Petition Letter
Dear Associate Dean (Studies),
With the support of my parents and doctors, I am appealing to request your consideration for aegrotat standing in courses SOCY122 and RELS131. I plan to write both of the upcoming exams, however believe that I will be unable to complete the two final essays required of these courses. The circumstances mentioned later in this letter have affected my performance in all five of my courses, however it is these two essays that have overlapped a particularly tumultuous time and left them impossible for me to complete without significantly compromising my health. This is being written as a last resort and is a decision that I do not take lightly as a student who is serious about their academic success here at Queen¿¿s.
Due to dramatic and unforeseen health changes, my ability to complete two large essays in these courses has been heavily compromised. This, as well as a major trauma occurring on campus, have presented significant physical and psychological challenges for me, and affected my ability to perform academically in a way that I have yet to experience in my 16 years as a normally high-achieving student. I always hoped to avoid writing this kind of a letter, which is why I deferred my initial offer of acceptance in 2016 to spend the year focusing on improving my mental health. I understood the importance of walking into Queen¿¿s with my best foot forward and wanted to ensure that I could perform at my usual level as a student with a 95 average and a passion for academics. Unfortunately, during that gap-year I suffered a horrific and traumatic event that set me back even further, and ultimately made for a very difficult first-year at Queens. In an attempt to combat the negative symptoms, I have trailed several medications over the course of this year, each one presenting its own collection of unpleasant physical and mental side effects. Some stimulating and leaving me sleepless for six consecutive days. Others sedating, resulting in me struggling to stay awake to complete my academic tasks or properly absorb information presented in lectures. Some causing extreme nausea, some causing migraines, some leaving me acutely suicidal for weeks. During the more challenging moments, I have had to spend time in the hospital, as well as spend weeks sleeping on the couch of my parents¿¿ house in order to ensure my own safety and care. In attempt to lessen the effect of these affairs on my academics, I sought out accommodations through QSAS which provided me with extended due dates and allowed me to focus more on my health than submitting a paper. However, with two weeks left in the semester and several exams left to complete, even my best efforts will not allow me to complete the two large papers that RELS131 and SOCY122 require. Please understand that these health concerns are unpredictable in nature and have been largely exacerbated by this years earlier trauma in a way that I could not have foreseen upon entering these courses. With that said, I am doing everything I can to ensure that my circumstances will improve and allow me to come back to Queens in September of 2018 with the same clear head that earned me early acceptance way back in December of 2016. I am seeing counsellors through the Sexual Assault Centre of Kingston, meeting regularly with my doctor, taking all necessary medication. Additionally, this summer I plan to participate in an intensive outpatient therapy program through Providence Care, which will provide me with better coping skills and a strong foundation for the remainder of my years here at Queens.
I thank you in advance for your consideration, and for all of the understanding that the university has shown thus far. It is one thing for a school to talk about caring for their students, and another to show it. In my experience, Queen¿¿s University does both.
Most Sincerely,
Francesca Amarante, 20002515
With the support of my parents and doctors, I am appealing to request your consideration for aegrotat standing in courses SOCY122 and RELS131. I plan to write both of the upcoming exams, however believe that I will be unable to complete the two final essays required of these courses. The circumstances mentioned later in this letter have affected my performance in all five of my courses, however it is these two essays that have overlapped a particularly tumultuous time and left them impossible for me to complete without significantly compromising my health. This is being written as a last resort and is a decision that I do not take lightly as a student who is serious about their academic success here at Queen¿¿s.
Due to dramatic and unforeseen health changes, my ability to complete two large essays in these courses has been heavily compromised. This, as well as a major trauma occurring on campus, have presented significant physical and psychological challenges for me, and affected my ability to perform academically in a way that I have yet to experience in my 16 years as a normally high-achieving student. I always hoped to avoid writing this kind of a letter, which is why I deferred my initial offer of acceptance in 2016 to spend the year focusing on improving my mental health. I understood the importance of walking into Queen¿¿s with my best foot forward and wanted to ensure that I could perform at my usual level as a student with a 95 average and a passion for academics. Unfortunately, during that gap-year I suffered a horrific and traumatic event that set me back even further, and ultimately made for a very difficult first-year at Queens. In an attempt to combat the negative symptoms, I have trailed several medications over the course of this year, each one presenting its own collection of unpleasant physical and mental side effects. Some stimulating and leaving me sleepless for six consecutive days. Others sedating, resulting in me struggling to stay awake to complete my academic tasks or properly absorb information presented in lectures. Some causing extreme nausea, some causing migraines, some leaving me acutely suicidal for weeks. During the more challenging moments, I have had to spend time in the hospital, as well as spend weeks sleeping on the couch of my parents¿¿ house in order to ensure my own safety and care. In attempt to lessen the effect of these affairs on my academics, I sought out accommodations through QSAS which provided me with extended due dates and allowed me to focus more on my health than submitting a paper. However, with two weeks left in the semester and several exams left to complete, even my best efforts will not allow me to complete the two large papers that RELS131 and SOCY122 require. Please understand that these health concerns are unpredictable in nature and have been largely exacerbated by this years earlier trauma in a way that I could not have foreseen upon entering these courses. With that said, I am doing everything I can to ensure that my circumstances will improve and allow me to come back to Queens in September of 2018 with the same clear head that earned me early acceptance way back in December of 2016. I am seeing counsellors through the Sexual Assault Centre of Kingston, meeting regularly with my doctor, taking all necessary medication. Additionally, this summer I plan to participate in an intensive outpatient therapy program through Providence Care, which will provide me with better coping skills and a strong foundation for the remainder of my years here at Queens.
I thank you in advance for your consideration, and for all of the understanding that the university has shown thus far. It is one thing for a school to talk about caring for their students, and another to show it. In my experience, Queen¿¿s University does both.
Most Sincerely,
Francesca Amarante, 20002515