Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Academic Appeals Committee,

I am writing to formally appeal the grades that I received during the 2022-2023 school years. This includes my second and third year at school, which were my first 2 years at Queens after transferring from western university which I attended my first year. These courses do not reflect my abilities or commitment to my academic journey. I am requesting a review of these grades due to extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control and significantly impacted my performance during this period.

During the time that I was enrolled in these courses, I was struggling with not only mental health but also physical health challenges. These issues were not fully addressed or accommodated until later in my academic career, when I sought and received formal accommodations in 2023. While I have taken many steps to manage these challenges, the effects on my academic performance during this time were substantial. Specifically:

My mental health difficulties, which included anxiety, made it challenging to focus, complete assignments on time, and fully engage with course materials.

Concurrently, I was dealing with constant upper respiratory infections, COVID-19, and pneumonia. From one illness to the next I was forced to frequently be absent from lectures and had limited ability to complete lab work or participate in group projects. I also had difficulty managing my independent workload.

These challenges occurred during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. After recognizing the need for additional support, I consulted with a psychologist and my family doctor and implemented strategies to manage my health more effectively. These steps along with my recent accommodations provided by the university have allowed me to demonstrate my true potential in subsequent courses. My recent grades reflect my ability to succeed when given the appropriate support.

My psychoeducational assessment report provides evidence of my claims and context for the challenges I faced. The psychologist who completed my assessment also recommended I take the time to appeal my grades and is in support of this change, as my work during these years does not reflect my academic ability.

I kindly ask the committee to consider adjusting my grades for the affected courses without penalty. I am deeply committed to my education and am confident that with the proper support I can continue to succeed.

Thank you for taking the time to review my petition. I am happy to provide any additional information or documentation if needed.

Sincerely,
Eva Sousa-Walsh
20237624
20etsw@queensu.ca