Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: April 30th, 2026

RE: Formal Appeal to the Associate Director of the Commerce Program,
for Credit Standing [COMM111, & COMM171]

Dear Associate Dean,

Tanisi – or hello, my name is Warner Schaettgen, a student who just finished her first year in the bachelor of commerce program at Queen’s University who is writing to respectfully request a Credit Standing (CR) in two of my first-year commerce courses: firstly COMM111 (Introduction to financial accounting), instructed by both professor Cory Hinds, and Blake Steenhoven, I received a final grade of B; and COMM171 (introduction to economic principles), which was instructed by professor Paula López-Peña, I received a final grade of B-. Both courses being taken during my first semester of first-year of my time at the Bachelor of Commerce program at the Smith School of Business.

Additionally, I understand that Credit Standing is typically offered for grades of C or lower, however I want to directly acknowledge that my final grades fall above that ideal threshold. However, I respectfully know that these grades do not accurately reflect my academic discipline and performance during the period in which I was in a non-ideal scenario – being deeply driven by extenuating circumstances, which are described below, in which I received accommodations for after the incident occurred. These resources that are now available allow me to continue my integral contribution both academically and as a community, but lack to fully restore my academic standing my abilities and passion would have otherwise produced if not for the experiences I faced.

Extenuating Circumstances

During my first-year, and first semester in which both courses described above were offered, I experienced an acute, serious and deeply traumatic event: I was sexually assaulted and required professional support and ongoing care from the SVPRS here at Queen’s. This act was beyond my control, and it impacted not only my ability to study, concentrate, and perform to my academic best, but made it impossible to do so. Alongside this, the student in question was also in Commerce, and would frequently attempt to re-engage with me during exams, causing panic, and a fear that was not only present, but overarchingly impactful of my examinations. In support of this petition, I’ve included accounts from the Queen’s University Sexual Assault Centre, in support of my documentation, and from the Residence Therapists whom we’re able to give me exam, and studying resources to help dismantle the trauma, allowing me to find success in COMM172, and COMM112 both exceeding an A going into finals, and so far, an A+ being received in accounting with my final examination coming to a 91.8%.

Direct Impacts on my Academic Performance

Before receiving any accommodations, my midterm score in COMM111 was 49%, and COMM171 being around ~60%. A direct result of the trauma I was experiencing at that time to an acute extent. Being able to get a final grade of B, and B- respectively. This trauma and accommodations granted were a formal acknowledgement in itself that my performance during that period was not directly representative of my true and driven academic passion I bring to both the exam room and student community.

With this appeal, I hope to draw the Associate Dean’s association to focus on my performance in the two subsequent courses that require both COMM111, and COMM171 as prerequisites. COMM172, and COMM112, the follow-up courses are highly retaken and known for elevated difficulty. In managerial accounting, I was able to achieve a final grade of A+ (Approximately 91%), and I’m expecting a relative result in Managerial Economics as well. These results, act as a direct parallel, and required build onto the information and subject matter of COMM111, and COMM171. Which is a direct comparison, that in a short period of time, my academic abilities have been starkly improved on not only similar – but elevated subject matter. Contrasting the direct and measurable impact the sexual assault had on my performance during the period when midterms for COMM111, and COMM171 occurred. In which COMM161 had split midterms in which he did not directly approach me, with a varied midterm scheduling, and electives being offered asynchronously.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I come to terms with the impact the sexual assault had on my learning abilities at the time, but I am now fully immersing myself in on, and off-campus resources to find strategies to improve me academic performance, which is currently prevalent as well. I’ve not only pushed through and validated my recovery, but in the Queen’s community itself, I’ve joined competitive clubs, such as Fresh Sight consultancy to aid in the Smith School’s dedication to nonprofit work, and Queen’s Private Capital Group to elevate the financial mentorship within Queen’s. Even being both a first-year representative, and partnership’s coordinator for Queen’s Women in Leadership. All the while being an indigenous student that is a member of our residence society, is a future Don, and active contributor not only to the Queen’s community, but have a drive, and discipline to continue to excel both academically and social governance in the Kingston Community and beyond.

I would hope with the evidence of not only my improvement, but active documentation of my sexual assault, that the Associate Dean is able to consider this petition considering the full picture of my circumstances. In which I hope myself, or any other student can excel in every facet of their school journey – despite incidents such as Sexual Assault. The grades I received in COMM111 and COMM171, both are substantially lower than what I would’ve achieved without any traumatic events but are shown through my academic performance in the equivalent subject areas of COMM112, and COMM172. It is my goal and hope that these grades are not erased due to the convenience of having the grades removed – but I’m asking for the future of myself, and students experiencing not only extenuating circumstances, but sexual violence to have fair recognition that the grades produced by a traumatic event entirely beyond an individual’s control, during one of the most traumatic and difficult periods of someone’s life, can be altered to ensure fair representation.

I’ve included and attached the following documentation in support of this petition:
- Official documentation from the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Service here at Queen’s.
- A letter outlining the mental health supports, from an on-campus counsellor & health practitioner.

I am happy to provide any further information or meet at the convenience of your team. Thank you so much, and I’m sincerely grateful for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Warner Jeremiah Schaettgen
Email: 24hrr1@queensu.ca | Student Number: 20534205
Class of 2029, Smith School of Business, Queen's University