Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: PART I: INTRODUCTION

This Appeal is being made under section 10.3.2 of the Queen’s University Academic Regulations Procedures, in the matter of Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s decision (“Dr. Stephenson”), dated June 26, 2023 (Exhibit 1).

PART II: RELEVANT FACTS

I submitted a request to waive the 1-year petition deadline relating to the Winter 22 semester. Now that that has been waived I am petitioning to obtain a CR for courses graded C or under, due to a mental health condition that was undiagnosed and untreated. I have since been assessed and diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, confirmed by medical specialists to have been present during the (F21-S23) timeline.

PART III: ISSUES AND ARGUMENT

The following documentation supports the definition of “extenuating circumstances” as defined in section 1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Exhibit 2:

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023, Exhibit 3;
Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023, Exhibit 4; and,
Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023, Exhibit 5.
Associate Dean (Academic) Jenn Stephenson Ph.D., letter of waived 21-day petition deadline, Exhibit 1.

These medical reports confirm my medical diagnosis and refer to my symptomatology associated with a diagnosed mental health condition, experienced during the time period of my enrollment in the Fall 21 to Winter 23 semester.

I submit that these medical records constitute the supporting documentation required in the definition of extenuating psychological circumstances, that were beyond my control and of which debilitated my academic performance prior to diagnosis.

PART IV: LAW

Grounds for Appeal

Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations (Exhibit 6), speaks to the decision-maker acting in accordance with procedural fairness. In order for the appeal process to be fair, the medical reports provided in this appeal constitute necessary documentation. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Exhibit 7), speaks to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination of mental disability. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3 (Exhibit 8), speaks to persons with disabilities facing communication barriers, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11, (Exhibit 9), defines disability to include a mental disorder. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 8 of The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Exhibit 10), speaks to the duty to accommodate people with disabilities and the need for others to change their rules, procedures, policies and requirements to allow for equal access and equal opportunities. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship) (Exhibit 11), speaks to the duty to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability to improve their productivity, efficiency or effectiveness, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA) (Exhibit 12), speaks to accessibility standards and removal of barriers. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

PART V: RELIEF SOUGHT

I seek to receive Credit Standing (CR) in all courses with a grade of C or lower from F21-W23. These include CHEM 112, MATH 121, BCHM 218, CHEM 281, MICR 271, MUSC 171, PHGY 215, and PHGY 216.

In the alternative, I seek to receive Credit Standing (CR) in all courses with a grade of C or lower from F22-S23 in which the 1-year deadline has not passed.