Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: May 31, 2016
Dear Dr. Johanne Benard,
My name is Julia Pitcher, student 10177912.¿ My family and I moved to France in september 2007, sept 2015 was my first year back in Canada in 8 years. ¿I have 2 brothers who are Queen¿¿s graduates. They both told me that first semester is the hardest in getting adjusted, especially coming from France. They had friends from the summer camps in Ontario. I was too young when I left and did not have any friends in Ontario. My first semester at Queen's was very difficult, I experienced social isolation, anxiety and depression.¿ I was with my family at Christmas and it was decided that I should stay for the second term because everyone told me that first term is the hardest and it would get better.¿

I didn't want to quit.¿ I liked Kingston and Queen's, my courses and my profs. I didn't make any friends, a few acquaintances, most of the students on my floor were from Oakville, many from the same high school. I tried very hard to make friends but I felt different, invisible to everyone on my floor and around me.¿ I was determined to finish the year and make some decisions during the summer. I had a few councelling sessions via skype in November/December My parents begged me to use your Mental health services but I didn¿¿t want to be seen by anyone, I didn¿¿t want to feel like I had problems. I started making excuses on the phone to my parents telling them I was fine and busy. In early march I started calling them several times a day, they were very worried about me and called the 24 hour help line. They asked me to do the same or my mom would fly in the next day. I finally seeked help at Queen¿¿s, I should have done it sooner, it helped a little but then I became ill from lack of sleep, anxiety and depression at having not handed in my essays. I experienced a breakdown, after that I couldn¿¿t think anymore, I attended some classes but I was not able to work on my essays. I didn¿¿t have anyone to go to the cafeteria with and I had used up all my meal equivalencies, I therefore ran up my student bill with more flex meals which I could take up to my room.

My anxiety over studying grew as did my depression, I couldn't sleep or concentrate.¿ I caught the flu which turned into sinusitis and then a bacterial infection.¿ I went to emergency at the Kingston hospital twice, the first time I was given anti nausea medication and the second time antibiotics. The doctor offered to write a deferral letter but I refused it as I was determined to write my exams on time. I wanted to go home on my scheduled flight.¿ I arrived at my first exam, Spanish, I couldn't finish it, I felt humiliated and broke down.¿ My parents flew me home to France a few days later.¿ I have missed all my exams.¿ I am so sorry.¿ I would very much like the opportunity to salvage my year, I tried my best under the circumstances.¿

I understand that if I have completed 60 of my course I may ask to be marked on work completed.¿ If I am close to the 60 I would very much like to complete some assignment which might help me to the 60 and therefore help me qualify for aggregate standing. I am taking the fall 2016 term off to get better, I will be in France until at least Christmas.¿ I have not decided where I will go after that.

If at all possible, I would like to have the marks for PSYCH 271 and SPA112 dropped. I would like to qualify for aggregate standing for POLS110, DEVS100-002, HIST122-001 and RELS131A/B. I am asking for your help, please understand and let me know how I should proceed.

Kind Regards,
Julia Pitcher