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Petition Type: New
ID: 10489
Submitted: May 11, 2023 at 5:34:06 PM
First Name: Alexis
Last Name: Mclean
Pronoun: She
Student Number: 10097976
Degree Program: BHSc
Plan: OT
Level of Study: 1

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline

Petition Letter

Petition Letter: Dear Members of the Board of Studies,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to sincerely request your understanding and kindness in waiving the one-year deadline/requirement to apply for a credit standing from my grades 9 years ago as an Art Science Kinesiology Student. I believe that my extenuating circumstances and personal growth demonstrate that my previous academic performance does not accurately reflect the student I have become today.

To provide some context, my first attempt at Queen's University was 9 years ago in the Kinesiology Program. Unfortunately, during that time I experienced a severe concussion and grappled with various health issues, in addition to untreated mental health conditions. I think it is beneficial to know that I have since been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome as well as mental health disorders such as ADHD, PTSD, Anxiety, and others. I have actively sought and continue to receive appropriate treatment and support for these conditions and have developed the skills necessary to succeed.

Looking back, I realize that I was not adequately prepared for the challenges of university at that time and the grades I obtained then do not reflect the determined and capable student I am today. I am now pursuing a BHSc degree, and I have developed a strong passion for fields such as Occupational Therapy and potentially even Medicine. I would like to apply to competitive programs like a master's in OT once I've completed my degree. These programs have competitive admission requirements, so it is very important that my grades are up to par. I have worked hard so far and am proud of my current academic standing. However, many of my previous Kinesiology courses overlap with my Health Sciences curriculum and poses a significant challenge in terms of course availability and my GPA. By applying for credit standing for my Kinesiology courses, I can ensure that these grades do not adversely impact my current GPA and negatively impact my ability to reach my goals.

I understand that the deadline for applying for credit standing has passed, so I am kindly requesting an exception to be made in my case. It wasn't until my return to Queens that I became aware that my previous degree would impact my current GPA. I had an appointment with an Art Science Academic Advisor who brought the credit standing option/process to my attention. The extenuating circumstances I faced during my initial attempt at university had a significant impact on my academic performance, my confidence and self-identity. It took a lot of work to be able to come back and face the disappointment of failure and embarrassment I had felt. Nonetheless, I have learned a lot since then and have taken proactive steps to address these challenges which included seeking professional healthcare and counselling and I have shown remarkable growth and resilience since then. Likewise, I am already performing exceptionally well academically in my current studies. I strongly believe that the opportunity to apply for a credit standing will not only alleviate the burden and stress of my program overlap and GPA, but also provide a fair representation of my capabilities as a student today. I am very determined to achieve my academic goals and this waiver would greatly support my journey.

I genuinely appreciate your time, consideration, and the opportunity to present my case. Your understanding and support would have a great impact on my academic future and my ability to reach my aspirations.

Thank you kindly,

Alexis Mclean
10097976

Documentation

Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Documentation Detail: I will provide documentation from my doctor with the Credit standing application

Level 1 Status

Status: Denied

Level 2

Appeal Type: Level 2
ID: 218
Submitted: August 17, 2023 at 4:35:32 PM
Relevant Petition: 10489
Decision(s) Being Appealed: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline

Appeal Grounds

Appeals to the Board of Studies must include a letter based on one or more of the Grounds for Appeal (Appeal Regulation 3.4). What are the grounds you are basing your appeal on?
  • The Associate Dean's decision did not follow the rules of procedural fairness. A breach of procedural fairness includes such things as the Associate Dean failed to:
    • Follow the university rules and regulations in a way that supported your right to a fair process.
    • Make a reasonable decision in your appeal. A “reasonable” decision is one that is based on evidence, thought out and supported by facts and logical inferences from the facts. To be reasonable, the decision must contain adequate reasons for the conclusions.
Appeal Grounds Details: The foundation of my appeal is rooted in the assertion that the Associate Dean's decision did not fully embrace the university's standards of procedural fairness and reasonability. It is critical to note that I supported the university with documentation regarding my surgery before the

Appeal Letter

Appeal Letter: Dear Queen’s University Board of Studies,
I am writing to appeal the decision made by Associate Dean Jenn Stephenson regarding my request to waive the 1-year petition deadline pertaining to the 2014/2015 academic year.

In the decision letter issued by Associate Dean Jenn Stephenson, it was noted that there was an absence of documentation confirming the extenuating circumstance that prevented me from meeting the deadline. I want to assure the Board that this absence was not out of neglect or oversight on my part. Acquiring the essential documentation to substantiate my circumstances proved to be a challenge, primarily because of a delay on my doctor's end. Dr. Emery Terrell had to access my comprehensive medical records from prior healthcare professionals, which took longer than anticipated. It was only after receiving her letter dated on June 23rd that I could furnish the required documents to the university.

Additionally, I'd like to highlight that the email I received from the Academic Petitions Office on May 12th did not stipulate a specific due date for the submission of the required documentation, which leaves the impression of an open-ended timeframe to provide them, especially considering my then imminent surgery and recovery.

I am fully aware of the significance of documentation in petitions like mine. The absence of this documentation by the deadline was genuinely beyond my control, and I had expected the comprehensive medical history to be procured in a timely manner. These delays, however crucial, were unforeseen and external to my own actions. Furthermore, even if there had been an opportunity for me to expedite the process of obtaining my medical history by June 12, I was rendered incapable due to an invasive surgery I underwent on June 2nd. As corroborated by the medical documents I've provided to the school starting May 31st, my post-surgical recovery was extensive, leaving me in no capacity to follow up with my doctor, check emails, or participate in any school activities.

