Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear the Associate Dean (Studies),

I am appealing to drop ENSC 301 (Winter, 2016). The purpose of this appeal letter is to explain the extenuating circumstances that have driven me to request dropping ENSC 301, after the deadline, without academic penalty.

Over the Queen's University reading week, February 2016, I experienced a traumatic incidence. This incident occurred on a trip to visit a fellow Queen's student, who is studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. The effects of this traumatic incidence has posed as both a mental and physical challenge. As a person previously diagnosed with OCD, and taking the associated prescription medicine, I have found this incidence to worsen the effects. Additionally, it has resulted in severe anxiety with unknown triggers, and sleeping issues. I have found it difficult to sleep during the night as I am experiencing unrelenting nightmares. Exhaustion has caused me to be unreliable, as I have little to no control over the time my body succumbs to sleep. Physical challenges have required the healing of the following challenges: cuts, burns, bruising and beatings directed to my head. The incidence required me to take precautionary medications that are listed in the attached documentation. These medications caused me to feel weak and ill.

Directly following the release from the incident, I was taken to a police station on the outskirts of Dublin. After a police investigation was opened, I was brought to a hospital where I had a full body examination from a doctor. This doctor was specialized to deal with assault victims, and provided me with the necessary medications. Upon arrival in Canada, I visited an assault doctor at KGH. This appointment took place on the evening of February 22nd, 2016. Attached is documentation of this appointment. A second appointment was scheduled for March 21st, 2016. This appointment has a follow-up body examination with a KGH doctor, and a discussion with a counsellor. They will prescribe any medications needed and any documentation I need for school.

At the time, I was determined to push through and complete my school work to the best of my abilities. As the deadline to drop courses without academic penalty was soon after the incident, I thought I would be able to grieve and hand in assignments with little late penalty. I realized shortly after that this would not be possible. I was avoiding dropping a course for fear of the financial loss. I cannot apologize enough for unprofessional timing of this request. An appeal was my last resort. It is only this specific class that I am requesting to drop because it will significantly decrease my workload. My other courses had a larger portion of my work submitted, whereas ENSC 301 had the majority of the load due in the weeks following the break. I have fallen far behind in the ENSC 301 assignments, and as it is a mandatory course requirement in my degree plan, I would prefer to take the course when I can submit my best work.

Should this appeal be granted, I plan to achieve academic success by decreasing my workload and getting help from a medical professional. As I have very few courses left to complete my degree plan, I have room for many electives, and predict no issues with taking ENSC 301 in my fourth year. I had reached out to several Queen¿¿s services for guidance. It has been difficult for me to receive an appointment with a Queen¿¿s counsellor, so I took an appointment with an academic advisor. The little understanding and interest provided by the Queen¿¿s University campus resulted in a severe depressive episode. The school often promotes its many resources, but at a time of crisis I could not find someone to help discuss my options with me.

These circumstances have resulted in my late appeal to drop ENSC 301 after the deadline without academic penalty. Again, I am very sorry for the timing of my appeal. I appreciate the time taken to read my appeal and any understanding given.

Kindest regards,
Linda Di Federico
10086440