Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To The Associate Dean,
Due to a physical extenuating circumstance, my grades were negatively impacted during my first academic year at Queen¿¿s University (September 2012- April 2013). I am requesting to appeal for a credit standing (CR) in courses I earned substantially lower grades than had been expected as a result of this physical extenuating circumstance.
Throughout my first year I found myself in chronic pain from an ovarian cyst and this pain severely hindered my academic performance. I first noticed this pain a few months before entering Queen's University. I wanted to remedy the situation before the school year started and thought I had after seeking medical attention. My paediatrician diagnosed me with constipation and told me to take a laxative for a month. However, shortly before the school year began I noticed the frequency and intensity of the pain increase. Finally, after multiple trips to the emergency room my diagnosis was determined. Unlike most cases seen with ovarian cysts, a right ovarian cystectomy was required, however the soonest this surgery could be done was in June of 2013, after my first year. In addition to the physical pain, I was faced with the emotional distress of possibly losing an ovary and undergoing an invasive medical procedure. Throughout my first year there were times where the pain would prevent me from being able to walk to class or focus on schoolwork. Some episodes would require trips to the emergency room, as I could not wait for a scheduled trip to the doctor¿¿s office as a result of the level of pain. Due to the nature of my extenuating circumstance, the only thing the doctors could do in Kingston was give me morphine to alleviate the pain. This occurred during both semesters, making it more difficult for me to concentrate and keep up with my schoolwork. Towards the latter of my year at Queen¿¿s University I found a doctor in Ottawa who could drain the cyst trans-abdominally to relieve the pressure and temporarily alleviate the pain until surgery. Although a more effective method pain management, I had to go home multiple times to undergo this procedure, further impacting my studies. In the procedure this doctor conducted, almost a Litre of serous fluid from the cyst was extracted, however kept returning not too long after. After the surgery took place, the surgeon indicated to me that my right ovary had actually rotated three times. This and the amount of serous fluid found in my cyst attests to the discomfort I endured over the year. Overall, the constant pain, trips to the doctor and home, negatively affected my academic performance.
I have provided professional documentation to support not only the timeline but that my extenuating circumstance has been medically treated and no longer affects my academic performance. As a result of this physical extenuating circumstance, I am requesting to appeal for a credit standing on the grades I feel were not reflective of my academic ability.

Sincerely,

Andrea Tannis