Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 1750
Submitted: January 14, 2016 at 7:52:16 AM
First Name: Elizabeth
Last Name: Beynon
Student Number: 10136406
Email: 13ebb6@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSC
Plan: Biology
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: ANAT 215
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: See uploaded version for proper formatting
January 14, 2016
Dr. Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean, Faculty Arts and Science
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queens University
Kingston, Ontario
Dear Dr. Bénard
Request:
This appeal is to drop ANAT215 after the academic deadline, and to expunge the final grade due to extenuating circumstances, beyond my control. The Associate Deans office advised that the 21 day time limit would not apply.
What were the extenuating circumstances beyond the students control
When I transferred to Queens University last September, I expected to stay in residence, instead I found a room in a house near campus for September 1st. Unexpectedly, renovations continued until the second week of October; the landlord had rented 6 rooms in a 5 room house. One third of my room was partitioned off, including the closet; the internet was only available the first week of October. It was not the best start.
Early in October I contracted a severe virus that lasted over two weeks. The University Clinic doctor recommended a few days in bed, limited food, and hourly fluids. Severe diarrhea had left me dehydrated and caused a fissure. My health improved briefly but within a few days I was sick again. Waiting at the clinic left me drained, and exposed me to more germs; rather than return I rested at home. I was ill for the remainder of the term. It was difficult to focus in classes and labs; I had a variety of viral symptoms: vomiting, severe diarrhea; dehydration; persistent low-grade fever; headaches; eye and sinus pain; sore throat; acute earaches; back pain; sore bones; and dizziness.
I expected to recover and redouble my academic efforts. I am a strong student and did very well in First Year Life Science at U of T. While some days I felt better, I was perpetually exhausted, listless, and unable to focus. I slept fourteen hours nightly and napped during the day. I realized that I could not recover academically in my depleted energy state. I dropped one course, hoping that concentrating on the remaining three would allow me to maintain my usual standards.
At least five times between mid-October and term end, I returned home to Ottawa to rest and regain my health. At home, I hesitated to visit my family doctor regarding virus symptoms. I also knew that medical tests would take time, and I urgently needed time to prepare for my exams. I still believed that I would recover my health enough to do an intensive review, though I might not achieve my usual grades.
My mistake was in assuming I would get better. I never fully recovered. I still sleep 14 hours nightly, and brief outings exhaust me. Over the holidays I rested at home and only saw friends for three hours on New Years. On January 2nd I awoke with pink eye.
Recognizing that my health was still poor, my parents questioned my return to school. I had not considered taking time away from school, but I realized it made sense. I did not have enough energy to start a term, let alone recover incomplete courses, and the learning experience was no longer enjoyable. I decided to take measures to improve my health so that I could return to school engaged and ready to succeed.
My first appointment with my family doctor was on January 7th. My doctor calls my condition a compromised immune system and I am undergoing a series of medical tests. I dropped all my courses after speaking with an academic advisor. The only course on my 2015-2016 academic record is Anatomy 215. I failed, despite earning 91 on the first test, well above the course average.
You cannot control circumstances that you do not recognize or understand. In October and November there was no way for me to know I would not recover my health. In hindsight, I realize that all first term I was caught in a cycle of health issues beyond my control.
Future Plan:
First, I plan to work with my family doctor and do whatever it takes to recover my health, improve my immune system, and prevent future illnesses. Second, on my return to university, I will secure a healthy living environment, conducive to both studying and adequate sleep. I have tentative living arrangements with students who have a long term lease. Third, I will enrol in intermural sports and join WISE in order to socialize with people of similar interests and routines. Fourth and finally, I will consider seriously whether to continue my current course of studies or transferring to something different.
Thank-you for reviewing my circumstances. I hope you can grant my request.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Blythe Beynon
January 14, 2016
Dr. Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean, Faculty Arts and Science
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queens University
Kingston, Ontario
Dear Dr. Bénard
Request:
This appeal is to drop ANAT215 after the academic deadline, and to expunge the final grade due to extenuating circumstances, beyond my control. The Associate Deans office advised that the 21 day time limit would not apply.
