Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Request:

I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s for a minimum of one year. I am also appealing to waive the 21 day deadline, and drop the following courses from my transcript:

ENGL 250B ¿¿ 2011 Summer
HIST 272B ¿¿ 2011 Summer
HIST 240 ¿¿ 2011 Fall
ENGL 237 ¿¿ 2011 Fall
ENGL 235 ¿¿ 2011 Fall
HIST 281 ¿¿ 2012 Winter
ENGL 244 ¿¿ 2012 Winter
HIST 252 ¿¿ 2012 Winter
HIST 365 ¿¿ 2012 Winter
CLST 201 ¿¿ 2014 Winter
ENGL 292B ¿¿ 2014 Winter

Extenuating Circumstances:

My extenuating circumstances revolve around in a decline in mental health and financial problems. In the Winter term of 2012 I went to HCDS and saw a counsellor as well as a psychiatrist who had diagnosed me with Major Depressive Disorder and prescribed anti-depressants. I sought out several counsellors in Kingston including KCCC and FCMHAS. I had also begun to see a mental health nurse at HCDS for the remainder of the term but had made the decision to withdraw from Queen's for one year. Upon my return I struggled with making the transition back to my studies, and had some difficulty with some of the courses I took. I continued to see my counsellor at HCDS and I feel that I did my best and am capable of finishing the courses I need to graduate this coming year.

I am also fully dependent on my own income and OSAP to pursue my studies, so financial stresses have also contributed to poor academic performance. I receive no financial support from my family, and have very minimal contact with or personal/emotional support from them as well. I work a part time job approximately 25-30 hours a week to supplement my finances in addition to student loans.

Future Plan

During the past school year, I had continued to seek assistance with my mental health nurse at HCDS, and plan to remain doing so this following year to further develop and implement coping strategies for my mental health problems. I also plan to keep my course load at approximately 60 so that I can have adequate time to focus on each class and not become overwhelmed again.

I feel very encouraged to continue and finish my studies at Queen¿¿s, as I am very close to graduating and feel that the past year has helped me transition in terms of re-entering my studies as well as reinforcing my progress under mental health counselling.