Overall, the documentation from Dr. Terrell is essential to my appeal. Her insights into my health challenges during the 2014/2015 academic year reflect the profound difficulties I grappled with — including a concussion, undiagnosed mood disorders, and personality disorders. These conditions adversely impacted my academic performance, as detailed in Dr. Terrell's letter attached.

In conclusion, given the external delays in obtaining the necessary medical documentation and my incapacitated state post-surgery during the critical period leading up to the deadline, I respectfully ask the Board to reconsider the decision. I hope that you can understand the uniquely challenging circumstances that transpired and how they prevented me from adhering to the deadline.

I am committed to my education at Queens University, and I am earnestly seeking a fair reconsideration of my situation.

Thank you for taking the time to review this appeal.

Sincerely,
Alexis Mclean
Student #10097976

Documentation

I plan to submit additional documentation at a later date: having an issue uploading under 10MB I will send it now through email
Select a decision letter template to generate and queue a decision letter using its content.

History

Originally submitted May 11, 2023 at 5:34:06 PM.

FieldReferenceOld ValueNew ValueNoteUserDate/Time
statusN/AReceivedWithdrawnKerri Andrews2023-05-12 10:48:05 AM
statusN/AWithdrawnIncompleteKerri Andrews2023-05-12 10:50:44 AM
statusN/AIncompleteIn ReviewKerri Andrews2023-06-09 4:22:23 PM
statusN/AIn ReviewDeniedKerri Andrews2023-06-12 10:01:51 AM
associate_deanN/AJenn Stephenson, Ph.D.Kerri Andrews2023-06-12 10:01:51 AM
decision_letterN/AN/ADecision letter sentKerri Andrews2023-06-12 10:03:16 AM
new_appeal_level_2N/ALevel 2Level 2 Appeal ID: 21812ajm212023-08-17 4:35:32 PM
appeal_typeN/A4Pamela Briand2023-08-18 9:18:21 AM
relevant_appealN/A10489Pamela Briand2023-08-18 9:18:21 AM
category_level_2N/Aa:1:{i:0;s:13:"category_3028";}Pamela Briand2023-08-18 9:18:21 AM
appeal_grounds_detailN/AThe foundation of my appeal is rooted in the assertion that the Associate Dean's decision did not fully embrace the university's standards of procedural fairness and reasonability. It is critical to note that I supported the university with documentation regarding my surgery before the Pamela Briand2023-08-18 9:18:21 AM
letterN/ADear Queen’s University Board of Studies,
I am writing to appeal the decision made by Associate Dean Jenn Stephenson regarding my request to waive the 1-year petition deadline pertaining to the 2014/2015 academic year.

In the decision letter issued by Associate Dean Jenn Stephenson, it was noted that there was an absence of documentation confirming the extenuating circumstance that prevented me from meeting the deadline. I want to assure the Board that this absence was not out of neglect or oversight on my part. Acquiring the essential documentation to substantiate my circumstances proved to be a challenge, primarily because of a delay on my doctor's end. Dr. Emery Terrell had to access my comprehensive medical records from prior healthcare professionals, which took longer than anticipated. It was only after receiving her letter dated on June 23rd that I could furnish the required documents to the university.

Additionally, I'd like to highlight that the email I received from the Academic Petitions Office on May 12th did not stipulate a specific due date for the submission of the required documentation, which leaves the impression of an open-ended timeframe to provide them, especially considering my then imminent surgery and recovery.

I am fully aware of the significance of documentation in petitions like mine. The absence of this documentation by the deadline was genuinely beyond my control, and I had expected the comprehensive medical history to be procured in a timely manner. These delays, however crucial, were unforeseen and external to my own actions. Furthermore, even if there had been an opportunity for me to expedite the process of obtaining my medical history by June 12, I was rendered incapable due to an invasive surgery I underwent on June 2nd. As corroborated by the medical documents I've provided to the school starting May 31st, my post-surgical recovery was extensive, leaving me in no capacity to follow up with my doctor, check emails, or participate in any school activities.

Overall, the documentation from Dr. Terrell is essential to my appeal. Her insights into my health challenges during the 2014/2015 academic year reflect the profound difficulties I grappled with — including a concussion, undiagnosed mood disorders, and personality disorders. These conditions adversely impacted my academic performance, as detailed in Dr. Terrell's letter attached.

In conclusion, given the external delays in obtaining the necessary medical documentation and my incapacitated state post-surgery during the critical period leading up to the deadline, I respectfully ask the Board to reconsider the decision. I hope that you can understand the uniquely challenging circumstances that transpired and how they prevented me from adhering to the deadline.

I am committed to my education at Queens University, and I am earnestly seeking a fair reconsideration of my situation.

Thank you for taking the time to review this appeal.

Sincerely,
Alexis Mclean
Student #10097976
Pamela Briand2023-08-18 9:18:21 AM
future_documentationN/Ahaving an issue uploading under 10MB I will send it now through email Pamela Briand2023-08-18 9:18:21 AM
statusN/AReceivedADA Amended DecisionPamela Briand2023-08-21 8:54:02 AM
decision_letterN/AN/ADecision letter sentPamela Briand2023-08-21 8:58:01 AM