Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12332
Submitted: September 24, 2024 at 5:50:05 PM
First Name: Zoey
Last Name: Rhone
Pronoun: She/Her
Preferred Name: Zoey
Student Number: 20322234
Email: 21zr4@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: Health Studies and Certificate of Law
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: KNPE 125
Term: Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Brendon Gurd
Section/Class Number: 001
Code: STAT 263
Term: Winter
Year: 2024
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Charles Molson
Section/Class Number: 002
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean of Queen’s University,
I am writing to request consideration for Credit Standing for the Winter 2024 semester due to severe extenuating circumstances that were entirely beyond my control. Starting in September 2023, but escalating from January through April 2024, I endured a living environment that was psychologically, emotionally, and physically abusive, which profoundly impacted my well-being and academic performance.
Throughout my time at Queen’s University, I have consistently demonstrated my academic abilities, earning grades ranging from B’s to A+’s. However, the challenges I faced during the Winter 2024 semester significantly affected my performance in STAT 263 and KNPE 125. The C- and D- grades I received in these courses do not reflect my academic performance or potential. I am committed to my education, and I have taken steps to address the impact of these circumstances by continuing therapy, adjusting my medication, completing summer classes and finding a more supportive living environment. I respectfully request your understanding in granting Credit Standing for these courses, acknowledging that my academic performance during this period was not indicative of my usual capabilities.
Beginning in early January 2024, I found myself in an untenable and distressing situation when my roommate, who was struggling with severe mental health issues including suicidal ideation, an eating disorder, and drug addiction, returned to our shared apartment. She had taken a leave of absence in the Fall of 2023. When she returned in January 2024, I was pressured and manipulated by her family and social circle into becoming her sole caregiver, constantly prioritizing her well-being over my academic responsibilities. I became the primary point of communication for her family, as she was often unable to respond due to intoxication and substance abuse. This situation left me isolated, emotionally and physically drained, and unable to meet my own basic needs, let alone fully focus on my studies.
During this time, I was in contact with my parents, seeking their guidance on how to navigate the situation. My parents were concerned about my well-being and were also in contact with my roommate’s parents. I was overwhelmed and conflicted trying to balance the concern for my safety, coupled with the overwhelming pressure to take care of her, which made it impossible for me to walk away. I believed I had no choice. I lived in constant fear—not only for her life but for my own. As I struggled under the weight of this responsibility, my own mental health deteriorated.
In February, the situation became critical, leading to multiple emergency hospital visits due to my roommate’s deteriorating mental and physical health. The trauma of these events, compounded by her deliberate acts of defecation and vomiting in my bedroom when I attempted to distance myself, created an extremely distressing and unsanitary environment. This further exacerbated my anxiety, rendering me unable to sleep, eat, or focus on anything other than preventing further harm—to her or myself. I feared the possibility of finding her in a tragic state, an outcome that would have haunted me for the rest of my life.
In March, the situation changed when my roommate’s grandmother moved into our 500-square-foot apartment, adding to the emotional strain and limiting my ability to study or care for myself. During this period, I maintained distance by remaining in my bedroom, for nearly the entire month, leaving only to visit the library, call my therapist or family, or bring food back to my room. The constant criticism from her grandmother, who blamed me for not doing enough, and the lack of a conducive environment for study, further deepened my depression and heightened my anxiety. This made it nearly impossible to maintain academic progress.
Despite my best efforts to manage these overwhelming challenges through weekly therapy sessions and medical support, the cumulative stress took a profound toll on my academic performance. I am confident that I could have achieved significantly better results had I not been subject to this situation. However, my fear for her life, compounded by my own deepening depression, left me feeling as if I had no other option.
I take my education very seriously and strive to excel in my studies. I have strong aspirations to attend law school and have consistently demonstrated my capabilities as a student. I worked diligently in my courses, but the extreme circumstances I faced, made it impossible to achieve grades that truly reflect my effort and potential. While I do not blame myself for how I handled the situation, I deeply regret that it came at the cost of my academic performance. I kindly ask for your understanding and consideration in granting Credit Standing for STAT 263 and KNPE 125, recognizing that these grades are not a true reflection of my academic abilities.
