Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To: Queen’s University Faculty of Arts and Science Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Jenn Stephenson and Petitions Team

Subject: CISC124 Winter 2024 – Level 1 Petition for Aegrotat Standing Request

Date: Monday 28 April 2025

Dear Dr. Stephenson,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request Aegrotat Standing (Level 1 Petition) in CISC124 of Winter 2024 due to ongoing medical challenges that stem from a traumatic event that occurred in June of 2023. I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and my ability to perform academically has been substantially affected. Despite extensive efforts to manage these difficulties, I am currently incapable of completing CISC124.

Since June 2023, I have experienced ongoing periods of intense anxiety, paranoia, emotional distress, insomnia, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating. These challenges became particularly unmanageable in the Fall 2023 term when I failed CISC124. In the Winter 2024 term, my symptoms escalated further and as a result I had to withdraw from two additional courses, resign from two jobs, and was also unable to complete the CISC124 Winter 2024 exam.

Due to deeply ingrained cultural prohibitions in South Asian culture surrounding traumatic experiences and pervasive stigmas around mental health, I did not initially disclose the traumatic event to anyone. Instead, I attempted to manage the resulting challenges independently. As my symptoms persisted and intensified, I sought professional support during March-April 2024. I reached out to Queen’s Student Academic Success Services, Queen’s Student Wellness Services, and Queen’s Student Accessibility Services to address the difficulties I was experiencing, their negative effects on my academics, all while concealing the underlying cause.

In Summer 2024, I continued working with psychotherapists and specialists at Queen’s Student Wellness Services, exploring mindfulness and related strategies to manage the impacts of trauma. However, persistent medical and psychological challenges, compounded by complex family conflicts, and financial difficulties, made it extremely difficult to stabilize my condition. As a result, I was unable to write the deferred CISC124 final exam.

In Fall 2024, I attempted to take three assignment-based non-exam courses with the goal of re-building my academic confidence and completing the CISC124 deferred exam. However, during this time, my symptoms significantly worsened, particularly feelings of paranoia, which made it increasingly difficult to focus on CISC124. In December 2024, I reached a breaking point and disclosed the complete traumatic event to my father. I explained how it had severely eroded my trust in others, caused persistent fear of being seen in public, and made attending classes in-person impossible. This moment marked a critical turning point, where I acknowledged that I could no longer manage the situation on my own.

In Winter 2025, I only enrolled in one project-based non-exam course with the intention of prioritizing my health. During this term, I engaged in intensive medical treatment, including attending psychotherapy sessions with my father through Homewood Health. As well, I participated in individual psychotherapy sessions through Queen’s Student Wellness Services. I pursued Accelerated Resolution Therapy under the care of Dr. Sevda Akilli and attended Integrated Wellness sessions utilizing the MUSE Headband system. Upon the advice of Queen’s Psychotherapists, I also engaged in a series of medical appointments with physicians at Kingston Health Sciences Centre for treatment. This started with an initial assessment by Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Joseph Newbigging, who recognized the complexity of my problems and referred me to Dr. Behnia Haghiri, a General Adult Psychiatrist. After reviewing my case, Dr. Haghiri referred me to Dr. Mohammad Habib, a Specialist Psychiatrist leading the Heads Up! Early Psychosis Intervention Program. Dr Habib provided a comprehensive long-term treatment plan that my family and I are actively implementing. The plan includes continuing individual psychotherapy, starting specialized sessions involving Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Trauma Counselling, and Neurofeedback. Additionally, the plan includes strengthening coping skills via exposure therapy: increased socialization, fitness routine, learning from inspiring role models who overcame trauma, and spirituality. If these interventions prove insufficient, then considering medications (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, Prazosin, Low Dose Anti-Psychotics) will be the next step.

Given the continuous demanding nature of my treatment, I am unable to commit to a definite timeline for completing outstanding coursework, so an incomplete grade is not a viable option. For these reasons, I am respectfully requesting Aegrotat Standing in CISC124 of Winter 2024.

Moving forward, for Fall of 2025, I will make an informed decision, based on my circumstances, as to whether I’m ready to take courses.

Thank you for your consideration of this important request. I look forward to your response and hope for a positive outcome that will enable me to continue my academic computing pursuits at Queen’s University.

Sincerely,
Haani Syed