Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: I am requesting to appeal my grades for the selected courses on the grounds that my medical circumstances during my enrollment in those courses prevented me from attaining the grades I am capable of.

Since my first year at Queen¿¿s University in 2007, my struggle with anorexia impeded my academic success and was beyond my control. I sought help from specialists and counselors, and since 2009 remained under the close supervision of my family doctor, Jennifer Rae. Unfortunately, the severity of my sickness left me unresponsive to treatment, and the effect on my academic performance endured until 2011, when I was able to confront my eating disorder, and gain perspective through an enlightening volunteer trip to India and Sri Lanka.

During the winter semester of 2008, due to the accommodations extended to me by the professor for WMNS 120, as well as by Jackie Davies for PHIL 115B, I was able to succeed with adequate grades. However, I was unable to complete assignments for my DEVS 100B course due to the group work involved, as I was unable to attend meetings and support team members. I was unable to attend the majority of classes for ECON 110B as the classes were held in the mornings, and my energy level was poor.

During the winter semester of 2009, I was ill and unable to complete course work for WMNS 225 and WMNS 212. SPAN 101B was demanding, and grades were awarded for class participation. Due to the fact that I was unable to attend classes, and that my mental abilities were strained, I was unable to memorize the vocabulary and grammar required to succeed. That semester, the majority of my effort went towards my SOCY 122B course, which I found to be more manageable due to the format of the class, and for which I received valuable assistance from the T.A.

During my summer semester of 2009, I experienced positive changes after changing family doctors to my current doctor, Jennifer Rae, and my academic term was stronger as a result. I experienced a positive winter semester in 2010 with her support.

The Fall Semester of 2010, I began having heart problems associated with weight-loss, and was monitored by cardiologists. Again, I was faint and unable to attend the majority of classes, and my grade for PHIL 201 suffered.

During my winter semester of 2011, I endured a family loss that had a profound effect on my disorder, and I rarely attended classes. After much academic defeat, I decided to leave Kingston in pursuit of the personal experience required to change my destructive behaviour. This is when I went to India and Sri Lanka.

The change of environment aided my recovery, and I returned to Canada with no desire to revisit my self-destructive habits. However, the circumstances under which I was working left me exposed to the tropical diseases that plague under-privileged demographics in those regions. I contracted dengue fever, and returned to Canada in serious condition. After being seen by tropical disease specialists, I was released from hospital and returned to Queen¿¿s, certain that I had recovered, with appreciation for the opportunities ahead of me. Midway through the Winter Semester of 2013, I developed digestive issues, which were later attributed to dengue fever, and my physical pain made it difficult to function. My symptoms were exacerbated by the stress, and I was often unable walk to campus. Professors were accommodating, and I kept them informed of my medical circumstance with documentation. I was able to succeed in PHIL 271 and PHIL 316, however I did not complete the course work for PHIL 240. I have since been in contact with Professor Paul Fairfield, who has extended to me the opportunity of submitting course work late. I have been working on the material over the summer, and intend on completing the course with success this fall.

Brief periods of relief from the illness gave me false hope, and I registered for fall courses in 2013. I enrolled in and successfully completed PHIL 250 and PHIL 257. However, my PHIL 318 course was not completed. The professor fell ill nearing the end of the course, and material was left unfinished. The course is a mandatory course for Philosophy majors. I spoke to Dean Hortin regarding this, who suggested I take another course in its place in order to meet the departmental guidelines. I will be meeting with Deborah Knight to discuss a replacement course.

Over the summer, I experienced medical improvements. I am near completion of my Philosophy of Law course, and intend to complete the upcoming semester with success. I am no longer burdened with illness, however I will continue to seek medical supervision to ensure that my health remains strong. I intend to continue my registration with Health, Counselling and Disability Services, in order to avoid further academic difficulty. A lighter course load will also facilitate success.

My medical struggles have taught me how to endure difficult circumstances, to appreciate my newfound physical wellness, and to maximize the opportunities that come with it. Although many of my academic efforts have been fruitless, I have learned a great deal from the classes I have attended. I am confident both my health and my intellectual abilities in the area of philosophy and the arts. Jackie Davies invited me to do a guided reading course with her this semester, and I am keen on the experience and subject matter. Recognition of my medical struggles and my academic potential in the form of a granted appeal would assist my ability to move forward from my past towards the goals of my future.

Thank you for your consideration,
Lisa Cameron