Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Dr. Jenn Stephenson)

I trust this letter finds you well. My name is Tatyana Leduc, and I am a 4th year student currently enrolled in a major in Global Development Studies and a minor in Sociology. I am writing to request Aegrotat Standing for my DEVS 492 course.

I am seeking your understanding and support regarding unforeseen and challenging circumstances that have significantly impacted my ability to meet the regular academic expectations for this seminar course. On January 25th, I visited my grandfather in hospice after unexpectedly finding out cancer had spread to all over his body. While he was given 1-3 months to live, regrettably, he passed away very quickly on January 30th. Coping with this loss, contributed to a struggle with severe depression and anxiety during this period and was an overwhelming challenge for me. For this reason, I proactively sought professional help and am currently under the care of a therapist and a doctor who prescribed medication to aid in my recovery. To ensure a supportive environment during this difficult time, I also have temporarily relocated to Ottawa to be with my family and focus entirely on my wellbeing.

When meeting with my doctor they recommended I take a month off school from January 29th - February 24th. Upon receiving their medical attestation letter, I applied and was approved for a long term academic consideration. I was reassessed by my doctor on February 20th and based on my symptoms I was given additional time off from school and an increased dosage of my medication. I was then approved for another long term academic consideration, until March 19th.

My decision to petition for Aegrotat Standing solely for DEVS 492 stems from the unique nature of this seminar course, characterized by a dense curriculum of readings and assignments. I refrained from dropping the course before the deadline primarily due to my conditional acceptance to the London School of Economics for an MSc in Development Studies, scheduled to commence in September 2024. Graduating on time is crucial for securing my academic future at LSE. As there are also no summer offerings for DEVS seminars, this is the only viable option to fulfill my degree requirements within the required timeframe.

I assure you that the extenuating circumstances I have faced will not continue to impede my academic progress. I have initiated discussions with all four of my professors this semester to develop a condensed timeline for completing the coursework once I return remotely on March 19th. Specifically, Professor Paritosh Kumar, the instructor for DEVS 492, has expressed support for my petition and suggested this avenue as a viable solution. I am committed to diligently completing the course requirements during this semester, as outlined in the agreed-upon plan with my professors. I am continuing to meet with my therapist, doctor and taking medication for my mental health. Additionally I plan to be in communication with my professors as deadlines approach, working with them to ensure my success.

I kindly request your understanding and compassion in considering my petition for Aegrotat Standing in DEVS 492. Your support in this matter is crucial for my ability to fulfill my academic goal of graduating this semester and embarking on my studies at the London School of Economics.

Thank you for your time, understanding, and consideration. I am more than willing to provide any additional documentation or information to support my case.

Tatyana Leduc
19til1@queensu.ca
20210570