Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Johanne Bérnard,

I am appealing to drop DEVS 240 (Winter 2017). Due to extenuating circumstances, beyond my control, I was unable to complete the course material required to pass the course. Originally, I had received permission to get an incomplete in the course from Dr. Marc Epprecht so that I could finish the coursework over the summer term. Unfortunately, my health issues persisted and I was again unable to complete the work by the Sept. 15 deadline.

These health issues resulted from severe mental illness, which at prevented me from attending class and completing assignment during the Winter 2017 Term. At times, the issues were so severe that I could not leave my room or my house. As soon as I realized that my mental health was affecting my academics, I contacted Queen's Student Health Services to book appointments with a physician and a mental health counselor. Around mid-January, I began meeting regularly with the physician, counselor, and academic advisors to support me in combatting my mental illness. A month later, my physician determined that this would be a long-term issue and referred me to QSAS. I am now registered with Queens Student Accessibility Services and have acquired the accommodations necessary to help me with my studies going forward.

Despite all this support, the struggle I have gone through in dealing with my mental health has been a long process. To this day I am still trying to get my medication correct and build habits that will help me cope in a stressful academic environment. When the Winter 2017 Term first ended, I was very optimistic and hopeful about completing the work for DEVS 240 over the summer term. However, this time was actually needed to focus on my health and wellbeing and over the summer I was able to make great strides towards recovery. Over the summer I regularly met with my family physician to keep updated on my progress and searched for adequate counseling services outside on Queen's that could provide me with the more intensive help that I would require when returning to school full-time.

Going forward, I am confident that I am taking the appropriate steps to succeed academically and otherwise. This past semester (Fall 2017), I opted to take a lighter course load and I am continuing to meet regularly with my physician at Queen's and my personal counselor to work on improving my mental health. Moreover, I have built an incredible support structure around me, including friends and family, but also professionals including Dr. Stephanie Butt at Queen's Student Health services, my counselor, Carol-Anne Vatcher, and my QSAS advisor, Bonney Hunt. Every day now I am making progress with my mental health. When I look back to where I was during the Winter 2017 Term when I was completely incapacitated by my mental illness I am so proud of how far I have come. Additionally, I have seen so much progress since the summer when I was unable to complete my work for DEVS 240 that I am feeling confident in my ability to succeed when I retake DEVS 240 next semester.

I have always held my academics in high regard, which can be seen in my marks prior to the Winter 2017 Term, and I am working hard to return to that high standard of achievement. Although I have not returned to my full academic capacity yet, I am confident because of all the support I have surrounded myself with that I am on the right path. In addition to all the supports for my mental health, I have also met with Queen's Occupational Therapist, Tess Grant. I plan on continuing to meet with her in the new year to go over study and work strategies to keep me on track with my school work.

If you accept my appeal to drop DEVS 240 (Winter 2017), it will give me the opportunity to wipe the slate clean of this terrible time in my life and help me move forward in reaching my academic goals.

Thank you for your consideration,
Zoe Astritis