Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: November 19th, 2024

Dr. Jenn Stephenson
94 University Avenue
Queen’s University
Kingston, ON Canada
K7L 3N6

Dear Dr. Stephenson

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Jada Hollingsworth, and I graduated in April 2024 with a degree in BioPsychology. I am writing to request a waiving of the petition deadline for the review and possible nullification of several failed grades from the 2022 academic year.

During that period, I was struggling with significant mental health challenges, including an undiagnosed condition that led to a cascade of academic difficulties. I was also in the process of transitioning to a new medication regimen (please find attached a doctor’s note outlining the timeline and progression of my prescription history), which further impacted my ability to perform academically. Since my graduation, I have also been formally diagnosed with a learning disorder, which I believe played a significant role in my academic performance during that time.

Although I sought support from mental health services at Queen’s, I was unable to fully address my needs due to the incomplete nature of my diagnosis at the time. Since then, I have worked with QSAS to retroactively address the unmet needs from that period (please see the attached letter from QSAS detailing this support).

Given these circumstances, I would appreciate the opportunity to submit a petition, and I hope you might consider waiving the usual petition deadline. My medical and mental health challenges prevented me from both identifying and addressing this issue earlier. Had I been aware of the full extent of my medical history’s impact on my ability to execute my functions as a student, I would have advocated for myself much sooner.

I deeply value my time at Queen’s and am committed to my academic and personal growth. Since graduation, I have made significant strides in managing my health and have gained professional experiences that I attribute to my time at Queen’s. Considering these extenuating circumstances, I hope you will consider granting this petition.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I have attached documentation pertaining to my medical and pharmaceutical history for your reference.

Sincerely,
Jada Hollingsworth