Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 2520
Submitted: July 27, 2016 at 5:46:22 PM
First Name: Rebecca
Last Name: Wood
Student Number: 10149272
Email: rebecca.wood@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: POLS
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: STAT 263
Term: Summer
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Bénard:
I respectfully submit this appeal to drop STAT 263 (Summer 2016). There were two extenuating circumstances which directly affected my academic performance and ability to successfully complete this course.
To give you a brief background, my brother (26 yrs.) has suffered from mental illness since he was 16, resulting in a tense and dysfunctional home situation. To avoid this environment and maintain the focus necessary to successfully complete my summer courses (STAT 263 and WRIT 125) I planned to stay in Kingston this summer. Despite this intention, a situation with the sub-letters in my home, affecting my safety and well-being, necessitated a move back to my family home in Milton at the end of May. This situation was highly disruptive to my first month of studies as I spent excessive amounts of my time in May trying to manage and resolve the related issues.
The most critical circumstance that has impacted my ability to succeed in STAT 263 is that my brother continues to struggle with his mental illness. He is unable to work and is home on disability. This illness and its effects permeate my home. Further, as a result of his illness, he also battles addiction to drugs and alcohol. It is this unhealthy environment and toxic behaviour that I hoped to avoid by living in Kingston this summer.
When I moved into my family home at the end of May, I became aware for the first time that my brother had been charged with a criminal offence in late 2015 that is currently in the court system with a court date set for July 29th, 2016. This information was previously kept from me as my mom knew that it would elevate my anxiety and distract me from my studies. However, upon my return to Milton, it was necessary for me to know this as there were lawyer's meetings in my home, correspondence arriving at my house, and various related appointments on the calendar. It is difficult to explain the level of distress that this has caused me. I worry for my brother's future and for my mother's health due to the high stress that these legal matters have created. This was a profoundly disrupting circumstance that escalated my anxiety, caused chronic insomnia, and prevented my ability to concentrate and apply my full attention to my course work.
In summary, these highly stressful events were beyond my control and prevented me from properly focusing on my STAT 263 course. I have successfully completed my WRIT 125 course as I did not find the course content challenging and it required very minimal effort for me. On the contrary, the STAT 263 course material is more challenging for me which is the key reason that I chose to do this course in the summer where I could give it the time required without the distraction of a full course load. I did my best to keep up with the modules and assignments, however, it became clear in the past few weeks that, due to my inability to focus caused by my anxiety and insomnia, I have fallen behind too far to catch up and will not be in a good position to pass the final exam.
Last week I spoke with an academic advisor to explain my situation. As it was caused by extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control, he recommended that I submit an academic appeal to have the course dropped. This way I will not have a failed grade on my transcript, which could seriously affect my ability to pursue graduate studies and would drastically affect my GPA.
I am a serious student who takes great pride in my work ethic and ability to juggle multiple priorities, the highest of which is my school work. However, due to the above, my highest good intentions were compromised. I have consulted with my physician and she has referred me to a psychologist who can help me process my feelings around my brother's mental illness and upcoming trial, and the impact of this on all of us.
In terms of my plan for future success, moving back to Kingston will be highly beneficial to me as this removes me from my negative home environment that triggers much of my anxiety. I am confident that working with a professional to talk about my feelings around my brother's mental health and legal issues will help me to better process and manage my emotions and put me back in a strong position in September to fully focus on my 2016-2017 school year.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Wood (10149272)
Enclosures:
-Medical note from physician (Dr. Dag-Ellams)
-Supporting letter from mother (Donna Wood)
I respectfully submit this appeal to drop STAT 263 (Summer 2016). There were two extenuating circumstances which directly affected my academic performance and ability to successfully complete this course.
To give you a brief background, my brother (26 yrs.) has suffered from mental illness since he was 16, resulting in a tense and dysfunctional home situation. To avoid this environment and maintain the focus necessary to successfully complete my summer courses (STAT 263 and WRIT 125) I planned to stay in Kingston this summer. Despite this intention, a situation with the sub-letters in my home, affecting my safety and well-being, necessitated a move back to my family home in Milton at the end of May. This situation was highly disruptive to my first month of studies as I spent excessive amounts of my time in May trying to manage and resolve the related issues.
The most critical circumstance that has impacted my ability to succeed in STAT 263 is that my brother continues to struggle with his mental illness. He is unable to work and is home on disability. This illness and its effects permeate my home. Further, as a result of his illness, he also battles addiction to drugs and alcohol. It is this unhealthy environment and toxic behaviour that I hoped to avoid by living in Kingston this summer.
When I moved into my family home at the end of May, I became aware for the first time that my brother had been charged with a criminal offence in late 2015 that is currently in the court system with a court date set for July 29th, 2016. This information was previously kept from me as my mom knew that it would elevate my anxiety and distract me from my studies. However, upon my return to Milton, it was necessary for me to know this as there were lawyer's meetings in my home, correspondence arriving at my house, and various related appointments on the calendar. It is difficult to explain the level of distress that this has caused me. I worry for my brother's future and for my mother's health due to the high stress that these legal matters have created. This was a profoundly disrupting circumstance that escalated my anxiety, caused chronic insomnia, and prevented my ability to concentrate and apply my full attention to my course work.
In summary, these highly stressful events were beyond my control and prevented me from properly focusing on my STAT 263 course. I have successfully completed my WRIT 125 course as I did not find the course content challenging and it required very minimal effort for me. On the contrary, the STAT 263 course material is more challenging for me which is the key reason that I chose to do this course in the summer where I could give it the time required without the distraction of a full course load. I did my best to keep up with the modules and assignments, however, it became clear in the past few weeks that, due to my inability to focus caused by my anxiety and insomnia, I have fallen behind too far to catch up and will not be in a good position to pass the final exam.
Last week I spoke with an academic advisor to explain my situation. As it was caused by extenuating circumstances that were beyond my control, he recommended that I submit an academic appeal to have the course dropped. This way I will not have a failed grade on my transcript, which could seriously affect my ability to pursue graduate studies and would drastically affect my GPA.
I am a serious student who takes great pride in my work ethic and ability to juggle multiple priorities, the highest of which is my school work. However, due to the above, my highest good intentions were compromised. I have consulted with my physician and she has referred me to a psychologist who can help me process my feelings around my brother's mental illness and upcoming trial, and the impact of this on all of us.
In terms of my plan for future success, moving back to Kingston will be highly beneficial to me as this removes me from my negative home environment that triggers much of my anxiety. I am confident that working with a professional to talk about my feelings around my brother's mental health and legal issues will help me to better process and manage my emotions and put me back in a strong position in September to fully focus on my 2016-2017 school year.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Wood (10149272)
Enclosures:
-Medical note from physician (Dr. Dag-Ellams)
-Supporting letter from mother (Donna Wood)
Documentation
Professional Letter: Supporting Document - Dr Dag-Ellams.pdf
Document: Supporting Letter - Donna Wood-2.pdf