Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Jessica Liang
10113858
405-475 Princess St, Kingston ON K7L1C3
(613) 483-2326
jessica.liang@queensu.ca


January 21st, 2017

Dr. Johanne Bénard
Associate Dean (Studies)
Student Services, First Floor Dunning Hall
(613) 533-2470, ext. 79584
f2deans@queensu.ca

Dear Dr. Johanne Bénard,

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, addressing my situation. I am appealing to drop my RELS301 (Fall 2016) course grade from my transcript due to a number of reasons relating to my mental health and family issues. In addition to appealing to drop the grade from my transcript, I am also requesting to appeal to waive the appeal deadline for the same reasons.

Having been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression in 2010, I have been going to SWS for counselling since Fall 2013. However, after my beloved grandfather passed away suddenly in Winter 2016 with me halfway across the country, I had relapsed for a variety of relevant and other reasons. This happened while I was taking RELS224 with Professor Christopher Byrne. I had trouble concentrating on life and schoolwork, yet I did not have issues with any of my other classes aside from RELS224. I admit that I did not contact him prior to the deadline to request an extension, and he rightfully echoed this statement. He then requested medical documentation and a funeral notice, half of which I was able to provide. As a result he deducted participation marks for missed classes.

When I enrolled in RELS301 out of sheer interest, I was surprised to find that it was the same professor but I continued anyway. I then found out that my godfather¿¿s mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in August, with only 9 months left to live. It was not the only major health issue in my family, but since she is very important to me. Again, I only struggled in RELS301 and not in my other courses, ending the term with four As and Bs. The reason is due to the cycle of residual anxiety left from my Winter 2016 course with Professor Christopher Byrne, compounded with new anxiety in the class. I have a good relationship with my other professors, where I feel comfortable approaching for questions and receive constructive feedback that motivates me to keep going. In RELS301, I panicked and missed the deadline for the essay, and it was too late to submit it. I worked hard on my other assignments, trying to teach myself and also helping other students understand the material that is foreign to me. The stress of approaching the professor multiplied over the course of the semester, and I became afraid to enter the classroom with guilt and embarrassment. This has resulted in the deduction of even more participation marks, which total 20 of his RELS 301 class. I have spoken to another student who has had the same issue as Professor Byrne did not initially accept her accommodations. She was only able to get her accommodations accepted by quoting SWS information and sending it to him. I finally made my way to SWS again, after a series of waitlists for appointments. It turns out that there was a technical issue with the submission of my letter of accommodation, which was dealt with and addressed by the Professor. I believe that if I had extra time to submit the assignments without the penalties, in addition to the lack of anxiety, I would have done much better in this course.

I have been registered with Student Wellness Services and have adequate accommodation for my diagnosed anxiety and depression. I also have a new psychiatrist at CDK Kingston named Dr. Zlatko Banic, whom has prescribed medication and counselled me through psychotherapy to counter my ongoing mental illness. Attached are the letters of my accommodation, from my psychiatrist, as well as relevant email correspondences with my Professor.

As I am in my last year completing my final terms to graduate in November 2017, I have finally grasped the balance of studies and personal health. I recognize that it was my responsibility to notify the professor ahead of time for an extension, and I will make sure I do so in the future to prevent a situation such as this from arising again.

Thank you very much, Dr. Johanne Bénard, for your time in addressing my issue. I truly appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Jessica Liang