Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: April 4, 2016

Dr. Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean (Studies):

I am appealing to the Faculty to receive aegrotat standing in POLS 242 and POLS 250 (as they are the only two courses that are structured such that I have completed the required 60). I have the support of both professors in my appeal and I feel confident that I will be able to walk away from both those courses having learned a lot.

Over the course of this semester I have faced serious psychiatric problems which have greatly impaired my cognitive function and made it virtually impossible to function on an academic level. Symptoms include an inability to concentrate, severe memory problems and difficulty writing. These symptoms made comprehending readings, writing essays, and understanding lectures very difficult. I sought help from a general practitioner, a caseworker and a psychiatrist. These problems began at the start of the Winter Semester, but escalate by February 24th, and culminated with a stay at Kingston General Hospital between March 24th and 29th. Since being released from the hospital I have continued (and will continue) to seek outpatient treatment. My symptoms¿¿ though they have resulted in me having a lot of difficulty this semester¿¿ are very treatable with medication and proper psychiatric care. My psychiatrist supports my goal of continuing my undergraduate degree at Queen¿¿s and agrees that with treatment there should be no further detrimental affect to my academic performance in the coming years.

My hope (and my plan) for the future is to complete my remaining courses in the summer and then return to Queen¿¿s in the fall as a full time undergraduate student for my third year. I plan to continue seeking treatment for my illness and will use the summer to work with my doctors to find a treatment plan that works. I also plan to submit a final paper to my POLS 250 class by August 31st in order to improve my grade, which had been negatively affected by my health. By allowing me to receive aegrotat standing in POLS 242 and 250, the Faculty would be allowing me to focus on completing my remaining courses in the summer as well as working on a treatment plan to manage my illness. My psychiatric diagnosis is manageable and I am determined to work as hard as possible to ensure that it does not define my experience and performance at Queen¿¿s.

I have attached four medical notes documenting my health issues.


Regards,

Olivia Roberts