Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: April 5, 2023

To the Associate Dean (Academic),

I am petitioning the Faculty for Aegrotat Standing for the following Fall 2022 term courses:

?? BIOL 205
?? BIOL 212
?? BIOL 243

During my Fall 2022 term I experienced a relapse in my mental health and had to return home to Toronto on November 24, 2022. I was immediately hospitalized at UHN in the psychiatric intensive care unit for a three-day observation period due to psychotic symptoms. After my release, I returned home where I continued to experience a worsening of my psychotic symptoms. On December 6, 2022, I was admitted to the psychiatric unit at Sunnybrook Hospital. I remained hospitalized for over 2 months in order to stabilize my symptoms and my medications. During that stay, I was unable to continue my studies and I was unsure of my potential discharge. I was eventually released on February 9, 2023 and returned to the care of my Out-Patient Psychiatrist, Dr. Vegda. He is provided through Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) through a program for Early Psychosis Intervention. In addition to Dr. Vegda, I also have support from a social worker through this program.

I have been advised by Dr. Vegda and the CTYS team not to place too much stress on myself during this recovery phase so that I do not have another relapse. They believe that a break from studies is required in order to give my brain the time it needs to recover. I also find it very difficult to concentrate for long periods of time and retention of material is very challenging. I am receiving much support through CTYS and other mental health support workers and I hope to return to my studies at Queen??s in the Fall of 2023.

I appreciate your consideration for this Petition for Aegrotat Standing. I have attached the Off-Campus Physician??s Note from Dr. Vegda, a letter from Dr. Toma who was treating me at Sunnybrook Hospital and a letter from my QSAS Advisor to support this Petition.

Sincerely,

Erin Mann