Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard, Associate Dean (Studies),

I am appealing to drop BIOL103 (Fall, 2015) without academic penalty.

I started studying at Queen¿¿s University in the fall of 2010. In my third year at Queen¿¿s, I developed a very serious eating disorder that completely took over my life. I struggled with anorexia. I came back to live at home and would drive to Queen¿¿s daily for my classes, and drive back home to stay with my family in the evenings and weekends. It took a toll on my academics as well as my personal and social life. I had to switch my 4-year degree into a 3-year degree. I had a couple of meetings with the Psychology department regarding my disorder and they were very helpful in accommodating me and helping me get into as many online courses as possible so that I could work from Toronto (where I am from) for the most part. I have completed enough courses for my 3-year psychology degree and am back home in Toronto now and working. I wanted to take this BIOL103 course because I have always had an interest in Biology. However, I have been struggling with my disorder more so than I thought I would, and I am unable to complete this course. My anorexia has left and I am now dealing with extreme binge eating disorder. I went to a center in Toronto that works specifically with eating disorders called The Kyla Fox Therapy Centre. The sessions were incredibly expensive and my symptoms only worsened as I started going. I have found living at home full time to be helpful and I am starting to get back on the right track, I haven¿¿t had an episode for a number of weeks now, but trying to recover from a very serious mental illness, working part time and taking this course all at the same time has been overwhelming.

I have no plans, as of now, to take this course again. I have completed my 3-year degree and it is not necessary right now. Until I get myself completely whole and healthy again, I will be focusing on my health, my work and building back my relationships.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.

Hannah Demers