifications of these health issues became apparent, although the cause remained unclear.
During the subsequent months, I immediately sought medical attention with the aim of identifying the reason for these struggles and, with the support of my family, I went through a series of clinical assessments by a number of members of the mental health profession, resulting in a formal diagnosis of ADHD in 2015. This discovery process took a long time as did the initial treatment phase such I was not able to return to school nor was my focus on having my academic record amended due to the illness.
Once I was able to return to Queen¿¿s for the 2015-16 academic year while continuing my medical treatment, I resumed my studies in the Arts and Science Program, retaking the necessary first year courses as part of a continued pursuit of a Computer Science degree. I made sure to register with Student Wellness Services at the school as well in order to ensure any on-going support I might need. During this return to Queen¿¿s, 100 of my focus was on ensuring the success of my academics. This approach resulted in achieving a 4.15 GPA for the first term (at a 60 course load to ensure proper reintegration into academic life) and a 4.20 GPA for the second term (at a full course load). This progress continued into my second year in the program while I continued with the treatment for my condition.
As it relates to the specific request to waive the time limit to appeal my original first year marks, I think it is fair to say that I was not in a mental condition to address an appeal of the marks in the specified timeframe once I received them. The basis for appealing the marks themselves as a result of the ADHD diagnosis was an event that itself only occurred well after the appeal window had elapsed. The marks I received that first year did not reflect my inherent academic capabilities as subsequently demonstrated upon my return to school after diagnosis and initial treatment for my ailment. I respectfully submit this request to waive the timeframe for the appeal of my original first year marks due to the extenuating circumstances driven by that medical condition.
Thank you.
Re: Sean Tippett (10108181) Course Appeal Deadline Waiver
Dear Dr. Atkinson,
I am submitting this request to waive the time limit to appeal final course marks from my first year in the Queen¿¿s Arts and Science Program. This is due to extenuating medical circumstances that affected my ability to address this policy after my first year at the university. Should my request to waive the time limit be approved, I intend to appeal the final marks that I received during that initial period at Queen¿¿s as having been severely impacted by the mental health issues that I was then overcome by. Through this process I hope to remove from my academic record the first year marks from the courses that reflect the negative effects of those issues.
During the 2013/14 academic year I was enrolled in the Queen¿¿s Arts and Science Program in the hopes of obtaining a degree in Computer Science. During that first year, I became progressively affected by significant issues related to my ability to absorb course material and comprehend the requirements of the various members of the faculty. I was also unable to assess the degree to which these mental issues were affecting my academic standing during the year. It was only upon receiving my final first year marks that the full ramifications of these health issues became apparent, although the cause remained unclear.
During the subsequent months, I immediately sought medical attention with the aim of identifying the reason for these struggles and, with the support of my family, I went through a series of clinical assessments by a number of members of the mental health profession, resulting in a formal diagnosis of ADHD in 2015. This discovery process took a long time as did the initial treatment phase such I was not able to return to school nor was my focus on having my academic record amended due to the illness.
Once I was able to return to Queen¿¿s for the 2015-16 academic year while continuing my medical treatment, I resumed my studies in the Arts and Science Program, retaking the necessary first year courses as part of a continued pursuit of a Computer Science degree. I made sure to register with Student Wellness Services at the school as well in order to ensure any on-going support I might need. During this return to Queen¿¿s, 100 of my focus was on ensuring the success of my academics. This approach resulted in achieving a 4.15 GPA for the first term (at a 60 course load to ensure proper reintegration into academic life) and a 4.20 GPA for the second term (at a full course load). This progress continued into my second year in the program while I continued with the treatment for my condition.
As it relates to the specific request to waive the time limit to appeal my original first year marks, I think it is fair to say that I was not in a mental condition to address an appeal of the marks in the specified timeframe once I received them. The basis for appealing the marks themselves as a result of the ADHD diagnosis was an event that itself only occurred well after the appeal window had elapsed. The marks I received that first year did not reflect my inherent academic capabilities as subsequently demonstrated upon my return to school after diagnosis and initial treatment for my ailment. I respectfully submit this request to waive the timeframe for the appeal of my original first year marks due to the extenuating circumstances driven by that medical condition.
Thank you.