Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: June 17, 2018

Dear Associate Dean (Studies)

This appeal applies to Aegrotat estimated standing for all of the following second semester courses taken during my first year at Queen¿¿s University in the Arts/Science Program:
CHEM112B-002; MATH121B-002; BIOL103-009; GPHY101-001; GPHY102-001 (Winter 2018).

I believe I completed the majority of the work (at least 60) in all my courses prior to becoming violently ill on March 15, and then admitted to the hospital on March 16 for acute perforated appendicitis. The recovery was complicated with on-going hospitalization due to intra-abdominal/pelvic abscesses which were not amenable for drainage. Until April 24, my last day with the PICC line to administer double doses of IV antibiotics, I was in and out of hospital due to further complications. Throughout this period, I was very weak, in pain, extremely ill and nauseous. Furthermore, during that period of time, I could not possibly physically attend any courses and complete any assignments. I have attached a letter from the attending surgeon Dr. Ross Walker and several hospital admission/discharge summaries as supporting documentation of my serious illness.

List of events as follows:
March 15 ¿¿ violently ill at home;
March 16-17 ¿¿ admitted in the hospital for acute perforated appendicitis;
March 18-27 ¿¿ admitted in the hospital again for post-operative lieus / intra-abdominal/pelvic abscesses not amenable for drainage;
March 27- medical discharge with PICC line for double doses of IV antibiotics; one visit at home and then daily in clinic (was extremely weak and nauseous);
March 30 ¿¿ daily nurse visit at home for double doses of IV antibiotics was granted due to extreme illness, weakness, pain and nausea; ondansetron prescribed for nausea;
April 3 ¿¿ return to KGH emergency dept.; PICC line blocked;
April 11 ¿¿ return to KGH emergency dept.; PICC line blocked again;
April 12 ¿¿ return to KGH emergency dept. at the doctor¿¿s request; concern of blood clot in the lungs;
April 13 ¿¿ CT scan of my lungs and abdomen; lungs are clear and abscesses have significantly reduced;
April 16 ¿¿ blood work scheduled at HD prior to apt. with surgeon; return to HD emergency dept. since only a registered nurse can draw blood from a PICC line;
April 17 ¿¿ follow-up apt. with surgeon Dr. Walker;
April 20 ¿¿ return to KGH emergency dept.; PICC line blocked again;
April 21 ¿¿ return to daily double doses of IV antibiotics in clinic;
April 24 ¿¿ PICC line removed at CBI Homecare.

While I was admitted in the hospital, my mother (as delegate on my behalf) provided the required documentation to the Academic Advisor for academic consideration due to extenuating circumstances, which I thankfully received. I have since then reached out to all my professors and as soon as I was well enough and capable, I submitted all the assignments that I had completed prior to my unexpected and sudden illness, but was unable to hand in because of my hospitalization and illness. Until this unforeseen circumstance, I was extremely dedicated, focused and driven, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first year at Queen¿¿s. I was achieving success in all my courses and my assignments were always handed in on time.

I feel that this is an exceptional circumstance totally out of my control which greatly impacted my health and my capability to finish in due time my second semester assignments and exams. I am concerned that the exams (if taken much later in September) will greatly impact my academic success especially since much time will have passed. I feel confident, if given a fresh start in September, I can begin the second year at Queen¿¿s with great academic success since it has never been a question of dedication, time and effort. My grades were successful until this unfortunate occurence. In this particular situation, it would appear to be, as the doctor said, ¿¿just bad luck¿, which is nothing that I could have done to prevent happening. I hope my luck can be changed with the possibility of an appeal approval and Aegrotat estimated standing can be granted.

I sincerely appreciate your time and effort and thank you for considering my appeal.

Kayla Chartrand
Student Number: 20064154
Queen¿¿s Email: 16KRC7@queensu.ca