Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean (Studies)

I am writing to request an appeal for a set of marks on my transcript. Specifically, I am asking permission to have my transcript updated with marks for the courses PSYC 300 and PSYC 490. During the past two and a half years I have had extenuating circumstances that affected my ability to complete my academic work to my usual high standards. I have spent significant time and energy focusing on recovery and taking my health seriously. I am committed to finalizing my academic requirements and have my transcript accurately reflect the intellectual engagement and passion of which I am capable.

The past two and a half years have been extraordinarily difficult. I have had to address several family and personal challenges while attempting to balance coursework and donning responsibilities, while ultimately struggling to adjust to my new daily reality of living with mental health issues. In Fall 2011, I began seeking counselling support related to symptoms of onset of anxiety and depression, which was intense and unpredictable. These issues were additionally exacerbated and complicated by several experiences at the time including my coming out as a gay man and living as a person with cerebral palsy. At the same time I was working as a don in residence and acting as sole support person for my younger brother who had started first year at Queen¿¿s and was similarly diagnosed with depression. It was a struggle to remain positive and to fill the role of support worker, while trying to complete my academic requirements. The nature of these issues is that they are compounding and dynamic.

There were periods when I was able to complete some course work, but emotional and personal exhaustion was such that attending weekly counselling sessions was often the only time I would leave the residence during a given week. My absence from PSYC 300 classes and lack of participation was noticed as a departure from my typical engagement and I attempted to follow-up with professors to inform them of the situation and negotiate deadlines for outstanding work. By the end of the academic year my anxiety was such that continuing to address these issues was overwhelming and debilitating. I couldn¿¿t get engaged to attend classes or complete outstanding academic work.

I was dealing with issues on a daily basis and unable to focus on ongoing problems or long-term solutions. These symptoms and related issues continued to significantly impact my personal and academic life enough that in the Fall 2012 I sought medical advice and was prescribed medication for management of symptoms. I worked with a personal counsellor, medical doctor, and took a reduced course load to fulfill my degree requirements and my work as senior don. Attempting to practice positive coping skills while supporting my residents, my team, and myself was overwhelming. Although I managed to complete some course work (PSYC 490), I was unable to address past incomplete work. My anxiety and depressed mood was such that fulfilling my daily requirements was as much as could be managed. I was unable to address anything that added to my level of anxiety without derailing the delicate balance I had developed in order to manage my immediate daily business. As a result, my participation and attendance in classes suffered.

During the period described above, I took steps to ensure my academic success. I sought personal counselling support both privately, through residence services, and through Health, Counselling and Disability Services. I began taking medication in Fall 2012 to manage symptoms, which had taken over much of my life, and I contacted my professors and the department to negotiate a timeline for completed work. Unfortunately, throughout the process I continually overestimated my health and my ability to continue in my academics, while severely underestimating my level of anxiety and coping skills. Following a lengthy recovery, which included time away from Kingston and the continued support of my counsellor and medication, I was able to develop successful coping strategies and healthy management of my anxiety and depressed mood. I have been extremely frustrated and dismayed that my academic progress has been so derailed by the unexpected onset of serious mental health issues, but I was motivated and healthy enough to be able to follow-through on my outstanding commitments (one paper from PSYC 300) and to complete the requirements to successfully graduate from my degree plan. I have been working with the psychology department and have the support of my professors and the undergraduate chair. The marking of my final assignment in PSYC 300 is finished and the outstanding grade in PSYC 490 has been calculated.

I am looking forward to graduating from Queen¿¿s University this year and successfully moving forward in my personal and professional goals. I would be grateful if you would please grant my appeal. Thank you very much from your consideration.

Sincerely,
Justin Barath (Student Number: 0563 2162)