A letter from my psychologist has been attached. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please let me know if any additional documentation is required.
Sincerely,
Zoey Rhone
I am writing to request consideration for Credit Standing for the Winter 2024 semester due to severe extenuating circumstances that were entirely beyond my control. Starting in September 2023, but escalating from January through April 2024, I endured a living environment that was psychologically, emotionally, and physically abusive, which profoundly impacted my well-being and academic performance.
Throughout my time at Queen’s University, I have consistently demonstrated my academic abilities, earning grades ranging from B’s to A+’s. However, the challenges I faced during the Winter 2024 semester significantly affected my performance in STAT 263 and KNPE 125. The C- and D- grades I received in these courses do not reflect my academic performance or potential. I am committed to my education, and I have taken steps to address the impact of these circumstances by continuing therapy, adjusting my medication, completing summer classes and finding a more supportive living environment. I respectfully request your understanding in granting Credit Standing for these courses, acknowledging that my academic performance during this period was not indicative of my usual capabilities.
Beginning in early January 2024, I found myself in an untenable and distressing situation when my roommate, who was struggling with severe mental health issues including suicidal ideation, an eating disorder, and drug addiction, returned to our shared apartment. She had taken a leave of absence in the Fall of 2023. When she returned in January 2024, I was pressured and manipulated by her family and social circle into becoming her sole caregiver, constantly prioritizing her well-being over my academic responsibilities. I became the primary point of communication for her family, as she was often unable to respond due to intoxication and substance abuse. This situation left me isolated, emotionally and physically drained, and unable to meet my own basic needs, let alone fully focus on my studies.
During this time, I was in contact with my parents, seeking their guidance on how to navigate the situation. My parents were concerned about my well-being and were also in contact with my roommate’s parents. I was overwhelmed and conflicted trying to balance the concern for my safety, coupled with the overwhelming pressure to take care of her, which made it impossible for me to walk away. I believed I had no choice. I lived in constant fear—not only for her life but for my own. As I struggled under the weight of this responsibility, my own mental health deteriorated.
In February, the situation became critical, leading to multiple emergency hospital visits due to my roommate’s deteriorating mental and physical health. The trauma of these events, compounded by her deliberate acts of defecation and vomiting in my bedroom when I attempted to distance myself, created an extremely distressing and unsanitary environment. This further exacerbated my anxiety, rendering me unable to sleep, eat, or focus on anything other than preventing further harm—to her or myself. I feared the possibility of finding her in a tragic state, an outcome that would have haunted me for the rest of my life.
In March, the situation changed when my roommate’s grandmother moved into our 500-square-foot apartment, adding to the emotional strain and limiting my ability to study or care for myself. During this period, I maintained distance by remaining in my bedroom, for nearly the entire month, leaving only to visit the library, call my therapist or family, or bring food back to my room. The constant criticism from her grandmother, who blamed me for not doing enough, and the lack of a conducive environment for study, further deepened my depression and heightened my anxiety. This made it nearly impossible to maintain academic progress.
Despite my best efforts to manage these overwhelming challenges through weekly therapy sessions and medical support, the cumulative stress took a profound toll on my academic performance. I am confident that I could have achieved significantly better results had I not been subject to this situation. However, my fear for her life, compounded by my own deepening depression, left me feeling as if I had no other option.
I take my education very seriously and strive to excel in my studies. I have strong aspirations to attend law school and have consistently demonstrated my capabilities as a student. I worked diligently in my courses, but the extreme circumstances I faced, made it impossible to achieve grades that truly reflect my effort and potential. While I do not blame myself for how I handled the situation, I deeply regret that it came at the cost of my academic performance. I kindly ask for your understanding and consideration in granting Credit Standing for STAT 263 and KNPE 125, recognizing that these grades are not a true reflection of my academic abilities.
A letter from my psychologist has been attached. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please let me know if any additional documentation is required.
Sincerely,
Zoey Rhone
Documentation
Professional Letter: Hilary Murfitt.pdf