Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: May 7, 2015

To Whom It May Concern:

I am respectfully requesting to drop the courses I failed while studying at Queen's University from my transcript.

I am currently in my 5th year at Queen's studying History and English, and have been having ongoing mental health issues since my 3rd year, which has had a serious impact on my life. While I did my best to reconcile with these issues I was always trying to move forward, to take more classes to compensate for past disappointments in previous semesters. My health has recently come to a critical point, and while I focus on getting better I also wish to find a way to salvage the time and effort I have put forth.

My mental health concerns were exasperated by the loss of my grandfather and aunt to cancer during my 3rd and 4th year, as well as a serious car accident in 2013. Further during my studies I have been dealing with father's alcoholism and deteriorating health, which despite attempts I made to distance myself from him, have had a continuous negative impact on all aspects of my life.

After discussing my options with my academic advisor and my family it is my hope to complete my 3 year Bachelor of Arts this year and return at a later date to finish my Honours in History. In order to do this I respectfully request to drop the courses I failed while I struggled with my personal issues. I have returned home, where I can regularly see my therapist and I have begun to seek out additional and more specialized care. I have met with Mary Acreman from Health Counseling and Disability Services to acquire a letter supporting that I have used their services in the past. I have included documentation from my psychologist, medical doctor and my mother to strengthen my appeal.

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your consideration,

Catherine Cowman