Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: August 12th, 2021.


To the Board of Studies:

The timeline associated with my acute circumstances was from 2011 until 2018. As a result of the request denial, I have not been able to establish my career and subsequently move forward with my life. The grades I receive in the courses I continue to take are now diluted by the courses that remain on my transcript. This is a constant reminder of an extremely difficult time in my life and continues to have a very negative impact on my mental health and professional development.

In 2017 I was formally diagnosed with a mental health condition and subsequently sought help. Throughout treatment, I was able to revisit the traumatic circumstances that resulted in my inability to engage in the courses or to drop the courses by the deadline. I built up the courage necessary to formulate my original appeal while continuing to navigate the fall-out from the circumstances that began in 2011.

In Summer 2011, my Mother was diagnosed with cancer and was subsequently hospitalized to undergo critical treatments. This was completely unexpected and extremely traumatic, with no time to mentally process what was occurring. In Fall 2011, I began to experience symptoms of severe anxiety and insomnia. Each symptom was being treated by my doctor individually and I was prescribed medication. I also began practicing Yoga and meditation as forms of mental therapy during this time. By Winter 2012, I began experiencing frequent, severe anxiety attacks at random. These episodes greatly impacted my academic performance due to their unpredictable, debilitating nature. My psychological state was deteriorating as a result of stress and trauma and I decided to carry a lighter course load to accommodate my mental health. By Summer 2012, I moved home to be with family as a means to cope with my mental health struggles and began working full time to support myself. Between 2012-2014, my mental health symptoms would wax and wane. As soon as I would see improvements in my mental health, I would feel eager to complete my degree so I could close this chapter of my life. Each enrolment, however, was followed by the subsequent exacerbation of anxiety symptoms. Later, through formal diagnosis and related treatment, the association between my trauma, triggers, and Queen??s University became clear. In Winter 2016, I finally felt mentally prepared to tackle my final 6.0 units. Two weeks after enrolling, however, my parents unexpectedly announced their plans to divorce. This was earth-shattering for me and consequently resulted in further deterioration of my mental health condition. I consulted my physician who advised an extended leave of absence from work. In 2017, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression and as a result, I suffer from anxiety attacks and insomnia. I sought treatment through my family physician and subsequently began counselling.

In conclusion, these 8 (eight) courses were not dropped by the academic deadlines as my mental health condition prevented me from acting in a thoughtful, logical manner. I was unable to focus enough on my academics during this time to ensure all guidelines, procedures, and deadlines were followed as I was consumed by my condition. On the contrary to the Associate Dean??s initial decision, I believe that my circumstances are extenuating as I still receive treatment for my mental health condition and decision-making processes are known to be impacted by this condition. While I have seen an improvement over the last 4 years through treatment, this condition is something that I continue to cope with. I have provided another letter from my physician for your review, with the information my doctor would disclose in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

As such, I request that the Board of Studies rule in favour of a late withdrawal from the aforementioned courses and remove all references to these courses from my official transcript.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best, ??
Rachel Moore
05930496