Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: May 7th, 2016
Associate Dean (Studies)
Student Services, First Floor Dunning Hall
Queen's University
Kingston, ON


My name is Kyle Scoten, and I am a prospective third year Arts and Science student majoring in Biochemistry. I am appealing for Aegrotat Standing in CHEM223 and BCHM218, two courses I was enrolled in during the Winter 2016 semester, as a result of extenuating circumstances beyond my control. As a result of a concussion I suffered at the end of March, I was unable to study for and write my five Winter 2016 semester final exams.

On the evening of Thursday, March 31st, I hit my head while at Douglas Library. I began feeling a headache soon after the incident, and was unable to sleep Thursday night. I was taken to Kingston General Hospital by a colleague the following morning, where I was diagnosed by a physician with a concussion and advised to avoid any stimulation until my symptoms had improved. However, thoughts of upcoming exams remained continually on my mind, causing high levels of stress in the days following my injury. As my symptoms continued to persist longer than anticipated, I proceeded to Hotel Dieu Hospital on Friday, April 8th where a physician referred me to a concussion specialist, Dr. O'Connor, at KOPI Clinic. Dr. O'Connor reassessed my symptoms and insisted that I focus on my recovery before returning to any academic activity. As my symptoms continued to persist more than three weeks after the injury was sustained, I met once again with Dr. O'Connor who suggested that I return home in the hopes that this would accelerate my recovery. I have attached all supporting documents received pertaining to my head injury.

As my academic records show, I am an extremely conscientious student, and my academic studies are very important to me. Having put tremendous effort into my course work all semester, the stress resulting from academic worries has been present throughout my recovery. I have been unable to attempt any academic work or any activity since March 31st, 2016. My injury has prevented me from writing my final exams as scheduled, as my persistent headaches and dizziness have not permitted me to prepare effectively since the injury was sustained. Additionally, my injury so closely proceeding final examinations caused significant anxiety and stress throughout my recovery.

The doctor I met with at KGH on March 31st advised me to meet with an academic advisor, and on April 5th I met with Spring Forsberg-Lewis, a Queen's Academic Advisor, to discuss my options with regards to my final exams. In the best interest of my health, my academic advisor suggested that I appeal for Aegrotat Standing in CHEM223 and BCHM218, as 60 of the course work had been completed, as required, in each of these courses. Both my academic advisor and I felt that a granted Aegrotat Standing appeal in both CHEM223 and BCHM218 would remove a great deal of the stress I had been experiencing throughout my time of recovery. Furthermore, a granted appeal would give me peace of mind required to focus on my personal health and recovery, and subsequently focus my energy on completing my remaining three courses once my recovery is complete. Through continued discussions with Spring over the past several weeks the decision was made to appeal for Aegrotat Standing in only two of the five courses I am currently enrolled in during the Winter 2016 semester. As only 50 of the coursework has been completed in two of the courses I am enrolled in during the Winter 2016 semester, CHEM222 and MICR270, these courses do not qualify for an AG Standing appeal. In the case of the final course I am enrolled in during the Winter 2016 semester, PSYC100, although 60 of the course work has been completed, as it is a full year (6.0 credit) course, I had been working extremely hard throughout the semester in order to succeed on the final exam, and therefore feel as though I am prepared to write the final examination once my recovery is complete. In the case of all three of the courses for which I am not appealing for Aegrotat Standing, I have communicated directly with the respective course coordinators, and organized deferred exam dates for each of the three final examinations to take place during the final week of August, 2016.

Under my family doctor's supervision, I plan to continue focusing on my recovery in the coming weeks. Although my symptoms continue to persist, it is my hope that returning home to a significantly less stressful environment will facilitate an accelerated recovery from my injury. I will continue to seek medical advice from medical professionals as needed in hopes of a full recovery. My academic advisor, Spring Forsberg-Lewis, has kindly agreed to remain in contact with me over the coming weeks in order to help coordinate my writing of my deferred exams prior to the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester, so that I am able to begin my third academic year at Queen's as scheduled.

Thank you for considering my appeal for Aegrotat Standing in CHEM223 and BCHM218. I hope that you understand that my extenuating circumstances have directly affected my ability to complete my final examinations for the Winter 2016 semester as scheduled, and that a granted appeal would remove a great deal of the stress that I am experiencing, consequently providing the peace of mind required to expedite my recovery, and subsequently focus my attention on my remaining deferred examinations.

Sincerely,

Kyle Scoten
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