Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dr. Johanne Bénard,
I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s for a minimum of one year. I have been struggling with major depressive disorder since the age of sixteen and have never received a psychiatric evaluation or proper therapy, relying solely on medication to stave off my depressive episodes. However, during my second year at Queen¿¿s University (Fall 2015/Spring 2016) I went off my mood-regulating medication, having experience a period of relatively good mood. When my disorder returned and I faced another episode, I was not able to get back on the medication I needed. This not only caused my depression to worsen to the point of non-functionality, with extremely low mood, low motivation, and low energy.
Since returning to my home I have spent time at the hospital and spoken with a psychiatrist. With a proper evaluation from both him and my family doctor, I have received a new set of medications and been referred to a therapist to learn how to properly manage my mood disorder. I now possess the tools necessary to handle my disorder that I did not have during my first two years at Queen¿¿s University, more importantly during the Fall 2015/Spring 2016 term.
Now properly medicated and seeing regular mental health, I feel as though I should return to Queen¿¿s for the Fall 2016 semester. Because of a lack of understanding of my disorder and a lack of treatment, I was unable to achieve the success I intended during my previous year, though I am confident I will be able to succeed now. I intend to pursue Part Time status in order to reduce my stress from coursework, knowing that is a main trigger of my major depressive disorder. Please see my Academic Plan for the full list of changes I intend to make, which involves pursuing Part Time status and seeking the aid of my professors, my TAs, and the resources at Queen¿¿s, and my plans to seek a therapist in Kingston.
I have included a letter from the psychiatrist who evaluated me, Dr. Gratzer. My previous doctor who first diagnosed me and put me on mood-regulating medication, Dr. McKee, can be contacted at (705) 792-5731. My previous counsellor, Linda Newton, can be contacted at (705) 718-0653.
I believe these circumstances were both out of my control and the circumstances that ultimately resulted in my unsatisfactory progress at Queen¿¿s University. Given that I am now seeking treatment and taking into consideration my disorder, I would like to appeal this decision and be allowed to continue to pursue my education at Queen¿¿s university.
You can contact me further at 13cktd@queensu.ca, or by phone at (343) 333-4077.
Thank you,
Celia Di Panfilo