Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2275
Submitted: May 26, 2016 at 7:11:09 PM
First Name: Arjun
Last Name: Jindal
Student Number: 10049825
Email: 11awj4@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSCH
Plan: PSYC
Level of Study: 4
Appeal Category Detail: I was mentally unfit to make decisions about my academic career at the time of my injury and mistakenly chose the wrong option in my April 2016 Appeal (it was granted but I would like to correct it).
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Hello,
My name is Arjun Jindal, I am a fourth year psychology student at Queen¿¿s University. Due to medical circumstances, I appealed in April 2016 to drop the following two courses from the 2016 winter semester:
1. PSYC334
2. CLST201
Due to these medical circumstances (a traumatic brain injury and concussion incurred in a serious car accident, compounding a previous recent concussion) I was unable to explore other options, aside from dropping the courses, to the fullest of my ability. I was advised by my doctor to avoid extra reading, writing, concentrating, or engagement in other cognitively demanding activities. This is documented in my doctor¿¿s March 2016 and July 2015 injury reports (attached).
I simply dropped my courses as it was the only certain route I knew to avoid academic penalty. However, I was recently contacted by one of my professors, Dr. Bernard Kavanagh, who noticed I did not complete his course despite having a 100 grade in his class after completing 60 of the coursework. He was concerned as he was aware of my past concussion and urged me to seek out ¿aegrotat standing¿¿ (something of which I had never heard). I promised to explore this option further when my health improved.
Now, upon reviewing my actions in March, I realize dropping the two courses was a mistake. It was one I made while my judgment was impaired due to the TBI/concussion, and I made the wrong appeal. I¿¿m sorry to have done this, but I don¿¿t feel my actions while mentally unfit should be held against me. The past calendar year of misfortune will already affect me for the rest of my life.
My doctor has written a letter documenting this (attached, May 2016). In his medical opinion, ¿¿In the period following the injury, Arjun Jindal was mentally unfit to make informed decisions about his academic career. This was ongoing until May 19, 2016.¿
Therefore, I believe my case deserves consideration despite being the subject of a previous appeal because:
a) I was mentally unfit to make decisions pertaining to my academic career at the time of the appeal,
b) I was mentally unfit, following my second concussion and the traumatic brain injury, to explore any options for appeals (I had a family member read the instructions and draft my previous letter), and
c) My doctor has confirmed this condition prevented me from making rational decisions about my academic career until recently.
My next step will be to pursue aegrotat standing, as Dr. Kavanagh suggested. I have previously recovered from a concussion and gone on to success in my classes (e.g. CLST201 in the 2016 winter semester) and am confident I will be able to return to Queen¿¿s University this fall.
Please feel free to email me for more information. I greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide in this matter. Thank you very much,
Arjun Jindal
My name is Arjun Jindal, I am a fourth year psychology student at Queen¿¿s University. Due to medical circumstances, I appealed in April 2016 to drop the following two courses from the 2016 winter semester:
1. PSYC334
2. CLST201
Due to these medical circumstances (a traumatic brain injury and concussion incurred in a serious car accident, compounding a previous recent concussion) I was unable to explore other options, aside from dropping the courses, to the fullest of my ability. I was advised by my doctor to avoid extra reading, writing, concentrating, or engagement in other cognitively demanding activities. This is documented in my doctor¿¿s March 2016 and July 2015 injury reports (attached).
I simply dropped my courses as it was the only certain route I knew to avoid academic penalty. However, I was recently contacted by one of my professors, Dr. Bernard Kavanagh, who noticed I did not complete his course despite having a 100 grade in his class after completing 60 of the coursework. He was concerned as he was aware of my past concussion and urged me to seek out ¿aegrotat standing¿¿ (something of which I had never heard). I promised to explore this option further when my health improved.
Now, upon reviewing my actions in March, I realize dropping the two courses was a mistake. It was one I made while my judgment was impaired due to the TBI/concussion, and I made the wrong appeal. I¿¿m sorry to have done this, but I don¿¿t feel my actions while mentally unfit should be held against me. The past calendar year of misfortune will already affect me for the rest of my life.
My doctor has written a letter documenting this (attached, May 2016). In his medical opinion, ¿¿In the period following the injury, Arjun Jindal was mentally unfit to make informed decisions about his academic career. This was ongoing until May 19, 2016.¿
Therefore, I believe my case deserves consideration despite being the subject of a previous appeal because:
a) I was mentally unfit to make decisions pertaining to my academic career at the time of the appeal,
b) I was mentally unfit, following my second concussion and the traumatic brain injury, to explore any options for appeals (I had a family member read the instructions and draft my previous letter), and
c) My doctor has confirmed this condition prevented me from making rational decisions about my academic career until recently.
My next step will be to pursue aegrotat standing, as Dr. Kavanagh suggested. I have previously recovered from a concussion and gone on to success in my classes (e.g. CLST201 in the 2016 winter semester) and am confident I will be able to return to Queen¿¿s University this fall.
Please feel free to email me for more information. I greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide in this matter. Thank you very much,
Arjun Jindal
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: If my appeal is granted I have an appeal for aegrotat standing already prepared. This will help me return to Queen's University in the fall with a lighter courseload spread over the two semesters rather than having me rush back into a full schedule to make up for lost time, which might endanger my health in Sept-Dec and put my studies on hold yet again.
Dr. Bernard Kavanagh has, very generously, made several offers to write me a letter of support for my aegrotat standing. I also have a positive confirmation of Dr. Holden's support (my PSYC334 professor and PSYC501 supervisor). Furthermore, I have the documentation that permitted me to receive the initial drop for these two courses.
Given that I completed 60+ of both courses with good grades (100 and 90) I am very hopeful about the aegrotat process.
Dr. Bernard Kavanagh has, very generously, made several offers to write me a letter of support for my aegrotat standing. I also have a positive confirmation of Dr. Holden's support (my PSYC334 professor and PSYC501 supervisor). Furthermore, I have the documentation that permitted me to receive the initial drop for these two courses.
Given that I completed 60+ of both courses with good grades (100 and 90) I am very hopeful about the aegrotat process.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Jindal Letter - May 2016.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: A letter from Dr. Hudson explaining my mental state at the time of appeal.
Document: Jindal Letter.pdf
Documentation Detail: A letter from September 2015 documenting my first concussion (July 2015) and the accompanying symptoms.
Document: Medical Letter March 2016.pdf
Documentation Detail: A letter from March 2016 documenting my traumatic brain injury and second concussion.