Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies),

I am a second year BSC student in the Biology and Psychology program. I am writing to request that you consider my appeal for aegrotat standing for the following courses Bio 243 and Bio 205 and Bio 201 due to extenuating mental health circumstances beyond my control.

I have been seen and assessed by a counselor at Queen's Wellness Services and he has assessed that I am experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and OCD. He has referred me to a doctor for further assessment and treatment. I am waiting for that appointment. The counselor has also booked me another appointment with himself for counseling. My next appointment with the counselor is on December 2, 2015.

I have found that the symptoms I am experiencing are having a significant negative effect on my mental health and my academic success. I have been unable to concentrate/focus in class or when trying to study and complete work, due to intrusive disturbing images and thoughts. I find it unusually difficult to remember information. I feel constantly stressed which exacerbates my other problems. My sleep is disrupted also with these negative intrusive thoughts and I find myself without motivation both for academic tasks and for activities I have enjoyed in the past. I am often tired by normal tasks and activities. I become very anxious in many circumstances, which is overwhelming and can make progress slow or immobilizes me when I am trying to complete work or prepare for midterms and quizzes. I also have frequent periods of sadness which is also interfering with my ability to study and complete work. I notice my marks decreasing and am becoming more anxious about that. As a result, I am finding it so difficult to complete assignments, quizzes and midterms.

In the past I have done well academically and have not experienced the circumstances that I am now experiencing. However over the last few months these symptoms have become an increasing problem, which is why I have gone to counselling and will be seeing a psychiatrist to address these issues as soon as possible, so that I can resume normal functioning. In the meantime I am worried that I will not be able to complete my final exam in Bio 243, 205 and 201 without seriously jeopardizing my academic success. As well, I worry that trying to prepare for and write the final exams will cause my symptoms to increase even further and make recovery to normal even more of a challenge.
I plan to continue to see a counselor as well as a psychiatrist for as long as necessary to recover to normal functioning and health, and plan to reduce my course load to 3 courses for the winter term to allow time and reduced stress in order that I can take the counselors and doctors advised steps to recover.

I am not applying for aegrotat standing for my remaining course psych 271 because I think that I can probably manage this course if I do not have the additional stress of the other courses and because my grade so far in that course is high enough that even if I am not successful on the exam, I will likely still pass the course. Also my psych 271 exam is near the end of the exam period which gives me extra time to try to prepare.

I have spoken to my professors and lab coordinators about my situation as well as academic counselling and been trying to consider my alternatives so that I am able to maintain my academics as much as possible. I think that appealing for aegrotat standing in these courses is necessary for both my mental health and academic standing at this point. I think I have completed 60 of the course work and my average in that 60 is greater than 50 currently.

I will ask my counselor at Queen's wellness to forward documentation of my situation as soon as possible.

Thank you for considering my appeal.
Sincerely,
Elaina King