Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: May 3, 2018

Associate Dean of Studies
Faculty of Arts and Science
Queen¿¿s University

Dear Associate Dean of Studies,

I, Lindsay Bevan, am appealing for CR (credit received) in COGS100 and SOCY122.

Throughout the first two and a half months of first semester, I was experiencing a psychological challenge. My personal difficulties resulted in being absent from the majority of my classes, difficulty completing course readings, and being unable to complete assignments on time and to the best of my ability. This put me in a position where my grades were jeopardized, as I was temporarily unable to excel and thrive in my studies.

I am appealing for CR in the two courses listed above as I received the lowest possible grade in COGS100 (3.0) and failed the first half of SOCY122 (6.0). Despite having improved my performance in the second semester of SOCY122, I was unable to recover from the initial low grade in first semester, achieving a low ¿¿C¿ level final grade. As for my remaining courses in first semester, I received a ¿¿D¿ level in one, but was able to improve it throughout second semester. The second course, I was able to navigate somewhat successfully in spite of not completing many readings due to my psychological challenge.

As for the last course, economics, I met with the co-ordinator from the Queen¿¿s Start-UP Support Service. She advised me to drop the course, indicating it would be wise to lessen my workload, which in turn might increase my chances of being successful in my other four courses. I took her advice and dropped the course. In addition to this, I sought out assistance from an Accessibility Services Advisor in implementing my academic accommodation plan, which was established during high school. This allowed for extra time on quizzes and tests, as well as with assignments, if needed. I was also seeking help from a psychotherapist at the Adlerian Counselling and Consulting Group in Ottawa, who I continue to see now.

In second semester, I took additional action to improve my academic performance. I attended several one-on-one appointments at the Student Academic Success Services (SASS) Writing Centre, met with the teaching assistants of all of my courses once per month, booked regular appointments with academic advisors, met with the Coordinating Professor Meghan Norris of the Department of Psychology to discuss a personal action plan, and attended classes and tutorials consistently. Since first semester, I have been able to significantly improve my grades as I seldom experience the difficulties I was facing last Fall.

To continue improving, my future plan includes reconnecting with the Queen¿¿s Start-UP Support Service at the beginning of the upcoming term, continuing to utilize my academic accommodations, continuing to see my personal psychotherapist, and accessing the various student success services available at Queen¿¿s. I am motivated and look forward to furthering my academic goals and future plans.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Bevan