Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Keira Markell
SN 20498277
B.A.H. Arts and Sciences, year 1
24cgqf@queensu.ca
April 3, 2026

Dear Faculty of Arts and Sciences Academic Appeals,

Please consider this my formal appeal for a late course drop due to extenuating medical/mental health circumstances. The courses I am requesting to drop late are:
PHIL 151 (Great works of Philosophy)
PHIL 153 (The State and Citizen)
POLS 112 (Enduring Political Debates)
ECON 112 (Introductory Macroeconomics)

I started my Queen’s undergraduate program in the department of Arts & Science in the fall of 2024. My mental health suffered greatly in the beginning of the first semester which caused me to drop my classes and defer late September 2024. I was able to drop my classes the first semester within the usual course drop window, and therefore faced no penalty to my academic record. I returned in the winter of 2025 to resume my studies, and I attended classes until some time in February 2025 when I faced a series of mental health crises that left me unable to function and attend classes regularly. At that point, it was weeks past the regular course drop window and I was unaware of the fact that it was an option to drop a course after the official deadline.

I understand that mental health difficulties can be difficult to mark and measure, so I have attached a letter from a family member that I live with confirming these. I understand in a situation like this, a letter from a doctor might be more useful. I am able to provide you with this letter should you request it, my doctor is currently out of office and I wanted to ensure this petition would be submitted by the appropriate deadline.

I will add that I am currently committed full time to improving my mental health management skills by attending meetings with a psychiatrist and exploring other treatments, and intend to set up meetings proactively with an on campus psychiatrist upon my return to Queen’s. I greatly appreciate you for taking the time to review my case, and I ensure I am fully committed to my mental health as well as my success at Queen’s. I look forward to hearing back from you, and to possibly returning to my studies with a fresh start.

Sincerely,
Keira Markell