Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 1959
Submitted: March 23, 2016 at 4:30:00 PM
First Name: Anthony
Last Name: Valeri
Student Number: 10111136
Email: 13aev@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: ECON 240
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: March 22, 2016
Associate Dean
I am appealing to drop ECON 240 (Winter 2016).
In early February of this year, I discovered a lump on one of my testicles. I found this discovery to be very troubling and difficult to deal with. I was unable to sleep, had trouble concentrating on my school work and just had an overwhelming feeling of despair. I didn¿¿t make a doctor¿¿s appointment immediately because, quite frankly, I was afraid of what it could be. Once I realized the potential seriousness of ignoring this health issue, and the toll it was taking on my mental well being, I booked an appointment to see a doctor at the Queen¿¿s Student Medical Services. Unfortunately, I had to wait another two weeks to be seen and this delay caused additional stress. Finally, after having the examination on March 10th, Dr. LaCaprara was unable to diagnose the issue without further tests. The earliest appointment time they could give me for an ultra sound was not until April 6th. Having to wait another month to be tested was unbearable, forcing me to find another option. Fortunately, I was able to get the test done at another clinic on March 15th and I am currently waiting for the results of that test. The overwhelming stress and anxiety that I have been going through over the last several weeks have been compounded by long term concussion symptoms. I suffered a severe concussion as I began my second academic year at Queen¿¿s and have had to endure several post-concussion symptoms ever since that time. I was under the care of family and campus physicians, as well as a physician at the concussion clinic. Supporting documents are attached. Those symptoms include trouble concentrating or completing tasks, lack of focus, difficulty with memory recall, headaches, trouble sleeping, feeling nervous and an overall feeling of being unwell. These symptoms are also magnified if under undue stress, as I have been since early February. Up to this point, I was able to manage these systems, however with the additional stress of a pending serious medical diagnosis, I have been struggling mentally.
As I continue to worry about the results of my ultrasound test, and regardless of the serious health issue I may or may not have going forward, the damage to my academic record has already been done. Overall, my studies have suffered, however my performance in ECON 240 has been particularly troubling. Once I received my ECON grade for the first midterm exam, it was clear I was struggling far worse than I thought, and the add/drop date had already past. As a direct result of the mental and physical duress that has consumed me for the last eight weeks, it has prevented me from focusing on my studies as diligently as I know is necessary to succeed. The constant stress of worry due to an unknown diagnosis of a health condition, along with relapses in post-concussion symptoms have made it impossible to prepare effectively for my ECON 240 course. Thankfully, I have been able to manage my four other courses that I am currently enrolled in just well enough, as they fall within my specialty of studies and are directly related to my politics major. I have been able to lean on my comprehensive background to maintain acceptable grades. This has not been the case with the economics course.
As things stand, I am in extreme danger of failing the ECON 240 course. A failure of this magnitude would be detrimental to my overall GPA and ultimately derail my ultimate goal of achieving an acceptable average over my third and fourth years, which would allow me to successfully apply to Law School or to do a Masters of Public Policy.
I have worked extremely hard to do well at Queen¿¿s and consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to study at such a prestigious institution. I have always endeavored to do my very best, however, due to circumstances out of my control, I find myself in a very difficult situation academically, specifically due to health reasons impacting my mental state. This has resulted in my inability to maintain my academic performance, which I feel has the potential to jeopardize my academic path leading to a rewarding career. For these reasons I am appealing to drop ECON 240 (Winter 2016). I appreciate your consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
Anthony Valeri
Student 10111136
Associate Dean
I am appealing to drop ECON 240 (Winter 2016).
In early February of this year, I discovered a lump on one of my testicles. I found this discovery to be very troubling and difficult to deal with. I was unable to sleep, had trouble concentrating on my school work and just had an overwhelming feeling of despair. I didn¿¿t make a doctor¿¿s appointment immediately because, quite frankly, I was afraid of what it could be. Once I realized the potential seriousness of ignoring this health issue, and the toll it was taking on my mental well being, I booked an appointment to see a doctor at the Queen¿¿s Student Medical Services. Unfortunately, I had to wait another two weeks to be seen and this delay caused additional stress. Finally, after having the examination on March 10th, Dr. LaCaprara was unable to diagnose the issue without further tests. The earliest appointment time they could give me for an ultra sound was not until April 6th. Having to wait another month to be tested was unbearable, forcing me to find another option. Fortunately, I was able to get the test done at another clinic on March 15th and I am currently waiting for the results of that test. The overwhelming stress and anxiety that I have been going through over the last several weeks have been compounded by long term concussion symptoms. I suffered a severe concussion as I began my second academic year at Queen¿¿s and have had to endure several post-concussion symptoms ever since that time. I was under the care of family and campus physicians, as well as a physician at the concussion clinic. Supporting documents are attached. Those symptoms include trouble concentrating or completing tasks, lack of focus, difficulty with memory recall, headaches, trouble sleeping, feeling nervous and an overall feeling of being unwell. These symptoms are also magnified if under undue stress, as I have been since early February. Up to this point, I was able to manage these systems, however with the additional stress of a pending serious medical diagnosis, I have been struggling mentally.
As I continue to worry about the results of my ultrasound test, and regardless of the serious health issue I may or may not have going forward, the damage to my academic record has already been done. Overall, my studies have suffered, however my performance in ECON 240 has been particularly troubling. Once I received my ECON grade for the first midterm exam, it was clear I was struggling far worse than I thought, and the add/drop date had already past. As a direct result of the mental and physical duress that has consumed me for the last eight weeks, it has prevented me from focusing on my studies as diligently as I know is necessary to succeed. The constant stress of worry due to an unknown diagnosis of a health condition, along with relapses in post-concussion symptoms have made it impossible to prepare effectively for my ECON 240 course. Thankfully, I have been able to manage my four other courses that I am currently enrolled in just well enough, as they fall within my specialty of studies and are directly related to my politics major. I have been able to lean on my comprehensive background to maintain acceptable grades. This has not been the case with the economics course.
As things stand, I am in extreme danger of failing the ECON 240 course. A failure of this magnitude would be detrimental to my overall GPA and ultimately derail my ultimate goal of achieving an acceptable average over my third and fourth years, which would allow me to successfully apply to Law School or to do a Masters of Public Policy.
I have worked extremely hard to do well at Queen¿¿s and consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to study at such a prestigious institution. I have always endeavored to do my very best, however, due to circumstances out of my control, I find myself in a very difficult situation academically, specifically due to health reasons impacting my mental state. This has resulted in my inability to maintain my academic performance, which I feel has the potential to jeopardize my academic path leading to a rewarding career. For these reasons I am appealing to drop ECON 240 (Winter 2016). I appreciate your consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
Anthony Valeri
Student 10111136
Documentation
Professional Letter: Doctors Note - Anthony Oct. 2014 .pdf
Document: Note to Frances Shepherd .docx