Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2386
Submitted: June 14, 2016 at 8:16:16 AM
First Name: Carolyn
Last Name: Casista
Student Number: 6338736
Email: 0cmc1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BA
Plan: GPHY
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for one year
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dr. Johanne Bernard,
Associate Dean of Studies,
First Floor Dunning Hall,
Queen¿¿s University,
Kingston, ON
Canada
KL7 3N6
RE: Letter of Appeal; Student Number: 0633-8736
Dear Dr. Bernard,
I am appealing the requirement to withdraw for one year as my academic performance was significantly hindered due to extenuating circumstances.
On September 21st, 2015, my medication Lupron Depot (used to control pain caused from endometriosis disease) was increased three times the regular dosage. This drug induces clinical menopause, which affects my physical and mental health. As such, I opted to take an online course and remain at home in Ajax, Ontario. However, I did not participate in my Fall 2015 term. I have attached proof of this with my added documentation from the instructor of the course, Grahame Renyk.
Going into Winter 2016 term, I felt psychologically ready. I wished to put my best foot forward and continue onto a new prosperous semester, however I was unable to do so due to surprising events. Due to heart complications, my father passed away unexpectedly. I worked with my professors extensively throughout the semester to keep up with deadlines and try my absolute best to have a successful semester. Unfortunately, due to another unexpected tragedy I had a health crisis in which I miscarried a child towards the end of the semester. Please feel free to contact any of my instructors within this past year- as I was working closely with every professor to try and salvage my semester. I have email chains that can provide proof of this if required.
At this point, I went directly to Queen¿¿s health services and contacted Whitney Babcock for grief counseling. I then started seeing a therapist regularly in the Kingston area, and moved out of my house and then started living with my brother and his wife for emotional support. Amidst my crisis, I was able to keep in contact with my professors, but I was unable to fully complete and be successful in almost every course I was taking. I became extremely stressed at the thought of losing another semester, and it unfortunately made me very ill. The stresses that occurred within this year greatly undermined my ability to continue with my education- something that has been a serious goal for me the past few years.
Associate Dean of Studies,
First Floor Dunning Hall,
Queen¿¿s University,
Kingston, ON
Canada
KL7 3N6
RE: Letter of Appeal; Student Number: 0633-8736
Dear Dr. Bernard,
I am appealing the requirement to withdraw for one year as my academic performance was significantly hindered due to extenuating circumstances.
On September 21st, 2015, my medication Lupron Depot (used to control pain caused from endometriosis disease) was increased three times the regular dosage. This drug induces clinical menopause, which affects my physical and mental health. As such, I opted to take an online course and remain at home in Ajax, Ontario. However, I did not participate in my Fall 2015 term. I have attached proof of this with my added documentation from the instructor of the course, Grahame Renyk.
Going into Winter 2016 term, I felt psychologically ready. I wished to put my best foot forward and continue onto a new prosperous semester, however I was unable to do so due to surprising events. Due to heart complications, my father passed away unexpectedly. I worked with my professors extensively throughout the semester to keep up with deadlines and try my absolute best to have a successful semester. Unfortunately, due to another unexpected tragedy I had a health crisis in which I miscarried a child towards the end of the semester. Please feel free to contact any of my instructors within this past year- as I was working closely with every professor to try and salvage my semester. I have email chains that can provide proof of this if required.
At this point, I went directly to Queen¿¿s health services and contacted Whitney Babcock for grief counseling. I then started seeing a therapist regularly in the Kingston area, and moved out of my house and then started living with my brother and his wife for emotional support. Amidst my crisis, I was able to keep in contact with my professors, but I was unable to fully complete and be successful in almost every course I was taking. I became extremely stressed at the thought of losing another semester, and it unfortunately made me very ill. The stresses that occurred within this year greatly undermined my ability to continue with my education- something that has been a serious goal for me the past few years.
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: This is not my first appeal. Unfortunately, my university career has been set back time and time again. It is a daunting task to want to return, but I am going to put in every effort of my being into completing my degree once and for all. My health is under control now, as I am now off the previous drug Lupron Depot. As for counseling I will be working with my therapist closely in a program to help with stress and post-traumatic stress. I am also going to be living with my brother in Kingston, so I will be able to have a strong support system at home.
I have taken steps to help myself physically and mentally. I check in with my doctor every month to monitor my health; both in regards to my endometriosis and my current situation.
The second step I wish to take, is to contact my professors of the situation I am in in regards to my mental and physical health. I will do this the first week of classes to help prepare them and myself if a minor problem does arise, that way we can all work it out without falling behind.
I have also met with an academic advisor to make a long-term academic plan. I want to be a part time student in the fall, as not to overwhelm myself. I wish to focus on human geography, and a course that is an elective of interest. More specifically I wish to take a GIS courses GPHY 242 and GPHY 243. The elective I wish to take is either in Film or Theater. This is to ensure I can find my passion and focus in my university career, without stressing my body and mind. In the Winter 2017 term, I wish to obtain a full semesters course load- granted, after my Fall 2016 term, I will assess my grades, mental health, physical health and talk with my academic advisor, therapist and family. Then I will continue into the summer with two online classes. With this, I would be fully on track to complete my degree as a geography student.
I have a concrete plan to succeed both academically and in life. I have a goal to do well this year, and due to my extenuating circumstances it will be difficult but not impossible. This is why I am requesting to wave the requirement to withdraw for one year. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
I have taken steps to help myself physically and mentally. I check in with my doctor every month to monitor my health; both in regards to my endometriosis and my current situation.
The second step I wish to take, is to contact my professors of the situation I am in in regards to my mental and physical health. I will do this the first week of classes to help prepare them and myself if a minor problem does arise, that way we can all work it out without falling behind.
I have also met with an academic advisor to make a long-term academic plan. I want to be a part time student in the fall, as not to overwhelm myself. I wish to focus on human geography, and a course that is an elective of interest. More specifically I wish to take a GIS courses GPHY 242 and GPHY 243. The elective I wish to take is either in Film or Theater. This is to ensure I can find my passion and focus in my university career, without stressing my body and mind. In the Winter 2017 term, I wish to obtain a full semesters course load- granted, after my Fall 2016 term, I will assess my grades, mental health, physical health and talk with my academic advisor, therapist and family. Then I will continue into the summer with two online classes. With this, I would be fully on track to complete my degree as a geography student.
I have a concrete plan to succeed both academically and in life. I have a goal to do well this year, and due to my extenuating circumstances it will be difficult but not impossible. This is why I am requesting to wave the requirement to withdraw for one year. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Documentation
Professional Letter: Doctors Letter 2016.pdf
Professional Letter Detail: I am also expecting a letter from Queen's counselor Whitney Babcock to support my appeal.
Document: Dram205 log - Casista Moodle.pdf
Decision Letters
History
Originally submitted June 14, 2016 at 8:16:16 AM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | Prepared for Review | Carrie Roosenmaalen | 2016-06-14 8:51:54 AM | |
| status | N/A | Prepared for Review | In Review | Spring Forsberg | 2016-06-16 11:18:01 AM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Incomplete | Spring Forsberg | 2016-06-17 2:34:20 PM | |
| status | N/A | Incomplete | In Review | Haley Everson | 2016-06-27 3:53:35 PM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted | Haley Everson | 2016-06-29 9:59:05 AM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Sue Blake | Haley Everson | 2016-06-29 9:59:05 AM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Haley Everson | 2016-06-29 9:59:28 AM |