Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard,
I appealed last year regarding similar circumstances that had affected my academics the fall term of 2015. In the winter term of 2016 many of the same problems continued in my life. My request is that the one term deadline for appeals be waived and the grades and for the classes, GEOL 106, GEOL 104 and PHAR 100 be removed from my transcript.

I ask that the deadline be waived because I was told by the academic advisory office this summer that I would be given the until the end of the fall 2016 semester to appeal my courses in the winter of 2016. I wanted to know this information because at the time I was unaware if I would be healthy enough to continue at Queen¿¿s and I wanted to know when it was required that I submit an appeal if i improved, which i have. It is only when I went to submit this appeal that I noticed the winter term deadline of September 15th. I apologize for any miscommunications that may have occurred.

As for my classes, I completely understand that the expectation when granting an appeal is that such an appeal should not have to be granted again. I can assure you I am writing this appeal now in a much better place than I was during the last academic year. I¿¿m sure my previous appeal can be accessed and reviewed but I will summarize my situation briefly. In the past year I have been battling severe anxiety and depression that has affected many aspects of my life, most notably my sleeping habits and academic performance. During the winter term of 2016 I started to see someone at the student wellness center, which I mention in my previous appeal. Prior to this I have never had any experience in dealing with mental health disorders and I know now that expecting this to be resolved in a matter of weeks was ignorantly unrealistic. However, in the summer of 2016 I saw a therapist more frequently and she significantly improved in my mental state. While I was not perfect, my therapist advised I that returning to Queen¿¿s would be best for me. I was graciously allowed to continue at Queen¿¿s under academic probation and I have significantly improved mentally as well as academically. I have managed to switch out of my previous program and am currently pursuing a less intense one. Additionally, I stepped down from the varsity water polo team to give myself more time for my studies and I have also made my parents aware of my circumstances and I now have their full support. I will also continue to regularly attend meetings at the student wellness center. I know that my university career has not been the most ideal. But Queen¿¿s has been fundamental in my improvement, and I have noticed significant changes in myself academically and in my mental health. I am making positive changes, I am getting better and I want this continue.


Thank you,
Jacob MacTaggart
10145342