What were the extenuating circumstances beyond the students control
When I transferred to Queens University last September, I expected to stay in residence, instead I found a room in a house near campus for September 1st. Unexpectedly, renovations continued until the second week of October; the landlord had rented 6 rooms in a 5 room house. One third of my room was partitioned off, including the closet; the internet was only available the first week of October. It was not the best start.
Early in October I contracted a severe virus that lasted over two weeks. The University Clinic doctor recommended a few days in bed, limited food, and hourly fluids. Severe diarrhea had left me dehydrated and caused a fissure. My health improved briefly but within a few days I was sick again. Waiting at the clinic left me drained, and exposed me to more germs; rather than return I rested at home. I was ill for the remainder of the term. It was difficult to focus in classes and labs; I had a variety of viral symptoms: vomiting, severe diarrhea; dehydration; persistent low-grade fever; headaches; eye and sinus pain; sore throat; acute earaches; back pain; sore bones; and dizziness.
I expected to recover and redouble my academic efforts. I am a strong student and did very well in First Year Life Science at U of T. While some days I felt better, I was perpetually exhausted, listless, and unable to focus. I slept fourteen hours nightly and napped during the day. I realized that I could not recover academically in my depleted energy state. I dropped one course, hoping that concentrating on the remaining three would allow me to maintain my usual standards.
At least five times between mid-October and term end, I returned home to Ottawa to rest and regain my health. At home, I hesitated to visit my family doctor regarding virus symptoms. I also knew that medical tests would take time, and I urgently needed time to prepare for my exams. I still believed that I would recover my health enough to do an intensive review, though I might not achieve my usual grades.
My mistake was in assuming I would get better. I never fully recovered. I still sleep 14 hours nightly, and brief outings exhaust me. Over the holidays I rested at home and only saw friends for three hours on New Years. On January 2nd I awoke with pink eye.
Recognizing that my health was still poor, my parents questioned my return to school. I had not considered taking time away from school, but I realized it made sense. I did not have enough energy to start a term, let alone recover incomplete courses, and the learning experience was no longer enjoyable. I decided to take measures to improve my health so that I could return to school engaged and ready to succeed.
My first appointment with my family doctor was on January 7th. My doctor calls my condition a compromised immune system and I am undergoing a series of medical tests. I dropped all my courses after speaking with an academic advisor. The only course on my 2015-2016 academic record is Anatomy 215. I failed, despite earning 91 on the first test, well above the course average.
You cannot control circumstances that you do not recognize or understand. In October and November there was no way for me to know I would not recover my health. In hindsight, I realize that all first term I was caught in a cycle of health issues beyond my control.
Future Plan:
First, I plan to work with my family doctor and do whatever it takes to recover my health, improve my immune system, and prevent future illnesses. Second, on my return to university, I will secure a healthy living environment, conducive to both studying and adequate sleep. I have tentative living arrangements with students who have a long term lease. Third, I will enrol in intermural sports and join WISE in order to socialize with people of similar interests and routines. Fourth and finally, I will consider seriously whether to continue my current course of studies or transferring to something different.
Thank-you for reviewing my circumstances. I hope you can grant my request.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Blythe Beynon
Documentation
Professional Letter: Appeal Letter.docx
Professional Letter Detail: Formatted version of appeal letter
Documentation Detail: Doctor's note, plan, other
Decision Letters
Amendments to Appeal 1750
Relevant Petition: 1750
Student Number: 10136406
Documentation
Professional Letter: My Academic Plan.docx
Document: Off-CampusPhysicianNote-2.pdf
Documentation Detail: preface to doctor's note
Relevant Petition: 1750
New Information: Preface to Doctor's Note
I am currently away from Queens University due to illness and I am attaching a note from my doctor confirming that I have mononucleosis. Even though I have been at home several weeks now, I am still in the process of recovering.
