Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Stephenson,

My name is Alyah Opel, I just completed my fourth year of Kinesiology here at Queens University. This letter is for a request for a late Drop in KNPE 491 taken during Fall 2022 and HLTH 334 taken during the Winter 2023. Additionally, a request to have ANAT 316 and KNPE 331 taken during Winter 2022 changed to a Credit Standing (CS). I??ve unfortunately came into some circumstances that has had some effects my overall performance in school and other areas of my life.

Firstly, with regards to KNPE 491 during Fall 2022. My grandfather had been diagnosed with cancer roughly 2 years ago. In August 2022, we got the unfortunate news that his cancer had severely progressed, and he did not have much time left. On September 15th, I returned to Toronto for the weekend to spend time with my grandfather. I returned to Kingston on September 18th after spending the weekend home. After I had left, I got a call that my grandfather??s femur had broke due to his then bone cancer. He needed surgery and I rushed home on the 19th of September to be with him and the rest of my family. On September 20th he passed away. I finally returned to school on September 28th after missing almost 2 weeks of classes; however, I continued to extremely struggle mentally and academically when returning to Kingston. Growing up, I lived with my grandfather, therefore when he passed away it was like I lost a parent. As I was away for almost 2 weeks in September, I fell very behind in all of my courses. I was able to catch up in all my courses except KNPE 491; as such, I was not able to complete my independent study. I had a conversation with my supervisor Dr. Mary Anne Louise and Anna van der Mullen who both recommended that I appeal to drop the course late based on my extenuating circumstances.

Regarding this past semester, I had all the supports in place to be successful in my courses given the recent loss of my grandfather; however, at the end of January, I had found out that my father had been re-diagnosed with a very rare stomach cancer. The type of cancer my father has does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. They had previously shaved down the areas of my father??s stomach that had the cancerous cells and were treating him with medication to manage his symptoms. It was declared in 2019 and the only medical treatment offered currently was surgery.On February 15th, I was notified that my father would be having a partial stomach removal surgery to treat his cancer. This took a huge toll on my mental health. I got an extension on an assignment in HLTH 334 that was due over reading week; however, was not given a hard deadline. This first assignment was worth 20%. My father??s surgery then took place on March 20th, and I went home to be with him and my family. I had a presentation due the following week also worth 20%. I was not able to finish my assignment. At this point in the semester, I was very behind in all my courses and was receiving accommodations. Although I had went to all lectures and tutorial, it was not feasible for me to catch up several missed assignments. Additionally, my psychologist then went on maternity leave during the second week of March resulting in my losing that support. Given the situation, I once again had a conversation with my professors; Jill Takacs and Gagan Minhas who pointed me in the direction of Anna. Based on these conversations because of my extenuating circumstances, I was encouraged to apply for an appeal to drop HLTH 334 later.

At the end of the term, I had an in-person meeting with Anna to discuss my circumstances for the last year. Anna recommended I also apply for a Credit Standing (CS) for two courses from last Winter. As my father was originally diagnosed last fall (2021), his condition has continuously played a significant role on my mental health. I had returned to therapy in November 2021 and was put on medication by my doctor in December 2021. Unfortunately, the medication caused negative symptoms resulting in continuous difficulty with my mental health. In February/March 2022, I was really struggling resulting in my friends and family being extremely concerned regarding my mental health. Towards the end of March/beginning of April my medication was altered. By May 2022, I was feeling more like myself; however, my altered medication did not start improving my mental health until after the term was completed. Over the course of the semester, I had really struggled with my mental health resulting in several of my assessments and exams in all my courses being extended. In KNPE 331 and ANAT 316, I completed the final exams but was not able to prepare for either as much as I normally would. Although I was able to successfully complete both courses, my final mark was significantly lower as a result of my struggles with my mental health and the difficulties with my medication.

With regards to my documentation, I have attached a letter from my doctor from last spring describing the situation. Additionally, a letter from my psychologist prior to her maternity leave describing the circumstances I am currently struggling with.

I have very high academic standards for myself with my future goal to attend postgraduate school and eventually medical school. I believe that I have faced several barriers over the last few years, with my father becoming ill and the loss of grandfather. However, I am gathering support options to be successful in the future.

Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Sincerest regards
Alyah Opel