Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Academic Petition for CR Standing and Late Course Drop

Dear Associate Dean,

My name is Paige Doncaster, and I am going into my fourth year in a BSc of Psychology. I am writing to formally request consideration for CR status for PSYC 221 and a late course drop for PSYC 241, due to significant extenuating circumstances that affected my academic performance during the past semester.

At the end of January, I experienced a sudden illness that severely impacted my ability to focus on and attend to my studies. Under the guidance of a healthcare professional, I took the appropriate steps to recover, but the symptoms—including extreme fatigue, dizziness, and hearing loss—persisted for two weeks. During this time, I was unable to attend lectures or engage with course material effectively. Despite my efforts to keep up, I ultimately fell behind and made the decision to reduce my course load to four classes to manage my academic responsibilities.

As part of these adjustments, I submitted an academic consideration request to defer my first PSYC 221 midterm exam. I was informed that the missed midterm would be reweighted between the second midterm and the final exam. However, due to the disruptions caused by the TA strike, the course structure changed, and the final exam came to be worth 91% of my final grade. This significantly impacted my performance, resulting in a final grade of D. Given these circumstances, I have been advised to petition for CR standing in this course.

Additionally, my mental health has been a significant factor affecting my academic performance. I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. During the winter semester of the 2023–2024 academic year, I was compelled to withdraw from all courses to prioritize my mental health and seek support at home. While I have continued to receive treatment and have been in regular contact with my therapist, the combination of illness, prolonged stress, and the strike led to a relapse in March. This depressive episode made it extremely difficult to engage in coursework, attend classes, or function effectively in a public setting.

The strike also had a direct impact on PSYC 241, which was taught by a teaching fellow. The course was effectively put on hold, and lectures for this course were cancelled for the remainder of the semester. This disruption further hindered my ability to succeed, and I unfortunately earned an F in the course. Based on the extent of the interruption and its effect on my academic performance, I have been advised to submit a petition for a late drop for PSYC 241.

After meeting with Dr. Meghan Norris, we are confident that we can develop a plan to support my academic success moving forward. This plan may include taking a reduced course load and retaking PSYC 241 in the upcoming academic year. Approval of the CR standing and late drop petitions would allow me to maintain the GPA required to remain in good standing within my program and continue progressing toward my degree. Regarding my mental health, I am actively working with both my therapist and doctor to ensure I am getting the necessary treatment. I will continue regular therapy sessions throughout the school year to ensure I am prioritizing my well-being alongside my academic goals. Thank you for considering my request. I remain committed to my academic progress and am taking the necessary steps to manage both my health and educational responsibilities moving forward. Please let me know if any additional documentation is required to support this petition.

Sincerely,

Paige Doncaster
20340155
21pcd4@queensu.ca