Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Academic Review Committee
Queen’s University
April 29th, 2025

Dear Members of the Academic Review Committee,

I am writing to formally petition for academic consideration in light of extenuating circumstances that significantly impacted my academic performance during the Winter 2024 academic term. My name is Stjepan Lastovic-Bisson, and I respectfully request that my situation be reviewed with compassion and understanding, given the severity and duration of the personal and medical challenges I have faced.
Over the course of this term, I experienced a combination of complex health issues, all of which were beyond my control and collectively undermined my ability to meet the academic standards I otherwise strive to uphold. Specifically, I was affected by:

1. Persistent gastrointestinal illness, including severe nausea and vomiting, which impaired my ability to attend lectures, complete assignments, and sit through exams without physical disruption. Despite making lifestyle adjustments, my symptoms remained unresolved, leading to an emergency room visit at Kingston General Hospital and a pending referral to the Emergency Gastroenterology Clinic.

2. Severe depression, characterizing symptoms of pervasive sadness, hopelessness, and anhedonia, all of which diminished my capacity to find motivation and focus in my academic work. Although I have consistently maintained care with a registered social worker for over three years and continued prescribed medication combined with cognitive-behavioral strategies, this term marked a significant mental health downturn.

3. Chronic sleep disturbances resulting from a traumatic brain injury sustained in August 2020. While my condition had improved, the recurrence of severe insomnia beginning in November 2023 led to cognitive dysfunction, problematic memory difficulties, and decreased executive functioning. These symptoms severely limited my capacity to retain information and perform in coursework which regularly require sustained attention to perform analytical thought.

4. Episodes of self-harm emerged as a response to the overwhelming emotional and physical stress. These incidents caused further academic disruption due to both the immediate psychological toll and the medical implications of physical injury.

While I made every effort to continue engaging with my coursework during this time—maintaining therapeutic relationships, adhering to treatment plans, and seeking emergency medical support—my academic performance suffered substantially as a result of these intersecting conditions. Assignments were missed or submitted late, my attendance dropped, and my overall engagement in course material was uncharacteristically impaired.

These challenges were not a result of neglect or lack of effort but of extraordinary and prolonged personal hardship. The medical documentation accompanying this petition substantiates the severity of these circumstances and outlines the professional support I have sought throughout this period.

I am committed to my academic and personal recovery and have already taken steps to stabilize my health and well-being. I kindly ask that you consider granting academic relief as appropriate for the courses affected this term, whether through retroactive withdrawal, grade consideration, or other accommodations deemed fit by the committee.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am hopeful for your understanding and support as I work to continue my academic journey with renewed health and purpose.

Sincerely,
Stjepan Lastovic-Bisson

[20335817]
Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies
21smlb@queensu.ca