Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: (I'd like to note I apologize for the long letter; due to the multiple academic terms, classes, and extenuating circumstances involved in my late petition, a lot needed to be included so I hope this is acceptable.)


Dear Associate Dean,

I am appealing the failing grades for SOCY 122 (Fall 2019/2020 and Fall 2021/2022) and my failing grades from all of the Fall 2022 Semester (HLTH 101, EMPR 100, DEVS 101, ANSH 101), and am requesting they be removed from my transcript or recorded as Incomplete, so once I have fully recovered, I have the opportunity to return to Queens to complete the courses. Additionally, I am appealing to have my D grade in ARTF 101 changed to a Passing grade on my transcript.

It is important for me to note that during my 4th year at Queen's, I was diagnosed with ADHD by Dr. Helen Chan, December 2021. I am thankful for the diagnosis even though it was late in my academic journey, since I now understand how ADHD has played a significant role in my failings which include: failing to communicate with professors or submit academic considerations, inconsistent dosage of medications, and lack of self-advocacy. I only submitted the forms for QSAS in December 2022. My ADHD combined with the other physical and mental illnesses I describe below have resulted in many instances of not communicating my need for support until too late, or not at all.

In Grade 12, 2019, before attending Queens, I had my first kidney infection which led to the beginning of my kidney issues and undiagnosed depression. Through recent therapy, I have come to learn the source of my depression: trauma at home. I knew I was unwell and not ready for university, so I requested a gap year before beginning the first year September 2019, however this request was declined by my parents.

Unfortunately, between 2019-2020, my kidney issues worsened, and I dealt with numerous severe kidney infections that impaired my ability to complete work or to attend class. To endure this for 1-4 weeks multiple times in a year was both physically exhausting and isolating, as there were days I couldn't get out of bed. This exacerbated my depression, and for many months, I was unable to attend classes, socialize with my peers and complete simple self-care tasks, let alone reach out for support from my professors. Because my performance in SOCY 122 was so severely impacted, I am asking that the grade be removed from my transcript.

During my year away between 2020-2021, I had surgery to remove my kidney and have since had no complications. However, I was still living in an abusive environment at home and my depression spiraled. Again, I begged my parents for time away from my academics knowing I could not demonstrate my personal best. And again, my parents refused and insisted I return to Queens in Fall 2021.
After returning to Queens, my mental health continued to decline along with my grades. In December, I was affected by long Covid which completely drained my energy for the first half of the 2022 Winter Term. Basic tasks were exhausting, and I was constantly sleeping. I lacked the strength to complete my retake of the SOCY 122 course. My depression had peaked and I almost attempted suicide. I did manage to save other my grades and contact higher-ups. For these reasons, I am requesting the removal of my F Grade on SOCY 122 from my 21/22 academic year or an incomplete, so that I may finish it at a later date.

In Summer Term 2022, again, I communicated to my parents my need to heal physically and mentally. There was so much wrong with my body and mind, and I knew I wasn't able to participate in classes to my full ability. However, they were firm. I had to complete 2 summer courses and return for the next academic year. Feeling forced into continuing with my academics, I was barely cognizant of the requirements and deadlines for my courses and even though knowing I was already on academic probation, I did not contact professors in a timely manner. Although I scraped by in these courses, I'm asking for the D grade from ARTF 101 be changed to a Pass/Fail grade.

In the Fall 2022 term, I failed all enrolled courses. Mental and physical health complications continued to wreak havoc on my taxed immune system and received a new diagnosis of IBS. I did not have the autonomy to remove myself from my classes. Moreover, I was the lowest I've ever been and had the resolve to end my life at the end of this year. With a set plan, I saw no future for myself and had no reason in my mind to apply myself to my academics. My mind has been focused on self-harm and the intent to end my life; with no future, I self-sabotaged my 2022 Fall Term and once I recognized this, I was still not in a place to take responsibility for my academic demise. For all these reasons, I am asking all F's be dropped from my transcript or changed to Incompletes so I can have the opportunity to finish the courses when I am well.

The reason this appeal is occurring is completely attributed to a recent change in my life. Though I did not have a voice with my parents, due to my sister recently being diagnosed with ADHD as well, my mother decided to put me in contact with Daphne Jefferson, my Executive Function Coach.
Daphne and my new therapist Kayla helped me to understand the extenuating circumstances that lead to and kept me in a repeated cycle of failed courses; they gave me the courage to face the truth of my academic decline and with their support, I reached out to Deb Bruce for advice and support at accessibility services to try and turn my academics around and I dropped the courses I was failing.
Due to 3 professionals' recommendations, I am limiting contact with my family and investing in recovery for my mental and physical health. I plan to take time off school so that I can fully recover, and I intend to return to school only when I am in good health. The few assignments I've completed at full health have typically been A's; I have the potential to excel academically, I simply haven't been in a place to do so.

I will focus my attention on working with my therapist to address my mental health, the doctor to ensure correct medications and dosage, and executive function training to learn strategies to take responsibility for my learning. The success of this appeal would enable me to return to Queen's and ensure that the decisions made when I was mentally and physically unwell don't deter my future self's academic journey.