Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear the Associate Dean,

I am writing to respectfully request permission to drop RELS 332 after the official deadline due to extenuating circumstances that have significantly impacted my ability to complete the course. As detailed in the supporting documents included with my petition, I began experiencing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in November, which coincided with the progression of my neurological condition, Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS). These health challenges were unforeseen and beyond my control, severely affecting my academic performance and overall ability to manage my coursework.

My health issues began to escalate on November 14th, manifesting in a series of debilitating symptoms that required medical attention and greatly diminished my cognitive and physical capacity to fulfill academic obligations. While I had successfully completed all coursework for RELS 332 up until that date, the demands of my illness have made it untenable to sustain the level of engagement and performance required to finish the course. Given that I am enrolled in six courses this term, the cumulative workload has further compounded the impact of my condition. While I feel prepared to manage my other five courses, the addition of a sixth course has proven to be overwhelming and unsustainable given my current health challenges.

Since the onset of these health challenges, I have taken proactive steps to address the situation, including seeking medical care, speaking with my QSAS advisor Caroline Teske and each of my professors, and consulting with healthcare professionals to manage my condition. Despite these efforts, the lingering effects of RCVS and the recurring nature of TIAs have left me unable to fully recover the capacity needed to meet the academic expectations for RELS 332 without compromising my health and the quality of my other coursework.

I understand the importance of adhering to academic policies and deadlines, and I do not make this request lightly. However, I believe that dropping RELS 332 is the most practical and reasonable course of action under the circumstances. This would allow me to focus on my recovery and better manage my remaining courses to ensure a successful completion of the term.

Thank you for considering my petition. I sincerely appreciate your understanding and support as I navigate these challenges. Please do not hesitate to reach out if additional documentation or information is required to support my request.

Sincerely,
Abbey Giancoulas (she/her/hers)
20268504 | 20ag72@queensu.ca