Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for one year and hope that my appeal would be looked upon favourably.

Certain extenuating circumstances impeded my academic performance at Queen's. It began during the second week of October 2013, when I initially felt an extremely sharp pain in my left leg that gradually worsened. I dismissed the pain, believing it to be a kink in my nerves and assumed my body would heal with time. However, two weeks later, I sought medical attention because the pain became so excruciating that I could not sit nor stand for longer than 15 minutes at a stretch. In the emergency room (initial Emergency diagnosis can be obtained if required. Family doctor's subsequent diagnosis is attached), I was told that I had a herniated disc in my lower back (a bulge in the cartilage of the spine causing irritation of the nerves in my legs). The doctor recommended physiotherapy; however, this problem continued to worsen even with treatment to the point where I had to take an injury leave from my job at Walkhome (see attached athletic/physiotherapy receipts). Due to the continual pain and ineffectiveness of the prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, I was unable to attend most of my classes in November and some in December. Furthermore, as a Computing student, my inability to remain seated at a chair for an extended period, seriously hampered my programming skills (see attached receipt for a new computer chair). As a result, my grades substantially fell over the course of the semester.

In the winter semester, my back pain became manageable as I was receiving various forms of treatment. Even though I was somewhat able to comfortably walk again, I was still unable to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Despite this drawback, my courage and efforts were rewarded by a significant improvement in my grades. Unfortunately for me, I was once again placed in a devastating situation that affected my academic career. Three weeks before exams, I fell extremely ill and was bedridden. According to the doctor, I was diagnosed with pneumonia on March 25, 2014, and was prescribed an antibiotic with prolonged bed rest (see attached doctors' notes and medication receipts). Upon completion of this medication, I only noted a slight improvement. After waiting an additional day or two hoping for a full recovery, my health took a turn for the worse. I returned to the same clinic and was told that my pneumonia had now become acute, and was prescribed a stronger antibiotic. Not only did my lack of classroom attendance disrupt my academic progress, but none of my friends wanted to see me or help me study, for fear of contracting my sickness. As a result, I was unable to obtain class notes from my peers or attend group study sessions. On an emotional level, this period was difficult for me since I felt incredibly lonely, depressed, and extremely stressed about my academic performance after falling so far behind. On a positive note, the second set of antibiotics cured me of my pneumonia and I was able to study for my first exam shortly thereafter. However, missing so many classes and battling a relapse of pneumonia were highly detrimental to my study schedule. I was at a very serious disadvantage trying to catch up with the course material, which I had grossly fallen behind, whilst trying to simultaneously consume more food with the aim of regaining the 10 pounds of weight I had lost as a result of my illness.