Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am appealing to drop the course CHEM282 , which I completed and failed this past 2015 Winter term. In early January I was the victim of a sexual assault and was left physically injured, ending up in the emergency room multiple times, and was not able to walk comfortably for 3 weeks following the attack. This consequently meant missing 3 weeks of class initially as well months of psychological repercussions. Due to the nature of the attack I was emotionally and mentally traumatized, and sought help and counselling from Hagar Prah, at Queens University, who I have been seeing regularly since the incident. In January I decided to drop 3 of my 5 courses and become a part time student. The two I chose to keep were CHEM282 and PHGY355. I struggled with both of the courses, but was able to talk one on one with the professor of PHGY 355, Dr. Fisher, as it was a small class of about 30. I was granted an extension on a test as well as guidance, helping me to enjoy the course and also succeed in it. CHEM282 was a very different case. As a very large course with students a year below me, I found it very difficult to ask questions from peers or from the professor and get support. I succeeded in the lab component, but not in the written course component. The extenuating circumstances of the initial attack in January and the residual emotional trauma made it very difficult to have any form of focus, motivation or confidence in any part of my life and affected my schoolwork greatly. I felt extremely helpless and depressed about any aspect of the course and my life in general. Severe depression, and lack of energy, confidence and self esteem made leaving the house and going to class very difficult. I chose not to drop CHEM282 last year as I was constantly hoping to be able to regain focus and recover before the end of the school year. I am still dealing with the psychological impact of the attack, but have come a long way in recovering with the help of counselling and the support of my family and friends. After much thought I've decided to once again become a full time student and to retake the CHEM282 written component online through Athabasca University this fall. Going forward with my education, I am extremely motivated to regain confidence and excel in this coming year, though I know my degree will be extended into a fifth year at Queens. If my appeal is granted and CHEM282 is dropped I would be more hopeful going forward and less anxious about the consequences of a lowered GPA. Hagar Prah, my counsellor at Queens has been helping me greatly this year and will provide supporting documentation.

Sincerely,

Georgia Scudder