Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean
Faculty of Arts & Science
Queen¿¿s University
Kingston, ON

The Request:
I wish to be granted credit standing in ENGL 100 and FILM 110, and to be given late permission to drop POLS 110 and MUSC 104 in the Winter Term of 2017.

Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
I have been diagnosed with ADHD (Inattentive) and a learning disability regarding processing and visual memory. Throughout my education, prior to Queen¿¿s, I was very well supported by my school which I attended from Grade 3 to 12, Student Services at the school, my parents, a doctor who treated me for my learning challenges, coaches and tutors. Prior to starting at Queen¿¿s I attended the SOAR Program in July of 2016, where I connected with Anne Newman in Adaptive Technology Services and Jeanette Parsons in Accessibility Services. However, when I arrived in September I failed to follow up on those connections. With the novelty and distractions of a new city, living in residence, and the independence required in first year University, I found it very challenging to focus and develop the good habits necessary for my success. This was compounded by the fact that I stopped taking the medication necessary for me to control the lack of focus that comes with my ADHD. As a result, I began to fall behind on work, became overwhelmed and began missing classes and readings. When I began to see these academic challenges reflected in my grades, I reached out to Gail Eaton-Smith in Accessibility Services, whom I had been told is the primary contact for students with learning challenges. Unfortunately, due to Ms. Eaton-Smith¿¿s busy schedule, we were not able to connect. I eventually connected with Spring Forsberg in the Faculty of Arts & Science, as well as Ms. Eaton-Smith, and Ms. Parsons, but by that time, it was impossible to fully reverse the course of the year.
With regards to MUSC 104, I realized well into the term that the course material was not appropriate for someone with a visual memory learning disability. My challenge relates to content that is expressed in symbols and graphics. While I can play music proficiently by ear, I am challenged by musical notation. A substantial portion of this course was related to musical notation. I should have done more to understand the content of this course. In retrospect, I never should have enrolled in this course.
Submitted with this appeal letter are letters of reference from Jeanette Parsons, my parents, and also from Dr. Michelle Scholes, who has been working with me regarding my ADHD for upwards of ten years.

Future Plan:
Over the summer, I have committed to a twelve-week session with an executive functioning coach at Red Oak Centre in Toronto. At Dr. Scholes¿¿s suggestion, I will also see a psychologist to explore potential anxiety issues which may have contributed to my problems over the course of the year. I have also been in contact with Ms. Forsberg for academic advice. Should my appeal be granted, I plan to return in September as a returning first year student. I also plan to take a lighter course load. I plan to set up weekly appointments with Ms. Linda Williams in SASS as well as Ms. Eaton-Smith in order to help me stay on top of my work and deadlines. I will explore options regarding tutoring as well. I will also maintain regular contact with Ms. Forsberg and Ms. Parsons.