Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2264
Submitted: May 25, 2016 at 9:25:39 AM
First Name: Jamie
Last Name: Nelson
Student Number: 10193554
Email: 15jan@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: GPHY
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: HLTH 101
Term: Fall
Year: 2015
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Elaine Power
Code: GPHY 102
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Ryan Danby, Scott Lamoureux
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Jamie Nelson
268 Ferndale Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Z 6P8
May 20, 2016
Associate Deans (Studies)
Queens University
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 3N6
Subject: Appeal for Credit Standing
Since receiving my final marks on May 6, 2016, I would like to appeal/request for Credit Standing in the following courses taken during my academic year 2015-16:
¿¿ Health 101 ¿¿ Social Determinants of Health
¿¿ Geography 102 ¿¿ Earth System Science
The reason for my request is that my academics were significantly impacted by an undiagnosed anxiety disorder that led to much lower grades during my first year of studies at Queen¿¿s. After a lot of hard work, challenges and stress, I contacted the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) at Queen¿¿s University at the beginning of January, 2016 who recommended testing for a learning disability based on my screening and background.
As a result, I was eventually diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), On April 19, 2016 (see attached RARC and SAD reports) after I wrote my final exams. With SAD, I frequently have problems focusing in class and studying. In particular, my anxiety is so high and uncontrollable sometimes that I experience panic attacks, sweating, and heart palpitations when I write my exams especially.
While this disorder can be temporary in nature, it was certainly beyond my control during the entire year as I was unaware that I had SAD until after my final term 2 exams. My condition will now continue to persist at least until such time that I can work through and see the benefits of some of the learning strategies and accommodations recommended by RARC.
Before I was diagnosed, I was already using an Academic Advisor, Peer Advisor, and a tutor by choice throughout the year to help better manage my time and course focus. Going forward next year, I plan to continue with these specialists but also seek help from a Career Counsellor, Learning Strategist and Personal Counsellor so that I can make the appropriate personal adjustments needed to deal with my anxiety and school. I also have the full support of my parents who have the confidence in me to take the necessary steps needed to deal with my issues.
Following recent discussions with RARC and a Queen¿¿s Academic Advisor, my future plan looks like this at this point:
¿¿ Continued academic guidance through advisory and learning strategy services, peer mentoring program and tutoring
¿¿ Exam writing in semi-private room
¿¿ Short-term access to course class notes
¿¿ Use of ¿¿Livescribe¿ recorder pen to better develop note-taking skills
¿¿ Cognitive Behaviour Therapy through personal counselling services
¿¿ Rebalance of course load to include summer schedule, reduction to 4 courses per semester instead of 5
¿¿ Switch to 3-year degree program (from 4-year Honours) and re-assess academic options next year again.
That being said, I kindly ask that you grant my request for the above noted credit standings. Currently my GPA is 1.64, so this request would increase my standing to 1.90 which would allow me some room to work through these challenges. Please know that I am a very hard worker and I want to succeed. With your help, I know I can do it.
Please feel free to contact Melissa Milanovic or Melanie Edwards at the RARC office if you wish to obtain a reference about my case, they can be reached at 613-533-6311. Both Melissa and Melanie have been greatly supportive that I can make these changes to improve successfully.
Much appreciated for your help and assistance this matter. I am available to discuss with you at any time to ensure you have the appropriate information for a determination.
Sincerely,
Jamie Nelson
Student 10193554
613-983-3264
268 Ferndale Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Z 6P8
May 20, 2016
Associate Deans (Studies)
Queens University
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 3N6
Subject: Appeal for Credit Standing
Since receiving my final marks on May 6, 2016, I would like to appeal/request for Credit Standing in the following courses taken during my academic year 2015-16:
¿¿ Health 101 ¿¿ Social Determinants of Health
¿¿ Geography 102 ¿¿ Earth System Science
The reason for my request is that my academics were significantly impacted by an undiagnosed anxiety disorder that led to much lower grades during my first year of studies at Queen¿¿s. After a lot of hard work, challenges and stress, I contacted the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) at Queen¿¿s University at the beginning of January, 2016 who recommended testing for a learning disability based on my screening and background.
As a result, I was eventually diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), On April 19, 2016 (see attached RARC and SAD reports) after I wrote my final exams. With SAD, I frequently have problems focusing in class and studying. In particular, my anxiety is so high and uncontrollable sometimes that I experience panic attacks, sweating, and heart palpitations when I write my exams especially.
While this disorder can be temporary in nature, it was certainly beyond my control during the entire year as I was unaware that I had SAD until after my final term 2 exams. My condition will now continue to persist at least until such time that I can work through and see the benefits of some of the learning strategies and accommodations recommended by RARC.
Before I was diagnosed, I was already using an Academic Advisor, Peer Advisor, and a tutor by choice throughout the year to help better manage my time and course focus. Going forward next year, I plan to continue with these specialists but also seek help from a Career Counsellor, Learning Strategist and Personal Counsellor so that I can make the appropriate personal adjustments needed to deal with my anxiety and school. I also have the full support of my parents who have the confidence in me to take the necessary steps needed to deal with my issues.
Following recent discussions with RARC and a Queen¿¿s Academic Advisor, my future plan looks like this at this point:
¿¿ Continued academic guidance through advisory and learning strategy services, peer mentoring program and tutoring
¿¿ Exam writing in semi-private room
¿¿ Short-term access to course class notes
¿¿ Use of ¿¿Livescribe¿ recorder pen to better develop note-taking skills
¿¿ Cognitive Behaviour Therapy through personal counselling services
¿¿ Rebalance of course load to include summer schedule, reduction to 4 courses per semester instead of 5
¿¿ Switch to 3-year degree program (from 4-year Honours) and re-assess academic options next year again.
That being said, I kindly ask that you grant my request for the above noted credit standings. Currently my GPA is 1.64, so this request would increase my standing to 1.90 which would allow me some room to work through these challenges. Please know that I am a very hard worker and I want to succeed. With your help, I know I can do it.
Please feel free to contact Melissa Milanovic or Melanie Edwards at the RARC office if you wish to obtain a reference about my case, they can be reached at 613-533-6311. Both Melissa and Melanie have been greatly supportive that I can make these changes to improve successfully.
Much appreciated for your help and assistance this matter. I am available to discuss with you at any time to ensure you have the appropriate information for a determination.
Sincerely,
Jamie Nelson
Student 10193554
613-983-3264
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: RARC Summary Document
Documentation Detail: Social Anxiety Disorder Information