I have had considerable bad luck with accommodations at Queen's University and the University of Toronto. At the University of Toronto, I often slept on the couch or in other rooms because my roommate caused many problems. I had to deal with a bed bug infestation by wrapping all my belongings in plastic and heat treatment during the summer months. I also faced frozen water mains that forced me to use temporary facilities outside my residence.
During the second term at the University of Toronto, labs were cancelled due to a Tutorial Assistant strike. I was one of the serious Chemistry students who wanted to complete lab work, so I dropped the course to pick it up when labs would be offered again. Unfortunately, Chemistry was not offered in June 2015, but I took a Psychology course during the summer. My summer accommodations in Toronto were slightly better but my housemates who had evening classes continued to cause me to be constantly sleep deprived. My grades are a testament to my dedication as a student, but lack of sleep eventually took its toll on my health.
As part of my Academic Plan for a successful return to university in September 2017, I have discussed my health issues as well as my routine with my family doctor. He is not a fan of running whereas I am. I run daily, and as a compromise I did a half marathon rather than a full marathon. My family doctor is very responsible and goes through all the issues for university students. I have to qualify that his comment about stress refers to external stressors rather than an inability to cope with normal stresses facing a student.
Switching to Queens University in September 2015, I was not eligible for residence. I found a nice place, however my landlord started renovations in September and cut off 1/3 of my room, including the closet and light fixture. He continued to ask for more money throughout the year and the construction workers did not leave until the 2nd week of October when I finally had a closet (but not lighting) and internet service that was to be supplied by the landlord. It was a bad start at a new school.
There were a multitude of factors beyond my control throughout my time at university which culminated in a depleted immune system, a series of viruses, and finally the exhaustion that comes with Mononucleosis. That said, it is a relief to have that diagnosis, because I did not understand what was wrong with me and not knowing what was wrong definitely did cause added stress.
Sincerely,
Blythe Beynon
I am currently away from Queens University due to illness and I am attaching a note from my doctor confirming that I have mononucleosis. Even though I have been at home several weeks now, I am still in the process of recovering.
I have had considerable bad luck with accommodations at Queen's University and the University of Toronto. At the University of Toronto, I often slept on the couch or in other rooms because my roommate caused many problems. I had to deal with a bed bug infestation by wrapping all my belongings in plastic and heat treatment during the summer months. I also faced frozen water mains that forced me to use temporary facilities outside my residence.
During the second term at the University of Toronto, labs were cancelled due to a Tutorial Assistant strike. I was one of the serious Chemistry students who wanted to complete lab work, so I dropped the course to pick it up when labs would be offered again. Unfortunately, Chemistry was not offered in June 2015, but I took a Psychology course during the summer. My summer accommodations in Toronto were slightly better but my housemates who had evening classes continued to cause me to be constantly sleep deprived. My grades are a testament to my dedication as a student, but lack of sleep eventually took its toll on my health.
As part of my Academic Plan for a successful return to university in September 2017, I have discussed my health issues as well as my routine with my family doctor. He is not a fan of running whereas I am. I run daily, and as a compromise I did a half marathon rather than a full marathon. My family doctor is very responsible and goes through all the issues for university students. I have to qualify that his comment about stress refers to external stressors rather than an inability to cope with normal stresses facing a student.
Switching to Queens University in September 2015, I was not eligible for residence. I found a nice place, however my landlord started renovations in September and cut off 1/3 of my room, including the closet and light fixture. He continued to ask for more money throughout the year and the construction workers did not leave until the 2nd week of October when I finally had a closet (but not lighting) and internet service that was to be supplied by the landlord. It was a bad start at a new school.
There were a multitude of factors beyond my control throughout my time at university which culminated in a depleted immune system, a series of viruses, and finally the exhaustion that comes with Mononucleosis. That said, it is a relief to have that diagnosis, because I did not understand what was wrong with me and not knowing what was wrong definitely did cause added stress.
Sincerely,
Blythe Beynon
Student Number: 10136406
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: no doc