Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Academic) of Arts and Sciences,

My name is Keshiha Elamurugan. I have just finished my seventh year of studies at Queen’s, and am happy to announce that after a long and turbulent academic career I am finally set to graduate this spring. I am petitioning to late-drop courses from Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 (SOCY306 (Winter 2024); ENGL215AB (Fall/Winter 2024); ENGL161 (Fall 2023), SOCY429 (Fall 2023)).

Events stemming from and since the pandemic induced a seismic shift in my mental health, and consequently my academic path. I went from being accepted to Queen’s on an excellence scholarship and making the Dean's Honour list my first two years, to failing all of my courses in Fall 2020. My transcript quantitatively illustrates how deeply I was struggling during my third to sixth years. Due to cultural and social stigmas I was unsure about reaching out or trying to get help; eventually I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. I had cycles where I would do well, followed by feelings of overwhelming anxiety which would in turn trigger depressive episodes. I did well in classes with weekly quizzes or cumulative assignments that provided check-ins throughout the term; I suffered terribly in classes with large projects. I failed dozens of classes because I had missing assignments.

I had seen a few counselors at Queen’s throughout the years, and in 2022 I registered with QSAS. I did well in a few of my courses, enough to keep my head above water. In the 2023/2024 academic year I reached my lowest point. I was living on my own and was extremely isolated. I had changes with my medications and dosages, and had started abusing substances. I was in bed most days, and was unable to keep up with class or focus on coursework. Whereas since my diagnosis I was able to go to classes, take notes, and complete certain assignments, in Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 specifically I was wholly unable to take care of myself, much less my academics.

Throughout the years I had been in touch with counselors at Queen’s who had encouraged me to submit a petition to late-drop courses. At the time I was still struggling and considered my academic career irredeemable, and any efforts to petition felt futile. After reaching rock bottom in Winter 2024, I moved back in with my parents, and spent the summer healing. During Fall 2024, I moved in with my aunt who lives in Joyceville. For the first time during the academic year I was surrounded by a support network that was able to guide me and help me combat the loneliness, addiction, and health struggles that had held me back for years. With support, I was able to find my footing and, even though I only took two classes that semester, I was able to complete my assignments and pass both with A’s. By Winter 2025 I felt that I was ready to move back near campus, in my old apartment. I took 5 courses because I wanted to prove to myself that I was doing better, that I could be better, and to do what I could to boost my GPA. I retook courses I was able to and I applied myself in my courses, did my best to keep on track and though grades have yet to be released, I feel proud of the work I have done to grow.

This year I was able to apply myself academically, be involved in class, and form relationships with my professors. As such I was heartbroken when my seminar professor reached out to me at the end of term – she wanted to ask if I would consider a Master’s and mentioned interest in being my supervisor, so she asked how my other grades were. She hadn’t known about my previous history and simply saw me as a student with potential. I had to say that with my history, I didn’t think that could ever be an option for me. It seemed unreachable after the last few years; I had long considered it completely unviable for me since my GPA had been so negatively affected, and so I dissuaded myself from wanting more.

I am submitting this petition now, at the end of my academic career, because I finally believe that I am in a position where I can meaningfully advocate for myself. Prior to my decline with my health, I had always thought of myself as continuing with higher education and academia. As my circumstances gradually worsened, I had come to accept that that was something I would never be able to do due to my academic record. However, this year helped me prove to myself that I could succeed academically, could meaningfully contribute to academic spaces, that I could overcome challenges that had held me back in years previous.

While I know I am unable to change the past, my hope with this petition is that my academic journey will be able to be evaluated with the context of the circumstances I’ve endured. I can’t have a completely fresh start – deadlines with petitioning for earlier years, specifically in 2020, make it so that is out of the question. I accept that. My grades were a reflection of my inability to complete my work, and I can not expect my slate to be wiped clean. But I hope, by granting my request, I can have space for a more accurate reflection of my capabilities and growth.

I want to leave my time doing my Bachelor of Arts at Queen’s knowing I did what I could to advocate for myself, not just for the sake of my transcript, but to reflect and honour the effort that it took to continue with and finish my degree. I believe I have something to offer, and I hope to be given the opportunity to potentially pursue higher education in the future.

Thank you for your consideration.

Keshiha Elamurugan
20127202