Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 11201
Submitted: November 29, 2023 at 7:01:25 PM
First Name: Martha
Last Name: Hillen
Pronoun: She/her
Student Number: 20125010
Email: 18mkh@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: DEVS
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: DEVS 220
Term: Fall
Year: 2023
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean,
I am petitioning to late drop DEVS 220 (Fall, 2023), after the drop deadline.
In September 2023 I began experiencing critical symptoms of mental distress due to multiple traumas in my recent history. I have been receiving regular treatment since May of this year, however, my history of trauma has provided a large obstacle that became unavoidable in September.
Victims of sexual violence can experience intense absenteeism after undergoing and confronting a trauma. Due to the repercussions of acute trauma, I withdrew emotionally from my relationships with loved ones and from my academics. Because I have been undergoing treatment for the last seven months, I was able to re-engage with my academics, and I reached out to my professors to explain my situation and negotiate a plan to catch up in my schoolwork. While I was not able to find accommodations beyond a period of seven days with my DEVS 220 professor, both of my other professors were able to establish extensions, and I was able to complete the coursework required.
While I am registered with QSAS for a diagnosed disability (ADHD), my current circumstances are unrelated to my disability. This proves quite challenging, as students with ADHD often experience a confounding effect when issues of trauma or mental illness arise. Many of the systems offered to me (accommodations, extensions, etc.) don’t take this into consideration, and I have often been told that services offered for trauma related issues are not applicable if I am registered with QSAS, and inversely, QSAS is not able to help me with issues that are not directedly related to my registered disability.
I wish to express the severity of my circumstances. The repercussions of trauma and sexual violence are intense, and it’s incredibly disheartening that my victimization affects my success in school. My ongoing commitment to treatment is staid, and I will be starting a more intense course of trauma treatment in six days. I am committed to receiving the assistance I need.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am dedicated and passionate for my studies in Global Development. I love and have loved my program, the content I learn, and my DEVS community. My experience of trauma has affected me in many different areas of my life for a few years, but it will no longer control me. I would be incredibly grateful to receive this accommodation, and this late course drop would support my success.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kindly,
Martha Katherine Hillen
I am petitioning to late drop DEVS 220 (Fall, 2023), after the drop deadline.
In September 2023 I began experiencing critical symptoms of mental distress due to multiple traumas in my recent history. I have been receiving regular treatment since May of this year, however, my history of trauma has provided a large obstacle that became unavoidable in September.
Victims of sexual violence can experience intense absenteeism after undergoing and confronting a trauma. Due to the repercussions of acute trauma, I withdrew emotionally from my relationships with loved ones and from my academics. Because I have been undergoing treatment for the last seven months, I was able to re-engage with my academics, and I reached out to my professors to explain my situation and negotiate a plan to catch up in my schoolwork. While I was not able to find accommodations beyond a period of seven days with my DEVS 220 professor, both of my other professors were able to establish extensions, and I was able to complete the coursework required.
While I am registered with QSAS for a diagnosed disability (ADHD), my current circumstances are unrelated to my disability. This proves quite challenging, as students with ADHD often experience a confounding effect when issues of trauma or mental illness arise. Many of the systems offered to me (accommodations, extensions, etc.) don’t take this into consideration, and I have often been told that services offered for trauma related issues are not applicable if I am registered with QSAS, and inversely, QSAS is not able to help me with issues that are not directedly related to my registered disability.
I wish to express the severity of my circumstances. The repercussions of trauma and sexual violence are intense, and it’s incredibly disheartening that my victimization affects my success in school. My ongoing commitment to treatment is staid, and I will be starting a more intense course of trauma treatment in six days. I am committed to receiving the assistance I need.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am dedicated and passionate for my studies in Global Development. I love and have loved my program, the content I learn, and my DEVS community. My experience of trauma has affected me in many different areas of my life for a few years, but it will no longer control me. I would be incredibly grateful to receive this accommodation, and this late course drop would support my success.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kindly,
Martha Katherine Hillen
Documentation
Professional Letter: Letter of Support-2.docx