Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: July 2, 2015

Dear Associate Dean of Arts,

Please accept my application to drop Geology 106 course (Winter 2015) from my transcript. My final standing does not reflect my academic capability.

This has been a very difficult year for me. I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety in December of 2014. My struggle with my mental health has not been an easy one. Although I altered medication and started Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Kris Thiele in Kingston, I continued to struggle with my mental health. Although the therapy helped a bit, it still did not even begin to scratch the surface. When I was in Kingston, I was able to hide my problem from my parents. Once I was home in May, I was unable to hide my condition from my parents. They confronted me and I finally showed them my transcript. Once again, all my coursed were difficult to manage. Geology 106 suffered the most even though I had intended not to repeat the mistakes of first term.

Upon my return to Toronto, I was diagnosed as having critical clinical depression and anxiety. My parents connected with the Family Navigation Program at Sunnybrook Hospital. It is a program in the Department of Mental Health for Youth and Adolescence. They firstly connected me with Dr. Cintia Padoin, a psychiatrist, who put me on a course of medication. Then they connected me to Dr. Siegi Schuler, a therapist who specializes in male adolescent mental health. I have been seeing both of these doctors weekly.

I am not sure of where my path will take me. However, right now all of my energy is being spent trying to face the toughest battle of my life. Ultimately, I would like to continue my Fine Arts Program at Queens. That is why, I respectfully, ask you to review my academic record and allow me to drop my failed grade in Geology 106 from my transcript. I believe that dropping this course will benefit my academic standing moving forward.

Thank you for your consideration,
Matthew Young