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Petition Type: New
ID: 3558
Submitted: June 5, 2017 at 4:17:25 PM
First Name: Noah
Last Name: Stevens
Student Number: 10153482
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: PHIL
Level of Study: 2

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Waive the 21-day or one term deadline

Petition Letter

Petition Letter: June 5, 2017

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in an effort to appeal the deadline to appeal my grades from the 2016 Winter Term. The following are the specifics of what I am looking to appeal:
-LING 205: Appeal to drop past drop date
-PHIL 316: Appeal for credit standing
-PHIL 204: Appeal for aegrotat standing
-PHIL 250: Appeal for aegrotat standing

During the 2016 Winter Term, I struggled with mental health issues that greatly impacted my studies. I have had difficulty with anxiety and depression dating back to 2014 and was hospitalized for treatment in June 2015. Following my release, I began seeing Dr. William Kenny at Queen's Student Health but my problems persisted and I did not realize the full effect of this treatment until after the academic year had finished. Throughout the 2016 Winter Term I struggled to focus, find energy, and motivate myself and I was troubled by negative thoughts. I became increasingly isolated and I was very rarely able to get myself out of my house resulting in poor attendance. During the last month this worsened and I missed almost all of my classes. I was able to get through my papers throughout most of the term but the exam period proved to be especially problematic as I was unable to bring myself to study and my attendance issues resulting from my depression culminated in my being very unprepared for the one exam I did write (PHIL 316). Following that, I did not attempt to write the exams for LING 205, PHIL 204, and PHIL 250.

I returned home once the year had finished and began further treatment while continuing to be seen by Dr. Kenny up until early July. I was aware I could appeal my grades (and Dr. Kenny wrote me a doctor's note in case I wanted to which I have attached) but I was unaware of the time constraints. I decided at home to distance myself from the pressures of school until I was in a better place. Thanks to the help of Dr. Kenny and the further treatment I received at home, I feel I am now at a point where I would like to reengage with my studies. Unfortunately, it was not until recent weeks that I felt I had reached a place in my recovery in which I could begin to focus again on my academics. I understand that the deadline to appeal for the 2016 winter term has already passed and I am hoping my situation would permit me to appeal beyond the deadline. I have attached the aforementioned letter from Dr. Kenny that speaks to my condition in the 2016 Winter Term as well as a letter from Dr. Jodine Rosenberg, my GP in Toronto, that speaks to my state both at school and in the following months once I had returned home. I am hoping my appeal is granted so I can continue my studies without being impacted by these grades that I feel are not a true reflection of my academic performance. Please let me know if you require any further documentation to support this appeal.

Thank you very much for your consideration,

Noah Stevens
Student 10153482

Documentation

Amendment to Appeal 3558

Petition Type: 3
ID: 3625
Submitted: June 16, 2017 at 2:36:04 PM
Relevant Petition: 3558
First Name: Noah
Last Name: Stevens
Student Number: 10153482
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: PHIL
Level of Study: 2

Petition Categories

Petition Categories: Drop a course after the academic deadline, Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses, Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Code: LING 205
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline
Code: PHIL 316
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Deborah Knight
Code: PHIL 204
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Prof. Michael Vossen
Code: PHIL 250
Term: Winter
Year: 2016
Petition Category: Request aegrotat (AG) standing in a course or courses
Instructor's Name: Dr. Mark Smith

Petition Letter

Petition Letter: To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in an effort to appeal my grades from the 2016 Winter Term. The following are the specifics of what I am looking to appeal:
-LING 205: Appeal to drop past drop date
-PHIL 316: Appeal for credit standing
-PHIL 204: Appeal for aegrotat standing
-PHIL 250: Appeal for aegrotat standing
Throughout the 2016 Winter Term, I struggled with mental health issues that greatly impacted my studies. I have had difficulty with anxiety and depression dating back to 2014 and I was hospitalized for treatment in June 2015. Following my release, I began seeing Dr. William Kenny at Queen's Student Health but my problems persisted and I did not realize the full effect of this treatment until after the academic year had finished. Throughout the 2016 Winter Term I struggled to focus, find energy, and motivate myself and I was troubled by negative thoughts. I became increasingly isolated and I was very rarely able to get myself out of my house resulting in poor attendance. During the last month this worsened and I missed almost all of my classes. I was able to get through my papers throughout most of the term but the exam period proved to be especially problematic as I was unable to bring myself to study and my attendance issues resulting from my depression culminated in my being very unprepared for the exam in PHIL 316. Following that, I did not attempt to write the exams for LING 205, PHIL 204, and PHIL 250.
In the acceptance of my appeal to waive the deadline to appeal I was asked to explain how I managed to achieve an A- in PHIL 257 despite not writing the exam and I would like to address that now. When I said in my first letter that PHIL 316 was the only exam I wrote I was meaning out of the courses I am attempting to appeal. I realize now that I did not phrase that very well and it was misleading and I apologize for the confusion, it was not my intention to do so. I did write the exam for PHIL 257 but the exam in that course was a very brief multiple choice exam and it did not count for a significant portion of our mark with the grade mainly coming from papers throughout the year. The impact was further diluted by the course being a full year one that also included our 2015 Fall Term grades. I do not remember how I did on the exam (it is possible I never checked) but I doubt it was very well as I was not prepared for it due to the above reasons, however I also remember that my grade (A or A- entering the exam) had very little chance of fluctuation no matter how I did.
I feel the grades in the courses listed above are tainted by very unfortunate circumstances and are not an accurate representation of my academic ability. I hope my appeal is successful so I can continue my studies free of their consequences. Please let me know if you require any further documentation to support this appeal.

Thank you very much for your consideration,

Noah Stevens
Student 10153482

Documentation

Professional Letter Detail: in my file
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History

Originally submitted June 5, 2017 at 4:17:25 PM.

FieldReferenceOld ValueNew ValueNoteUserDate/Time
statusN/AReceivedPrepared for ReviewCarrie Roosenmaalen2017-06-06 11:14:04 AM
statusN/APrepared for ReviewIn ReviewSpring Forsberg2017-06-06 2:50:03 PM
statusN/AIn ReviewGrantedHaley Everson2017-06-09 9:48:06 AM
associate_deanN/ASue BlakeHaley Everson2017-06-09 9:48:06 AM
decision_letterN/AN/ADecision letter sentHaley Everson2017-06-09 9:48:26 AM